Bush Hog Complete Service in 12 Minutes

[@swampwhiteoak1]

Unfortunately, you missed important areas on the PTO shaft. Pull it in two pieces and apply grease to the mating surfaces. Next, grease the spring plunger on the end of each spline. Finally, apply grease by spreading it around inside the spline ends.

[@LMBrown3900]

"ya really wanna slow down your operation?"... Love the arid sense of humor you have at times...

[@tommyordoyne7461]

Can't wait to see the video of changing the gear box oil.

[@EightBitMike256]

This was a great how to for someone who has zero experience maintaining a bush hog. What I found most helpful, was that you showed what a grease point was (most other videos say where they are, and then have far away shots showing them doing something at those locations)

[@Kookamungawerewolf]

I bought a 296 BushHog about eighteen years ago and discovered the deck is rusting through from underneath. The decking is probably 3/16 thick and it is the area rear of the gearbox. I put a strip of 3/8 X 8 inch rubber belting across the front several years ago to keep the grass off the back of the tractor and I think it caused wet grass to stick to the underside of the deck more than it did before.

[@5critters]

One thing I did about a year ago is buy a bag of those little plastic zerk caps. They install with a little plastic ring around the zerk so they stay there, and the cap snaps down over the zerk. Keeps them from getting so dirty/greasy and having to be wiped off; saves some time. I would think that they also help to keep the zerk balls inside from rusting and getting stuck, which has been an occasional problem in the past. Every now and then they'll vibrate loose and just hang there, not covering the zerk like they should, but all in all they're worth getting.

[@earlyriser8998]

Bought a lube shuttle and I love it. I even change the grease per application with no problems. Surprised you don't have a lock n lube or equivalent

[@MikesGarage96]

Perfect timing for this video. I just got my bush hog hooked up for the first mowing of the season

[@jimsmith812]

Thanks for the informative videos. I would recommend a locknlube connector for anyone with a grease gun it really makes things easy

[@markbuetow2351]

I have used a Lock'n'lube grease tool on my grease gun and it really makes greasing easier.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

You’re certainly right about the KZbin channel plug. Shoot, reshoot, reshoot again because you screwed up the audio, take 2 hours to edit out 90% of what you shot because people will start snoring on you and then publish it hoping someone will actually watch it. I never miss yours. You’re the best Tractor guy on KZbin. Happy Memorial Day 😊

[@TractorMike]

Thank you for your kind words! I was just watching your electric fence video. You gave a lot of good information, which will help me for my next electric fence project. Thank you for working on that video; it's very helpful. -Tractor Mike's wife

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

@@TractorMike thank You Mike.

[@AP-xq3jm]

That little bush hog is a great machine.

[@gpax-6197]

Hey brother, your neighbor in east central Mo here. Don’t forget to check the torque on the tail wheel axle. I’ve had them falls off in the field. Keep the videos coming. 👍

[@George1mac]

You are correct about the pain it is to grease the shaft if it is held by bolts...Also, I am not sure how to check the seal under the gearbox...I found out the hard way when one blew out and the gear oil was lost and the gearbox was ruined. The new box I had to put on it was several hundred bucks....the man at the shop I ordered from said to run heavy duty grease in the box instead of using the gear oil....this might protect it for awhile, but if you do not check frequently, you will not know if the box has lost the lubricant. I bought one of the little attachments for the grease gun that allows prongs at the end to grip the zerk....easy to get off and on and allows no holding once attached...only problem is it adds some length to the end and if a tight spot it is not as easy to get in....right angle attachment and another gun solves this

[@janepipkin8139]

I did exactly the same thing! My 2nd grease gun is a small one.

[@jeffbaggett2961]

Good video Mike. I just did the same thing, serviced it and mowed hemlock.

[@TractorMike]

I've been battling hemlock over here, too. One of these days, I want to take care of that culvert area along the road.

[@Kinja98]

Mike. Another great video. Down here in Curaçao your tips videos are a great help and really educational. Keep them coming! Thanks !

[@timcreechteam-fivestarreal2892]

I appreciate you Mike. You do a great job with fundamentals in a way I can understand it.

[@merrilljohn1619]

Thanks Mike for another worthy video. I do not own a brush hog, but I always watch your channel because I want to be smart like you. You make us all much smarter. Can't thank you enough. You are the grandfather of all these tractor videos.

[@kevinmaynard9156]

Enjoy your videos. Really good information across many topics. As a tip, I use different colored grease to make sure I know it is full.

[@_AndromedaGalaxy_]

or if its really dirty on the outside you know its full when you see the clean stuff.

[@haywoodmember1452]

Thanks Mike, I just did mine also. One thing to note, might want to check your vent on the gearbox as well. Mine was stopped up. Really enjoy your videos!!

[@redclover51]

Yes !!! On the leaf blower. Not only for the B. H. but tractor, especially around air inlet screens. Not just for beauty but fire safety as well.

[@ramchillarege1658]

Mike - excellent video. And love that you did it in real time, to give us an estimate of what an expert takes. Videos that are edited just miss all the fine moments when you struggle with a bolt. I liked the foot on the allen key. I would not have thought of that, but pulled a cheater bar from the collection I keep handy.

[@glenjohnson7821]

Fantastic video! I guess I need to service the old brush hog!

[@woodyholland9865]

Looks like you have the same problem that I had. Hard to get the fitting to hold on the zerk. I got a locknlube gizzmo that holds the fitting tight and makes tractor lubing a much easier job.

[@theElderberryFarmer]

Add another vote for the LockNLube grease gun coupler. It makes greasing SO much easier!

[@alanross3435]

Me too!👍🏻🇺🇦☮️✌🏻

[@BradMyers]

I to have the Lock-n-lube. I really like it. My dad asked why I bought it and I showed him how easy it was to put on and take off. He walked over and grabbed his old grease gun, he said son, the ends on the grease guns adjust, you turn them to loosen and tighten them on the zerk. I was like you are crazy old man, then I grabbed another grease gun, sure enough, they adjust. Yet, I still like my Lock-n-lube even though the old man showed me up.

[@danielrapoza8468]

Another vote for LockNLue coupler. Even though you can adjust a regular Grease gun coupler on and off, LockNLube is much quicker on and off. You should check them out. It may be a product you may want to add to your website too. I love mine. Looking to get the longer XL version for an additional gun I have. Just saying...

[@plakor6133]

@@BradMyers did not know that. Thanks!

[@jamesmorrison1884]

Hello Mike great video. Electric grease gun they work great best thing I bought. Have a great day.

[@mkc0005]

Thanks for the tips! With the heat we've been having here in S. TX I'll probably only mow twice this year so should be able to do this both times (if I get out and do it 5am so it's only in the 90s 😎)

[@_AndromedaGalaxy_]

granted -40f up here in WY kinda sucks but i sure dont miss that heat. ill take the cold anyday.

[@simpleman4196]

That's the same way I do it but I have a slip clutch so I loosen the bolts and slip it and re tighten them. It is a easy piece to maintain.

[@williammunny7133]

Thanks, I'm servicing the same identical squealer bush hog today and tomorrow, because I'm also servicing a tiller .

[@markchoate9021]

Just a fabulous video, Mike. This was good, real time demonstration that we all need to do. Thanks.

[@bobdavis6103]

I also noticed that moisture had gotten in the gear box and needs replacing. Looking forward to seeing your next video on this subject

[@d.a.ballou9740]

Always a pleasure Mike! 😁👨‍🚒

[@martyb3783]

Great video Mike.

[@crosstimbersfarm7568]

Excellent video! Thanks! Could you consider a video series on compact tractor hay making equipment? Farm Maxx, Ibex, etc? With the compact tractor market as it is, smaller-scale haying equipment seems to be gaining interest. Thanks for the consideration!

[@patrickcorbett8361]

Good job Mike...thanks for the reminder ! pc

[@Rail9222]

Hey Mike, Lock-n-Lube, your welcome.

[@michealowens5257]

This is a great video. Thanks

[@sameoldmphymel]

Same tractor and same bushhog as me, and I bet there's a couple of 12mm wrenches and spare shear bolts in your tool storage compartment

[@rogerwright1902]

Check out the new Ryobi battery grease gun! It takes half the time to grease my tractor. Love it.

[@terryhelms1578]

Mike great informative video, for the life of me I can't understand why they don't put a drain plug on top side of gear box, it sure is a hassle to get all the gear oil out. Though I have a finish mower but same on gear box except mine has a dip stick.

[@ryanv3751]

Hey Mike, 1980 just called, they want their flash light back please. 🙂

[@_AndromedaGalaxy_]

🤣 i cant believe anyone still uses those relics.

[@TractorMike]

Well, they can't have it! It still works...:)

[@rickunrau9596]

Hi Mike you need to lube drive shaft where it slides in and out.

[@enz6312]

how about a bush hog blade sharpening vid?

[@gretaknebel8495]

Good reminders!

[@jeffreyvictor3678]

Good Job TM!!

[@bryangorham1]

You need to get you a "LockNLube" grease coupler,, they work awesome and you don't have the struggle getting it on and off the zirk

[@_AndromedaGalaxy_]

gives me some ideas. now i got something to do tomorrow. *video idea: tractor hydraulic fluids and filters*

[@mickey17y]

Thanks for the video

[@mitchs323]

I've changed a few gearbox seals, some taken out by twine, some by fencing, but most were due to telephone drops that the telephone repairmen just dropped after repairs.

[@markmonse5285]

Looking for some grab handles for my JD 3032 with a model 300E loader, but not finding anything since the 300E doesn't have any pre-drilled holes. I'd also like something to mount some mirrors on, so any ideas anyone?

[@michaelthompson7570]

any need to sharpen the blade?

[@_AndromedaGalaxy_]

absolutely.

[@bobburnitt5389]

If you have a pick-up truck, you can back up to the PTO and you can lay it in there instead of chase it everywhere to grease it. If you tractor has a front loader you can lay it in that. That would speed you up. I never work on the ground when I can keep from it for anything. Too old for that.

[@LedgemereHeritageFarm]

Hopefully, you washed it before you touched it afterwards…I spend all of my time searching for my tools too😀

[@MLJenkins]

Great video Mike! I am replacing the stump jumper pan on mine today as it broke in half somehow last year. I was wondering how tight those bolts holding the blade on should be. They were so tight/rusted before it took a LOT of effort to swing the blades and I’m wondering if this could cause vibration if the blades are not able to swing all the way perfectly out.

[@_AndromedaGalaxy_]

yes to the vibration and around 400ftlbs on the pan bolt and at least 150ftlbs or more on the blade bolts. im just trying to remember what ive seen on YT. check with the manufacturer first or look it up on YT as a last resort. personally i plan to use a lot of anti seize on all those bolts. as they seize on over time it could take 800ftlbs to remove what only took 400ftlbs to install. id prefer to keep removal the same as install.

[@swampwhiteoak1]

Yes to plenty of anti seize on the blade bolts. Also put it on the area of he blade that moves in the mount allowing the blade to pivot.

[@je1279]

Would adding loctite to the bolts prevent them from loosening?

[@_AndromedaGalaxy_]

yes but if its something you never want removed for all eternity use the red stuff, otherwise stick with the blue stuff. you'll thank me later.

[@dvdsimp20]

The bolts on the a frame act like a suspension. The long arms going to the back are springs. Do they have nylock nuts on them?

[@imonittonite]

Unlike yours, my squealer 600 has grease fittings on the plastic shields. Thankfully it does have the ability to remove the shaft from the rear.

[@JCWren]

Which Lube Shuttle grease are you running for the cutter? And how do you feel about using the 3PH to lift the cutter for checking blades, clearing obstructions, etc? (Obviously, either the tractor not running or the PTO disconnected when you're poking around). Maybe a couple 4x4s under the edge of the deck in case the 3PH decides to let go.

[@TractorMike]

J.C., I use the basic G200 grease for everything. If I was greasing a combine of backhoe that got constant use I might go with a higher grade but for what I do, it's more than adequate. I agree on the three point idea, as long as you have enough protection that if someone moved the tractor lever or it leaked down, everything would stay suspended. That's probably how I'd do it.

[@_AndromedaGalaxy_]

i plan to use my 3pt and a high lift jack >>> i.pinimg.com/originals/1e/27/41/1e2741b95e463764ea95f6a01f39026b.png

[@JCWren]

@@TractorMike I've been using the MoS2 for the FEL, and the G200 for everything else. I ordered the two pistol grip guns with the safeLOCK grease coupler. I pretty much like the LS system, although I prefer the Lock'n'Lube coupler over the safeLOCK coupler, and may convert both guns to those. I also really like that the LNL guns have a zerk fitting built in to clip the coupler to for storage. LS needs to add that, but it's probably patented :(

[@ctskidoo]

Try a Lock N Lube?

[@comlbbeau]

Good job. I'd critique only that I'd wear gloves and use a LockNlube on my grease gun. It really aids in greasing those zerks. You also didn't check that tailwheel tire pressure (Ha!).

[@davidgregg2778]

What about sharping your blades ?

[@josephharrington3530]

I really like the design of that bushhog. My land pride has that ridiculous plastic housing over the pto shafts. Almost impossible to grease the rear joint. I will probably remove it and fabricate a flip up housing for it. Great video! We are all guilty of neglecting our cutters ... or i i know i am anyway

[@sondraalexander4922]

another great video! Go Chiefs!!

[@fingeraid7995]

Well I must have miss what the small level for. What is it for?

[@danielrapoza8468]

checking the level of the gear box before checking the 80-90w gear oil.

[@CNBarnes]

You have the same bushhog I have - and you have it modified to take a quick hitch. My question is did you fabricate the top assembly where the top link arm connects to the bush hog or did you buy it as a replacement? Also the rear wheel is bent sideways - how hard is it to replace the rear wheel assembly?

[@TractorMike]

It actually came that way. Click here to download a picture of what it looked like new, essentially the same as it is now: bushhog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SQ420-SQ84T_Op_Manual.pdf. Here's a video on rear wheel replacement: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5OslqltfK-Ko80.

[@uncouthboy8028]

Ol tractor Mike with the Popeye forearms!

[@TractorMike]

It's the spinach :).

[@markmonse5285]

Perfect timing for me as well! Got a similar video for a rototiller? ;) (I'll look)

[@danclas5983]

First thing I always check is that the blades are free and spin on the attachment pin easily. It only takes getting your cutter in the dirt a few times to bind them up. I know, why are your blades in the dirt anyway HaHa. Well we all know it happens no matter how careful you are.

[@txtpqb]

Mike, I got a brand new PTO shaft for my tractor/mower, have only run maybe a few hours on it. When I try to grease the U-joint zerks on it, no grease goes into either one. Is it because its new and the joints are still full and should I just wait several more hours of run time and then retry? Confused on this. Thanks for the videos and all you do here.

[@TractorMike]

If the grease gun won't pump, the little ball inside must be frozen. Could be a little rust in there and it just needs to be broken free. If you're pumping and nothing is coming out the U-joints, keep pumping until it does. The manufacturer may have shipped it empty and you're having to fill the entire area.

[@txtpqb]

@@TractorMike thanks. Yeah I tried all that, this a new PTO shaft. I also think the U-joints may have or may NOT have been filled at factory, no idea. Looks like the Zerk balls are freely moving, and the grease gun is good. ??????????

[@5critters]

@@txtpqb I sometimes get that problem when there's plenty of grease in the area in question, and it's just that the little zerk ball isn't moving for whatever reason. So I take a fairly large safety pin with me when greasing the bush hog, and poke it into the zerk to loosen up the stuck zerk ball. Works like a charm.

[@kylerayk]

Take the chain off that shield and you won't have to greez it. I too prefer the shear bolt type.

[@troypriest4014]

God bless!

[@CptBlackbeardlives]

Lube shuttle grease is way to expensive, I'll stick with my lock n lube, not nearly as messy as you make them sound.

[@terryl7874]

I would think most people grease it and done.

[@jasonbabcock2742]

Lefty loosy righty tighty