Buying a Used Brush Hog-What to Look For
33,000
Published 2016-03-17
In this video I'm going to show you what to look for when purchasing a used brush hog or rotary cutter. We're going to look real closely at the gearbox to see if there's end play in the shaft which would indicate bearing failure. We'll need to take some blocks along (or jack stands if you prefer) to keep the machine up in the air while we look underneath.
We'll raise the cutter as high as we can, then prop it up so it can't fall on us. Then we're going to go underneath and try to wiggle the blade pan (or stump jumper if it has one) up and down. If it moves that means there's a bearing failure in the future and it could be a leaker. What usually happens when one of these machines gets worn, the shaft and bearing will get loose and start to leak. An old trick among those selling cutters who don't want you to see that problem is to fill the gearbox with corn head grease, which is so thick it generally stays in. Sometimes that prolongs the life of the cutter for a long time, sometime it lasts until you get it on the trailer and get it home. The bottom line is, if that assembly that the blades attach to wiggles up and down, walk away, you don't want it. As I was watching the video I noticed it actually looks like the blade pan is moving on this cutter, but instead, the blades are moving up and down, and they're supposed to. This cutter is good. We're also going to look at the oil in the gearbox and this machine passed.
Next thing to look at is the drive shaft and the U-joints in there. If there's a lot of "play" in them, they'll need replaced soon, and this cutter, again, was tight.
Last think I look at is the tailwheel bearings. The wheel on this cutter was tight, whoever owned this took pretty good care of it.
The only other thing to be concerned about is the cosmetic stuff. This cutter has had some welding done on it and whoever did it was a good welder and horrible painter. That will impact how much I offer for this brush hog but it won't affect the performance at all.
Bottom line on this machine is it's kinda ugly, but mechanically, it's in really good shape, and the perfect cutter for me to take back in the woods and not worry about destroying. I love a bargain!
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All Comments (21)
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Just bought my first tractor now I need to buy the implements thanks for posting this since it is the first thing I need
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Great videos Mike. Just bought my first tractor and your videos are a wealth of information. They have been very helpful thank you for putting these together
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Thanks for the vid. Great info. One thing you didn't talk about was brands. I assume its important that you stick with major brands so you can get parts?
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Good info on checking the gear box
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Dude thank you!
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Great vid as always. Thanks Mike
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Old video, still applies. Thanks.
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Very informative. Thank you.
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Nice video TM!
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Man that one is too good to put in the woods
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Thanks
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When you take the cover off,Β and drain the oil is the drain plug easy to see? Thanks for the video Mike.
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Only problem with grinding on the blades is that they go out of balance. Then a vibration will migrate through the pto shaft and into the tractor. Best idea is to get new blades when ever possible. DEPENDING on model of mower, some blades are 65$ - 200$ or higher. New blades don't vibrate like old blades.
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who builds hesston woods looks just like a old dixie cutter 72
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Look at and old Bush Hog SQ 480 had one 1/2" x 3" bolt for shear bolt could that damage tractor if you hit something
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Hey Mike l enjoy your input on tractors l have a question I bought a used brush hog but it does not have any tags on it to say what type it is the color is blue and is a older implement any idea would be helpful thanks
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Thanks,Mike...I always learn a lot from your videos. This (and the previous video) will help me a lot because I'm looking for a used cutter for the same reasons that you mention. I'll pretty much use it to cut everything but rocks! LOL I figure if I can get the tractor and brush hog over the brush/small tree, it'll cut it. Right now I'm kinda using my lawn tractor as a brush hog. arrgghh
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You may have this answer and I'll find it in another video. How do you know what level the oil should be in the gear box? In one video you said don't overfill it. I figured more is better than less. I purchased a used machine so don't have the details sheet.
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What would be a good price for a mower like this? I'm currently looking for a used one for my Kubota B3350, mostly to cut grass. A guy just texted me pictures of two he owns and he wants $550 for each.
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I don't know about you guys but you have to buy used these new ones are just too expensive for me
