BX anti scalp adjuster shafts stuck!

[rossco]

I need some serious help with my 60" MMM. My tractor has lived outside under an oak tree for awhile and now I cannot budge my front anti scalp wheel adjuster shafts. I know the tolerance is close and they have to be seized by surface rust between the shaft and the sleeve on the deck. I have tried using a small sledge hammer and a wood block with no luck. They will not budge. I could probably heat the deck sleeve with a torch and maybe free them, but that would really screw up the powder coating. Anybody had this problem or have any good ideas. At this point, I don't mind screwing up the wheel shaft to get them out, but would rather not damage the deck paint. Thanks for any input.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Soak in penetrating oil and then try twisting with something stuck through the adjustment holes. Pins twist easier than they slide axially... Like pullin a whiskey cork, easier to turn than just pull

RDnT

 

[milkman]

Soak and Twist, sounds like good advice, soak the adjuster with a penetrant and twist a cork on a jug and wait till it is freed up.

 

[rossco]

That's an idea I had thought of. The only issue I can see is the pin holes are small, so whatever rod you stick through them probably won't take much before they bend. Still, it's worth a try. They won't budge at all trying to pound them out. Thanks for the input.

 

[SeymourBota]

If necessary, a 'light' tap with a rubber mallet will assist the twisting process.
Don't pound too hard, though, or you will lessen the life of the wheel!!

 

[JW1554]

I have the same problem. After using successively bigger hammers without luck, I have resorted to the penetrating oil and twist method, and so far, have freed one wheel.

I have been using an oil obtained from Tractor Supply named Blaster, and recently ordered Kroil (Kanolabs.com) on the advice of friends. I removed the wheels and use a large pipe wrench, with a cheater bar, on the square end of the shaft for twisting, while someone taps lightly on the shaft housing with a hammer.

I squirt the oil on the shaft whenever I think of it (often), and give the wrench twist a try every couple of days. This process has freed one, and I think will free the others given enough time. The specialty oil is the secret.

 

[SkunkWerX]

Sounds like the rest of us better put some anti-seize grease on our adjusters that are not stuck yet.

Add one more maintenance routine to the checklist!

 

[rossco]

Sounds like there is some hope of getting them off without hurting the deck mounting points. Glad to here from some people that have had the same problem. If your deck gets stored in the weather, I would definitely keep those shafts coated with some light grease. I have some PB Blaster and will squirt some every couple of days. Thanks for the help. It's nice to have access to people that use there machines and have the same problems. Nothing against the dealer, but the only thing they suggested is what has not worked for me.

 

[crbr]

Candle wax?

:idunno:

 

[rdsaustintx]

These have got to be guys who leave their decks on. Otherwise you routinely rotate them to slide the deck out.

#47 to remove the MMM when ya don't need it.