Blades Major trouble removing blades

[iMower]

While it is a fact that many people install an alarm after a burglary, it is also a fact that a few people read the manual after they have messed something up. The good part of that statement is that people do learn, albeit slowly at times. Some read the manual before they do anything and still have trouble due to "the rule of the perversity of inanimate objects" which is usually called "Murphy's Law".

I have seen bolts and nuts get so tight that you have to cut them off (without incorrect use of an impact wrench), and it is a common enough problem that specific tools are made to get them off such as "nut crackers" a.k.a. "nut splitters". Automobile front ends have this problem because they are under the car and soaked with water and salt and whatever. Mowers have the advantage of operating where there is no road salt, but under deck nuts can get obstinate without salt.

I tend to agree with the idea of taking the thing to a dealer, but since I do not have a trailer I try to fix my own problems whenever possible. The pickup and delivery charge on my Cub Cadet Tank 60 inch ZTR mower is substantial.

While I don't ask for directions often since I got my GPS unit and pre-check using Google Maps, I do read manuals (also from Google since some manuals given to consumers are worthless).

When all else fails, read the instructions; when that fails, call the dealer and have them pick it up. :biggrin:

 

[reynoldston]

As far as I get from this is he used heat. As for my self if that that would mean new bearings or to the very least repack them with grease unless you have grease fitting? I have found a impact wrench isn't always the answer to remove frozen bolts or nuts. I have found a long breaker bar some times works better. When I was working on big trucks some of the torque setting on the transmission yokes ran over 600 foot lbs. We used what was called a torque multiplier.

 

[Buckshot 1]

:smile: I was just wondering if he ever got the blades off? My take on not having a trailer, most people have a car/truck. Take the deck off and stuff in the car/truck and take it to the dealer. Yes, I would be concerned about the heat. I would be checking those bearings and seals? very carefully.

 

[iMower]

Yes, i would be interested in knowing if he ever got them off and how he did it. This would be filed in my "possible ways to do something" bin. I tend to avoid heat on anything that has bearings or is lubed, hence my choice of a nut splitter when things get ugly

I do have a Silverado pickup but not a trailer, however I no longer even think of trying to put a 60 inch deck in the back of the truck. When I was much younger, I had a garage with an overhead crane. Of course, then I could pick up a V8 engine block from my van and stick it in an engine stand while my daughter threaded the bolts into the mounting brackets. I can no longer do that. :frown:

I think age and the weakness it engenders makes guys use torches and nut splitters, it is not always just plain stubbornness. :biggrin:

 

[Buckshot 1]

:smile: How true on the age and weakness part. I used to pick up those K-series Kohlers out of the frame. But I have since added a chain hoist to do the heavy lifting.

 

[DaveTN]

As far as I get from this is he used heat. As for my self if that that would mean new bearings or to the very least repack them with grease unless you have grease fitting? I have found a impact wrench isn't always the answer to remove frozen bolts or nuts. I have found a long breaker bar some times works better. When I was working on big trucks some of the torque setting on the transmission yokes ran over 600 foot lbs. We used what was called a torque multiplier.

Yeah Boy!! That 'torque multiplier' brought back memories when I was a diesel mechanic. My cousin, also a mechanic, has a 1" heavy duty impact wrench he used to pull head bolts and trailer lug nuts with. I forget the brand but he bought it used at a pawn shop and it has served him well over the years! I've used it a time or two myself. I've seen that old girl WRING many bolts off. Have to ease the torque down at first, work her back and forth with some lube. It had the power to wring off a head bolt if you wanted it to.

 

[motoman]

This thread has very heavy viewing. Has anyone figured out if it's corrosion, overtorque or damaged threads (from over torque) which is causing the great difficulty? Early on we decided it should only take 125 ft lbs to properly tighten.

 

[enigma-2]

The deck is off and upside down. I did only heat the nut whereas the purpose of heating is for expansion and you want the nut to expand off the bolt threads....thus only what the bolt is going through is ever heated when using a torch. Penetrating oil has soaked all day, they are right hand nuts, and I don't want to have to replace the expensive assemblies because old blades are stuck to mine. I would consider replacing the shafts if I could get those off. A cold chisel would have about the same effect as the impact I am using as well as the rotary hammer I put on it. I have a garage full of tools and nothing is working. I just can't believe all three nuts won't turn. I talked to my buddy who owns a lawn service and uses cubs and he had no advice other than what I've tried. I may find a way to strap the deck down and attach an aerial winch to the breaker bar to see if 10,000 pounds of force will do anything (That's what we hoist the alligators up with)

There is one more catch....blocking the blades with a 2x4 does no good whereas the center hole of the blades are round (not star). Therefore they just spin when torque is applied to the nut. It's rather difficult to get a wrench on one side and put everything I have into trying to get the other side off.

If it were me I would use a nut splitter. Crank it down and split the nuts. They'll come right off.

 

[Ric]

This thread has very heavy viewing. Has anyone figured out if it's corrosion, overtorque or damaged threads (from over torque) which is causing the great difficulty? Early on we decided it should only take 125 ft lbs to properly tighten.

The Manual for the 44" says 100 to 120 ft lbs of torque. I wouldn't go over 100LBs it's not needed. That's the reason you're having the problems you're having now because someone got crazy with an impact.

 

[frankmulcahy]

The deck is off and upside down. I did only heat the nut whereas the purpose of heating is for expansion and you want the nut to expand off the bolt threads....thus only what the bolt is going through is ever heated when using a torch. Penetrating oil has soaked all day, they are right hand nuts, and I don't want to have to replace the expensive assemblies because old blades are stuck to mine. I would consider replacing the shafts if I could get those off. A cold chisel would have about the same effect as the impact I am using as well as the rotary hammer I put on it. I have a garage full of tools and nothing is working. I just can't believe all three nuts won't turn. I talked to my buddy who owns a lawn service and uses cubs and he had no advice other than what I've tried. I may find a way to strap the deck down and attach an aerial winch to the breaker bar to see if 10,000 pounds of force will do anything (That's what we hoist the alligators up with)

There is one more catch....blocking the blades with a 2x4 does no good whereas the center hole of the blades are round (not star). Therefore they just spin when torque is applied to the nut. It's rather difficult to get a wrench on one side and put everything I have into trying to get the other side off.

Skizzot. if you think you are going to be long solving the problem, best to go and spray the lawn out with Roundup.:laughing: