Impact Wrench question

[troberts]

A while back, people on the forum were mentioning that they were using an impact wrench to remove blades.

I have an eXmark metro 48 WB (3 blades), and am wanting to use an impact wrench to remove the blades. I just got a compressor and wrench.

How is this done? Do you just put it on the top bolt, and hit it, or do you need to imobilize the blade first?

Do you guys use the wrench to tighten them also?

Sorry to sound stupid, but I've never used one before. Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

TMR

[Heller Landscaping]

Hold the spindel with your foot while loosen it. The wrench does the work not you, and yes you can use it to install the blades. DO NOT BY ANY MEANS HOLD THE BLADE WITH ANY PART OF YOUR BODY.

[Runner]

I don't hold anything when I use the impact. It hammers it right off anuways. When putting the blades back on, always start them by hand, then apply the impact again and you're all set. ;)

[sheppard]

Get the biggest gun you can afford. Eventually you will hit a stump or the curve and jamb one blade so tight you'll need all the power possible.

I got a Husky from Home Depot for about $30.00 should have gotten a bigger one. It'll handle everyday stuff, just not jambs like I described above.

They make a really cool sound too!

Cordially,
Sheppard

[ple_1969]

TMR...

Fire up the compressor and let it get to about 100 – 120 PSI. Then just put the impact wrench on the nut and pull the trigger. That’s all you have to do.

Pete

[1grnlwn]

Sometimes when I run doubles I will get them too tight and need to put wrench on bottom. But not usually. Mostly just hammer from top.

Mark

[sbvfd592]

osent the gun just turn the bolt?

[gogetter]

Rather then start a new thread for this, I'll just put it here since it's related.

Anyone using a torque wrench after putting thier blades back on to see that they have them right (not loose or too tight)?.
Just wondering, thanks.

[bob]

I've got a compressor, but I don't have any air tools. How do you set the torque on impact guns?

[grasskeeper]

i was doing some work on my mower today and had removed the baldes. I put them back on with the impact wrench set at 100psi. when I check with the torque wrench it was too loose. I'm glad I checked. I usually tighten the blades to about 75 to 80 foot pounds. I guess another couple of psi on the compressor and It would have been perfect. The impact wrench and compressor were the best things I ever bought. No more bloody knuckles from slipping with the sockets.

[Flex-Deck]

I just hand snug blades with a box end wrench - they tighten themselves when starting the deck and mowing - then if I do not hit something, they come right off, if I do hit something, it takes an impact wrench (don't have to hold anything - just stick the wrench on and pull the trigger).

If I do double blades I use the impact to tighten so they do not rotate into each other - but only use about 1 second of impacting at 80 lbs on a 1/2" air impact

thanks, Brad

[troberts]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!!!

Time to go play....

TMR

[Premo Services]

Originally posted by gogetter
Rather then start a new thread for this, I'll just put it here since it's related.

Anyone using a torque wrench after putting thier blades back on to see that they have them right (not loose or too tight)?.
Just wondering, thanks.

That is my concern. I use my impact to get them off, but not to put back on. There was a discussion on this awhile back, and I decided to not use it when putting the blades on. I don't know if the impact wrench will be exact in getting them tightened to the proper foot pounds needed. If they are too loose they will fly off, and if they are tightened too tight the spindle could crack and then they fly off. It sounds loke a loose-loose situation to me. Also, I use an adjustable wrench to hold the spindle from turning. There is a place on the spindle under where the blade tightens up to so you can do this.