Perplexed as to how to change the blades

[greenred]

I have a John Deer LX279 mower that I need to take the blades off and sharpen. Only problem is I am not sure about how to go about it. The only tractor I have ever taken blades off of was a Cub Cadet 1811 but it was a simple process of dropping and removing the deck. How ever on this John Deer removing the deck looks to be the last option I want to take. I have a auto jack, but I dont see anyplace one the mower that would be a good spot to place the jack at. I could run it up on ramps, but I dont think it will get it high enough for me to reach the middle blade. I thought about also running it part way up a set of oak ramps I have to load stuff in my truck, but I dont know if they will allow me access to the blades and not be in the way.

I am a old hand at taking blades off of Z's and Walkbehinds, but this tractor has me stumped.

Any suggestions or tips are welcome.

[topsites]

You probably need a sturdy 2-3 ton hydraulic floor jack (not the bottle kind but the ones with wheels).

[greenred]

You probably need a sturdy 2-3 ton hydraulic floor jack (not the bottle kind but the ones with wheels).

Got one and jack stands, I just cant find a place to put them with out fear of damaging the mower.

[Roger]

Are the blades held to the spindles with a simple blade bolt? The JD tractors I've worked on are made this way.

I just run the front wheels on auto ramps, and reach under with a ratchet/socket, and unbolt. If possible, I hold the blade with a gloved hand. If not, then use a block of wood to hold the blade from turning while unbolting. There should be plenty of room to reach under the deck with the front wheels on a ramp. The middle blade may be more easily reached from the front, rather from the side.

[topsites]

Got one and jack stands, I just cant find a place to put them with out fear of damaging the mower.

Underneath the front axle?

Now with those floor jacks, and I am not saying you should do this or that it is completely without danger...
But as often than not with those floor jacks I never use jack stands, just speaking for myself I trust my life
to those wheel-jacks without too much further question, again I am not saying you should or can do it if
something should happen that is then all your responsibility but I have never had a problem not using the stands.

Just for when there doesn't seem to be a place for jack stands I'll use the floor jack exclusively,
and on a tractor I would usually try either the front or the back and lift the machine whole, that is,
not from the sides.

[kawasaki1]

take the deck off. that's the easiest removing deck i've ever seen. takes 1 min. if you know what you're doing, 3 mins (including removal) if you read the manual.

[kayeproperties]

I have never seen a deck that was that easy. I have only done walk behinds and Z machines and its no biggie just run them up the trailer ramp with only 1 side on the ramp til it gets hi enough to get under there. block the tires of course to keep from rolling.

[kawasaki1]

set cut height at lowest position. lower deck and lock lift. pivot primary tension lever, remove primary belt. pull rear pins out and pivot 1/4 turn so they'll stay out. remove front hangar. raise lift mechanism. pivot deck out from under machine.

i wish all mowers were that easy.

[Roger]

Hmmmm, all these suggestions about taking off the deck, belts off, pins in/out, ... seem much more complicated than just reaching in from the side, or front, and taking out the bolt. What am I missing? If there is other reason to take off the deck, such as belt change, spindle repair, or similar, then I can understand taking off the deck. But, to just take out the blade bolt, ... I think not.

[kawasaki1]

he said he didn't have any way to lift it high enough to get to the blade bolts.

some of those bolts are really tight and you need to get under to loosen them.

i charge extra to get out bolts that've been gnawed on/destroyed by improper techniques/tools.

[greenred]

Underneath the front axle?
.


ironically there is no front axle

this isnt your dads john deer