Do I need a torque multiplier to get these nuts off?

[BufordBoone]

I've been very pleased with my DeWalt 20 V 1/2" impact wrench. It had no difficulty removing the blade bolts from my Bush Hog mower. I don't know how long they had been on there but it is well over 5 years.

It also helped me remove bolts that were rusted in place in the slip clutch. Well, 7 of the 8 anyway. It broke the 8th one in half.

Very pleased with this purchase.

I think this is the one I have: DEWALT DCF899P2 2V MAX XR Brushless High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench Kit with Detent Anvil - - Amazon.com

 

[RalphVa]

I got a Bush Hog 3209 cutter, and I'm trying to get the 1 5/16" bolts off that holds the blades on as I'm replacing them.

The 4 nuts have been soaking in PB blaster for a week, but neither my 3/4" impact wrench (being feed from a 1/2" hose @ 150 psi), nor my 3/4" ratchet with an extension will break any of them free.

I spoke to my dealer about it and they use a torque multiplier in the shop for getting bolts like that loose. Here's a link to one that takes a 3/4" input:

Central Tool 6387 4:1 Torque Multiplier : Amazon.com : Automotive

Does anyone have any experience with these devices? For that price, I wonder if I would be better off getting a monster 1" impact wrench? On the other hand, it would be nice to be able to accurately torque large bolts.

Any other thought on how to break these nuts free? I'm have reservations about using heat given that the bolt are hard to get to and I don't want to cause damage to anything else.

I use a 6 ft long piece of pipe where you have that puny 2 or 3 ft one. 6 ft multiplies out to 480 ft lb if you apply 80 # at the end of the pipe. That's about what it'll take to remove the nuts. I use a plain driver, not my ratchet one. Not sure the ratchet ones are good for that kind of torque. I use the ratchet once they're loose and again when tightening until I get them tight enough to use the plain driver and 6 ft pipe.

Ralph

 

[johnems]

I feel your pain and was their the first time I changed my blades as well. for me I went with one of the Milwaukee Fuel ratchets. If you check the revers toque speciation of this gun Is 1400 FtP.

The 2863™ M18™ FUEL™ w/ ONE-KEY™ High Torque 1/2” Impact Wrench with Friction Ring provides the Most Powerful, Most Compact, and the Most Repeatable Impact Wrench in the industry! The POWERSTATE™ Brushless motor delivers up to 1,000ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1400ft-lbs of nut-busting torque, providing users a cordless solution that will eliminate the need for corded Impact Wrenches.

Yes the torque multiplier is higher output. But I think the impact wrench would have much more vestal. Also some rental place catering to construction companies have torque multipliers for rent.

 

[Tractorable]

I've been very pleased with my DeWalt 20 V 1/2" impact wrench. It had no difficulty removing the blade bolts from my Bush Hog mower. I don't know how long they had been on there but it is well over 5 years.

It also helped me remove bolts that were rusted in place in the slip clutch. Well, 7 of the 8 anyway. It broke the 8th one in half.

Very pleased with this purchase.

I think this is the one I have: DEWALT DCF899P2 2V MAX XR Brushless High Torque 1/2" Impact Wrench Kit with Detent Anvil - - Amazon.com

I have one of these too. It's a total beast monster for removing tough nuts/bolts. It laughs at crankshaft pulley bolts and has never failed to remove any tight bolt I've come across.

As for heat, remember what you're doing with it. Heat expands metal, so applying heat to the blade surrounding the bolt will open up the bolt hole enough to allow the bolt to come free. Or heat the nut on the bolt to expand it.

Propane torches usually don't provide enough heat. As others have said, use an oxy/acetylene torch to heat the metal to a dull red color. Another method is to use heat followed by shock cooling with a wet rag. This can break the bonds of the rust holding the bolt/nut together.