ponytug
Super Member
Here's what I use on my 1445 brush mower;
Post in thread 'PT 1445 SQQA mod - brush cutter ?'
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/pt-1445-sqqa-mod-brush-cutter.474434/post-6750111
All the best, Peter
Useful attachments adapted to PT ?
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Post in thread 'PT 1445 SQQA mod - brush cutter ?'
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/pt-1445-sqqa-mod-brush-cutter.474434/post-6750111
All the best, Peter
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2manyrocks
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I followed ponytug's post and bought the same bushings part no. 2868T162.
I called Terry to order new blades this morning and just happened to mention that the OEM bushings failed at around 30 hours. He said they should have lasted 100 hours. They make their own bushings in house, but send them out for heat treating. He's sending me some new bushings with the blades to try out.
Terry doesn't like using grade 8 bolts because he says they are more likely to shear if you hit something hard. He prefers grade 5.
PT makes their cutting blades in-house according to Terry.
I called Terry to order new blades this morning and just happened to mention that the OEM bushings failed at around 30 hours. He said they should have lasted 100 hours. They make their own bushings in house, but send them out for heat treating. He's sending me some new bushings with the blades to try out.
Terry doesn't like using grade 8 bolts because he says they are more likely to shear if you hit something hard. He prefers grade 5.
PT makes their cutting blades in-house according to Terry.
MossRoad
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- Aug 31, 2001
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- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
I haven't used my brush cutter in a few years due to lack of reason, but when I used it, I had changing broken blade bolts down to a science.
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2manyrocks
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I should have asked why PT continues to use 5/8 bolts and these bushings when they could use larger bolts typically used on rotary cutters for tractors. Seems like a larger diameter bolt would be more resistant to breaking and wouldn't need these bushings that apparently wear out. My J-Bar rotary cutter has to be 30+ years old. I've never had to take the blades off or change the bolts.
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 65,649
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Mine takes its own blades off...
Seriously. Large unseen rocks are the main cause. The design needs improvement, like a stump jumper and gull wing blades that protect the bolts.
ponytug
Super Member
I do grease and tighten the bolts and bushings every 8-10 hours of use. I haven't replaced any bolts or bushings since I made that my standard practice here.
I have some 1T steel saw horses to hold the mower up, and an impact wrench makes quick work of getting everything apart. If the blades need sharpening, I use an angle grinder and eyeball it, but I double check the weights so that the blades are equal weight. I'm about due to lay down a few beads of harder steel to fill in some worn tips.
I would say that mine gets used mostly in drier conditions, with fairly gritty soil, which isn't going to be typical. Because of the slopes, and slick clay, I have to wait until the soil is dry enough not to be too slick for traction, even with chains. Fairly shortly thereafter, the brush is dry, and I'm done mowing for the year due to fire risk. It is not a long window of time here some years.
All the best,
Peter
I have some 1T steel saw horses to hold the mower up, and an impact wrench makes quick work of getting everything apart. If the blades need sharpening, I use an angle grinder and eyeball it, but I double check the weights so that the blades are equal weight. I'm about due to lay down a few beads of harder steel to fill in some worn tips.
I would say that mine gets used mostly in drier conditions, with fairly gritty soil, which isn't going to be typical. Because of the slopes, and slick clay, I have to wait until the soil is dry enough not to be too slick for traction, even with chains. Fairly shortly thereafter, the brush is dry, and I'm done mowing for the year due to fire risk. It is not a long window of time here some years.
All the best,
Peter
