Woods RM59 finish mower

[Stroby]

I have two Woods RM59 mowers that I use to maintain grass along the roads to my fields in the bottom and some general maintenance on the farm. One is on a smaller tractor that goes under trees and the other is on a larger tractor with larger wheels and rides better. Bought the second one for a parts mower and discovered it was too good to use for just parts. I really like these mowers but when it comes time to take the blades off for sharpening or replacement, it becomes quite a task. I have used two different impact guns but there's always at least one of the bolts that won't rattle off. These are left hand thread, 15/16 bolts that have two bellows washers and one flat washer between the bolt head and the mower blade. I usually end up with a piece of pipe cheater bar on a pipe wrench that I put over the blade to keep it from turning. Then use another pipe cheater bar on a 3/4 breaker bar and a 6 sided impact socket to get these rascals off. Seems like I'm about to pull my guts out before it ever moves. Is there a trick to removing these things that I don't know about. Please advise. Thanks in advance.

 

[Phil Tibbetts]

try putting some never-seize on them

 

[Duner Wi]

I have a RM59-1 for over 40 years and don't have your problem. I do grease every thing when I sharpen the blades.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I have woods mowers too.
Your problem is you are over tightening the blades when you install them.

Woods have friction plates in contact with the blade. The blades are self-tightening if the friction plates don't allow the blade to slip when you hit something.

45-50 #ft of torque.

If that fails, I have put a tiny dab of grease on the friction plate.
I have the bolt threads greased up too.

My JD 48 inch mower deck is the same as a woods mower. DON'T over torque the bolt holding the blade on.

Post back if it works for you.

 

[atlarge54]

I've had a Woods L306 (same spindle as yours) for about 30 years, if my memory is correct the spindle calls for 160 ft/lb torque on the bolt. I used to lock the spindle from above with a pipe wrench and use a breaker bar and cheater pipe from below.

I rarely remove the blades anymore , just touch them up with an angle grinder.

 

[Stroby]

Thanks to all for the info. It will be a few months before I have to remove them to sharpen them.....I hope. If I remember, I'll give an update. I re-installed them with a 1/2 breaker bar but not too tight as I know they self tighten. There is oil on the threads and the washers were all cleaned on the wire wheel of my grinder. I have thought about using an angle grinder but i guess I'm still old school and wouldn't be able to assure myself they are balanced using that method. Thanks again everyone.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Add grease to the head of the bolt where it comes in contact with the curved washer.