Unbend rotarty mower skirt

[KenB2920]

Just curious is anyone has some suggestions to unbending the rear skirt on my land pride rotary mower. I probably won't get to this for the next month or so but I want suggestions.

If you suggest attaching a chain and pull it out with a truck, best way to attach the chain to the skirt.

If you suggest heat, which gas is best.

Do rotary mowers use suction like regular mowers? What if I just cut the shirt off and just welded on chain links?

Shoot me your thoughts please








The mower still functions fine. With this bent, it cause some clumping of taller grasses. This can be cured by running clumps over backward with the tractor after being initially cut. However, let's face it, this is a waste of time when it should cut and scatter in the initial pass.

Thanks again

 

[k0ua]

You could take a large pipe wrench adjusted down and pull up with your foot on the mower. When you get close, with the wrench, then get out the hammer and the hearing protection. Or your chains idea doesn't sound bad to me.

 

[aczlan]

Set it down over a stump and slowly drive forward? Back up a few feet on the trailer, lower the cutter to sit on the trailer deck and wail on it from the inside with an 8# sledge and GOOD hearing protection?

Aaron Z

 

[KenB2920]

Ok, I have tried a sledgehammer and it did nothing. I did hook a chain to my truck whole the cutter was attached to the tractor. I turned the tractor off and set the brake. The truck began to pull the tractor.....

I really like the stump idea ... Maybe even wrap a chain around a stump and attach it to to skirt...

Keep any ideas coming

 

[treefarmerguy]

I had a little success using a "porta-power". Was able to push from one side to the other. Be careful as the device can slide and slip off suddenly.

 

[firemanmike69]

Cut out, weld in new plate or chain links or a piece of rubber conveyor belt or something like that. That's what I would do if it were mine or of you hired me to fix it

 

[SSdoxie]

Cut it out and put on some deflector chain. The cuttings will be in longer (larger pieces) but you will get away from that clumping problem plus giving it a rear discharge will leave a little extra power running it. Same scenario as running a mulching mower deck versus a discharge deck. If you don't like the result of cutting it out, then weld some new flat stock on a close it back up.

 

[orangeandgreen]

I straightened my skirt by attaching a 16" crescent wrench to the skirt then a " come along" to the handle of the wrench. Also tried the sledge hammer with no success.

 

[fieldman12]

Pipe wrench worked great for me but you may have thicker material and it looks bent pretty bad.

 

[SPYDERLK]

If you try the wrenches youll need some ~1/2" shim metal to extend the jaws to the point you need to bend. Two 24" cheap china "crescents" with 6' pipes can give you good control. A helper would be good too. Kinda tuf alone.
larry

 

[rsallen]

Good luck bending that business back to shape!
I vote for cutting it out and welding another piece in...or.....once you have the piece cut out you'd have a chance to straighten it out then weld it back together.

Any ways that's my vote.

 

[JerryG]

Cut it out and add new metal. Then slit a 2" pipe to place over the edge to strengthen it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I bent mine up once, not as bad as yours, but it was touching the blades which chewed a hole in the skirt. I used my FEL to flip the mower upside down with the bent spot on the ground. Using a 16# sledge hammer, I beat it back in shape. You can get the full swing and force of the hammer this way rather than sitting underneath. I think you will find that the quickest way.
I didn't have to heat mine, but yours may be thicker.
If you have a concrete slab to set it on, it may also work better. While I had mine upside down, I removed the blades and gave them a sharpening. I did have a helper to work with me removing/installing the blades.

 

[FredH]

When my neighbor did the same thing to mine by backing into a stump , I gave it some thought , then ended up doing what several here already suggested .

Cut it out and either weld in a new piece , chain , or even a piece of old conveyor belt . Does not save time per say by going that route , but if saves my energy as opposed to beating the tar out of it and yourself .

Fred H.

 

[KenB2920]

Great ideas,

I get narrow minded sometimes so tis definitely helps. In may try the stump and chain idea first, I can see the tractor running out of weight and spinning the tires but this should be the fastest and easiest attempt.

Then i think I'll flip her over and try and bend it back with a pipe wrench ( I like extending the teeth with metal shims) makes perfect sense I would not of thought of.

I will leave the cutting and rewelding it to the last resort. This is still an option though. Then I will read reviews if chains, rubber edge ( I'd like to find the top rubber flap of a snow plow), or more metal is suggested.

It still works fine, just causes clumping. I still used it on a few jobs this way last year as it hasn't interfered with the blades.


As for sharpening my blades, they need it bad. I feel like I am swinging a baseball bat at grass blades to cut them.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[KenB2920]

Well, as stated, I tried hooking a chain the the skirt and pulling it with the truck. Really this method should of worked but didn't. Between the chain falling off and trying to do it myself without a spotter it was on so/so.

I slid the skirt over a short stump and it slid right over it. I found another stump a little false and tried again. Well, it was rotted and tore it out of the ground. I tried another stump and did it numerous times. I don't think it made her perfect by any means, but this was definitely the most successful way and easiest by far. Slow and easy.

I would eventually like to make if even better but it worked out.
















Thanks again guys for the ideas!!! It truly saved me.

Now I need a convenient way to sharpen these blades.

 

[bjr]

If you have a shop/garage. Using a chainfall/come-along or whatever lifting facilities available, get the deck up on its side with the afflicted portion on the floor and start beating/heating back in to place. You may have tie the blades up out of the way. Get the biggest sledge hammer you can find. You probably aren't gonna be be able to enter it in any beauty contest when your done but you'll get most of the real bad spots out. Option Two: If there's a farm welding shop locally, take it to them and ask if they can pick it up and beat out some of the major dents. bjr