OP
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
bumping again for reference
PT425 48" Brush Hog Broken Bolt Removal Tip
- Thread starter MossRoad
- Start date
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livemusic
Bronze Member
All of this hassle with the bolts... has PT solved this problem with a better design? Just curious.
ponytug
Super Member
For me, after changing the bolts, greasing them, and using oil sintered bronze bearings works for me and I haven't broken a bolt since. I c ann't speak for others. Other folks may have many more rocks that I do. I think whether bolts shear also has a lot to do with what the mower is attempting to cut, and the prevalence of solid objects like rocks... so, yes, definitely a "YMMV" item.
All the best,
Peter
OP
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Yeah, hidden large rocks will do a number.
OP
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Bumping this thread up for educational and entertainment purposes.
m5040
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- Kubota M6040 L2250, JohnDeere 310D, Ford 841 Elenco, Ford 961, Trapmaster, PT180 w/LM bucket and 45" brush cutter, PT1430 Deutz w/grapple bucket, Antonio Carraro Tigrecar 6500. John Deere 5300. Former owned Steiner 430 max, Goldoni REV Maxter 7
Some talk about lubricating the bolts/bushings, maybe should add it into the 8hrs (or sooner) lube interval with the PT recommended spray grease?
OP
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I don't know if it helps. There's so much dirt and debris in there. My property is all sand and lubricants seems to attract it. It's pretty amazing how quickly the bushings with wear down.
m5040
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- Kubota M6040 L2250, JohnDeere 310D, Ford 841 Elenco, Ford 961, Trapmaster, PT180 w/LM bucket and 45" brush cutter, PT1430 Deutz w/grapple bucket, Antonio Carraro Tigrecar 6500. John Deere 5300. Former owned Steiner 430 max, Goldoni REV Maxter 7
I am sure amazed at the amount of wear you experienced, I have never had to replace any parts on my mowers (except oil seals, due to no casedrain hose). My first PT is the PT180 and I think it is 6 years old. Used to clear anything and everything every year. Still has the original blades, although they look like they were made in a sawtooth pattern. Can't bring myself to install a new set and go hit rocks and they still cut brush well.
OP
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
In the 24 years I've own the brush cutter, I've tossed half a dozen blades, replaced at least a dozen more blade bolts that were bent, wallowed out about 20 bushings. I have two sets of blades, so I can grind one and keep a sharp set on the shelf. So much sand it might as well be sand paper.
The major cause of losing the blades is we grow a new crop of field stones every spring. Also, the occasional hidden black locust stump will be discovered. Amazingly hard wood, even decades after being cut. I think the only north American wood harder is hickory, but a hickory stump in the ground for 20 years will be mush, while the black locust will still be a brick.Of the 20 acres we have, 14 is dunes of Tyner soil (sand) slopes 1-4, and 6 is Adrian muck (sandy muck) slope 0-1. sand sand sand.
On the bright side, trees love it, it drains well, and it's super easy to dig if you have to.
On my PT finish mower, I've only replaced 1 spindle in 24 years. And one belt. I'm on my 3rd set of blades, and this was probably their last season, so I'll order two more sets of blades.