mower blade removal

[eteagle]

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

Ernie

 

[beenthere]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[justractors]

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

Bill

 

[MikePA]

<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]

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

 

[MikePA]

<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]

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.

 

[Inspector507]

See pic

 

[Kodiak]

I have the same Craftsman its 18 years old and still going strong. I also have a pair of Ingersol Rand Pneaumatic impact guns. But when I'm in a hurry and don't want to fire up the compressor for a two minute job, out comes the Craftsman.

 

[Ozarker]

Ditto what's been said about electric impact wrenches. I don't own one, I have air, but a friend has one and it works like a champ. I have actually been thinking about getting one in 12V to throw in the trunk of the car for roadside tire changing.

 

[MikePA]

Thanks to all! I searched and found a Milwaukee Electric 1/2" impact wrench Model 9072-22 (300 ft lb capacity) for $170. It also comes in a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mytoolstore.com/milwauke/9072-20.html>kit</A> with a carrying case and 6 sockets for $220. The 3/4" model goes up to 380 ft lbs. I checked my mmm manual and the blades are kept on by 9/16-12x1-3/4 G8 bolts. On my Wheel Horse deck, the blades sit on threaded studs and are held on by nuts. I don't have a manual for this deck, so I'll have to go measure them.

 

[Bird]

Mike, I, too, have owned first a Black & Decker and later a Craftsman 1/2" impacts. I prefer air, not only because they usually have a little more power, but also because they're so much lighter in weight, but the electric ones work just fine. The impact (or hammering) mechanism is about the same in either air or electric, but electric motors are heavier than air motors./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[MikePA]

Thanks, Bird. I'll be pondering this decision a while. For $220 I can get an electric impact wrench and 6 sockets. If I go with an air compressor, it'll be almost double that, but I will have a compressor.

 

[Bird]

Mike, I've got to have an air-compressor for other things, but if you don't want one, another thing you might consider if you have either a Black & Decker or Sears Service Center near you is to see if they have any re-conditioned, used electric impacts. Of course, they don't always have what you want, but I never had any complaints or problems with the B&D that I had and I bought it cheap at the service center (with warranty of course, but it wasn't needed).

 

[dcollie]

I have a pretty extensive tool collection including some Snap-On Cordless Impact Guns. On my Kubota 60" MMM the retaining nut for the blades is 30mm, and they're on there pretty good.

My 12V Impact Gun struggles with this size nut but can move them if it has a fresh charge in it (unless I ran it home REALLY good with my air compressor Impact Gun). If you are going to buy a Cordless Impact Gun, I'd suggest you look in the 14.4v to 18v range for moving those size fasteners.

I own a 9.6v, 12v and 14.4v electric cordless impact guns (all Snap-On brand) and you can tell the difference in the power outputs.

The 12v ones are real good for 17mm to 19mm, and can even work up to 21mm pretty well...after that they can be a bit frustrating if the nuts are on there hard.

I have a buddy that owns a Snap-On route. If you need a cordless impact and want that brand, drop me a note to drcollie@keepingroom.com. Can get them for 15% less than you can buy on-line off the Snap-On web site.

 

[oakiemac]

Northern Tool company (used to be Northern Hydraulics) sells a 110v electric impact wrench for around $60.00. I have been tempted to buy one just for blade removal even if the quality is not as good as a snap-on. For light usage, this one might work out good and it is a lot cheaper.

 

[Bird]

When comparing impact wrenches, whether air or electric, look at the specifications to see how many ft./lbs. of torque it's rated for. You can usually figure the more power, the more money.