Side Boom Mower Essentials: A Comprehensive Maintenance Guide

Properly maintaining your side boom mower is crucial for its longevity and performance, maximizing efficiency, and minimizing potential downtime. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from routine maintenance tasks such as cleaning and lubrication to more advanced troubleshooting tips and techniques. 

By following these recommendations, you’ll be able to keep your mower in top shape and ensure it operates at its best for years to come. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or new to side mowers, this guide from Rut Manufacturing will provide valuable insights and practical advice to help you get the most out of your equipment.

What is Boom Mowing?

Boom mowing, a specialized form of landscaping, is an efficient way to maintain various landscapes, from private roads and golf courses to public areas and agricultural fields. The process involves using a boom mower, a versatile attachment for Skid Steers, CTLs, and MTLs that can adapt to all sorts of jobs.

The Rut Manufacturing Skid Steer Boom Mower stands out in the field of boom mowing with its impressive features and capabilities. Equipped with a 115-degree range of motion, 90 degrees vertical and negative 25 degrees from horizontal, this machine provides exceptional versatility. It features a curved boom for extra clearance, a high torque or piston motor with built-in valving, and a 42” cutting head. This configuration makes it capable of tackling more challenging sites and cutting more precisely.

The boom head attachment is designed to handle a cutting width capacity of up to 4 inches in diameter, making it perfect for clearing land, roadsides, ditches, and banks from all varieties of brush. It’s ideal for hard-to-reach areas, creating and maintaining hunting trails, golf courses, agriculture, clearing brush, private roads, and public areas. With such a wide range of motion, this machine is a game changer, from clearing ditches and banks to ponds and fence lines.

The side boom mower comes with hydraulic hoses and quick couplers and features a customized motor for best performance with your Skid Steer. A deck thickness of 1/4in and a 2-blade system ensures durability and efficiency in all operations.

Rut Manufacturing’s attachments are custom-made to the specifications of your machine and proudly made in the USA. The lead time for this powerful attachment is four weeks.

In essence, boom mowing is a practical, efficient solution for municipalities, road maintenance workers, property owners, and anyone who needs a helping hand in landscape maintenance. By investing in a Skid Steer Boom Mower, you’re equipping yourself with a reliable, efficient-maximizing tool that can easily handle the most challenging tasks.

Understanding the Basics of Side Boom Mower Maintenance

A side boom mower is a versatile tool that can adapt to various jobs, from maintaining golf courses and private roads to clearing brush and maintaining public areas. Its 115-degree range of motion allows it to easily clear ditches, banks, ponds, and fence lines. Maintenance of these machines is essential to keep them running smoothly. 

But before diving into the details, let’s get familiar with the key components of your boom cutter:

• Deck Thickness: 1/4in
• Blade Configuration: 2 Blade System
• Cutting Capacity: Trim trees up to 4 inches in diameter
• Hydraulic Flow: 12-24 GPM standard flow
• Motor: High torque or piston motor with built-in valving
• Cutting Head: 42” cutting head
• Curved Boom: The curved boom provides extra clearance for tackling challenging sites.
• Hydraulic Hoses and Quick Couplers: These parts facilitate the transfer of hydraulic fluid, ensuring smooth operation.

Understanding these components will help you keep your boom mower for skid steer in optimal condition.

Mastering the Art of Periodic Maintenance: Monthly and Annual Tasks

In addition to daily and weekly tasks, periodic maintenance is also essential. 

This includes:

• Monthly: Check the hydraulic hoses for leaks or damage. Also, inspect the quick couplers for any signs of wear and tear.
• Annually: Schedule a professional service to inspect and maintain your side boom mower thoroughly.

The Importance of Regular Upkeep for Boom Mowers

Regular maintenance of your side mower ensures its longevity and enhances its efficiency and safety when you cut brush. The benefits of regular upkeep include:

• Optimized performance: Regular maintenance ensures your mower performs at its peak, providing efficient and precise cuts.
• Extended lifespan: Keeping up with maintenance helps prevent premature wear and tear, prolonging the machine’s life.
• Improved safety: Regular inspections and upkeep can prevent accidents caused by faulty parts or malfunctioning equipment.
• Cost savings: Preventive maintenance can catch minor issues before they become major problems, saving you costly repairs or replacements down the line.

Step-by-Step Guide: Daily and Weekly Maintenance Tasks

Daily and weekly maintenance tasks are crucial to keeping your side boom mower in shape. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to Side Boom Mower Maintenance:

1. Check the hydraulic fluid levels: Ensure the hydraulic fluid is at the correct level and refill if necessary.
2. Inspect the blades: Look for signs of wear and tear or damage. Replace the blades if needed.
3. Clean the mower: Remove debris from the cutting deck and other parts.
4. Check the belts: Inspect the belts for any signs of cracking or fraying. Replace them if necessary.

Best Practices for Extending the Lifespan of Your Side Boom Mower

To extend the lifespan of your mower attachment, follow these best practices:

• Regular Maintenance: Keep up with daily, weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance tasks.
• Use Quality Parts: Always use quality replacement parts that meet your machine’s specifications.
• Professional Service: Schedule regular professional services to ensure thorough inspections and maintenance.

Safety First: Important Precautions to Take During Maintenance

When maintaining your boom cutter, safety should be the top priority. This machinery, while highly efficient and powerful, can pose risks if not handled correctly. Here are some essential precautions to take during routine maintenance:

• Turn off the Machine: Always ensure the skid steer boom mower is turned off before starting any maintenance tasks. This step is crucial to prevent accidental startups that could lead to injuries.
• Wear Protective Gear: It’s essential to wear appropriate protective gear during maintenance. This includes gloves to protect your hands from sharp blades or hot components, safety glasses to shield your eyes from debris, and sturdy footwear to protect your feet.
• Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions: The Rut Manufacturing Skid Steer Boom Mower has a detailed manual outlining proper maintenance procedures. Always refer to these instructions to ensure you perform tasks correctly and safely.
• Keep Your Work Area Clean: A clean work area is a safe work area. Make sure the site around your side boom mower is free of obstacles and debris that could cause slips, trips, or falls.
• Inspect Tools and Equipment: Before starting any maintenance tasks, check your tools and equipment for damage. Using faulty tools can lead to accidents.
• Handle Blades with Care: The blades on your boom mower are sharp and can cause injuries if not handled properly. When inspecting or changing blades, handle them carefully and ensure they’re secure before starting the machine.
• Avoid Working Alone: If possible, avoid working alone when performing maintenance tasks. Having someone nearby can assist in case of an emergency.

Remember, safety isn’t just about following rules—it’s about cultivating a mindset of caution and care. By taking these precautions, you can ensure that your maintenance tasks are carried out safely, protecting both you and your valuable Skid Steer Boom Mower.

Call to Action: Making Maintenance a Priority for Your Side Boom Mower

Your boom mower for skid steer is an investment. Protect it by making maintenance a priority. With regular upkeep, you can ensure its longevity, optimize its performance, and enjoy its benefits for years to come.

Remember, maintenance is not just about fixing problems—it’s about preventing them. So, start your maintenance routine today and keep your side mower in top shape!

Remember, the Skid Steer Boom Mower is a versatile and efficient tool, but like any machinery, it requires regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. So, prioritize maintenance and enjoy the benefits of a well-maintained skid steer attachment.

When it comes to side boom mowers, Rut Manufacturing is a name you can trust. We’re committed to providing high-quality, efficient, and durable machinery to meet your needs. Contact us today, and let’s get started on securing a long-lasting, efficient boom mower for your skid steer.