jrotten13 18 #1 Posted June 2, 2020 Hey everyone. I've got a 42 inch RD mower that the blades come loose on. I've tightened them down as much as I could and they still come loose. Enough to rattle about. No key on the spindles. By the looks of it, the spindles never had keys on them. Any suggestions? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,583 #2 Posted June 2, 2020 those blades do not have keys , do you have a die nut, or a wire brush to clean out the spindle threads? those nuts jam down to a tight set .i would guess either the nuts are badly corroded or the threads need cleaning for the nuts to bottom out. are you using a 6 point socket on them.? just some ideas, pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrotten13 18 #3 Posted June 2, 2020 Just now, peter lena said: those blades do not have keys , do you have a die nut, or a wire brush to clean out the spindle threads? those nuts jam down to a tight set .i would guess either the nuts are badly corroded or the threads need cleaning for the nuts to bottom out. are you using a 6 point socket on them.? just some ideas, pete That's what I figured first. Cleaned the treads on both spindle and nuts. Using a star socket. Getting the torque on the nut is only limited by how hard I can hold the bottom nut when tightening. Unfortunately I didn't realize my blade was loose before it did some damage. The bottom of the spindle threads are stripped. However it's the area that isn't engaged by the nut. Only the blade. So shouldn't matter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buckrancher 2,679 #4 Posted June 2, 2020 one of the problems that happens when a blade loosens up and free spins on the a shaft is having a groove wear in the shaft after is happens the only fix is to replace the blade shaft as the blade will continue to loosen without full dia. contact in the blade hole on the shaft Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrotten13 18 #5 Posted June 2, 2020 1 minute ago, buckrancher said: one of the problems that happens when a blade loosens up and free spins on the a shaft is having a groove wear in the shaft after is happens the only fix is to replace the blade shaft as the blade will continue to loosen without full dia. contact in the blade hole on the You lost me. How does the shaft have any holding strength? Even on the other blades that dont loosen up, the threaded shaft is small enough to fit inside the blade. Enough so that I can set my blade on the shaft without a nut and they spin freely. If you're referring to the threads on the shaft not engaging the nut fully. That is not the case. The nut engages full threads . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #6 Posted June 2, 2020 like Pete says, make sure threads are clean, oiled and the washers are in-place. New nuts would be a big plus. torque spec is 80 to 120, that is pretty tight. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,168 #7 Posted June 2, 2020 You didnt mention having washers, do you have the cupped washers under the nut? They are a must have to prevent your problem. As mentioned these things have to be TIGHT - I use 1/2" impact and let it hammer them down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrotten13 18 #8 Posted June 2, 2020 9 minutes ago, TractorJunkie said: like Pete says, make sure threads are clean, oiled and the washers are in-place. New nuts would be a big plus. torque spec is 80 to 120, that is pretty tight. Wow 80 to 120. Ima need a bigger wrench Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrotten13 18 #9 Posted June 2, 2020 Just now, pacer said: You didnt mention having washers, do you have the cupped washers under the nut? They are a must have to prevent your problem. As mentioned these things have to be TIGHT - I use 1/2" impact and let it hammer them down. Yes washers are present. I'll have to either get an impact or bigger wrench. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,038 #10 Posted June 2, 2020 Throw the deck in your wife's car and take it to a shop. They might even do it for free! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrotten13 18 #11 Posted June 2, 2020 8 minutes ago, squonk said: Throw the deck in your wife's car and take it to a shop. They might even do it for free! I see what ya did there... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,038 #12 Posted June 2, 2020 1 hour ago, jrotten13 said: I see what ya did there... This is the kind of thing that happens when you hang around Waldo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,296 #13 Posted June 2, 2020 (edited) NO BBQ for you Skunky Edited June 2, 2020 by elcamino/wheelhorse 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob R 966 #14 Posted June 2, 2020 I like the advice given to you by the folks above, in years past I had one blade that kept coming loose turns out it was a slightly bent shaft (PO hit something at high speed) which wobbled caused vibration and no matter what I did the blade / nut would come loose bottom line ended-up replacing the spindle / mandrel problem solved. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John2189 445 #15 Posted June 3, 2020 (edited) 23 hours ago, jrotten13 said: Yes washers are present. I'll have to either get an impact or bigger wrench. Good reason to buy more tools 🧰 Edited June 3, 2020 by John2189 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
