Bush Hog Blades, tight or loose enoug to swing ?

Hi ... This is my first bush hog and my question is, should the blades be tight, in the straight out postion or should they float on the shoulder bolts, and the spinning will make them swing out. I thought mine were locked straight out, but this year they both swing real easy, any help would be greatley appreciated. Are the shoulder bolts worn? Thanks Ray

They should swing freely. Cetrifugal force keep's 'em extended. Hitting obsticals makes 'em fold in.

Thats what we thought at first ..then second guessing comes in .. ..just wanted to make sure ..Thanks!

The only stationary blades I have ever seen were on ground-driven rotary cutters.

MF Poor is right about centrifugal force. If a blade hits an “unseen” obstacle such as a rock, stump, root, log, fence post, or whatever else is hiding in the weeds, the blade will fold in/back on impact.

The blades swivel/spin on the shoulder bolts.

Be sure to check the shoulder bolts to see if they are worn. If they are you can turn/rotate the bolt 180° and use the “unworn” good side.

If they are worn more than 30-40%, you might want to replace them. I had one to wear through on my Corsicana rotary mower. To this day I have not found the blade!

As a suggestion you might consider buying an over-run PTO clutch coupler. It keeps the inertia in your mower or other PTO driven implements from pushing your tractor.

Keep your blades sharp and be careful!

Hope this helps.

My John Deere you can't tighten them up, the sholder bolt keeps them loose.

I bought a used Woods Brushbull 60 in very good condition. I went to check the blades and found the blade is rigid, it does not swing. The blade bolt is screwed down tight and does not have the bolt shown in the Owner's manual (that i found online) with the shims and clip to keep some gap to allow it to swing. Is this screw down bolt proper? It looks like factory because it has the rounded bolt bottom and a 1 3/4" headed nut that fits flush to the bolt. I wonder if there is a way to make these bolts work to let the blade swing like I know they should?

(quoted from post at 05:06:24 04/07/18) I bought a used Woods Brushbull 60 in very good condition. I went to check the blades and found the blade is rigid, it does not swing. The blade bolt is screwed down tight and does not have the bolt shown in the Owner's manual (that i found online) with the shims and clip to keep some gap to allow it to swing. Is this screw down bolt proper? It looks like factory because it has the rounded bolt bottom and a 1 3/4" headed nut that fits flush to the bolt. I wonder if there is a way to make these bolts work to let the blade swing like I know they should?

Click to expand...

I have a Brush Bull 60 purchased new last summer - nice mower. The manual (MAN0632 Rev 9/4/2013) clearly shows the blades are held in place and allowed to swing freely. A pin is used, P/N 15803. The pin is held in place by a Keyhole plate, P/N 32603, a Lock clip P/N 32604 and a Cap screw, 1/2 NC x 1-1/4 GR5. There are shims available in 18 and 20 GA thickness.

(quoted from post at 06:36:46 04/07/18)

(quoted from post at 05:06:24 04/07/18) I bought a used Woods Brushbull 60 in very good condition. I went to check the blades and found the blade is rigid, it does not swing. The blade bolt is screwed down tight and does not have the bolt shown in the Owner's manual (that i found online) with the shims and clip to keep some gap to allow it to swing. Is this screw down bolt proper? It looks like factory because it has the rounded bolt bottom and a 1 3/4" headed nut that fits flush to the bolt. I wonder if there is a way to make these bolts work to let the blade swing like I know they should?

Click to expand...

I have a Brush Bull 60 purchased new last summer - nice mower. The manual (MAN0632 Rev 9/4/2013) clearly shows the blades are held in place and allowed to swing freely. A pin is used, P/N 15803. The pin is held in place by a Keyhole plate, P/N 32603, a Lock clip P/N 32604 and a Cap screw, 1/2 NC x 1-1/4 GR5. There are shims available in 18 and 20 GA thickness.

Click to expand...

I have been searching further and found on line, the assembly for the brushbull BB60E shows a 15331 blade pin that is a threaded bolt with nut and lock washer like I have on my brushbull. I guess there is no loose fitting blade here and will have to remain bolted down tight? anyone know how I can turn it
into a loose, folding blade type for safety? There is no bolt hole for the lock down bolt to thread through the shims and into the stump jumper housing.

(quoted from post at 10:15:22 04/07/18)

(quoted from post at 06:36:46 04/07/18)

(quoted from post at 05:06:24 04/07/18) I bought a used Woods Brushbull 60 in very good condition. I went to check the blades and found the blade is rigid, it does not swing. The blade bolt is screwed down tight and does not have the bolt shown in the Owner's manual (that i found online) with the shims and clip to keep some gap to allow it to swing. Is this screw down bolt proper? It looks like factory because it has the rounded bolt bottom and a 1 3/4" headed nut that fits flush to the bolt. I wonder if there is a way to make these bolts work to let the blade swing like I know they should?

Click to expand...

I have a Brush Bull 60 purchased new last summer - nice mower. The manual (MAN0632 Rev 9/4/2013) clearly shows the blades are held in place and allowed to swing freely. A pin is used, P/N 15803. The pin is held in place by a Keyhole plate, P/N 32603, a Lock clip P/N 32604 and a Cap screw, 1/2 NC x 1-1/4 GR5. There are shims available in 18 and 20 GA thickness.

Click to expand...

I have been searching further and found on line, the assembly for the brushbull BB60E shows a 15331 blade pin that is a threaded bolt with nut and lock washer like I have on my brushbull. I guess there is no loose fitting blade here and will have to remain bolted down tight? anyone know how I can turn it
into a loose, folding blade type for safety? There is no bolt hole for the lock down bolt to thread through the shims and into the stump jumper housing.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I have a BB60X, I don't know about an E model. If you don't have a dealer, the Wood's number is, 1-800-319-6637. In my mind, the bolt should torque up against a shoulder/bushing etc., never a swinging member.