Slip clutch won't slip.

[Gale Hawkins]

Started a new thread to carry this on.

Old news: Slip clutch on Bush Hog I inherited probably has not been "slipped" in many, many years.

I tried loosening the nuts a couple of turns, still wouldn't slip. I asked about what to do here and got a number of replies similar to: "Rev it up and drop it on an old stump"

I had fear that it was really bound up and I didn't want to risk damaging my tractor PTO. Turns out I was right.

I took it apart today. All 4 fiber discs were corroded and stuck to other parts. I had to use a screw driver to get them separated. I cleaned the metal parts with a chisel, followed by a wire cup brush on an angle grinder.

All 8 bolts were rusted and would not turn with a wrench. The DeWalt impact wrench freed four of them then broke one in half. For the last three, I screwed a nut on and tapped with a hammer while using the impact wrench. I drilled the broken one.

I'll probably replace all 8 bolts. I suspect (hope) the 8 springs are still good. I'll get four new fiber discs (local dealer has them and they are not expensive) and reassemble.

I enjoyed an afternoon of figuring out how things work.

I post this for anyone else that might be in a similar situation. I doubt my clutch would have ever slipped.

Edited for clarity.

Your approach is the only one that has ever worked for me. The last time I found only one or two surfaces could still slip and the other surfaces had bonded hard.

 

[BufordBoone]

Got the slip clutch back together and the cutter is working well. I thought I had the correct part numbers for the fiber discs. WRONG! So, I took the old ones in and compared. Our local Kubota dealer also deals Bush Hog eqpt. They have a guy in parts that goes out of his way to help. He has even taken the time to explain how to do things to me.

I really like this offset cutter. Leveling it can be a chore. I have to put blocks of wood under the right side so that I can shorten the right lift arm. I'll be looking forward to getting a hydraulic top and tilt to make it easier.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Got the slip clutch back together and the cutter is working well. I thought I had the correct part numbers for the fiber discs. WRONG! So, I took the old ones in and compared. Our local Kubota dealer also deals Bush Hog eqpt. They have a guy in parts that goes out of his way to help. He has even taken the time to explain how to do things to me.

I really like this offset cutter. Leveling it can be a chore. I have to put blocks of wood under the right side so that I can shorten the right lift arm. I'll be looking forward to getting a hydraulic top and tilt to make it easier.

View attachment 554214

That does look like a nice bush hog. Our BH SQ 84 twin spindle is 3PH and offset to the right by 9". The leveling part took some trial and error. Ours 3PH A frame that been badly sprung and welded on and a major crack that I did not know about failed yesterday. A guy up the road has some old implements and tractors from time to time. He had a SQ 84 like mine that was broken up from abuse but someone had put a new like A Frame from BH that sells for $400+ so I offered him $400 and he said yes. I do not expect to fix it up but use it for parts since now I have nothing in it so to speak. Everything rotates and has all four blades still on it but the stump jumpers have jumped some major stumps I think. The gear boxes seem to rotate fine but are wet on the bottom side so they will need new seals.

Our good one has the shield intact but the one I bought today does not so I may rebuild it for the practice and then label and store it should I need one on the fly some day.

Is your BH totally off set?

 

[BufordBoone]

Gale, my Bush Hog is 10' wide. My tractor is a little over 6' wide.

The Bush Hog cuts behind the tractor and about 3.5' off the right side.

Makes cutting around the pond and along tree lines much easier.