BufordBoone
Gold Member
My bushhogs and LPGS have skid shoes that are replaceable. I've had to replace all of them once and am about to put a new set on my 6' cutter.
As expected, replacements are expensive. A 1/4" piece of steel, 2" wide and 19 5/8" long with one bend for $50. The "worn out" ones are only worn at the bend. That leaves a lot of metal that could be cut from one and welded to another.
Prior to reading this forum I'd never have worried about changing the hardness of a piece of metal but my questions about a disc produced much info that makes me think.
So, anyone got any reason I shouldn't cut one of the old sets of shoes apart and weld to another old set to create a serviceable skid shoe for the next time they need changing?
I'm going to need to figure out how, with minimal tools available, to bend the steel but that shouldn't be hard.
I gave thought to cutting out the worn section and welding in a new section and then I realized "Its a skid shoe. Adding another layer will only result in 1/4" less minimum cutting height...on a bushhog!"
Lastly, I know some will respond about "What is your time worth?" For a guy learning to weld and looking for projects, I think it would be well worth the time.
As expected, replacements are expensive. A 1/4" piece of steel, 2" wide and 19 5/8" long with one bend for $50. The "worn out" ones are only worn at the bend. That leaves a lot of metal that could be cut from one and welded to another.
Prior to reading this forum I'd never have worried about changing the hardness of a piece of metal but my questions about a disc produced much info that makes me think.
So, anyone got any reason I shouldn't cut one of the old sets of shoes apart and weld to another old set to create a serviceable skid shoe for the next time they need changing?
I'm going to need to figure out how, with minimal tools available, to bend the steel but that shouldn't be hard.
I gave thought to cutting out the worn section and welding in a new section and then I realized "Its a skid shoe. Adding another layer will only result in 1/4" less minimum cutting height...on a bushhog!"
Lastly, I know some will respond about "What is your time worth?" For a guy learning to weld and looking for projects, I think it would be well worth the time.