Removing Blades

[GeorgieB82 0]

Hi all, I'm new here and I hope the following isn't a stupid question:

 

I have a 48" deck on my 416-8 and I'm struggling to remove the blades, they've never given me a problem before but they are stuck fast this time. Does anyone have any tips? Also what size spanner do I need to hold the shaft?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

George

[mrc 887]

1 1/8 inch nut holds the blade on the shaft. you need a thin 1 1/8 inch open ended wrench for the nut under the blade. wh made a special wrench for this. i had a machinist friend mill down and old wrench just for this nut. i seem to remember around .330    if the blade under the nut is huge i would suggest  channel lock (water pump) type of wrench to hold the shaft.  an impact gun helps too. hope this helps you.  mike in mass.

[Lane Ranger 11,169]

One thing I almost always do is use a 4 x 4  block of wood to rest against the side of the mower deck when removing or installing a new blade (or sharpened old blade) and I change the bolt to a new one as the head on these is usually damaged or worn  (no matter what grade but I use grade 8 bolts for hardness) .  I usually use a hex socket but half inch with a longer breaker bar (you can always put a piece on pipe on the end) to remove and install the new bolt.   Even when I buy older decks that have set out a long time this seems to work well.  The wooden block helps for safety of your fingers when removing and installing.

Edited June 13, 2014 by Lane Ranger

[GeorgieB82 0]

Wonderful, thank you for all your help.

[GeorgieB82 0]

Another silly question based on this subject:

 

Are they standard or reverse threads?

[Ed Kennell 40,970]

Standard, right hand,  CCW  to remove.      No silly questions on here.

 

[GeorgieB82 0]

Thank you, I shall be back! lol!

[slammer302 2,156]

1/2 inch drive electric impact plug in style not battery operated works good

[doc724 925]

If they are rusted on, soak the nut and washer joint liberally with Kroil or PB Blaster.  Let is sit for a day.  Try again with the impact wrench or solutions others have offered.  If that does not work, put a propane torch to the nut for 60 seconds.  That will be enough to pop the rust bond.

[Tim 97]

 another vote for an impact gun

[bigplow1 26]

I use an electric impact and I have vice wrench set from harbor freight the heads on the wrenches are thin enough to fit the nut under the blades works perfectly

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=service+wrench+set

Edited July 1, 2014 by bigplow1

[Butch 194]

I gave up on the wrenches. I went out and gotta Dewalt battery powered impact wrench.

[cheesegrader 433]

I use the same cheap harbor freight vise grip that bigplow uses to hold the nut under the blade.  Just fits.

PB blaster for a few hours, then MAPP torch for 60 seconds, then more PB blaster when things cool, then DeWalt battery impact driver with 1 1/8 socket.

If it doesn't work, I do it again tomorrow.  Eventually, it will give.

[Tim 97]

when re-assembling use antiseize- makes coming off next time so much easier