Blade Bolt problem

[jekjr]

When we run into this issue we take a 4 1/2" side grinder with a wafer thin blade and just cut it off. It probably takes two minutes or so to cut it off. A bolt is cheap compared to down time and/or labor. We have only had to do that twice this year.

 

[ILENGINE]

Years ago works on a Ferris mower that had the same type of bolt all the way through the spindle with nut on top. Could put the nut on finger tight, and when it would come in 3-4 weeks later for blade sharpening it would take a 1600 ft/lb 1" impact to remove the nut. the 3/4" 900 ft/lb wouldn't budge them.

 

[jekjr]

Years ago works on a Ferris mower that had the same type of bolt all the way through the spindle with nut on top. Could put the nut on finger tight, and when it would come in 3-4 weeks later for blade sharpening it would take a 1600 ft/lb 1" impact to remove the nut. the 3/4" 900 ft/lb wouldn't budge them.

Like I said some where above. We change blades on two identical mowers normally at least once a day. We use a 19 volt Craftsman 1/2" impact normally with great results. Probably once a week or so we have to pull out the breaker bar to get one to release. We have only had to cut two off this year. Cutting one off and putting a new bolt in is still cheaper than shutting my crew down for an hour or how ever long to get it out otherwise.

 

[mechanic mark]

Use grade 8 bolts with antiseize compound on threads & a torque wrench & you should not have any more problems. Spindle bearings will be going sooner than later using impact wrench.

 

[jekjr]

Use grade 8 bolts with antiseize compound on threads & a torque wrench & you should not have any more problems.

Beings we change blades daily, and it takes less than 5 minutes per mower with an impact, and we have only had this problem twice, verses what 15 minutes or longer per mower with a torque wrench I guess we will continue using the bolts we get from the dealer and if we have the problem again we will cut it off again and replace it.

For our crew time is $$$. Even cutting a bolt off once a month or two will only take 5 to 10 minutes longer.

 

[cpurvis]

It would not add 15 minutes to torque the blade bolts; you could torque a hundred bolts in 15 minutes.

The advice he's giving you would probably eliminate the problem entirely.

If you don't want to use a torque wrench, use a torque stick such as the tire shops use on lug nuts.

 

[Mad Mackie]

I don't change blades often, but I have had a problem getting the nuts loose even with a 600 FTLB impact wrench. I installed a flat washer under each nut and I haven't had the problem since. However I do have to replace the flat washers periodically.
The cordless impact tool will have an unknown torque output and the state of charge and battery condition will affect the torque output.
I don't recommend using anti-seize on the nut as this can easily promote an over torque condition.
I'm not sure why you change blades daily, but I have no idea what type of mowing conditions that you have to deal with.
At the end of your work week you must have one large pile of blades to sharpen!!!:confused2:

 

[jekjr]

I don't change blades often, but I have had a problem getting the nuts loose even with a 600 FTLB impact wrench. I installed a flat washer under each nut and I haven't had the problem since. However I do have to replace the flat washers periodically. The cordless impact tool will have an unknown torque output and the state of charge and battery condition will affect the torque output. I don't recommend using anti-seize on the nut as this can easily promote an over torque condition. I'm not sure why you change blades daily, but I have no idea what type of mowing conditions that you have to deal with. At the end of your work week you must have one large pile of blades to sharpen!!!:confused2:

we sharpen 10 or more sets of blades a week running two mowers and occasionally throwing a third in the mix.

I agree on the anti-seize. It has a place but not in this application to my opinion.

We change blades daily cause we run them a bunch daily. We cut 9 yards Friday and were home by 1:30 plus we had a lot of miles in between some of those.

We cut 70 or more yards on schedule from 15 or so acres down. We also cut numerous other yards for customers that want them cut them every once and a while when they can't get to them or have a mower broke down ect.

We live in South Alabama and cut a lot of Pensacola Bahia grass and it is brutal on blades. If you run a set 6 to 8 hours they are very dull. Dull blades do not leave a pretty clean cut......

Some times we change blades mid day also depending on conditions.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Gees,
I wish I could get you to talk some sense into some of my customers.
They ask me about sharpening when the cutting edge is about 1/2 the blade thickness then complain when I tell them they need a new blade.
After fitting I get "runs like new & cuts so much better" but when i suggest regular blade changes I might as well be speaking in Swahili.

 

[jekjr]

Gees, I wish I could get you to talk some sense into some of my customers. They ask me about sharpening when the cutting edge is about 1/2 the blade thickness then complain when I tell them they need a new blade. After fitting I get "runs like new & cuts so much better" but when i suggest regular blade changes I might as well be speaking in Swahili.

I try to make ever yard look good enough that the person next door wants me doing theirs as well.

There are guys here that cut commercially that run them till the wings wear through without taking them off and then take them off and throw them away. When we are cutting the yard next door we often end up with their yards too. Then they get angry and wonder why.

I have not found anything sold LOCALLY TO ME that will cut with the quality of a Scag with fresh blades on it. Quality work and customer service makes a lot of difference on the lawn care service.