Removing blades on finish mower

[tld]

Are there any tricks when it comes to removing the blades on Bush Hog finish mower?

 

[Bird]

Nope, Tom, nothing unusual; just unscrew the bolt in the middle of each blade. Naturally it's easiest if you have an impact wrench.

 

[Kelvin]

As Bird pointed out, there isn't any tricks per-se, but it is easier with an impact wrench.

At my house I have a small air compressor which is not capable of handling an air-driven impact wrench very well. So, I purchased a DeWalt Electric impact wrench, and it does the job just fine. Another reason I went that route is that I already had a portable generator such that I could take the generator and electric impact wrench out where the tractor is, if needed.

I'm sure that this is intuitively obvious, but having the tractor lift the mower off the ground via the 3-point lift is the easiest way to position the mower to accomplish blade removal task. I usually drive the tractor up on the back of my old flatbed truck (preferred) or trailer such that the mower is higher off the ground making it easier to get to the blades. (When using the flatbed truck I can get to the blades from a standing position).

Good Luck,
Kelvin

 

[djradz]

Air wrench - no better solution. Perfect tool for the application.

 

[shady1701]

just make sure you don't have an odd ball and has backwards threads as to go ccw to tighten and cw to loosen..

 

[TonyC]

As everyone has said, an air wrench is the best way. Other tips would be to heat it red hot with a welding torch, or soak in it PB Blaster for as long as you can, or lastly even try forcing it tighter first. Sometimes this actually helps to break the bond.

Oh, and if something happens where you need to put in a new bolt, remeber they are Nyloks. Standard bolts will not do. I recommend you get them from the dealer, along with new cup washers if applicable.

And have you tried cussing at it???? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif