BellaB 7 #1 Posted October 4, 2021 I need to replace the blades on a 37” SD deck. Which direction do I turn to remove the nut holding the blades? Lefty loosey? Any special torque reqts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,199 #2 Posted October 4, 2021 (edited) Hi Bella, welcome to the forum! Yes, lefty loosey. Typically the torque would be 80-100 FT LB. Check the "Manuals" section for free downloads for your model tractor and deck. Edited October 4, 2021 by Jeff-C175 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 6,991 #3 Posted October 4, 2021 to the forum. Lots of good folks here that are willing to share advice and provide opinions. You will probably will need to prevent the spindles from turning while you are loosening or tightening the nuts on the blades. Look for flats on the spindles that you could get a wrench on, or place a block of wood in the deck to prevent the blade from turning. Since there are some sharp(ish) edges on the blades, work carefully and keep your hands and fingers safe. Good luck and have fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BellaB 7 #4 Posted October 4, 2021 Guess I need to go buy a torque wrench. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,199 #5 Posted October 4, 2021 12 minutes ago, BellaB said: Guess I need to go buy a torque wrench. Check Horror Fright, they have some 'good enough' 1/2" drive torque wrenches for under $25.00. Sometimes on sale for under 20. You'll also need a 1-1/8" (if my memory is correct) 1/2" drive socket and 1-1/16" open end that fits the nut below the blade. It has to be thin enough to fit in between. You don't NEED a torque wrench if you feel strong and trust your 'gut' that you've got them tight enough, but you would still need the socket and a breaker bar... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,809 #8 Posted October 4, 2021 We like pictures… what is this 37” deck going on? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,116 #10 Posted October 4, 2021 7 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said: 1-1/16" open end that fits the nut below the blade. It has to be thin enough to fit in between. You will need a thin 1 1/8 open end wrench, the special wrench you see being sold from time to time on for a small fortune is the correct wrench. If you are cheap like me you can find an old 1 1/8" wrench and saw off about 1/8" of the thickness. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,588 #11 Posted October 4, 2021 @BellaB another thing you should have is , a 6 point socket . electric impact gun , and some penetrating oil . make the operation very easy , do not start rounding off those spindle nuts , keep the edges flat and square , I only use a small fine flat file on my blades , to retain metal and recover the edge quicker , no need to grind off lots of steel , grease the fresh cut edge to stop rust , keep it fresh, pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,199 #12 Posted October 4, 2021 1 hour ago, 953 nut said: special wrench Thanks for the memory check! I thought the 'under' nut was a step smaller. I've heard tell that the WH wrench isn't very durable. True or no? That wrench can also be made from an old mower blade. Cut the end square, use a grinder to cut a notch to fit the bolt. If ya wanna get fancy, Plasti-Dip the handle end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,681 #13 Posted October 4, 2021 No Plasti-Dip on mine 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,034 #14 Posted October 4, 2021 8 hours ago, 953 nut said: the special wrench you see being sold from time to time on for a small fortune "A small fortune" How small Richard? Might have to sell mine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,199 #15 Posted October 4, 2021 (edited) 33 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: "A small fortune" Might be worth gold plating it! Perhaps powder coating it RED with BLACK filled lettering. Edited October 4, 2021 by Jeff-C175 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BellaB 7 #16 Posted October 4, 2021 (edited) This is for my ‘88 GT 312-8. Pics after the monsoon stops. So 1 1/8 six point socket, thin 1 1/8 open end, torque wrench, impact driver, …. New tractor. 🤣😂🤣 Edited October 4, 2021 by BellaB 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,199 #17 Posted October 4, 2021 57 minutes ago, BellaB said: New tractor. NO! not that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,199 #18 Posted October 5, 2021 @BellaB This is all you NEED. And that wrench is not all that thin. It's just a little over 0.4 " thick and it fits nicely between the blade and the spindle on MY deck. Take a measurement on yours to see how much room you have. A 12 point socket has always worked for me and I've never had to use an impact gun. 100 ft lb is just a bit tighter than auto wheel lug torque. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,648 #20 Posted October 5, 2021 (edited) 19 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said: @BellaB This is all you NEED. And that wrench is not all that thin. It's just a little over 0.4 " thick and it fits nicely between the blade and the spindle on MY deck. Take a measurement on yours to see how much room you have. A 12 point socket has always worked for me and I've never had to use an impact gun. 100 ft lb is just a bit tighter than auto wheel lug torque. If you are buying a 1 1/8" socket a 6 point socket It won't round off the nuts. I use a cheap air powered impact and let it hit three or four times tighten. Edited October 5, 2021 by Lee1977 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites