Getting lawnmower blades off

[Fenway]

I've got an older commercial 48 belt drive bobcat mower. Love it but I can not get the damn blades off. Bought it last year and they need to be sharpened. I don't have a trailer to take it to a shop and a mobile mower guy I contacted wants $65 to come out and sharpen the 3 blades. Maybe that is my best option. For these mowers do people use airguns to get the bolts off?

 

[Bfish]

Yeah, an impact should get them right off!

 

[Bigtanker]

Are they left hand threads?

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Yep...I use an impact wrench and they usually come right off. Once, I had one seize up so bad my wrench didn't have enough guts to do the job. (I had to cut that bolt off).

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Are they left hand threads?

Mine aren't. I can't speak for Fenway though.

 

[Who Dares Wins]

How about Kano-Kroil or another good penetrating oil to un-sieze the bolts a bit.

 

[bobbittle]

Wedge a block of wood between the blade and the deck and twist it off with a socket wrench. I've never had an issue getting one off that way.

 

[SMiller]

I will be coming through your area on Wednesday, I can bring my cordless impact and pop them off for you if you can wait that long and will be around.

 

[Informed Decision]

I'd double check with a local distributor. My bet is they are reverse threaded. Especially if you've tried & not gotten anywhere . The head of the bolt has a mark on them if they are, but I don't recall what it is. Of course it may be covered in grass or even ground off from close cutting.

 

[Brandon]

I use a c-clamp and a cheater/breaker bar.

 

[9mmfan]

Wedge a block of wood between the blade and the deck and twist it off with a socket wrench. I've never had an issue getting one off that way.

This. Have always used this method without any trouble.

 

[Mr. Habib]

Impact gun to remove and then reinstall with anti seize.

 

[Bowman78]

I would just man up and take them loose with a ratchet and socket but I work with my hands daily so for some of the more dainty fellas around here an impact wrench should do the trick but do a quick google search to determine if deck drives have rh or lh threads... Even with an impact it will simplify the process....

 

[lowriderjim]

I jacked mine up with a motorcycle jack. +1 on the air impact and anti-seize. My bolt are right handed. I would think they loosen the way the blades turn. Don't take take last bit as law because I was standing on my head to get under the mower.

The $65 you save would buy an air impact, maybe.

 

[hoosierdaddy1976]

change your grip, pressure, and speed. Breathing into its ear and telling it how hard and long they are helps too.

shoot it with some pb blaster or similar product, let it sit for a while, then hit it with an impact or breaker bar.

 

[Fargo]

I've got an older commercial 48 belt drive bobcat mower. Love it but I can not get the damn blades off. Bought it last year and they need to be sharpened. I don't have a trailer to take it to a shop and a mobile mower guy I contacted wants $65 to come out and sharpen the 3 blades. Maybe that is my best option. For these mowers do people use airguns to get the bolts off?

I hate to suggest it but how many times did you double check righty tightly? On an upside down bolt, I've confused myself more times than I care to admit.

 

[olhorseman]

I've had old cars and equipment that used left-hand threads. If your blades rotate clockwise as you would look up at them from the ground, they are probably left hand threads.

 

[bluewraith]

I hate to suggest it but how many times did you double check righty tightly? On an upside down bolt, I've confused myself more times than I care to admit.

I have the problem when changing my oil.. If I'm upside down and working above my head, things get a bit backwards.

 

[femurphy77]

I use an impact wrench with the proper sized six point socket because I work with my mind all day and it only takes a few seconds when you think it through and have the proper tools. Some of the Neanderthals here will tell you to man up, grab some manly tools, slip and bust a knuckle or two, teach the daughter a few new "working on the mower" words but hey, whatever turns your spindle bolt!!!!

 

[chezuki]

With all that site-supporter money, why the hell are you still cutting your own grass?!??