Recommended blade bolt pressure

[Averse]

I am going to be getting a 60" RSD later this week and I have a couple questions about the blades/deck.

1. Do I need an air wrench/compressor to remove and install the blade bolts?

2. If so, is there a recommended tightening pressure to install them?

I'm looking at air compressors for a number of reasons and this is one of them.

 

[chemingthroughtheleather]

NO.....You do not need all that jazz!I'm using a manual 20" socket handle and things are smooth.The online site does list the proper torque.(Better buy a torque wrench)I changed to mulching blades once I got my grass to a reasonable height.I do suggest you buy yourself a mower lift,I use one from Harbor Freight.

 

[Averse]

Thanks for the reply. I was planning on buying a lift from Harbor Freight.

I was also considering buying a set of mulching blades. Do you like how they perform with your mower? What kind did you go with?

 

[Fish]

Yes, buy a compressor and an impact wrench, you will thank me later..... Probably sooner than you think.

How do you air up tires now? Hand pump?

 

[Averse]

Yes, buy a compressor and an impact wrench, you will thank me later..... Probably sooner than you think.

How do you air up tires now? Hand pump?

I pump up tires at the gas station currently. That (along with a few odds and ends) is the other reason I was thinking about buying a compressor.

My next question then is how do I know if the compressor will be strong enough to get me the proper torque on the blade nut? I am looking at a used Campbell Hausfeld 20 gallon compressor on Craigslist. Not sure on the power rating of it and neither is the seller.

 

[Ric]

I am going to be getting a 60" RSD later this week and I have a couple questions about the blades/deck.

1. Do I need an air wrench/compressor to remove and install the blade bolts?

2. If so, is there a recommended tightening pressure to install them?

I'm looking at air compressors for a number of reasons and this is one of them.

NO.....You do not need all that jazz as was said but it sure is nice and saves a lot of time. Nice thing about the compressor is you really don't have to worry about a torque wrench you can just set the air on the compressor and leave it alone, and with the nicer air guns they all have settings you can use also. As far as the recommended torque goes your best bet is to look it up in the manual that comes with your mower because there different for different mowers.

I pump up tires at the gas station currently. That (along with a few odds and ends) is the other reason I was thinking about buying a compressor.

My next question then is how do I know if the compressor will be strong enough to get me the proper torque on the blade nut? I am looking at a used Campbell Hausfeld 20 gallon compressor on Craigslist. Not sure on the power rating of it and neither is the seller.

You really don't need anything that big for a mower, one of those 2hp 6gallon tank Stanly Bostitch works well and there reasonably cheap at lowes. They will pump up to 150lbs and that's more than most impact guns will use or take and there oil free so there's no messing around just plug it in and your on your way.

 

[Fish]

You would want to look at how quick it gets to 90-100 psi, as that is what most tools are set to run on. The compressor will kick on when it drops to a certain psi, and shut of at a certain high psi. If you get just a regular $40ish or so 1/2 impact, you won't have to worry much about over torque.

Just do a few blade tightenings on high, and at different durations, and use a hand wrench to remove, so you can get a feel of a proper torque. I do
not know of anyone that works on stuff much that uses a torque wrench on blades, as due to their rotation direction, and the hammering action from hitting rocks and sticks will tighten the blades further anyway, and you usually could use a beefy impact wrench to bring them back off.

Everybody loves to blame the guy that put the blades on last for them being over tight, but it is usually not the case.

But the benefits of having an impact far outweigh any argument anyone could contrive against one.

 

[Averse]

NO.....You do not need all that jazz as was said but it sure is nice and saves a lot of time. Nice thing about the compressor is you really don't have to worry about a torque wrench you can just set the air on the compressor and leave it alone, and with the nicer air guns they all have settings you can use also. As far as the recommended torque goes your best bet is to look it up in the manual that comes with your mower because there different for different mowers.



You really don't need anything that big for a mower, one of those 2hp 6gallon tank Stanly Bostitch works well and there reasonably cheap at lowes. They will pump up to 150lbs and that's more than most impact guns will use or take and there oil free so there's no messing around just plug it in and your on your way.

I figured a 20 gallon would probably be overkill for my uses. It is only $50 though so I'm thinking it may be worth it. Won't the larger tank just mean longer/more use before having to "recharge" (or refill)?

 

[Fish]

Yeah, pretty much.. But a bigger tank is nice if you use it a lot.

 

[Ric]

I figured a 20 gallon would probably be overkill for my uses. It is only $50 though so I'm thinking it may be worth it. Won't the larger tank just mean longer/more use before having to "recharge" (or refill)?

Not necessarily with a 20 gallon. Depend on how much you use it. It may give you a little longer between charges but it will also take a lot longer to fill than a smaller tank. I use the Bostitch and fill my truck tires, mower tires, change blades on all my mowers, nail guns, it will work on most anything. I just set the gauge for 75lbs to the impact gun and it does everything I need.