Woods Model 50 (scrap or useful?)

[Super_Chief]

Picked up a Woods Model 50 that was available for my latest acquisition
(Ford 801?)
The PTO shaft that attaches to the mower is worn at the connector, no splines left.
Just drill a hole in both and use a grade 8 bolt?
A better question is it worth keeping>
Looks like if may be a finishing mower, convert to "brush cutter"?
New to all of this retirement stuff so appreciate any useful comments.

 

[pennwalk]

I am not familiar with the model 50. But PTO shafts are made up of replacable parts. If yours is damaged you can buy parts to fix it. On my Woods bush hog the PTO shaft attaches to the mowers gear box shaft with a grade 2 bolt. The shaft and the PTO shaft end are round and smooth. The bolt is supposed to shear off of you hit something. The PTO shaft attaches to the tractor with a splined fitting with some kind of retaining latch.

Chris

 

[Super_Chief]

I am not familiar with the model 50. But PTO shafts are made up of replacable parts. If yours is damaged you can buy parts to fix it. On my Woods bush hog the PTO shaft attaches to the mowers gear box shaft with a grade 2 bolt. The shaft and the PTO shaft end are round and smooth. The bolt is supposed to shear off of you hit something. The PTO shaft attaches to the tractor with a splined fitting with some kind of retaining latch.

Chris

Thanks, I kind of thought that is what I will do. The PTO shaft end has a keyway in it and I thought the mower shaft had a key in it that may have rounded off. It is a fairly old mower that looks like its hitch to the tractor has been changed from a 3 point to bar attaching it to pintle like hook on the tractor, also the sheet metal hood over the pulleys are long gone and it appears that I will have to take great care working around those three belts,

 

[pennwalk]

SC,
I am having trouble picturing it. Is it by any chance a pull behind instead of a three point? I have had good luck getting parts for my Woods mowers. I sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be cheaper to get a good working used mower than fixing my old beaters. I just bought a new rear wheel for my finish mower. The price almost made me cry.

Chris

 

[Aquaman]

I have a Woods M5 bush hog that was apparently terribly abused. The housing around the gearbox had completely broken loose from the deck and was sitting at an angle. The guy sold it to me for $100. After some hammering and lots of welding rods, it mows great with almost no vibration. My advice- fix the woods, it's worth the time and trouble and you'll probably be happy with the result.