Mechanical problem

This may be one of the disadvantages of being female- I have a rotary mower and the blade is very blunt. I have spent several years trying to sharpen it in situ with a hand file which is neither easy nor efficient, because I can't get it off. It is fixed with a large hexagonal nut [?bolt] which I can't loosen. I have the right size spanner for it. Todate i have tried wd40 left on overnight, heating with blow torch in the hopes of different expansion rates, and various types of brute force. Anyone got better ideas?

 

You've done everything I could think of, Liz. Maybe just give it longer? Or, as well as your wd40, try good old fashioned butter? I know an old bloke who used to swear by it!! (At least, I think that was what he was saying - he didn't ahve many teeth! :D )

 

Liz, I'm not being funny but are you sure you are turning it the right way? For safety, it has to be self tightening, so might be opposite to what you think! Just a thought!

If it's truly rusted on, then your not going to be able to remove it.

BTW, Hope your wearing gloves

 

Sorry didn't really answer your question did I!

Having placed your spanner firmly on, and keeping it that way with one hand, give the other end of the spanner a sharp blow with a mallet/soft faced hammer; the shock will be much more effective than slow brutal strength.
But don't overdo it, if it's rusted on you've had it!

 

Sorry didn't really answer your question did I!

Having placed your spanner firmly on, and keeping it that way with one hand, give the other end of the spanner a sharp blow with a mallet/soft faced hammer; the shock will be much more effective than slow brutal strength.
But don't overdo it, if it's rusted on you've had it!
Good luck!

 

Damn it, slipped off the screen before I had a chance to finish! :(

 

DAg, You might just be right about the direction of turning! I have been using my daughters' little reminder
"Righty tighty
Lefty loosey"
Which after a lifetime of forgetting had finally given me confidence I was turning the right way. I hadn't thought of self-tightening...think I'll go and try it now [if I can find the spanner]. I shall be so mad if you're right!
It doesn't look as if it's rusted on, it's had a lot of wd40 over the last few years...

 

Bet your right DAG, most circular saw blades have a left hand thread.

 

Let us know if you've succeeded!

Personally, every other year I take my mower to a local guy that services them for about �£13. Not too bad.

[ 19. March 2006, 12:24 AM: Message edited by: michaelmasdaisy ]

 

Can't find the spanner- have put more wd40 on. Watch this space for more foolish female frolics! :D

 

Liz..my brother has a Garden machinery business and says it should be a normal thread and if it's seized it will have to be cut off,and if you force it trying to remove it with a spanner you may strip the threads on the shaft.

 

having used large rotary mowers for years follow this....
make sure that the blade is secure by wedging a piece of wood between blade and body
to remove the bolt turn spanner CLOCKWISE
to replace bolt ANTI CLOCKwise.
they are done this way for safety as mentioned.
hope you get it off!