Removing blades on a finishing mower

[siebo]

Is there a trick or technique in removing the blades on a finishing mower? I have a 84" rear finishing mower and I want to take the blades off to sharpen. They have not been off since I brought the mower. I can raise the mower high enough to get underneath so getting at them is no problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RickNC]

I use my impact wrench set at the lowest setting. They come off fast and go on fast. It is the best and fastest solution that I have found.

 

[Boondox]

Ditto. I was absolutely unable to remove them without my impact wrench!

Pete

 

[MicroPilot]

Impact Wrench

 

[ronjhall]

siebo

I use my Craftsman electric impact wrench to remove finish mower blades. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

On my rotary mower I needed a 4' extension bar on a 3/4" ratchet. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[RickNC]

If you decide to use an impact wrench as we have suggested above, just take care not to try to simulate a NASCAR pit stop. Start all of the bolts by hand and snug them up tight. Then use the impact wrench to finish the job. I also use anti-seize compound on my threads and between the blade and the spindle to keep them from freezing together with rust.

Good Luck

 

[jimg]

This subject is very timely as Im going to replace the blades on my finish mower shortly. First, I assume that the bolts holding the blade on are RH threaded. Correct? Secondly, how many of you keep a spare set of blades? I was thinking a spare set might be handy.

BTW I like the idea of putting no-sieze on the threads! I ran into a similar problem w/ the bolts that hold the belt gaurds on. One had rusted so badly over the winter that it had to be destroyed to get it off.

 

[Bird]

All the blades I've encountered were right handed threads, and yes, I used to keep a spare set of blades, so I could sharpen them at my convenience and always had a sharp set to put on whenever I wanted to.

 

[OkieG]

Before my impact wrench (which I basically bought for mower blade removal), I used to block the blades with a piece of wood, then use a small breaker bar. That would scare me to death. One slip and my hands could go flying into a blade. It never happened, thank goodness, but it's an easy chore now with the impact wrench.

JimG- My JD mower deck and BushHog brush cutter both use standard RH threads. No spares here, but if you go to the trouble of taking them off, it takes just a minute or two per blade to grind an edge. I think for me, a spare set would be worth more as a back-up to replace a bent or broken or badly damaged blade.

OkieG

 

[jimg]

Bird, OkieG,
Thanx!

Okie...I had that happen before on a push mower, was changing the blade and the wrench slipped. Even 'sharp' blades arent all that sharp...more like finely serrated. It healed up pretty quick though. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Ozarker]

I remove them with my impact wrench and put them back on with a box wrench. I like to "feel" how tight I have them.

 

[DavidJ]

<font color="blue"> First, I assume that the bolts holding the blade on are RH threaded. Correct? </font>

You would be in danger thinking that /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif . I thought the same thing, after trying to remove them - the right way /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif - and them not budging, I decided to try them the other way; and what do know, they came loose. Had I been paying more attention I would have noticed that my blades were left handed and that shoud have given me a clue /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif . Oh Yeah! and there wasn't any markings on the bolts to let you know what they were.

<font color="blue"> Secondly, how many of you keep a spare set of blades? I was thinking a spare set might be handy. </font>

Since mine are left handed, and almost impossible to find, I keep a spare set, as well as the best blade from the last set I changed just in case I bend or tear one up.

 

[jimg]

After I posted my questions it dawned on me to look at the parts list for the mower. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (LP has them all online in PDF). I figured if the bolts were LH the parts list would call that out. It didnt so Im going on the notion that they really are RH. BTW what brand of mower do you have???

 

[Nasty135]

siebo, I have a king kutter rfm and its blades are held on by left hand threaded bolts, so you have to turn clockwise to get them off /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gifand blade rotation is the direction as to tighten them while you mow. So they should never come loose. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Birdhunter1]

I would say a 3/4" drive rachet/breaker bar or a 1/2" impact would work fine. One thing I'm surprised I haven't seen posted yet is to block that mower when you crawl underneath of it. Regardless of how new or how well your hydraulics work don't trust them and block that mower in the air when you're under it. Lock your wheels, block the mower up, release all hydraulic pressure and then shut the tractor off. Better safe than sorry.

 

[jimg]

Right! Before I do any work on the mower where I need to be underneath I block it up on jack stands. They are, of course, a total pain to go fishing for in the barn but it would be even a bigger pain if the mower fell on me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[OkieG]

jim,
If you have a pair of loader forks, and you don't mind removing your deck now and then during mowing season, this is a nice way to access your blades:

Also allows easier cleaning of underside of the deck.

Top view:

If you have a rear finish mower, like siebo, the fork technique might not work so well. For a RFM, finding the jack stands would probably work better.

OkieG

 

[PineRidge]

I let the tractor hydraulics hold up the mower deck high enough on my TC-40D to use an impact wrench to remove all the blade bolts. Mine are left hand thread.

I keep an extra set of blade bolts and pre-sharpened blades hanging on the wall in the pole barn for quick pit stops.

I do use a box wrench to tighten the blade bolts as I am another that likes to feel how tight I am tweaking them.