How to sharpen" bush hog" or rotary cutter blades and properly inspect and maintain
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2016
- You are about to watch my first RUclips video, the inspiration for the whole channel. Thanks so much, hope you find this helpful.
This video is meant to show a person how to remove and properly sharpen bush hog, brush cutter blades and general safety and maintenance for a "bush hog"
This was extremely helpful. As a woman learning how to care for a farm tractor and brush hog, I hope that proper use of a file doesn’t turn me into too much of a man 🤔
lol....thank you...this was my first ever youtube video....check out some of the newer content...we've come so far!
Always nice to see someone use a file correctly. Thumbs up.
I had no idea how much of my manhood was attached to blade filing technique and proper file care. I'm rethinking my life.
bhahahhahha....I love it! This was actually my very first youtube video...now I've got about 1600 vids up and am a bit more polished. Check out some new stuff you'll love the place!
@@StoneyRidgeFarmercome now. You know it's still about being a "man" like a "Human". Lmfao.
thank you Stony Ridge farmer! very helpful.
I was taught in Metal shop, by a professional machinist the textbook of light drag backwards to dislodge chips from the file.
We learned this before you were born, I do not know what tit tock video you are watching, but I am an old school machinist/mechanic & welder/ fabricator. Also you should have a file comb, you can put chalk in the cutting edge to help losing chips.
my brotha.. I'm sure if you were doing this before I was born..then you probably posses a level of maturity well beyond what you are displaying in your comment. Constructive advice and criticism is welcome, as I'm sure it's welcome in your world...destructive insulting and ill tempered insults are simply unnecessary and reflect upon the character of the person leaving the comment. In other words...no matter how much knowledge you hold...if you are rude, hateful and insulting...you'll never teach anyone a thing. I'm a person just like you...and I don't understand why you'd attempt to insult me instead of teaching us all what you know. A little kindness goes a long way my friend....this video was published before there was a TikTok fyi. Knowledge is power....however when wielded with insult is powerless
Managed to watch the first SRF RUclips video.....whooooo!!!!🇿🇲
Just remember... some of your viewers aren't men, but we work like one. Thanks for the video. I learned a lot!
- Sharon
lol True that....you know this was my very first video...come a long long long way since then :) My newest video actually showcases women lol
Wow, first one. You did a good job!
I was going to say the same thing :) I was looking for removing the blades on my finish mower and this video looked good (and it was). Keep your stuff cleaned and maintained, it makes you a good FARMER :)
Good job, I like to libricate my blades when reinstalling, they are designed to rotate freely and swing back if encountering a hard object. Sometimes they'll freeze up on the pins and cause more damage to themselves. Froze blades can also cause your Bush hog to become unbalanced and shake. This is an intelligent man, using jack stands. Bush hogs weigh enough to severely hurt or kill you, really! That will always ruin your day.
It’s fun to have seen one of your early videos versus your newer ones. Your camera presence and quality has definitely improved. This one is good but the latest ones are really good. Keep it up!
I was thinking the exact same thing.
Wow, thank you!
I'm looking for old pictures. Mr. Stoney has come a long way.
I don't run a slasher/brush hog so I can't comment on them.
However I've run finishing mowers for years.
I found the key to sharpening is to do it more often. Before it gets so bad you need a grinder. A grinder tends to create tiny hot spots in the edge which chip out when they hit something hard.
A flappy paddle sanding wheel on a hand held grinder is quick enough and less likely to create those hot spots. I put mine in a vice, place a high lumin light above it so the shine on the blade is evident. Smooth strokes from start to finish with little weight downward. Finishing blades are 30 deg.
my father passed away 4 years ago so I've taken charge of a lot of the work on the property. ironically you have just about the same model Woods that we have. ive had to learn a lot from youtube videos regarding repair and maintenance for random equipment. this is perfect, thank you.
Yes sir anything to help
Does your body still have everything it had before you started running a tractor?
This was great... Nobody that I've seen put the sharping aspect as the, how to... Thanks for all this info. My plan for tomorrow is all the above and more. Thanks again...
Ur very welcome, be sure you try and balance the weight of the two blades also...something i failed to mention..but important!
Thank you..
Yeah...mate...that is how we got to keep our equipment healthy, productive, save heaps in long term......I used to help 80 years old retired man with his Honda mower, relubricated all the joints, tighten all the holding bolts and nuts, sharpened the blade for him, secured fuel lines, changing oil, it performed like near new, he was happy. The gardening tools kept him busy at his age, works both ways.
This is where it started? Almost a half million subs. Good Job.
yessir #1 video....this day I named the farm and named the channel and dove in head first!
Great video. It’s amazing how many people never grease their equipment. My ‘63 Ford tractor is still going because it’s always been maintained. Was in tractor supply a while back and they had a bunch of tools on clearance for like 75% off. Cleaning out old inventory. Picked up a pneumatic grease gun for $11! That thing has made a big difference when doing my services
HELLO, A BUSH HOG BLADE IS NOT MEANT TO BE SHARP LIKE A KNIFE, A FINISHING MOWER CAN BE SHARP DUE TO A FINE CUT,BUT A BUSH HOG BLADE CAN AND WILL BREAK IF SHARPEN TO MUCH.. BUSH HOG IS A ROUGH CUT MOWER NOT FINE CUT.. GREASE ALL FITTINGS AT EVERY USE AND CHECK PTO FLUID LEVEL ALSO... GOOD MAINTENANCE MEANS LESS BREAK DOWNS.. KEEP UP THE VIDEOS...
thanks buddy...my though is simply this...get it razor sharp..it will dull down a bit but it can't hurt to get it really sharp to start with...let the grass and mowing dull it for ya
Very good video on Bush Hog maintenance. I was unaware of all the grease fitting locations. One thing that I do, is when I have severely worn blades as you have, I will balance them. By that I mean to weigh them and make sure that they are the same. It will reduce wear on your gearbox output shaft bearings and seals as well as decrease vibration. Balancing can be done by adding weight (welding a bead) to the light blade, or grinding off a little extra on the heavy blade. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for the video.
Agreed...balancing is very important...something I forgot to touch on in the video...btw this was my first ever youtube video...I was a bit rusty lol
It was a great first video. Thanks again.
Sharpen riding lawnmower blades
Thanks brother. Nice work!
If you only knew 1 MiL subs comin your way! Love SRF from the day you started! 💪🏻💪🏻
Your videos have come a long way. But Still same great information and tips! 👍
Here's some more unsolicited advice for you. If your'e going to be mowing grass/weeds/etc., a sharp blade like you did in the video is great. If you are going to cutting brush/woody stuff, a less-sharp edge is better. The duller edge will burst the woody stems a bit, rather than cut them off clean. They rot more quickly that way, and produce a less-sharp "spike" sticking out of the ground.
BTW, I just subbed, after watching your videos about buying a work truck (Toyota - nope, Ford - yep), and I'm starting at the beginning (what a concept).
I take them off and put them in a vise and use a 9" angle grinder and get a very good edge.
Exactly, I don't even put them in the vice because it will make a huge mess in the shop. I usually just lay them on the ground and hold them down with my foot and use the 9" grinder to sharpen them. It makes quick work of them. I also have a second set of blades so I can take one off at a time and replace it immediately.
"Be a man and learn how to use a file'! I wish life was that easy. Best wishes.
lol...love it...this was my first every yt vid!
I love that line; it is one for the books! You did a fine job on that video. I intend to use that line on my sons! :) Best wishes.@@StoneyRidgeFarmer
Good stuff here. Subscribed. I do agree with other reviewer that you don't want a fine edge on these blades. They will dull fast and even break on larger impacts. Also... safety. Use at least three jack stands. I use 4. If the hydraulics go or hose bursts, your cutter is coming down. It will tip and you better not be under it... you could be in next days paper.
Ah...good point...welcome to the channel buddy...this was my first video..the start of it all
Don't forget they should both weigh the same you're missing a very valid point
yep! I didn't think it mattered that much until today. Replaced the bolts on my blades the other day, sharpened the blades but didn't pay attention to balancing the blade size and weight. Found one blade almost 1/2 pound heavier than the other. Whittled the one down so it matched the other one, put them back on and its basically vibration-free. Probably need new blades soon but this worked pretty well.
In this time you probably never knew that you will have 663k subscribe is Amazing I’m trying to start a channel and is hard. Love watching Your videos keep it up
yep this was my very first vid my brotha
Love it!!
I can't believe this is your first video! Incredible quality and flow. I don't even have a bush hog and I loved it!
lol.....awkward but got the job done...good ol movie maker!
You've come a long way, Josh!
lol....love it...my first ever vid!
Great! You are awesome Sir. Thanks
Well done video. There's nothing like the way Woods' are built. Rock solid.
Thanks buddy
New to your channel. Love it, thanks for sharing!
this was my first ever youtube video!
I use a cheap belt sander that I purchased at harbor freight with a few heavy grit belts, it'll make quick easy work of it and looks like you sent the blades off to get sharpened. How do you like the BB72 ? looking at purchasing that exact mdl.
so far so good had it 2 years probably 200 hours on it, its going strong
Even though this video is like seven years old, It's one of my favorites for explaining how to change blades. My woods rotary cutter is very similar but is a Model DS120. It has an access hole only 3 inches in diameter to get to the bolt, plate, shims, etc to remove the blade. I see yours has a large rectangular access plate which gives a lot more room for work. Is there any way you can measure the actual size of the access hole beneath the removeable plate? I'm planning on enlarging from the round hole I have and purchasing the rectangular plates to make the job easier. Thanks
I leave them on the cutter and use a torch to sharpen all of ours. Been doing it that way for years.
Josh! Longtime sub man. My boys and I just got ourselves 2 acres and a few animals and counting. We’ve started a channel as well if you feel like giving us a look sometime. I’m aiming to learn/teach my boys a little about farming and just have some fun if people like watching us that’s fun too. Give us a look sometime. We’re just getting started but if I hit 10k subs I wanna come visit and do some work on your place! Get that ram pump working before I come out there though I’m a big boy like you but I ain’t runnin hose up and down your hills haha! Thanks man. You’re one of the few people we watch that have inspired us and I mean just a few. My oldest boy loved when you went under the house after the skunk a few years back! Take care!
Enjoyed it man, good video. (except for the pink phone)(lol) I couldn't let that get by. Seriously, I enjoy the video and will be checking out some more of yours.
Thanks so much, subscribe Id love to have ya, always something interesting going on here on the farm.
I usually sharpen the blades in place with a grinder and flapper wheel. No need for removal for just a sharpen (in the case of my mower) Woods M series. I wouldn't sharpen the bottom of the blade either. Only sharpen the top, and leave a small flat edge on the front of the cutting edge, otherwise it will chip-out bad! Have a good one!
Thanks Denny! I appreciate the tip buddy
That's right, Denny, just sharpen the top side is all that's needed. Keeps the blade stronger. I love bush hogging! Unfortunately, I don't have a place to do it now. Just a rear finishing mower. My 4.5 acres is about all woods, so no place to use a bush hog... :(
This adds heat to the blade. Sharpen the top side or you will get a burr on the top side of the blade. If you look at a sharpe blade under a scope you will see you need a rounded edge I know that sounds strange but the "sharper" you make the blade the less time the edge will remain. That is why they look the way they do from the factory.
Do you weigh your blades before you put them back on?
I sharpen mine without removing them. Very easy just be sure to block the mower deck up.
Direct cut and paste from my Landpride bush hog owners manual...:
"The following precautions should be taken when sharpening blades:
a. Do not remove more material than necessary.
b. Do not heat and pound out a cutting edge.
c. Do not grind blades to a razor edge. Leave a blunt
cutting edge approximately 1/16" (2 mm) thick.
d. Always grind cutting edge so end of blade remains
square to cutting edge and not rounded.
e. Do not sharpen back side of blade."
All the ones that say not to sharpen the blades sharp...whatever! Nice sharp blades cut FAR better than kind of sharp ones with way less strain on your tractor and cutter. Good sharp blades save fuel and allow faster travel speeds a cleaner cut etc etc. New blades do not come that sharp because it is cheaper for them not to be. I have done it both ways, sharp is the way to go. 50 years experience and countless acres cut speaking.
I agree....and most likely within the first 3 hours of cutting those sharp edges will be knocked down to "spec" lol...that thing cut like a dream after I sharpened those blades....this was my first youtube video btw...check out some of the new ones if ur new to the channel....great all around farming country boy variety channel! Thanks for the comment buddy!
That is a great idea to keep extra blades foe your brush hog, because the blades will wear out just as the ones on your lawn mower.The blades on the brush hog don't have to be as sharp as lawn mower blades, and can be sharpened while on the unit also.
A flap disk on a angle grinder works great for that manly shine.
nice tip, thanks for watchn buddy! like the youtube handle!
Use a flap disc on a grinder to finish that edge. Way faster and easier.
Hi..... Thank you 🎥👍👍👍
Looking good buddy! It's nice to see you without a hat. In my opinion, you always looked very handsome no matter what....;-)
Cheers!
Great video, good job, you seemed sad making this video. But I’m still going to call you happy 🐻
LOL....man...this was my first video ever...didn't know what to do lol
WooooooooHeeeeeeeHeeeeeeee!!! Alright!!!🤗🤗🤗🤗
Good video Josh really enjoyed watching this . Your videos have come a long way since this very first video of you sharpening your bush hog blades
I also have a Woods brush hog (60") and I just want to say after you sharpen your individual blades use a fish scale and weigh them so they both weigh the exact same. That way you won't tear out the bearings and gear box with out of weight blades.
WOW! Huge difference from your more current videos. You are waaay more full of pi$$ and vinegar, lol, which is very entertaining. This one is good too!
"Doing-It-Right...That's What Being a Man Is"........Hey....that's my line...!!!......Really Good Video for your first time.....I was waiting to see you clean-up the rough blade edges on your bench grinder.....Have you ever posted a video about how to do this...?......I subscribed and I wish you good success with your channel.
Thanks....yep this is the video that started it all...just an idea.....I thought to myself...people might be interested it all this stuff I'm doing on the farm ...thanks for the comment glad to have ya as a subscriber
Hey Josh! Got hooked on your videos and had to go back to your 1st one. Where it all started!! Keep up the good work bud!
It's a bush hog. No need to use a freaking file and it doesn't make you a man. Lol. Use a grinding wheel to get the edge down and if you have a flapper disk it can be used to finish your cutting edge a little smoother. That what a smart man or a woman does.
Good job for posting the video, it may help some so don't take my comment personal.
Lol nope I never take personal insults personally....lol :) You are probably right...but I had to use the "blade bling" terminology and for sure "A man should know how to use a file" would you agree...just maybe not on a bushog blade lol
Never bench grind them. By grinding them you inadvertently heat treat the edge thus making it brittle, which will deteriorate it even further during use.
Decided to watch some of the old videos. Fun to see how it started
How would u service one that has been sitting for 2-3 years
I jack up the deck, point one blade straight back. Then hold the blade with a small jack between the blade and the deck. plenty of room to get a 4 1/2 grinder to cut the top bevel. I do know old timers who NEVER sharpen their blades. Seems to me it cuts easier with a little edge going.
👍🇺🇸
Did you inherit the land? How did you start?
we gotta get you watching more vids brother...bought this overgrown abandoned tobacco farm 9 years ago....now look at how far we've come here....we're now a working farm
Hi Brother Josh hope all is well with you
You got me hooked on your channel! Never knew about using a file only one way , thanks for the tip! Oh yea now I have to buy all new files.😂😂😂😂
LOL good to have ya Alan! Got more stuff coming out soon...I try and do 2 vids a week sometimes more!
You need to make sure that the blades weigh the same so they so it stays in balance. if it is not in balance it will wreck the gearbox and cost more for new bearings and or new gearbox.
WooooooooooHeeeeeeeeeHeeeeeeeeeee!!!!Alright!!!!🤗🤗
Wow, good demonstration, I’m going to check a see if mine has that trap door and try myself instead of paying someone to do it for me
You should use the draw filing method when using a hand file. Pull the file sideways down the length of the blade. Look up the technique on RUclips.
Draw filing is a technique used for producing smooth, square edges, particularly on pieces of metal. The process works by moving any type of single cut file forwards and backwards along the length of the material's edge.
Cool thanks! This was the first video I ever did on youtube....glad to see it's still getting views!
You should take the video down. It’s not at all what you “should do”. Be a man!!!
Greasing until hearing the "pop" or pushing the old grease out is breaking the dust seal if equipped. This is a bad ideal. If regularly greased on a u joint which has a dust boot it will only need 2-3 pumps of your grease gun.
Thanks Coy...good to have someone on the channel with knowledge. I hope you subscribed to the channel, I'd love to have you and appreciate ur comment. I probably could learn from ya buddy...thanks again
I think you meant bad "idea", not "ideal".
Sorry, a pet peeve of mine, especially here in The South.
How much is a blade set cost.
jimmy
From Michigan
about $80
@@StoneyRidgeFarmer thank you
I cant be a bush hog Josh....because my lady is shaved smoothe….he he
Funny this video is getting a lot of traffic lately..this was the one that started it all..now I'm over 600 vids ! Quality most assuredly improved bhhaha thanks buddy
When you hear that "POP" what you are actually hearing is the greese blowing by the seal. You are actually blowing out your greese seal when you do that. Put greese in until you feel a little extra pressure which is right before you blow the seal out. Everytthing else is good advice You did a great job on lighting and camera angles, You might want to explain when you use a grinder you change the temper of the blade. I forgot but also weigh the blades as they need tobe balenced to each other, this keeps vibration down and keeps you from wearing out the bearings on the gearbox.
Excuse any spelling mistakes.
You are NOT blowing out a grease seal when you hear a pop out even if you see grease. That is incorrect. Take a pivot point apart you'll not find a seal where a grease zerk/fitting is.
Only seal on a bush hog would be under the transfer case where spindles transfer through the chassis.
I thought they like both blades to weigh with in 1.5 ounces of each other. Your system is different on the blade spindles. My has pinned spindles and a 1 11/16 nut torqued to 450 foot pounds.
I’m happy I’m the only one who said umm a lot in my first video , come a long way bud WOOOO
I have found heating the edge with a rosebud tip torch and tapping the bevels down flat again then sharpening seems to last longer but it does add an extra step? good video sir!
Cool....I'll try that next time. Thanks for watching, this was my first ever youtube video...started it all
Just like a lawn mower blade,it will stay sharper much longer if you don't grind or file the bottom of the blade.
Woooooo!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Best way to sharpen a blade is by a big file, slowly. Using a grinder brings friction heat and will ruin temper of the metal, causing it to be weaker. If you must use high speed grinder, go slow and with light pressure.
You only take a few swipes and quench in water to keep the temper
@@cha-ka8671 Right, few swipes, yet if you get to "quench in water" part, it has gotten red hot. You may save the temper (possible), but avoid that, and keep its original structure by watching to keep out of the red.
A file is best, if you have the time! As Abraham Lincoln said; "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
Finally! I was wondering how long before someone said this.
Hello, what has happened to you, much different person that used to be, very dark , keep up the good work!! What happened to the other guy ??
Thank you for the review on Rotary Cutter (Bush Hog) maintenance. Glad you covered the regular greasing as that is too often overlooked. I myself sometimes forget the wheel fitting until I'm going and do the D'oh! 😲
One question on sharpening/grinding... blade balance. When there is sufficient damage to blades do you attempt to grind so that equal amounts of material removed from both blades? Since there are only 2 blades, lack of balance can cause vibration. However, as the blades are very thick (unlike a mower's) I wondered if you consider that on not worried unless you have issue. I have yet to have to deal with significant damage thus grinding, but in anticipation thereof, thought I'd throw out the question. When I sharpen Lawn Mower and Finish Mower blades, I do consider the amount of material removed; however, they are 3 blades and center pivot which makes for a different balancing configuration.
OOPs, just noticed that "G D" posed the same question. In the words of the immortal Emily Litella.... "Never mind" 😤
Yep you got it buddy
Stoney Ridge Farmer I thought that you have videos older than this.
awesome video.
Many years ago we sent our blades off to the machine shop thinking they would hit them with a grinder.
They put all 4 blades through the mill, got a prefect angle & they were scary sharp when we got them back.
I sharpen mine with a forge and a trip hammer.
"... do it right and that's what bein' a man is about"... This is something that my wife does not understand, when I take time to do things the right way. Great video
lol...glad you liked the vid...this was my first every youtube video...been at it for 7 years now
If you hit enough rocks in the field like I do...you don't need to sharpen the blades. 🤣
"Be a man, learn how to file." Hahaha. Love it, I'm stealing that quote. I feel the same.
Someone's been to Harbor Freight!
lol
I sharpen my blades with a belt grinder once the blades are sharp, I clamp them in a vice and run a file over the sharp edge so that the apex of the blade is squared off to about 1/8 inches. If the edge is left too cheap it will easily roll over the first time you hit something solid. As stated elsewhere, look at a new blade at Tractor Supply and you'll see that the edge is deliberately left "dull". Then balance them with a fish scale.
Why not put in vise to sharpen a lot easier and use a file card to clean it a lot if really good files at garage sales for cheap hard or find good files now a days all made over seas are junk .
You grind the bottom of the blade.
Lol not bad for the 1st video
My blades are dadgum square
Now unbalanced which will effect bearing wear, if that badly damaged get new blades. Also was told to never sharpen to razor sharp as you’ll cut sharp stubs that will puncture tires...🤷🏾♂️
Your title was "How to Sharpen a Bush Hog Blade". Even though this was an excellent video, you failed to show how to actually sharpen the blade other than the filing part.
You are totally right...and next time I sharpen them I'll show it all...this was my very first youtube vid...much better at not missing important points now...thanks for the feedback dallas
Yes. Are you sharpening only one edge? Are you sharpening 2 different angles or only 1?? Does it matter???
Hey Josh...you didn,t grease the plactic guard bearings.Those little plactic tit looking thingys on the guard are grease fittings for the plactic locks on the guard
Iv never sharpened a bush hog blade...or ever removed a bush hog blade for any reason...just keep the bailing line and wire cut off it best I can
Why bother taking them off? I just lift the brush cutter up nice and high and hit it with an angle grinder while the blades are still on the machine. They get dull fast with use. No need for "bling" or filing. Good point about keeping everything tight and not leaking. You should point out to check your oil in the gear box.
Yep....updated version of this video is out...several points were missed....this was my first youtube video ever...lot's of changes since this awkward little vid
That's what I call a sling blade
Making a blade look pretty, or "bling", is not at all related to being a man, and having your shiny, shiny blade is not "doing what's right". What counts is knowing what you're talking about. This is not a lawn mower blade and it shouldn't be knife sharp. Just go to your local Rural King or Tractor Supply and run your hand across one to see. If you want to be a man and do it right then get a scale out there and weigh those blades because you risk an out of balance condition and the vibration can ruin your gearbox.
yep...ur correct balance is important...fyi this was my first ever youtube vid...#1 of 600+ vids...I now use a scale and balance my mower blades..you make a good point Kevin
Stoney Ridge Farmer Thanks. No disrespect so I apologize if that came off the wrong way. Good of you to reply and to make a video in the first place. Yes, I keep an extra set of blades and swap at the end of the season. That gives me time to get the right edge and weight. The ones I use during mowing season I touch up with an angle grinder.
Stoney Ridge Farmer As well as the balance and proper sharpness is important, remember, when sharpening any type of blade with any type of high RPM grinder you end up creating intense heat, once you create enough heat to cause discoloring you end up tempering the blades steel. Once that edge is tempered due to grinding it becomes harder than intended, thereby creating a brittle edge that once it contacts hard objects (rocks, property witness, rebar stakes etc.) it chips, sometimes that chip can be very large depending on how much tempering the edge receives.
It is okay to sharpen with a power tool but you must be very aware and keep an eye on how much heat you are creating. If possible, sharpening with a file is the best practice.
A bush hog blade does not need to be razor sharp, its intent is not finish mowing.
My statement is for informational purposes only, I have watched more than one of your videos and I appreciate your intent.
V/R,
SpeedBuggy
I'm surprised that he didn't say wear gloves if you don't have "man" hands.
lol...congrats...you just watched my very first youtube vid! Now over 1500 vids...check out some new stuff and you'll see a huge change in what the channel has become my brother
I leave mine on the rotary cutter and it takes WAY less time and effort to sharpen them.