I have a Scag STHM I use a 1/2" ratchet with a piece of EMT on the handle about 12" long for the other side I have a 1"x15/16
box end wrench. try holding the bottom stationary, use the top
nut to tighten

 

Hey Edward thanks for the tip,tryied it OUCH my hand sorry....
I was thinking about maybe a power wrench with 1 in 15/16 socket and a 2x4 holding the blade in place........

 

I use a 1/2" impact gun,its easy,and you never get scraped.The electric ones will work too,if you change blades daily,it will quickly pay for itself.

 

I too use an impact gun. I used to use wrenches, but if you have hit anything while mowing, it tends to tighten the blade bolt, and then those wrenches can be dangerous. I try not to over tighten the blade bolt when reinstalling, as the blades tend to tighten themselves as you mow.

 

Walden NY humm how far are you from Pine Bush NY

 

Spend the money and get an impact wrench, electric or air if you have a compressor.

A while back someone mentioned a rechargable electric model in a post. You might want to do a search.

Good luck lefty

 

IMPACT WRENCH ?????????????????? this would have saved my right palm.......................OK what type of imapct wrench should I get... I already hav the compresser.....

 

I don't know who it was but earlier this year I saw a device that holds the blade still while you tighten it. Just a thing that clamps to the deck and dosent let the blade turn.
I thought it was in Gimplers.

Jim

 

don't hold a blade with your hand...ever! there is no need.

with lock washers in the right place, chock the blade with a piece of wood against the underside of the deck. tighten (or loosen) with a socket or impact wrench.

at worst you may need to hold one end of the bolt with a wrench while you tighten the other.

good luck.

GEO

 

Originally posted by naturalawn
I don't know who it was but earlier this year I saw a device that holds the blade still while you tighten it. Just a thing that clamps to the deck and dosent let the blade turn.
I thought it was in Gimplers. Jim

Sears carries a simlar device.

John

 

We have 3 TURF tigers as well as 1 SCAG WB. Those all take 15/16 socket. On SCAGs the bolt goes in from the bottom with the nut on top. We change about 30 blades a week. Just hit them with the air impact wrench from the bottom while reaching around to the top to hold the nut by hand. Not too tight. Rarely have one that a fairly good impact won't loosen. We use a $100 Craftsman. Works similar on our other equipment.

 

Ron,about 10-15 minutes,do you have any permanent back damage from the fall?

 

Ingersol Rand makes great impact wrenches, also Chicago Pnematic. If you have a quality impact, like an IR231 you just torque it off. No need to put another wretch on the other side, the impact will brake the bolt loose, and or tighten it without any further assistance. An impact wrench is an awsome tool. One other possibility, though not as good is a blade buddy. It is a tool sold by scag that will hold the blade in place while you turn the wrenches. Sometimes this method does not work, while the impact always works.

Jay

I need more power Mr. Scott!

 

I just brace my 15/16 wrench against the deck, attach the socket to the top nut and turn. Since the bottom wrench is braced against the deck I have no reason to place my hand under there, remove the blade and reverse the procedure. Very easy and safe that way.

 

I use a vise-grip welding c-clamp to hold the blade still, just clamp it on the deck skirt & wrench away

 

I used the wrench on the bottom and a 1/2 in drive impact gun. Can't baet it.


Did them a few times by hand for whatever reason, and yes I did slip once. 3 stitches were needed (was told by a doctor later that year) Nice scar on my palm.

 

get a 3inch diameter pvc pipe, 6in long, one end on the blade, the other out the discharge chute or another blade, it saves my hands every week!!

 

Air impact wrench

When that wont do. Breaker bar and 15/16th socket and a block of wood.

LGF:blob1:

 

WHOA! Too many of you guys are geting hurt by sharpened blades! Whenever I tightened them , without assistance, I always used my foot as an anchor ( not the best practice) But even when using an impact now, (rechargable) I still prefer to use gloves. I can't help but feel that this pays off.

 

I also cut my hand once, before I bought a compressor and an impact wrench. This ranks right up there as one of my best investments.

 

okay yaw knew i would have to post.the 12volt impact
that plugs to a cigerette lighter,will eliminate anything hard about this job.one hit and its off ,another and its on. w doubles
torque it or just hit 3 quick licks w impact. im in the process of getting these for my daughters to have in their cars.
gettum on ebay

 

Maybe I'm not getting something here. Why does everyone have to hold the blade to change it? I use two wrenches. One on the bottom and one on the top. Turn them to take the nut off. When I get it loose enough to loosen by hand, I spin it off until the bolt falls thru and the blade is off. The only time I touch the blade is when I put the blade back on the bolt and push it back thru the deck. I can change three blades in less than five minutes. I do wear gloves because sharp blades can cut you just by handling them.

 

on my deere floating deck the blade is held on by a 12mm bolt that is 50 mm long that goes strait into the spindle, no other way to keep the blades from turning

 

Impact wrench is definately the way to go. I have a craftsman (made by IR) around $200.00.

I always wear gloves, you'll find that you don't have to hold against the blade with an impact.

Remember, don't use the impact to put it back on with, get a 1/2 drive torque wrench, I use a Snap-On; expensive, but nice.

 

I use the impact wrench, always. Block the blade with a short 2x.
Northern Tool I think has one of the blade holder clamps.

Wrenches and sharp edges are dangerous to your livelyhood. Be CareFul!