Rotary Cutter Bush hog blades

[cadillac]

When I first got my Howse 350 bush hog I ended up hitting a piece of wood and the blades got crossed. I removed the big pan assembly and the blades to free them from each other.

When I put them back on, one was tight and the other was loose (pivoted freely). Being a novice, I shimmed the loose one to match the tight one. After reading some it seems they should both be loose. Is that correct?

 

[MikeInEburg]

Both blades should swing freely from their pivot point.
Mike

 

[cadillac]

that being the case, I assume I should only tighten the nuts until the blade just moves then install the cotter pin.

 

[MikeInEburg]

On mine you can't tighten the nut too tight - there is an unthreaded section of the bolt on which the blade swings. I probably have 1/8'' "wiggle room" with the nut just as tight as possible. So, to answer your question - tighten enough to allow the blade fairly free motion. You may want to peek at your owners' manual to see what they have to say on the subject.
Mike

 

[Soundguy]

I agree.. should be a shouldered bolt that you can torque down and leave the blades free to pivot.

soundguy

 

[GinNB]

Are the blades bent? I bent the blades on a Woods Dixiecutter upwards a bit. They'd swing a little bit but wouldn't rotate if I hit something big and would get stuck backwards towards the center of the mower. Vibrated like a bugger so there was no missing when it happened. I could use them for a while with care but ended up replacing them. That's not your trouble, is it? How about junk wedged heavily in where they pivot so that one's bound up a bit?

 

[john_bud]

The ability of the blades to touch is one reason I don't like cheap cutters.

Both should swing freely. It allows them to bounce back from hitting an object.

jb

 

[EddieWalker]

...I ended up hitting a piece of wood and the blades got crossed.

Happens all the time when mowing in the woods. I just lift up the mower and beat them apart with a hammer that I carry in my tool box. Had it happen on Sunday. Once they are free of each other, I start it up again and give it a second or two of low RPM's to sort of balance itself out again, then start mowing.

Eddie