New Brush Cutter

[joshlee]

Here it is. A new Brush Cutter for the PT 1430. I see what everyone says about those bolt heads sticking out, which get heavy abuse from hitting things while cutting brush. I was hoping this unit would look like the one in this post; https://www.mytractorforum.com/76-cut-hut-general-discussions-compact-tractors/16556-power-trac.html

 

[cqaigy2]

Man, that is beautiful looking! All clean and shiny, i forgot what mine used to look like, except just a tiny bit smaller.

 

[woodlandfarms]

so a few things. The wheels are really interesting. I wonder if all the mowers are swtiching to the hard rollers or if it is just the lighter decks. Second, On my machine I took out the spare bolt and put in hex plugs, so the tractor would not hit those.

Now on your machine the other heads are exposed (my machine does not have that) So not sure if my suggeston is a good idea or not. But man it is nice.

 

[MossRoad]

Nice! My 48" model back in 2001 came with inflatable front wheels.... I blew them up with debris! And I hit a metal tie-down 4" wide ratchet strap mechanism hidden in the grass by the highway and blew a rear wheel off the unit as well. I switched to solid rubber tires in front and replaced the blown off rear.

Don't be surprised if after a couple seasons your deck develops cracks right at the point where the left side meets the left angled section forward and the same thing on the right. It's a weak spot and I think pretty much all of our 48" models developed those cracks. If and when it happens, just weld it back up and maybe put in some plates for added support. I believe it happens after repeatedly slamming the deck down and/or accidentally putting down pressure on it and lifting your front tires off the ground.

 

[MossRoad]

Also, be careful about lifting the unit while it's running and eating bushes by dropping the deck down on them. While I do it occasionally and even have posted a video of it, I believe it's %^$! dangerous!

Here's what I mean,
You be the judge....

 

[joshlee]

I was wondering what the deal was with those spare bolts? One thing I notice is that they would prevent the blades from rotating into each other, or into the bolt head that holds the blades in place. It wouldn't be real hard to make the blade configuration like the one in that link: https://www.mytractorforum.com/76-cu...ower-trac.html

Those hard casters are also on the snow plow I bought for the 1430, which was two years ago, which are pretty lousy in the snow. The mower that I bought at the same time has foam filled tires on it. So, I'm not sure what the deal is?

 

[joshlee]

Also, be careful about lifting the unit while it's running and eating bushes by dropping the deck down on them. While I do it occasionally and even have posted a video of it, I believe it's %^$! dangerous!

Here's what I mean,
You be the judge....

Yeah, thanks for the video! I actually seen it before, though. Did you see the link I posted with the 1430 Brush Cutter that has the, I'll call it, standard bush hog blade set up? That's what I think I'll do someday. That set up seems allot better; don't you think?

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, thanks for the video! I actually seen it before, though. Did you see the link I posted with the 1430 Brush Cutter that has the, I'll call it, standard bush hog blade set up? That's what I think I'll do someday. That set up seems allot better; don't you think?

I think I'd drop the cutter onto a 4" locust stump just off center from the spindle and smack that main arm that the swinging blades attach to, damaging the whole thing. With the drum-type setup, you can't do that.

 

[joshlee]

I see what you mean. I'm not sure if the local machine shops around here would have a die to make a drum like that? I might have to just piece weld something together to make a drum. There are many big Bush Hog type machines out there that, instead of having a drum at the bottom, its a short heavy piece of steel with tapered edges. I'm sure you seen them.

 

[MossRoad]

I've heard them called stump jumpers, I think.

 

[AVIVIII]

The previous owner had put new wheels on the good 90" deck and the flail mower and PT provided a similar setup. Hard plastic wheels on the back, and semi-solid, non serviceable, smooth, balloon-ish tires on the front. My other 90" deck has all 4 inflatable tires; that are all flat.

I have had the blades spin around 180 degrees from normal back over the drum. Once a blade went so far it got stuck over the head of the bolt holding the opposing blade. She shook a bit! My blades are pretty ragged out and I should have Terry send me a new set, but i'm still in very uncharted territory and don't want to start smashing new blades off of rocks I haven't 'found' yet....

 

[AVIVIII]

I've heard them called stump jumpers, I think.

The rotary cutter on the AG tractor has a stump jumper, but the blades are offset so that they cut close to the height of the stump jumper. If I was to bolt one onto the PT deck, it would hang way lower than the cut level.

 

[MossRoad]

The rotary cutter on the AG tractor has a stump jumper, but the blades are offset so that they cut close to the height of the stump jumper. If I was to bolt one onto the PT deck, it would hang way lower than the cut level.

Yes. I've looked into putting the gull-wing style blades onto my PT drum on the brush cutter, but then they'd hang down too low. So, I'd have to measure the distance, trim down the height of the drum, and cut off a length of the shaft to the lovejoy to compensate, but, I believe it would be a very good modification to see if I could use more standard blades from stock at Rural King, TSC, Amazon, etc...

 

[MossRoad]

They'd swing under the corresponding blade's mounting bolt head, and that would greatly eliminate the main problem with PT's design.

 

[MossRoad]

Something like these 18" King Cutter blades....

King Kutter 4' Rotary Kutter Blade Set 51118

 

[ponytug]

It looks like all that you would need is a deeper skirt, and raising the deck.

Something like these 18" King Cutter blades....

King Kutter 4' Rotary Kutter Blade Set 51118

 

[MossRoad]

I've thought about that, too.

I think it would be less cutting and welding if I just shortened the shaft and drum VS lowering the wheels and adding material to the skirt.

For that matter, I may look at getting the drum for a standard brush cutter, too. Then I'd just have to adapt it to the shaft. Anyhow, a good winter project.

 

[joshlee]

I am all eyes and ears! This project sounds great! One thing about this new one I got; even though I have the deck raised as much as it can be, it still cuts way too low. Probably less than 3?

 

[MossRoad]

Yep, mine cuts pretty low, too.

 

[Marks481]

... don't want to start smashing new blades off of rocks I haven't 'found' yet....

LOL. It'll happen. Every spring my pasture "grows" new rocks, and my brush cutter happily decapitates them and sends them flying a few hundred feet.