Bush Hog as cultivator

[BobRip]

Has anybody thought about using the bush hog (rought cut mower) as a cultivator by replacing the blades with something that sticks down into the dirt. Would this be dangerous? Just thinking out loud, but the PT cultivator is so expensive, I cannot justiy it.

I am going on vacation tomorrow, so I am not be able to check TBN for a while.

 

[Rivco]

Just raising the brush mower ( with pto disconnected ) to hose it off after use makes me nervous. I have always thought the pivot bolt setup welded to the wimpy 2" cross tube is a weak point. I think someone just posted a few pictures of the pivot mount weldment tearing apart. Imagine if that happened while someone had the deck raised to cut/cleanout shrubs,brush etc. NOT a smart move!!

 

[thatguy]

they make a dethatcher attachment that fits on a special type of lawn mower blade - I have seen them in the store, but never in use.. why wouldnt it something similar work for a rotary cutter as well??

here is a link to one on amazon.com

Amazon.com: 16" Univ Dethatch Blade: Home Improvement

just curious

Brian

 

[BobRip]

We all get so used to using powered equipment on a regular basis, that we forget how easy it is to get hurt. I think there was a news special on TV about a month ago, where a dad was busy in the garage and let his two young son's use the craftsman to mow the lawn. The older boy was mowing while the younger brother rode on the cart in the back. They drove up onto a hill where the grass was still wet from dew and lost traction. He let off of the peddle thus the brake, so the tractor came back down and jackknifed it threw the other boy out as the tractor ran over him blades still spinning. He barely lived, but is now very disfigured. Now his dad will have to live with that tragic mistake. Powered equipment is dangerous enough when just being used in a normal manner.

I am not suggesting that you raise the mower up, that would indeed be dangerous. I suggest that you put something in the bolt holes that points down. The dethatcher blade that "thatguy" pointed out is a step towards what I am thinking about. I don't really have a concept here, just some wild thoughts.
Oh, I am in Dearborn Michigan tonight and plan to go to the Ford Museum tomorrow. It really is a museum of inovation accoding to the literature. This is my first visit.

 

[MossRoad]

I am not suggesting that you raise the mower up, that would indeed be dangerous. I suggest that you put something in the bolt holes that points down. The dethatcher blade that "thatguy" pointed out is a step towards what I am thinking about. I don't really have a concept here, just some wild thoughts.
Oh, I am in Dearborn Michigan tonight and plan to go to the Ford Museum tomorrow. It really is a museum of inovation accoding to the literature. This is my first visit.

We went there last summer. It is fantastic. Pick up a weenie whistle for yourself.... you'll see what I mean!

 

[cqaigy2]

I am not suggesting that you raise the mower up, that would indeed be dangerous. I suggest that you put something in the bolt holes that points down. The dethatcher blade that "thatguy" pointed out is a step towards what I am thinking about. I don't really have a concept here, just some wild thoughts.
Oh, I am in Dearborn Michigan tonight and plan to go to the Ford Museum tomorrow. It really is a museum of inovation accoding to the literature. This is my first visit.

You mean like take a piece of plate put some heavy pins in it so they stick out and mount it to the brush hog?

 

[BobRip]

You mean like take a piece of plate put some heavy pins in it so they stick out and mount it to the brush hog?

Yeah, like that.

 

[Bob999]

I am not suggesting that you raise the mower up, that would indeed be dangerous. I suggest that you put something in the bolt holes that points down. The dethatcher blade that "thatguy" pointed out is a step towards what I am thinking about. I don't really have a concept here, just some wild thoughts.

It seems to me that the problem with the bush hog as a cultivator is that it runs a too high a speed. For cultivation I think that slow speed with lots of torque would be the desired trait--not high speed/low torque.

 

[ldabe]

Bob,

Welcome to the Great Lakes State!

I am sure you will enjoy the museum, and I hope you take time to go through Greenfield Village also.

Have fun,
Abe.

 

[cqaigy2]

Bob,

Welcome to the Great Lakes State!

I am sure you will enjoy the museum, and I hope you take time to go through Greenfield Village also.

Have fun,
Abe.

I remember when i was a kid going thru the Henry Ford museum and Greenfield Village. I thought it was Great!

 

[AllWaysBreakinSomething]

First it sounds dangerous. However the mulching blades I've seen have a stiff spring mounted to the blade such that when in motion it drags the ground. The spring has a tip of straight about a few inches that touches the ground. The coil portion does not. Also the straight tip is what drags the ground and it tilted in the same direction of rotation. This way it gives and just rips the top of the ground.

I will say after using one of these on a lawn mower. They make a lot of dust. I mean a lot.

Mounting bolts that point downward from the blades I think will break a shaft when it hits something solid like a root, rock, etc.

Anyways, Mounting parts to the blade sounds really dangerous as the ends are moving really fast. Making that much contact with the ground you are going to break something and will be dangerous when it goes flying.

I think rippers may be the cheaper alternative.