Bush Hog Issue

[bsentryrich]

I recently bought a package deal with LS4041 and a "FarmLine" brand 6' rotary cutter. It has a 75hp box w/shear pin setup and squared framing overall. I am having some issues with the mower tending to be "patchy" (leaving tall sections of semi-cut or uncut grass every so many feet) in 24" fescue as well as throwing all of the "scat" out to the right side----I don't recall this happening with my Bush Hog Brand Squealer 72 on my Ford 2120

Perhaps I'm not running at the right RPM, but it "feels and sounds" appropriate if you know what I mean and I tend to run near the optimal line. Both the tractor and the mower only have 7 hours on them, so maybe there is more time to play and learn with this...just looking for feedback. Not sure if sharpening blade at this point is indicated or if this is just an example of a substandard type mower...thanks.

 

[LD1]

I was going to suggest checking the slip clutch, but notice you said it he'd a shear pin....

Perhaps you are just running too fast of a ground speed??? What gear do you now in and what is the mph

 

[MarkV]

Two foot high fescue this time of year tends to be tender and flexible this time of year. Tires will leave some down uncut that the mower doesn't get. In the Fall when it isn't as tender not so much of a problem. I cut about 20 acres the other day that could stand cutting again if I wanted it to look totally even.

MarkV

 

[94BULLITT]

Be sure you are running 540 pto rpm.

 

[Rottweiler]

Just some random thoughts ... you could look under and make sure the blades all swing free. Also make sure the deck is traveling fairly level when you're running. It won't cut well if running tipped up or back. Also, you do need to be running fairly close to the engine speed that produces 540rpm ... if you judge it by ear it will sound like it's going *really* fast.

 

[GManBart]

I've noticed something similar happening, and decided to back through a patch, and sure enough, got a nice, even cut. I think the tires pushing some of it down, along with it bending as it goes under the cutter, can cause a fair amount to be missed.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I'm wondering if you have some 'clumping' going on? This same cut, no cut seems to happen to me when my mower clumps and pushes out a big wad before cutting nicely again.

 

[bsentryrich]

I'm wondering if you have some 'clumping' going on? This same cut, no cut seems to happen to me when my mower clumps and pushes out a big wad before cutting nicely again.

All good points

Not sure what "clumping" means...I think the tenderness of the new fescue, the bending of the reeds by the tires, and even possibly "clumping"...LOL.......overall, I do set the height the same w/adj knobs...

Out of curiosity and to probably sound like an idiot who lives in the city (which I am), would the draft control by any means improve or hinder the overall cut? Just wondering as don't remember having to utilize that option on the old 2120. Thanks.
B

 

[whistlepig]

If it's 24" tall it won't mow well regardless of the cutter. The front of the cutter pushes the grass down. When the blades hit it the grass isn't standing up. But it will stand up after it leaves the cutter.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Leave draft control off..

 

[rocknrod]

Be sure you are running 540 pto rpm.

Keep the Engine RPM over 2K.

 

[shpa72]

This may sound crazy but I have seen it, newer cheap rotary mowers (commonly referred to as brush hogs but not referring to that brand here) have flat blades instead of blades with the upturned trailing edge behind the sharp edge. They, the flat blades, leave these clumps. The upturned blades, as all lawn mowers and lawn tractors have, are designed that way to created a vacuum lifting action which pulls the grass you've run over back up and cleanly cut it, the flat blades cannot do this so you generally see these clumps standing randomly all over the fields in thick grass. They work fine in briars and brush.

 

[shpa72]

This is a picture of the flat blade.





This is an example of the up turned blade.

 

[shpa72]

In this picture the blade at the far right would have the most lifting action and leave the least clumps. The ones with just the corner turned up have less lifting action but are still better than flat blades.

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

Just some random thoughts ... you could look under and make sure the blades all swing free. Also make sure the deck is traveling fairly level when you're running. It won't cut well if running tipped up or back. Also, you do need to be running fairly close to the engine speed that produces 540rpm ... if you judge it by ear it will sound like it's going *really* fast.

My sales guy said to tip mine down at the front. Any other opinions here? I just want to get it straight. Also, mine has the flat blades....

 

[LD1]

My sales guy said to tip mine down at the front. Any other opinions here? I just want to get it straight. Also, mine has the flat blades....

Yep. it is typical to set them 1-2" lower in the front

 

[Midniteoyl]

Yep.. Tilt down in front.. Same thing on your belly mowers and mower decks - Tilt down in front. Just not as much