Broken Mower Blade Bolt Ideas

[woodlandfarms]

OK, so I had my tractor at my friends house yesterday to extract the two broken bolts.

He had two systems in mind. The 1st was buying a custom type bolt that had a rounded head and was screwed in from the top. It would mean drilling a few holes in the mower deck, and I am not completely sold we can find bolts to work but we are looking.

The second is this crazy idea. What about welding a piece of metal as a bolt guard onto your mower blade. Anyone try this and if so results? My friend feels it would be a protection to the bolt head which is probably taking the impact.

 

[qball98]

Welding on the blade might change the hardness of the blade making it more susceptible to cracking at the weld points. If you do decide to go this route make sure you balance the blade after welding on it.

 

[American Bulldog]

I would try to find a blade that has an offset in it, so that it doesn't hit the bolt when it swings around. Possibly you could put a spacer on the stump jumper that lowers the blade as well. This should work.