mowing blade removal

[deereman64]

I use a cheepo impact wrench, which I think has a torque max of 125 lbs to tighten the bolts on the mowing blades of my belly mower.Except this time 2 came off as per normal but the third is stuck.
The problem is that if I use a normal wrench the blade turns.If I take it to a local shop I will have to pay for pick up etc. Do you think I should buy a more expensive impact wrench? My compressor is again down market with a 3/8"" tube and 120lbs of pressure

 

[shvl73]

On my basic rider mower, I've been using a 3/8" butterfly impact and never had a problem, either removing them or having them come off. I'm quite sure it has a lot less torque than your impact. Are the bolts quite large? I think mine have a 5/8" head. Can you tip the deck up on it's side? Hold the blade with your foot and tap the wrench with a hammer to break it free.

 

[MrJimi]

Try PB blaster and a better impact and it will come right off and make sure you use a 6 point socket
Jim

 

[B8FISH]

some decks have holes in them that you can put a scredriver etc in and use as a blade stop, or a block of wood against one of the baffles. I would try one of these methods with an extension if required before going out and getting another impact wrench. Have you also soaked it with PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench etc.?

 

[deereman64]

I tried wd 40.Is liquid wrench and /or pb blaster better?

 

[scott_vt]

I tried wd 40.Is liquid wrench and /or pb blaster better?

Mornin Deereman,
I swear by Liquid Wrench I know everyone has their favorite but I have been using this on old rusted bolts and nuts on the antique tractors I work on with very good results. Sometimes a torch can help along with applications of LR.

 

[RoyK]

Stick a 2x4 between the blade and the deck framing. I did it that way for years (as per the instructions) on my NH 6 foot deck with a breaker bar until I bought a compressor and heavy duty impact wrench a few months ago.

 

[RalphVa]

I bought a fairly inexpensive impact wrench at TSC. What you need to know about your compressor is its air flow rate. My Clark Champ is 5.0 SCFM. The impact wrench requires about that and goes to about 540 ft-lb. I got one of my brush hog blade bolts loose with it. The other required a 6' pipe on my 3/4" driver.

You should be able to block you blade with a 2x4 placed in the proper position, or put on a good set of gloves and grip the end of the blade with one.

Ralph

 

[frank_f15]

soak the bolt with PB BLASTER or some such lubricant and now for the strange part try tighting it BEFORE you try to lossen it, did this many times with hard to remove pipe fittings and it works as many times as it does not. then block the blade and just keep at it with the impack wrench

 

[bigtiller]

I vote for spraying it with what ever you have on the shelf and while it is soaking go to town and buy a bigger air gun. You might as well have the tools to make life easier. Besides, it will be hard to remove again next year.

 

[deereman64]

I think I solved the problem my cheepo compressor has taken to puffing instead of huffing ie air is being blown out the intake instead of being sucked in. New compressor?

 

[Renob]

When you do get it off using some or all of the great tips listed, reassemble with a little never-seize on the threads and this won't happen again.

 

[JoeL4330]

PB or LW are part of the answer ...the trick about tighten before loosen works, so does a sharp tap or two w. a hammer after the PB/LW has set a while ...I would invest in a tube of anti-seize before I bought a new impact wrench and compressor.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

In all air-compressors I've seen large enough to run an impact wrench, the tool runs off air stored in the pressure tank instead of direct air from the compressor head.

Assuming that is the case here, if your compressor won't pressurize the tank, i.e. runs continuously even when air is not being used, then, yes, you definitely need to look to replacing/repairing the compressor.

On the other hand, if you are not using air and the compressor does pressurize the tank and shut itself off properly, then your primary problem is downstream from the compressor. That leaves open the question of whether or not the compressor can supply air to the tool in the proper quantity for your desired duty cycle.

 

[638]

Might try smacking the head of the bolt with a hammer a time or two. Thats done the trick for me most of the time. Back up the other end of the shaft with a larger hammer if possable, helps to save the bearings.

Ron

 

[deereman64]

The whole thing has become farcical.I went out and bought a new compressor and liquid wrench. Still no good. So I used the right sized socket and attached it up to a six foot pole. ( give me a long enough pole and I can lift the earth, I think some Greek said) Any way it split the socket. Some how I think my problems are more serious and I'm going to have to admit defeat and get professional help.

 

[JoeL4330]

could you be turning the wrong way?? one answer that always works is heat ...then, when you put it back together, anti-seize on the threads (messy as it is)