42 Inch Deck Blade Removal

[km3h 543]

Tried to remove the blades on my 416H deck today. 1 1/8 inch impact socket and impact wrench. Can you say stripped nut? Tried heat and lubricants to no avail. Spindale's are in great shape and I hate to ruin them by cutting the nut off. Any solutions?   

[daveoman1966 3,841]

More than likely, you have stripped the threads on the shaft...not the nut.  Your only chance is to cut the nut off and look at the shaft.  If it is stripped, MAYBE I can provide a replacement shaft from an old used-up / corroded spindle...there are at least 2 size shafts / threads on top/bottom.   

my direct email is:  daveoman@windstream.net

Please contact me there for further assistance. 

[km3h 543]

What I stripped is the outside edges of the nut. In other words it is rounded. I have been thinking about the problem and I think I might be able to grind about 1/16th inch off the nut and shaft which will get it below where the rust is and then spray good old BP blaster into the threads. Will have to use a pipe wrench to turn the nut. This is not my only machine so I do not need to hurry to cut grass.  

[tarcoleo 119]

Remove the nut; first with a careful hack saw cut, then split the

nut with a cold chisel.  You can do this without damaging the threads

on the shaft.  Worked for me.

Edited May 16, 2014 by tarcoleo

[daveoman1966 3,841]

I misunderstood.... presuming the nut and shaft THREADS are ok, do as Tarcoleo suggested.  A cold chisel in a pneumatic hammer MAY expedite the process.

[km3h 543]

I will use my air cutter and get it close and then use the pneumatic hammer. Glad I have accumulated all these useful tools over the years.

[can whlvr 994]

ive had to cut off nuts before,go easy and it can be done,i tried the pipe wrench but it didn't work