getting blade off
#1
05-09-15, 12:57 AM
getting blade off
My Snapper LT-200 42" blades are brutal to remove because the pulley spindle turns (crankily) with the blade bolt. Yes I'm using a wood block to stop the blade. Only solution (still near-impossible) is two extra long socket wrenches, clumsy and painful with the deck on edge between my legs. There must be an easier way. Am I missing something?
#3
05-09-15, 03:41 AM
Are you using a Breaker Bar? Extended with a piece of pipe ?
Is there Lock-Tite on the threads? Maybe a little heat from a torch would help. I just removed the impeller from a snow blower using a little help from a propane torch when my Gear Puller alone couldn't do it alone.
Make sure you only use 6 Point Sockets; 12 Points will begin to round off the blots and make it even harder next time . . . . if there is a next time.
If they are beginning to round off, you may want to consider replacing them with a higher grade . . . . like a Grade 5 or Grade 8 if they're available.
Is there Lock-Tite on the threads? Maybe a little heat from a torch would help. I just removed the impeller from a snow blower using a little help from a propane torch when my Gear Puller alone couldn't do it alone.
Make sure you only use 6 Point Sockets; 12 Points will begin to round off the blots and make it even harder next time . . . . if there is a next time.
If they are beginning to round off, you may want to consider replacing them with a higher grade . . . . like a Grade 5 or Grade 8 if they're available.
#5
05-09-15, 04:37 AM
Group Moderator
So, you're spindle is turning even though you have the blade blocked? I wonder if your bolt is corroding/rusting in the spindle. Maybe coat the bolt threads with grease when you re-install the blade to make it easier to remove next time.
#7
05-09-15, 03:41 PM
Blade is blocked With wood. Not trying to remove spindle nut. No pipe but using two long (18"?) 1/2" socket wrenches. Problem is that the spindle turns before I get enough torque to loosen the blade nut. Spindle nut is recessed in pulley so I can't just hang a vise-grip there to hold spindle nut.
#10
05-09-15, 04:08 PM
Your garage ceiling isn't made for lifting if it is trusses as I suspect with 2x4 bottom chord. Second best would be an engine lift or a floor jack to get it high enough to work on.
#12
05-09-15, 05:02 PM
Block blade and use a 6 point box end wrench. 1 sharp blow with a hammer will take it off.
#13
05-09-15, 05:09 PM
That was a heck of a 30 minute quickie task 
- try a good part of two days including the trip to the shop today. Probably didn't help that the blades hadn't been changed in 3 years . . .
Goin with the air tool next time.
- try a good part of two days including the trip to the shop today. Probably didn't help that the blades hadn't been changed in 3 years . . . Goin with the air tool next time.
#14
05-10-15, 03:48 AM
How would I determine safe load and necessary hardware to hoist from ceiling of my garage with 2x4 joists 24" OC?
When I helped my son work on his riding mower we just stood it up on the rear tires and then used notched 2x4s to supported the front.
#15
05-10-15, 04:04 AM
That's what I like about my Kubota ZTR. There is an internal jack that rotates the front axle to vertical allowing safe maintenance beneath. Not as nifty as an Indy car jack set up, but it works.
