mower blade removal

eteagle · Jul 4, 2002

Any tips or tricks, especially immobilizing blade while removing nut. Thanks

Ernie

beenthere · Jul 4, 2002

Nothing in your message or your profile about what 'mower' you refer to, so will assume it is a two or three bladed belly or finishing mower. I use a 2x4 of about 8 - 10 inches, and prop it between the blade and the deck somewhere where it will stop the blade from turning. This works whether the deck is overturned and if you are crawling under it from below. Tricks? Depends on what trouble you run into, or what tools you are lacking. An air impact gun works good if you have one.
If a rotary cutter (brush hog), some have an access hole in the deck to get a socket onto the nut on the pivot bolt from above (at least my Deere 513 rotary does).

chim · Jul 4, 2002

I got a cheapie air impact wrench. Mower blade removal was the main reason. You don't even need to try to keep the blade from turning. There's enough resistance in the drivetrain even without the PTO engaged. Been using it the last couple years on RFM's. This is the easiest method I found so far.............chim

drcollie · Jul 5, 2002

Yup. Impact gun is the only way to go, spins 'em off in a jiffy. If you don't have (or want) an air compressor, then Snap-On makes Cordless Battery Powered Impact Guns that will get the job done. 12v , 14.4 v and 18v can all spin blade nuts pretty easily.

djradz · Jul 5, 2002

Impact, 1/2" drive, air or electric, is the only easy way.

justractors · Jul 5, 2002

Just make sure that you are using something besides the hydraulics to keep it off your chest, head, neck, etc.

Bill

MikePA · Jul 5, 2002

<font color=blue>Impact, 1/2" drive, air or electric, is the only easy way. </font color=blue>

Just curious if anyone has used an electric impact gun for working on mower decks. I assumed I was going to have to buy a compressor and get an air impact wrench.

Inspector507 · Jul 5, 2002

Mike,
I have used several electric ones (110V) and they do the job.

MikePA · Jul 5, 2002

<font color=blue>I have used several electric ones (110V) and they do the job.</font color=blue>

Thanks, Jerry. Do you have a particular brand & model that worked the best for you?

Inspector507 · Jul 5, 2002

Mike,
The last electric one I used was a Craftsman, it has 240 ft. lbs. of torque. That is about average for even air operated ones. I have an air jobbie that has 400 ft lbs. I like it much better.