Mowing deck bolts

bullet3z · Mar 24, 2010

The sharper the blades, the nicer the cut.

I have been trying for the last few years change my property from hills to all flat. The blades on the mower don't like that very much. If you know what I mean.

kevinj · Mar 24, 2010

Earl Ohl said:
Since no one has answered you yet, they look the same as on my B3030. They take a 30mm socket & they're right hand threads.

I thinks that 30mm is also 1 3/16"

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 24, 2010

kevinj said:
I thinks that 30mm is also 1 3/16"

That's (1 3/16") what Kubota mechanic said they use in a 6pt only not 12 point. Guess the 30MM is the exact and the 1 3/16" is close enough if 6 point. Don't have either but going to have wife pick up a 30MM 12 point since that's what they (Advance Auto) shows they have on internet for $8.19. So for $60 for blades and $8.19 for socket I can start cutting grass again instead of just breaking it.

kevinj · Mar 24, 2010

JOHNTHOMAS said:
That's (1 3/16") what Kubota mechanic said they use in a 6pt only not 12 point. Guess the 30MM is the exact and the 1 3/16" is close enough if 6 point. Don't have either but going to have wife pick up a 30MM 12 point since that's what they (Advance Auto) shows they have on internet for $8.19. So for $60 for blades and $8.19 for socket I can start cutting grass again instead of just breaking it.

I use an imact so 6 point it is

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 24, 2010

Wife brought the 30MM 12 point socket. Put it on air impact driver and those bolts came right off without even blocking blades. Put new blades on and reversed direction of impact driver and they locked down in just a few seconds. I've now discovered a tool that I don't know how I've lived without it for this many years. It loosened and tightened so easy and I was even using my small compressor that won't hardly fill a portable air tank. Barlows is a good dealer, Kennedy is a good Dr, Tohill is a good dentist and air drivers are great.:laughing: Now you know how I feel about it.

Earl Ohl · Mar 27, 2010

JOHNTHOMAS said:
Thanks guys. 30MM it is. Right hand threads mean opposite of most threads, right? Means I have to turn these to the right to loosen them and left to tighten them?

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. Right hand threads turn clockwise to tighten & left hand threads turn counterclockwise to tighten. You probably figured that out by now.

If you're buying an extra set of blades, you might want to ask if they make a set of high-lift blades for your particular model of mower deck. Kubota makes them for the 72" deck on the B3030. I don't know what other decks they're available for. They throw the grass out further & keep the deck a lot cleaner underneath, too.

Tom_H · Mar 27, 2010

For those who may not have an air compressor, Harbor Freight sells a good electric impact wrench. Every month or so they have a few things on sale for 1/2 price and this item comes up about once a year @ that discount. I think I got mine for $20 or $30. It's Chicago brand-won't last forever, but I don't use it frequently so hopefully I won't wear it out. I bought it and a hydraulic hand jack @ HF so I could quick change between ag & turf tires.

I have been using a 16" crescent, and a small sledge to get the blade bolt started. Pretty easy to do, but does take a couple of minutes. I think you guys just talked me into getting a new socket.

Edit: Just found a 30mm 6 pt. shallow impact for $5.80:

http://www.amazon.com/Michigan-Indu...ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1269710400&sr=1-4

A couple of different ones from Grainger:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1NUB3?Pid=search

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5DFN7?Pid=search

I'm sure Snap-On has them also, though I couldn't seem to navigate their site correctly.

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 27, 2010

Tom_H said:
For those who may not have an air compressor, Harbor Freight sells a good electric impact wrench. Every month or so they have a few things on sale for 1/2 price and this item comes up about once a year @ that discount. I think I got mine for $20 or $30. It's Chicago brand-won't last forever, but I don't use it frequently so hopefully I won't wear it out. I bought it and a hydraulic hand jack @ HF so I could quick change between ag & turf tires.

I have been using a 16" crescent, and a small sledge to get the blade bolt started. Pretty easy to do, but does take a couple of minutes. I think you guys just talked me into getting a new socket.

Edit: Just found a 30mm 6 pt. shallow impact for $5.80:

Amazon.com: Michigan Industrial Tools 1/2" Drive X 30 MM Shallow Impact Socket: Home Improvement

A couple of different ones from Grainger:

Socket, 1/2 In Dr, 6 Point, 30mm, 1 3/4 In L - Sockets - Sockets - Hand Tools : Grainger Industrial Supply

Impact Socket, 1/2 Dr, 30mm, Nonslip, 6 Pt - Sockets - Sockets - Hand Tools : Grainger Industrial Supply

I'm sure Snap-On has them also, though I couldn't seem to navigate their site correctly.

The $5.80 is $12 with shipping plus for me 6% sales tax. Done bought blades from Barlows, $60 and done bought socket from Advance auto for under $9 total. It works fine and has a lifetime warranty. Course the only time I'll ever use it is to remove mowing deck blades maybe every two or three years.

Tom_H · Mar 27, 2010

JT-It's true, the shipping is more than the part. By the time I shopped around town for it, the savings of $3 wouldn't be worth the time, so I went ahead and ordered it online today.

It was clear that you already have what you need. You probably realize the info. I posted is simply for the benefit of others who may be considering their options. It is a good idea. Thanks for sharing it. Next time I take the blades off I'll be able to save a little time. Time seems to be as valuable a commodity as money these days. Every bit helps.