Advice on deck cleaning and blade changing

[Carpetbagger]

I hoist my whole mower up in the air with a cable hoist (come along) thrown over a 2x6 spanning several rafters in my garage. You can get it up about 2 feet from the back of the mower and use jack stands for further protection. I use this method for all under the deck work including spindle replacement and blade sharpening. Hope this helps. Gearjammer

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Yard and lane take about 4 hours to mow and is far from smooth or level. There are some significant side slopes as well.

I know that mowing while the yard is damp isn't the best, but at times I don't have much choice.

Currently have a Husqvarna GTH52XLS that I have to pull the deck in order to clean and change blades. This wasn't too much of a problem in the past, but due to injuries I now have limited mobility.

I've been considering a ZT or a front mount with a 'flip up deck' to make the job easier.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mo-Jack500 or Mo-Jack Pro.

 

[Professor Marvel]

Oh yeah as for changing the blades the only way to go is impact wrench and a 2x4 to hold the blade.

do the bolts all spin on and odd normally or are some left handed?

 

[Professor Marvel]

I put a chain on it to my loader and lift it almost vertical..

Iwas going to do this but I read here of people saying the oil goes bad places. Have you had any issues with this?

 

[atsah]

Iwas going to do this but I read here of people saying the oil goes bad places. Have you had any issues with this?

Never, been doing all my life, I let it sit a while before starting it after I let it down..

 

[Gem99ultra]

Never, been doing all my life, I let it sit a while before starting it after I let it down..

I do the same thing, i.e. lift the mower up with the tractor FEL, but due to my impatience, I don't let it sit :-(. I immediately crank 'er up and get on my my doing's. Yeah, I do usually get a little puff of blue smoke for a second or two, but then, I'm not one to worry.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Hoisting a machine makes for easier cleaning of decks and undersides, but I would be concerned about oil and gas going places they aren't supposed to.

I have been lifting my Ferris ZT since new using my FEL. I actually installed a 3/8" lift chain in the OEM holes in front. I just hook the chain hook into the chain on the mower, hook the other end in my FEL hooks and lift to about 45 degree angle. This is plenty to clean the deck and change the blades. The safety police will yell loudly about getting under the mower held up with the FEL, but I think it is much safer than a mower lift where it could fall off the lift. No way is the chain coming off and barring a busted hose (next to impossible odds) it isn't going to fall. If I were worried about a busted hose, I could fabricate a cylinder block to install on the main lift cylinders so they couldn't come down.


As for engine oil etc, I let it set a couple of minutes after lowering it to allow any oil that might be up in the cylinders to settle back. So far with 600 hours, no issues from doing this lifting.

 

[Gary Fowler]

do the bolts all spin on and odd normally or are some left handed?

All the mower bolts I have ever taken off, including push type and riding mowers, all come off like a regular bolt. Lefty loosey, righty tighty. I always use my elcheapo Chicago pneumatic 3/8" drive impact gun to remove and tighten the mower blade bolts. Only once did I have to resort to my larger impact to remove the bolts. I think I paid around $20 for it. No need for any wood to block the blades when using an impact for on or off and it only takes seconds to remove or tighten.
I always keep a spare set of blades sharp and ready to install. So I remove a blade, put on the new one, tighten the bolt then move to the next blade.

The entire operation from time I park the mower till I put my tractor away is about 10-15 minutes which includes scraping any debris from under the deck.

 

[dalola]

I have been lifting my Ferris ZT since new using my FEL. I actually installed a 3/8" lift chain in the OEM holes in front. I just hook the chain hook into the chain on the mower, hook the other end in my FEL hooks and lift to about 45 degree angle. This is plenty to clean the deck and change the blades. The safety police will yell loudly about getting under the mower held up with the FEL, but I think it is much safer than a mower lift where it could fall off the lift. No way is the chain coming off and barring a busted hose (next to impossible odds) it isn't going to fall. If I were worried about a busted hose, I could fabricate a cylinder block to install on the main lift cylinders so they couldn't come down.


As for engine oil etc, I let it set a couple of minutes after lowering it to allow any oil that might be up in the cylinders to settle back. So far with 600 hours, no issues from doing this lifting.

Not trying to sound like your mother, but I would urge you use a back-up mechanical lock/stand of some sort. Eliminate the risk completely. Your family will thank you.

 

[ericm979]

I would not get under a mower or anything else that's held up by a FEL. That's like getting under a car that's on a hydraulic jack with no stands or blocks.

To remove the blades on my mower I raise the deck to the highest setting, lie on the ground and reach under with a long offset box end wrench and use the other hand to hold the blade.