Mowing MMM Blade Removal

[criz067]

Hey,

Yesterday I struggled for a short amount of time trying to get the blades off my 54" MMM which I have taken off my BX1800. This tractor is new to me and this is the first time I am trying to remove the blades. I don't know if the last owner ever sharpened them! I might as well be wacking the grass with a metal tube.

Anyways I don't have a manual and was wanting to know if anyone had any tips before I struggle tonight with it?

Also, is it okay if I block just the blade I am trying to loosen the bolt on so it doesn't move but allow the other 2 blades to turn? That is where I ended last night and wasn't sure if I was making progress loosening the bolt or not.

Thanks

 

[oldnslo]

Presuming your 54" deck is similar to mine on the BX1850 the blades are held from turning by the drive belt. best way I have found to hold the blades is to wedge a 2x4 between the blade tip and the mower deck. Turn the blade so that you can put the 2x4 between the end of the blade and the deck housing. Now start turning the blade until the 2x4 is wedged between the deck and blade tip. Pull on the wrench until the bolt loosens. Once loose you may have to hold one of the other blades to prevent the spindle from spinning inside the blade.

 

[TripleR]

We stood ours up and used an impact wrench on ours the last time, but have used a 2x4 or equivalent as well as a wrench on the top of the deck pulley while we used the breaker bar on the deck bolts.

 

[criz067]

Thanks for the replies! I have managed to get by so far without an impact wrench but will consider getting one if all else fails. So will using an impact wrench allow you to not have to take all the measures to prevent the blades/pulleys from turning?

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the replies! I have managed to get by so far without an impact wrench but will consider getting one if all else fails. So will using an impact wrench allow you to not have to take all the measures to prevent the blades/pulleys from turning?

You won't need them to get the blades on, but will to get the right torque specs putting them back on. Now a LOT of people don't bother with the specs and use the impact wrench to remove and replace.

We use air impact because that is what we have, but some use electric.

There is a pretty lengthy post on this somewhere.

 

[shortthrow50]

I use impact as well. I don't use my torque wrench when putting back on either. Just let it hammer for a few seconds. You won't need a block becuase impact wrenched don't work that way. It use short stiff blows to hammer on and off bolts. If you don't want to by a nice air setup, you can just get a electric one for 70 bucks at any parts store. They are good for about 200 ft pounds. I used one from pep boys for several years until I got air

 

[KennyG]

The block and a long enough breaker bar will work, the impact wrench is better if you've got one because you are less likely to twist the bolt off with impact blows than with a long cheater bar.

 

[UWAdventurer]

Ditto on using the impact. I just hold the blade I am removing with a gloved hand and go at it. Much easier, just don't hammer the heck out of it reinstalling it. I tighten it, then hit it with a very short burst, done. Never had a problem. Make sure to get them indexed correctly when reinstalling. Good luck.

 

[coveredbridge]

Ditto on using the impact. I just hold the blade I am removing with a gloved hand and go at it. Much easier, just don't hammer the heck out of it reinstalling it. I tighten it, then hit it with a very short burst, done. Never had a problem. Make sure to get them indexed correctly when reinstalling. Good luck.

Indexed?

 

[Jim in ICT]

Indexed means to set up the blades to rotate in relation to each other.