Sharpening the blades on a MX6

Uncle Wayne · Jul 29, 2009

Do you take them off to sharpen or leave them on? Didn't think to check the manual before posting.

michiglenn · Jul 29, 2009

I leave them on and use a angle grinder to sharpen them. If you take them off you will need a torque multiplier to re-torque to something like six hundred foot pounds of torque. If you have a multiplier you might try it, but if you lift the unit and put jack stands under it, it is safe, easy and quick.

Bird · Jul 29, 2009

I didn't have an MX6, but I took the blades off my Bush Hog and my Howse. A neighbor sharpened his bigger and older Howse without taking them off because he couldn't get them off.

And other TBN members have done it both ways, also.

sunnyside360 · Jul 29, 2009

I have 3 rotary cutters and sharpen them all with an angle grinder. Years ago I wrestled with removing the blades but no more. I can do it in 5 minutes by lifting deck with tractor 3ph to highest point, blocking it up with a 2" x 6" for safety, and sharpen blades with angle grinder. Some folks run the tractor and cutter up on a trailer to get it raised high enough.

gary_dsc · Jul 29, 2009

It's a lot easier to sharpen the blades on the cutter than taking them off and putting them back on. Like everybody else has said, just be safe, wear eye protection and make sure that the cutter can't come down on top of you.

beefeater · Jul 29, 2009

Any suggestions for sharpening the two sets of blades on a Semi-mount MX8?

I can raise it up about 10-12 inches off the ground, but that's it. Not excited about crawling under that beast with a grinder.

sunnyside360 · Jul 29, 2009

beefeater said:
Any suggestions for sharpening the two sets of blades on a Semi-mount MX8?

I can raise it up about 10-12 inches off the ground, but that's it. Not excited about crawling under that beast with a grinder.

Do you have a FEL? If so, lift one side up and sharpen the blades with an angle grinder. I'd use a chain to hoist and hold for safety sake. Some of those cutters are very heavy but you have to be careful getting under/near all of them being sure they are supported while you work.

Uncle Wayne · Jul 30, 2009

gary_dsc said:
It's a lot easier to sharpen the blades on the cutter than taking them off and putting them back on. Like everybody else has said, just be safe, wear eye protection and make sure that the cutter can't come down on top of you.

Thanks to everyone for their advice. I backed the bush hog over a ditch, raised as high as it would go and blocked it up. May have taken 10 minutes to sharpen the blades with an angle grinder. A lot quicker and easier than I thought.