What's happening to JD???

[snoiger01]

I bought a 2305 about 3 years ago and so far have been happy with it. As part of my purchase I also got a Frontier GM1060S grooming mower. Well I have spent the past 3 years trying to get the dang blades off to sharpen them, and each year I have just given up and used an angle grinder with the mower flipped over...not the easiest way, but so far the ONLY way Does anyone know if the bolts that hold the blades on are reverse threaded? I'm assuming they are since MOST lawn mowers are.
Well anyway, I just called the dealership I bought it from and they had no clue. The guy told me John Deere had told them to get rid of all of the Frontier equipment , but that there was some guy who has worked there longer and he would have him call me back. So while I'm waiting, I decide I call John Deere HQ....I asked the person there if that was true, and was told that "if thats what the dealer told you, then thats correct"....I asked if that was a John Deere corporate decision and was again told, if that is what the dealer told you then thats correct. I asked how I was supposed to get replacement blades and was given the number to Frontier Equipment...what gives????

 

[RollTideRam]

I have never ran across left handed threads on a mower deck. I think you keep tightening the bolts. Use an impact wrench and remember "Lefty Lucy Righty tighty". As far a Deere and Frontier parting company, That is the first I have heard of it. JC

 

[Duckklr69]

If I sound like a jerk forgive me.... but I have to ask, you waited 3 years to call the dealership about getting the blades off? LOL

 

[snoiger01]

Yea, I have a problem with procastrination I just got off the phone with Frontier Equipment and they are NOT happy. I was told that they are in fact still alive and that what I was told it NOT correct and that someone from their marketing division will be calling me shortly and to rest assured my problem will be handled. Me thinks I struck a nerve

 

[gamble77]

Yeah you obviously talked to someone at the dealership who had NO idea what they were talking about...and it is no uncommone for finishing mower blades to be LH thread. Good luck...the Frontier/Deere tie has never been stronger and isn't going anywhere.

 

[snoiger01]

Gamble,
Are you in the business? If so, would you happen to have any insight on the GM1060S thread issue?

 

[Deere Hunter]

I don't know about your particular mower, but my Finish Mower is reverse threaded. I use a "poor man's" impact wrench. Put a block in the mower to stop the blade, apply a socket wrench, and use a galvanized pipe over the wrench handle for leverage. I have also tapped the wrench with a hammer. The reason for a left-handed thread on a mower is that the blade direction tightens the bolt if you hit something, instead of loosening.

All of the mowers I have owned have been reverse-threaded, and difficult to loosen with just a wrench.

 

[snoiger01]

Thanks DeereHunter,
Do you know the actual size of that bolt? I've been trying to use an adjustable wrench and its not doing the job.

 

[unit40]

Wait a second. I have a lot of commercial mowers and a 72 landpride finish mower. They are all right hand thread, right hand discharge decks. The only mower in the fleet with a reverse thread is a Toro Z355. Because it has two blades on it, and they counter rotate to force the clippings up under the machine to the bagger. So one blade is reverse thread. Use an impact wrench, and then reassemble with neversieze.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

The Commercial 72" on my F935 is "Normal" thread.....they were a PITA to take off the first time after I got it used....the Impact had a workout but got em eventually...
To make it easier NEXT Time, when reassembling it, apply some Never-Seeze to the threads. Then you wont have any issues at all.

It should be a federal crime for people to bolt things back together (including the factory) without Never-Seeze.....