Replacing cutting edge on 54" front blade

KennedyDiesel · Nov 19, 2007

A friend has worn out the edge on his front blade and I have been nominated to help replace it. Can anyone tell me what bolts are used and if they are removeable/reuseable? or is it best to twist them off and use new ones? I have a V28 cordless impact and would like to go prepared.

gunmaker · Nov 20, 2007

My 54" front blade uses carriage bolts. I have been able to re-use them each time (3) I have changed the cutting edge. They were removable with a normal ratchet, just keep pressure on the bolt head so it doesn't spin. If he has worn the cutting edge down to the bolts you may have to buy some more bolts/nuts at the hardware store. When replacing them I did apply anti-seize to the bolt/nut combo. Good Luck, Craig

KennedyDiesel · Nov 29, 2007

Thanks! It went pretty smoothly. He had the blade installed so I showed him how to remove the blade from the hitch and the bolts all came out easy. The only thing that slowed us down was the rusty nuts sticking in the socket. Had the cutter edge on in about 15 minutes.

Henow has a set of "super shoes" so he shouldn't wear out the cutting edge for a long time..

gunmaker · Nov 29, 2007

I take my used mower blades, cut them to an appropriate size and weld them to the bottom of my shoes. The metal is very durable, and I haven't had to replace the shoes yet!

KennedyDiesel · Nov 30, 2007

I'd have to measure them, but we have some home built units that are at least 3/8" thick, and about 2" wide.

jsb2b · Dec 3, 2007

KennedyDiesel said:
I'd have to measure them, but we have some home built units that are at least 3/8" thick, and about 2" wide.

Since I just plowed my first wet snow this year and the JD skids on my 54" blade did their usual tearing up the bluestone driveway, I was wondering if anyone has fitted a pair of SnowBear shoes on their 54" blade. I was thinking of clamping or welding their bracket to the skid or making a new bracket to bolt to the blade. SnowBear makes a 5", 4", and a smaller shoe for ATVs. I'm thinking of using the 4" but would like some feedback from this forum's members before I shell out $80....

awlchu · Dec 3, 2007

jsb2b said:
Since I just plowed my first wet snow this year and the JD skids on my 54" blade did their usual tearing up the bluestone driveway, I was wondering if anyone has fitted a pair of SnowBear shoes on their 54" blade. I was thinking of clamping or welding their bracket to the skid or making a new bracket to bolt to the blade. SnowBear makes a 5", 4", and a smaller shoe for ATVs. I'm thinking of using the 4" but would like some feedback from this forum's members before I shell out $80....

Instead of skids, why not use a heavy rubber squeegee? I have a 3in one on my 54in blade and it does not damage the driveway.

keeney · Dec 3, 2007

On pavement, I would just remove or raise the shoes completely.

I changed out my cutting edge to a UHDP (Ultra-high-density-poly) piece of plastic.

I did have to swap out the bolts and nuts to use nylocks because you can never really tighten down a plain nut agansit a plastic like that (it will just come loose again and fall off). This is the third season using it to plow about 2500 sq-ft driveway and about 1000 ft of nearby sidewalk.

- Rick

jsb2b · Dec 4, 2007

awlchu said:
Instead of skids, why not use a heavy rubber squeegee? I have a 3in one on my 54in blade and it does not damage the driveway.

You have a paved driveway, right? I have crushed bluestone. Skids tear it up unless it gets frozen. I'm trying to avoid the annual spring bluestone party in the spring. I'm the only one who shows up with a rake!!!!

gunmaker · Dec 4, 2007

I have those identical shoes on my 6ft Meyers blade on the 2520. I still pick up the same amount of stone with it that my 54" JD blade with the factory shoes does. And yes, I'm the only one to report for the rake party also!