RC2048 really smooth

[RalphVa]

I removed the blades and "sharpened" them on the Frontier RC2048 bush hog (blades look something like Rocky Marciano's face after a bad fight). The nuts weren't particularly tight when I loosened them with my 6 ft piece of pipe on my 3/4 inch plain handle. I was careful in putting the bolts back to get them into the detents properly after using a file a little bit on the detent recesses. (The bolts have a protrustion that goes into detents that keep them from rotating.) Going back on, the nuts didn't need much movement after snugging with ratchet wrench handle followed with plain handle and 6 ft pipe to get them as tight as I could push (my 420 ft lb, e.g. maybe 70 # applied to my 6 foot pipe).

I always run the thing a bit with the trail wheel off and retorque later. So, I took it down and hit some briar patches. Really smooth this year.

Wondering if I should replace the nuts and lock nuts?

Ralph

 

[Zebrafive]

It sounds like you did everything right. Some recommend replacing the blade bolts with every new blade change. I replace when damaged (part of head chipped off, or the area the blade swings on is worn/grooved)
If meant should you replace the blade nuts WITH locknuts, I see no need.