Rotary cutter - repair or replace WWYD

[Robert_in_NY]

Glad you weren't hurt; classic example of why one should always use a rigid toplink. Besides the deck repair, you might also be looking at replacing blades/stump jumper/input or output shafts/PTO shaft/toplink. I'd offer it to the welder for a little over scrap price, say $0.25/lb. With the possibility of reselling it (repaired) for profit, he might bite.

Put what cash you get toward a stouter unit that should subsequently better the 12 years use you got out of this one.

//greg//

If that XT172 is similar to my Woods MD172 then it has nothing to do with the top link. Woods designed those cutters with a flexible bar instead of the standard rigid stabilizers that go from the top link of the 3pt back towards the rear of the cutter. I have stood mine up as well. Its just a design "feature" Woods put into these cutters.

 

[ruffdog]

$700 to $800 to fix that? I've been fixing worse stuff for the neighbor for a free breakfast and some beer! Depending on what is needed, use a come-a-long to pull 3ph supports toward rear of mower, might have to use a torch to help, and reweld it. Then you might as well keep it. You would hate to buy a new one and damage that one too!

 

[greg_g]

If that XT172 is similar to my Woods MD172 then it has nothing to do with the top link. .

I think you have the wrong definition of a toplink. Here's an XT172

Here's a MD172.

Here's a rigid toplink

Besides, the strap hinge on the MD172 and the flexible toplink bracket on the XT172 are terrain following features. What I was referring to was that small group of folks who risk life and limb by insisting a piece of chain makes a reasonable alternative to a rigid toplink.

//greg//

 

[easygo]

I agree with fixing that puppy. I would cut off the now bent 3pt hookup, pound the deck as straight as possible with a large heavy item, weld the bracket back properly and it's as good as new. I repaired a similarly troubled bush hog for my neighbor last year, accept there was no time to take the whole thing apart. Just hammer it back close enough and weld it up. He wanted to use it ASAP so we did what had to be done and he was off to beat the rain.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I think you have the wrong definition of a toplink. Here's an XT172

Here's a MD172.

Here's a rigid toplink

Besides, the strap hinge on the MD172 and the flexible toplink bracket on the XT172 are terrain following features. What I was referring to was that small group of folks who risk life and limb by insisting a piece of chain makes a reasonable alternative to a rigid toplink.

//greg//

I know what a top link is. I also know i can stand my woods cutter up on end even with the rigid toplink. Its how it is designed by woods. I am not a fan of Woods.

 

[Highbeam]

This aint no swiss watch. Is it functional? Blades spin freely, smoothly? I've reinforced mine after it was bent to the point of not being fully functional. Brush hogs live a tough life and are not supposed to remain factory new.