Sod Cutter Jr. 16" blade

In Georgia we get a lot of 16" sod. We have a Sod Cutter Jr. with a 18" blade. Ryan offers a 16" blade (p/n:4132716.7) for their heavy duty model. To make the blade fit the wheels have to be shortened and add a spacer to the blade mount.

I started by cutting off 1" of the outside of each wheel. I used a 10" horizontal band saw to make the cut.

After the wheels were cut, we decide to make them so they could be reattached for use with the 18" blade. I sprayed blue layout fluid on the wheel to aid in seeing my scribe marks. I center punched each scribe mark to help center the drill bit. I drilled (6) 3'8" holes 60 degrees apart in the middle of the cast iron. When drilling I always start with a small bit and work my way up to the final diameter.

I lined up the 1" section of the wheel to the large section. Then I used a 3/8" transfer punch to mark the holes in the large section.

I drilled 3 holes 120 degrees apart with a 3/8" bit and the other 3 holes with a 5/16". The 5/16" holes were tapped with a 3/8"-16 tap. In the picture below I installed setscrews in the tapped holes and plastic rivets in the 3/8" holes to keep dirt out.

I used a piloted counter bore to recess the holes for the socket head cap screws.

 

I center punched the 3/8" stainless rod so it would stay in the 1" section of the wheel. I also used red loctite on the rods to prevent them from coming out.

I made (2) 1/2" spaces to go on both sides of the blade. I used a piece of 1/2" X 2" flat bar cut 1-1/2" long. I used a 5/16" transfer punch to mark the holes using the blade as a guide.

I also added 2 extra wheels to the rear to aid in stability. I used 1/2" round bar for the axle and washers to space the wheels a part. I cut the axle to length and drilled a 1/8" hole in each end. I installed cotter keys to keep the wheels in place.

Here's the finished product.

If you have any questions shoot me an email.