3/4 inch bolt no match for rock

[deadeye]

On Wednesday I was using the Swisher to clear trails when I hit a rock.  It  was a perfect hit on the bolt holding the swinging blade and rather than bounce over it, the head caught a ridge on the rock and snapped the bolt.  You can imagine how the off balance mower jumped around until I got it shut off.  I did this once before about 5 years ago.  This is one reason we have two brush mowers.  I went back to camp Near and Deer and got the DR brush mower to continue mowing without losing a half day for repairs.   

[Rebel SS]

Can ya step up to a higher grade bolt? Like a grade 8? Maybe it already is....just a suggestion. I've done that on various high-stress bolts in the past.

[Leech~~]

On Wednesday I was using the Swisher to clear trails when I hit a rock.  It  was a perfect hit on the bolt holding the swinging blade and rather than bounce over it, the head caught a ridge on the rock and snapped the bolt.  You can imagine how the off balance mower jumped around until I got it shut off.  I did this once before about 5 years ago.  This is one reason we have two brush mowers.  I went back to camp Near and Deer and got the DR brush mower to continue mowing without losing a half day for repairs.   

Dang, I bet you thought a Bear had snuck up on yea!   

[deadeye]

I can see two of the grade marks on the broken bolt.  They are too close to be a grade three so I'm pretty sure the one that snapped is a grade 8.  I'm glad it snapped rather than bent.  It could be a real bitch getting out a bent 3/4 bolt.   

[HD]

Depending on who engineered it, that maybe in the design to be a sacrifice. If you go to a harder bolt, you may do more damage, that may cost more to repair.

Just a thought......

[Rebel SS]

That's a good point. Reminds me of my old fishing buddy, who replaced a shear pin on his boat prop with a solid small bolt. He nailed a rocky shoal later that year.....I'll stop there.

[glenn57]

Depending on who engineered it, that maybe in the design to be a sacrifice. If you go to a harder bolt, you may do more damage, that may cost more to repair.

Just a thought......

pretty much my thinking.its wht some of them a considered shear pins!!!!!!!

[Gunner55]

Subbed some soft bolts in for shear pins on blower augers many times. Soft bolts = on hand & 4/ .25, OEM shear pins = not on hand & 4/$5