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#1
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I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower
blades on. Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: forget it. I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? Is there a trick I don't know? I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com |
#2
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Mortimer Schnerd wrote:
I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower blades on. Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: forget it. I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? Is there a trick I don't know? I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Reverse threads are not unknown. |
#3
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![]() "Van Chocstraw" wrote in message ... Mortimer Schnerd wrote: I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower blades on. Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: forget it. I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? Is there a trick I don't know? I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com You may have to remove the deck so you can adequately hold the jack shaft and blade while you torque the bolts. Try a air wrench if you have one. They should be standard counterclockwise to unscrew. Careful you don't round off the corners of the hex bolts, then you will be in deep poo poo. Put some grease on the threads when before you replace them so you don't go through that again. what he said. Or, of course, a shot of spray lubricant or Heat with torch and then wrench off. but not both (!) One of those bound to work. But, by now, that penetrant worked, right? |
#4
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![]() "Mortimer Schnerd" wrote in message ... I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower blades on. Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: forget it. I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? Is there a trick I don't know? I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com You must remove the deck, turn it over, then remove the blades. Guess what, it's easy. |
#5
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![]() "Mortimer Schnerd" wrote in message ... I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower blades on. Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: forget it. I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? Is there a trick I don't know? I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com If the blade turns clockwise when looking from the top, which is most common, the fastener will be normal right hand threads. It is fairly easy to get confused and turn the wrong direction when working upside down. You may need a six point socket and a handle about 18" long, as these bolts get rusted and the heads get worn down. A 2X4 or something similar to block the blade from turning helps a lot. When you pull the wrench the right direction the blade should try to turn the same way it normally runs. Be careful. Don Young |
#6
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On Mar 18, 8:05�pm, Mortimer Schnerd
wrote: I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower blades on. �Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. �All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. �As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: �forget it. � I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. �Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? �Is there a trick I don't know? �I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. �Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com You can do it yourself. You just need the correct tool. You can buy a 1/2 impact gun for about $30-$40. I bought mine at a yard sale for $10 many years ago and it still works fine. Once you get the impact wrench and use it, you'll find you'll be using it on other things and saving your knuckles and bolt heads and a lot of frustration. You can thank me later. :-) Hank ~~~loves the impact |
#7
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Years ago, I decided to try an electric, plug in impact
wrench. Bought a Wel Bilt, from Northern. About $70. Used it, and had a lot of fun. Until it broke, two lugs into a brake job. I was about three hours from home, helping a friend. Finished the job with hand wrenches. Caught one at Harbor Freight, on sale. It has served well. Problem with the electrics, they are too big to get into some spaces. So, this year I'm going to clear enough space to buy a little compressor, and a length of air hose, and a smaller impact wrench. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Hustlin' Hank" wrote in message ... You can do it yourself. You just need the correct tool. You can buy a 1/2 impact gun for about $30-$40. I bought mine at a yard sale for $10 many years ago and it still works fine. Once you get the impact wrench and use it, you'll find you'll be using it on other things and saving your knuckles and bolt heads and a lot of frustration. You can thank me later. :-) Hank ~~~loves the impact |
#8
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Sometimes if you torch heat, and then spray the oil on the
bolt, you can shrink the bolt away from the nut. Helps separate them and loosen. I've used impact wrench on a hot nut, that helps. Heat it up, then slam on the impact gun, and pull the trigger. Removed a trailer hitch off a truck that way, one time. Heat-n-beat. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Jim Elbrecht" wrote in message ... "ng_reader" wrote: -snip-. Or, of course, a shot of spray lubricant or Heat with torch and then wrench off. but not both (!) Why not both? I try force first, then soak overnight in PB Blaster- but when I apply heat I like to spray a little PB blaster on to cool -- soak for a bit- re-apply heat and try again. One of those bound to work. But, by now, that penetrant worked, right? Good point. Patience is a virtue with those buggers. Spray & go do something else. Try again tomorrow. Jim |
#9
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Mortimer Schnerd wrote:
.... loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: forget it. I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? Is there a trick I don't know? I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? .... Remember hitting anything? It's possible you've stretched the bolts which has the effect of locking them in there like the blazes. Managed that w/ the outside blade on the 72" deck last year; took about a 4-ft cheater and initially bent a 1/2" small pry bar had used as the lock through the drive sprocket to hold it. Had to get a stouter stop... ![]() Heat/cool can help on this; heat alone only makes this problem worse because it's a mechanical distortion problem and swelling the bolt by heating it only tightens it even further. When it cools after a heat cycle it may help some. If it is this problem, the only real solution is bigger wrench. As somebody else said, go to a six-point socket to minimize the likelihood of rounding them over 'cause if you do, you're toast. _IF_ (the proverbial big if) you have a good-size knick in the knives, that'd be a clue--I didn't recall hitting anything I thought was significant enough to have caused the problem but w/ that larger mower, sometimes you don't realize what you've gone over in heavy brush. In that case, you might consider taking it to the JD dealer simply to put the onus on them if twist one off. They're hardened, but I was really beginning to wonder before this one came out finally. It was amazing it could have stretched and distorted the threads so much while in place--never seen it to such a degree before in 60-something years. -- |
#10
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"ng_reader" wrote:
-snip-. Or, of course, a shot of spray lubricant or Heat with torch and then wrench off. but not both (!) Why not both? I try force first, then soak overnight in PB Blaster- but when I apply heat I like to spray a little PB blaster on to cool -- soak for a bit- re-apply heat and try again. One of those bound to work. But, by now, that penetrant worked, right? Good point. Patience is a virtue with those buggers. Spray & go do something else. Try again tomorrow. Jim |
#11
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On Mar 18, 7:05*pm, Mortimer Schnerd
wrote: I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower blades on. *Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. *All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. *As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: *forget it.. * I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. *Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? *Is there a trick I don't know? *I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. *Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com Don't even think about doing that without an impact wrench. And for Heaven's sake always put the nuts back on dry since that friction is all that holds them on. As cheap as compressors and air tools are these days its foolhardy to waste time take chances not to use the right tools. And always use a six point impact socket. But you knew that, didn't you? Cheers, Joe |
#12
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On Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:05:39 -0400, Mortimer Schnerd
wrote: I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower blades on. Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: forget it. I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? Is there a trick I don't know? I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com Try some Liquid Wrench, tap it several times, and give it 10-15 minutes to work. Dont strip the threads! |
#13
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Joe wrote:
Don't even think about doing that without an impact wrench. And for Heaven's sake always put the nuts back on dry since that friction is all that holds them on. As cheap as compressors and air tools are these days its foolhardy to waste time take chances not to use the right tools. And always use a six point impact socket. But you knew that, didn't you? Cheers, I thank everybody who did me the courtesy of replying. I resolved the problem today: First I tried running the mower up the car ramps and then using the torch on them. No joy. I just couldn't put enough ass on them to make any of them budge. So I moved on to plan B. I laid a old blanket down in the driveway and then drove the lawn tractor up just one ramp (under the left front wheel. Then I got off and carefully lowered the tractor over onto its right side on the blanket. Some gas started dripping from its cap but it was relatively minor so I chose to ignore it. The main thing was that I now had FULL access to the blades. I heated them up for longer than I had tried before and then put a 6 point 1/2" drive socket wrench on them. I blocked the blade with a wood clamp. I was then able to apply enough pressure to remove the bolts. I then took the blades one at a time and reground the edges on my Tormek water cooled grinder. Previously I have only changed the oil on the tractor myself. I have paid for the professional servicing of the machine twice and those bolts apparently welded themselves in during or after last spring's servicing. I just can't see paying for stuff like blades if I can do it myself... just like changing the oil. As for the suggestion to remove the mower deck: why? It didn't require that and looking at the manual made the procedure look more complicated than I wanted to try. Rolling it onto its side was much easier. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com |
#14
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On Mar 19, 6:04�pm, Mortimer Schnerd
wrote: I heated them up for longer than I had tried before and then put a 6 point 1/2" drive socket wrench on them. �I blocked the blade with a wood clamp. �I was then able to apply enough pressure to remove the bolts. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com Well, I guess it may be too late for this but.......never heat anything where the heat can get to the bearings or seals, you may melt them or loose the grease that is on them. In this case, the spindle bearings. I hope you didnt' screw them up by listening to the others that suggested heat. Hank ~~~~ can't stand the heat |
#15
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Too late. Sounds like he used heat, and a breaker bar. I
like a dab of grease on the threads before I reassemble. Makes dissembly easier, next time. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Joe" wrote in message ... Don't even think about doing that without an impact wrench. And for Heaven's sake always put the nuts back on dry since that friction is all that holds them on. As cheap as compressors and air tools are these days its foolhardy to waste time take chances not to use the right tools. And always use a six point impact socket. But you knew that, didn't you? Cheers, Joe |
#16
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Thanks for telling us what works. Now, the rest of us will
know. With the economy being such a mess, I'm doing everything I can by myself. At least until my 14 million dollar bail out comes through. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Mortimer Schnerd" wrote in message ... I thank everybody who did me the courtesy of replying. I resolved the problem today: First I tried running the mower up the car ramps and then using the torch on them. No joy. I just couldn't put enough ass on them to make any of them budge. So I moved on to plan B. I laid a old blanket down in the driveway and then drove the lawn tractor up just one ramp (under the left front wheel. Then I got off and carefully lowered the tractor over onto its right side on the blanket. Some gas started dripping from its cap but it was relatively minor so I chose to ignore it. The main thing was that I now had FULL access to the blades. I heated them up for longer than I had tried before and then put a 6 point 1/2" drive socket wrench on them. I blocked the blade with a wood clamp. I was then able to apply enough pressure to remove the bolts. I then took the blades one at a time and reground the edges on my Tormek water cooled grinder. Previously I have only changed the oil on the tractor myself. I have paid for the professional servicing of the machine twice and those bolts apparently welded themselves in during or after last spring's servicing. I just can't see paying for stuff like blades if I can do it myself... just like changing the oil. As for the suggestion to remove the mower deck: why? It didn't require that and looking at the manual made the procedure look more complicated than I wanted to try. Rolling it onto its side was much easier. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com |
#17
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Stormin Mormon wrote:
Too late. Sounds like he used heat, and a breaker bar. I like a dab of grease on the threads before I reassemble. Makes dissembly easier, next time. I didn't need a breaker bar or a cheat. I moved up from a 3/8" ratchet to a 1/2" drive, heated the bolts for a bit with a LP torch and just put some oomph on them. I polished the threads with a scotchbrite pad and put some machine oil on the threads before I put them back in. I don't believe I fried anything. The bolts screw into a substantial block of metal. That metal block would act as a heat shield before the heat would travel up the shaft to the bearings. When I say I heated them, I don't mean to say they were red hot. I was able to handle them bare handed after removing them from the block. No screeching metal so far.... Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com |
#18
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![]() "Mortimer Schnerd" wrote in message ... Joe wrote: Don't even think about doing that without an impact wrench. And for Heaven's sake always put the nuts back on dry since that friction is all that holds them on. As cheap as compressors and air tools are these days its foolhardy to waste time take chances not to use the right tools. And always use a six point impact socket. But you knew that, didn't you? Cheers, I thank everybody who did me the courtesy of replying. I resolved the problem today: First I tried running the mower up the car ramps and then using the torch on them. No joy. I just couldn't put enough ass on them to make any of them budge. So I moved on to plan B. I laid a old blanket down in the driveway and then drove the lawn tractor up just one ramp (under the left front wheel. Then I got off and carefully lowered the tractor over onto its right side on the blanket. Some gas started dripping from its cap but it was relatively minor so I chose to ignore it. The main thing was that I now had FULL access to the blades. I heated them up for longer than I had tried before and then put a 6 point 1/2" drive socket wrench on them. I blocked the blade with a wood clamp. I was then able to apply enough pressure to remove the bolts. I then took the blades one at a time and reground the edges on my Tormek water cooled grinder. Previously I have only changed the oil on the tractor myself. I have paid for the professional servicing of the machine twice and those bolts apparently welded themselves in during or after last spring's servicing. I just can't see paying for stuff like blades if I can do it myself... just like changing the oil. As for the suggestion to remove the mower deck: why? It didn't require that and looking at the manual made the procedure look more complicated than I wanted to try. Rolling it onto its side was much easier. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com A piece of plastic wrap between the tank and cap will usually prevent cap leaks. You generally should remove the battery so it doesn't leak. Gasoline from the carburetor and oil from the engine can leak also. Glad you got it apart okay. Don Young |
#19
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Bob F wrote:
Mortimer Schnerd wrote: I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower blades on. Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: forget it. I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? Is there a trick I don't know? I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Reverse threads are not unknown. Very true, PLUS, loosening overtightened nuts is often eased by trying to tighten and then loosen. So try it both ways. Something that tight, it's not going to hurt. Liquid Wrench is often a good idea for such a setup. Follow instructions on cans. As for which way it's threaded, check the rotation direction of the blades. Tightening direction of the nut will be opposite to the direction of the blade rotation. e.g. if you hit a rock, the blade tries to tighten the nut, not loosen it. Twayne |
#20
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Dimitrios Paskoudniakis wrote:
"Mortimer Schnerd" wrote in message ... I've got a John Deere L110 lawn tractor that I want to replace the mower blades on. Today I drove it up onto a set of car ramps and reached up under it to try to remove the two blades. All I managed to accomplish today was refill the tires with air and remove some twine that had wrapped itself tenaciously around the hub of the blade. As for loosening the two end caps that actually hold the blades on: forget it. I couldn't budge any of them. Looking in the owner's manual says they're supposed to be torqued to 42 ft-lbs. Well, even using a piece of pipe as a cheat, I got nowhere. Are these things reversed threaded? Is there a trick I don't know? I was using a 1/2" socket wrench with a 15mm socket. Maybe I need to move up to a bigger wrench? I hate to pay for something I should be able to do myself. Mortimer Schnerd, RN mschnerd at carolina.rr.com You must remove the deck, turn it over, then remove the blades. Guess what, it's easy. It really is. Lower the deck, pull 4 to 6 pins depending, and slide it out, usually to the left side. |
#21
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replying to Mortimer Schnerd, Bill wrote:
Just replaced my John Deere (L110) blades yesterday. My procedu jacked up rear end to put rear tires on top of 8" (8X16") blocks to allow access to blades (without having to remove deck). Set brake and blocked two tires to prevent movement of mower. Using a 15mm socket and a pipe (18" long) I slide the pipe onto the socket handle. Due to the torque leverage (length of the pipe) it was easy to remove the bolts (Right-hand threads). Changed both blades making sure the correct side of the blade (bow side facing ground - like blades you removed) were installed. Two most important things: safety and a long pipe for your wrench. -- for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...es-364646-.htm |
#22
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27 Şubat 2018 Salı tarihinde saat 01:44:10 UTC+3 itibarıyla Bill şunları yazdı:
replying to Mortimer Schnerd, Bill wrote: Just replaced my John Deere (L110) blades yesterday. My procedu jacked up rear end to put rear tires on top of 8" (8X16") blocks to allow access to blades (without having to remove deck). Set brake and blocked two tires to prevent movement of mower. Using a 15mm socket and a pipe (18" long) I slide the pipe onto the socket handle. Due to the torque leverage (length of the pipe) it was easy to remove the bolts (Right-hand threads). Changed both blades making sure the correct side of the blade (bow side facing ground - like blades you removed) were installed. Two most important things: safety and a long pipe for your wrench. -- for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/mainte...es-364646-.htm I think you don't have to pay a price for that. first take out the deck of the machine and turn the blades upside down to pick them up. it's that simple. if you want detailed information: https://tractordir.com/john-deere-la...-your-tractor/ |
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