I have a two blade system. It is Tory Super Bronc. One of the blades has bent so much that it is goughing into the grass. So I am all ready to replace it, take you nut driver and push anti clockwise. When I do this the blade starts to turn so now I jam a piece of wood underneath. Now although the system isn’t moving I cannot get that nut off. Is there a secret to this, like 12 foot long wrench, or coming at it from a second direction? Thanks.
They can be tough. Spray some penetrating oil on the nut, then bang on it. Then try a piece of pipe to extend the length of the wrench.
And, not to make a foolish recommendation, but be sure that counter-clockwise is the correct direction for removal. Some nuts go on “backwards,” if going on “normally” means they might be spun off by the normal operation of the device.
pull the wire off the plug before doing anything near moving parts (unless the few cases it needs to be running).
the manual should give the type of thread used and how to remove each blade. if not clean the ends of the spindles with a wire brush to see the threads. once you know the loosening direction for that nut then you could extend the wrench as needed. depending on where and how the wood is you might be deforming the wood or mower rather than removing the bolt; move the wood or use a gloved hand on the blade and a gloved hand on the wrench. pick something good to yell.
Find a neighbor with an air impact wrench.
I had the same problem once. Went to Home Depot and they gave me a scrap short piece of 1" iron pipe - about 3 feet long. Stuck the socket wrench in the end of that and it gave enough leverage to get the nuts off the blades.
I have already been to home depot for some scrap wood to hold the blade in place because if is spins it will not unscrew (I think). I will try for a pipe if it doesn’t work until tomorrow.
Am I right that the best access is to just work under the machine. I really don’t want to take the deck off (it will likely be hared for ME to put back.
Any tricks or ideas would be very welcome.
I worked under the mower without taking the deck off, but I first put the front of the mower up on some automotive ramps to elevate. The plastic ramps are pretty cheap at Auto Zone or Advance Auto and they work great.
As has been said upthread, pull off the plug wire(s) before you start. Safety First!
Take the deck off – it’s not that hard to do.
As mentioned, us a piece of wood to lock the blade. Once you figure out if it’s a left- or right-hand thread, remove the nut using a long breaker bar (with 1/2 inch drive) and a 6-point socket that fits the nut (and also with 1/2 inch drive). Tangentially bang on the end of the break bar using a big, heavy hammer.
don’t put the mower partially or totally up on ramps if you need to use more than ordinary wrench force on it, especially for working underneath it. you don’t want a face full of mower when it falls. also you want the tires in maximal contact with the ground to hold it steady so you can use the most power on the nut.
lie on your back. position the board and blade or blade and hand, put wrench on nut in a direction that you can give maximum pull. reorient everything if need be to put your arm in its most powerful position.
wear eye protection because you might dislodge dirt, grass and debris.
If you have a come-along and a stout tree branch low enough to reach easily you can hoist the front end of the mower to get to the underside of the deck. To be safe prop an ax handle or length of 2x4 under the mower in case something gives. As for the nut, I once had to carefully grind and chisel a lock washer off to get a nut loose.
I always try to see what is easiest first. Where can i find first rate instructions on how to remove (and then replace the deck?
Try reading the manual.
since you damaged your unit, at least the blade. you need to clean the spindle protruding beyond the bolt to see if the threads are ok and their direction. if the threads are damaged or you are turning the wrong direction then you won’t get the bolt off.
whatever damaged your blade could have damaged the spindle threads.
I have already been to home depot for some scrap wood to hold the blade in place because if is spins it will not unscrew (I think). I will try for a pipe if it doesn’t work until tomorrow.
Am I right that the best access is to just work under the machine. I really don’t want to take the deck off (it will likely be hared for ME to put back.
Any tricks or ideas would be very welcome.
lay on your back. you can also grab the end of the blade in a gloved hand. wrench with the other gloved hand. arrange so that these are in a v towards you. put foot somewhere on a nonmoving nonbreaking part of the mower, then pull hands toward you while yelling.
That might do it. There is not much room, but hopefully I will get that to work. I also liked your very concise description of what to do.
I also have a two blade mulching mower and if yours is like mine, examining the attached blade reveals 3 bolts. If you’re trying to remove the middle bolt, it doesn’t hold the blade to the shaft and is extremely difficult to remove. On my mower. to remove the blade, remove the 2 bolts on each side of the middle bolt. They should loosen more easily because they were attached with less torque.