mowing blade removal

deereman64 · Sep 14, 2006

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 · Sep 14, 2006

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 · Sep 14, 2006

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

B8FISH · Sep 14, 2006

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 · Sep 14, 2006

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

scott_vt · Sep 14, 2006

deereman64 said:
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 · Sep 14, 2006

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 · Sep 14, 2006

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 · Sep 14, 2006

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 · Sep 14, 2006

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.