Removing Woods bushhog blades

[weathda]

This weekend I removed and sharpened the blades on my Woods DS96 8' cutter. Had some time, so I shot some video and tried to put together a how-to. It's not rocket science but interesting how Woods designed the blade attachment. I'm not sure its any easier than the typical big bolt and nut on most cutters.

Remove and sharpen bush hog blades - YouTube

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have two Woods rotary cutters, I can't imagine going back to the old way of having to deal with a giant nut that never wants to come off!

I thank Woods every time I remove the blades on my Woods cutters!

SR

 

[weathda]

Yep, it's not bad on the Woods. I suppose if the giant blade bolts are removed often enough they might not be too bad? I recently removed the blades off a Bush-hog brand cutter and we had the flip the cutter up and heat the nut and use a cheater pipe to get it to break loose.

Just wish the DS96 I have had a bigger port hole opening!

 

[Ford850]

I am thinking of getting a Woods BB720 so your video was reassuring for me. :thumbsup: I've fought the other brands style of mammoth bolts and that was no fun. I also saw a video that member Eric the Oracle posted somewhere with his Woods, and he had some issues with the shim plates being damaged enough that he couldn't remove them easily. Thanks for the video!

 

[HCJtractor]

I have a Woods BB 72 and a BB 720. The 720 is far superior, and I’ve been pleased. I like the bolt on replaceable skids, heavier steel, and a stronger gearbox. And replacing the blades is easy as the video shows.

 

[Stimw]

I changed the blades on my 5' Woods and I believe looking at the old blades they were original.
I don't know how old the cutter is but I bought it VERY USED!
It took very little time and was easy.

 

[newbury]

Yep, it's not bad on the Woods. I suppose if the giant blade bolts are removed often enough they might not be too bad? I recently removed the blades off a Bush-hog brand cutter and we had the flip the cutter up and heat the nut and use a cheater pipe to get it to break loose.

Just wish the DS96 I have had a bigger port hole opening!

If you get it flipped up how hard is it to sharpen the blades WITHOUT taking them off?

 

[weathda]

Ford850, glad the video helps.

Stimw, I'd say you got your mileage out of those blades!

Newbury, I'd say easier to flip it. The DS96 is a little bulky though. It really isn't too bad removing the Woods blades. I was replacing blades on the Bush Hog 5 footer I referred to, so they had to come off. The last time I sharpened the Bush Hog, I just crawled under it with an angle-grinder.

 

[orangeandgreen]

I currently have a DS-120, with the small access hole like yours. Might have your "borrow" your method of holding the pin up while installing the keeper.
My old Twin Cadet 121 had a much larger hole with a cover held on by a wing nut. It was large enough that I could drop the blade and pin down through the hole,then pull the pin up through the stump jumper and have room to take my other hand and reach down install the keeper, never having to crawl under the cutter.

 

[weathda]

Finally uploaded the bush-hog video. The Johnson grass was so tall, the stalks were longer than the deck which made a clean cut near impossible. Had to go over some areas twice.

Farmtrac Bush hogging - YouTube