Rear Finish Mower Can't get finish mower blades off

   / Can't get finish mower blades off #1  

jfouse

New member
Joined
May 16, 2012
Messages
6
Location
Winchester, VA
Tractor
Kubota L4300DT
So I'm somewhat new to all this, having just gotten a 16-acre goat farm last fall with a package deal for the tractor (Kubota L4300DT) and various implements. Been learning a lot on my own, been picking up bits here and there. My current problem is that the blades on the finish mower (Bush Hog RDTH 72, rear discharge) look like they've hit a few rocks and who knows what in their time and I'd like to get them sharpened, but I'm having a heck of a time getting the darned things off. I can't manage to get the blades locked in place very well, and when I manage to get them blocked somewhat the nut just won't give. I've squirted all manner of who knows what on 'em, tried a cheater bar on a wrench, tried to "get a bigger hammer", nothing. It's still mowing okay, so I'm not ready to pay the local equipment shop to come take care of it for me yet, but I thought I'd see if anyone here had any suggestions.
 
   / Can't get finish mower blades off
  • Thread Starter
#3  
One possibility my father mentioned recently is that the bolts might be reverse threaded, and I haven't had a chance yet to check that out. Would that be plausible, or not?
 
   / Can't get finish mower blades off #4  
That was my first thought. Don't know about bushhog but big bee has reverse threads.
 
   / Can't get finish mower blades off #5  
I have a Bush Hog brand finish mower...side discharge model FTH-600 and I do not believe the bolts are reverse threaded...but it has been some time since I have taken the blades off...Have you tried just using a hand grinder to sharpen the blades in place...that is what I do...sure is a lot easier.
 
   / Can't get finish mower blades off #6  
So I'm somewhat new to all this, having just gotten a 16-acre goat farm last fall with a package deal for the tractor (Kubota L4300DT) and various implements. Been learning a lot on my own, been picking up bits here and there. My current problem is that the blades on the finish mower (Bush Hog RDTH 72, rear discharge) look like they've hit a few rocks and who knows what in their time and I'd like to get them sharpened, but I'm having a heck of a time getting the darned things off. I can't manage to get the blades locked in place very well, and when I manage to get them blocked somewhat the nut just won't give. I've squirted all manner of who knows what on 'em, tried a cheater bar on a wrench, tried to "get a bigger hammer", nothing. It's still mowing okay, so I'm not ready to pay the local equipment shop to come take care of it for me yet, but I thought I'd see if anyone here had any suggestions.


Before you cause yourself or others some serious harm,

Purchase a mower blade holder/stopper from Gemplers and you will be able to remove the blades with A Standard 3/4 inch Breaker Bar and socket NOT A CHEATER BAR ATTACHED TO A BREAKER BAR that is 1/2 inch drive as this almost guarantees you that you may break your jaw with it.

OR simply rent or buy a 3/4 drive set to break the nuts loose.

YOU could purchase only a 3/4 drive breaker bar and a socket for the nut on the mower and solve yourself a lot of headaches.

You are going to want to balance those blades while sharpening them as well

Use some blue loctite to secure the blades when you use torque a wrench to secure them and you will be able to remove them again without difficulty.
 
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   / Can't get finish mower blades off #8  
1) Make sure of the right or left hand thread issue.
2) Try using a decent (at least 350 ft-lb) 1/2" or 3/4" air wrench
3) If #1 & #2 don't do it, block blade or pulley from turning and try #2 again.
 
   / Can't get finish mower blades off #9  
Yeah, a impact wrench seems to be a must have when getting blades off. Also a good six point socket can help, most sockets are 12 points. The six point socket grabs the flats of the bolts more, and they are usually sold as impact sockets.
 
   / Can't get finish mower blades off #10  
A piece of firewood, or some sort of block between the blade and the mower housing correctly positioned usually stops the blade from rotating if you use a breaker bar. Using an impact gun usually forgoes this problem, but impacts create other problems. (such as "do I have enough air, strong enough gun, etc). I have a 3/4" drive ratchet (longer than the breaker bar) from a set I purchased in 1974 that has been worth it's weight in gold over the years, but sometimes even it won't handle a tight bolt. Add in a torch for heat and it usually comes apart.
David from jax
 
 
 
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