(Click Read more) One thing i forgot was to unplug the spark plug, and I used a 15/16” socket. Here are the links i talk about in the video. Hope this video helps you out. Please leave a comment and thumbs up it HELPS YOU TUBE PROMOTE MY VIDEO. If I helped you out you can thank me by buying me a coffee. www.buymeacoffee.com/DIYjim ✅Mower blade balancer amzn.to/3aEfguW ✅flap sander disk amzn.to/3cS5pCW ✅grinder amzn.to/2VEzuAp ✅hearing protection amzn.to/3bFgnvH ✅eye protection amzn.to/3cOjMZ5 ** Support my channel by leaving a Dollar or two in my tip jar Thank you. www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=2MTJWRFFTHLU4¤cy_code=USD&source=url Thank you very much for watching and God bless *Full transparency. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Thanks Jim. I'm a newly widowed 59 yr old woman and so many things are frightening to face, like if I can figure out how to change the blades, how do I get under the deck! I'm handy with a saw so the ramps saved the day, and you made the blade process look so much easier than any other DIYer. And it was easy to do.
I've been looking at the videos to take the whole deck off, but this is so much more useful to be able to remove the blades without taking the deck off... Thanks for such a clear video Jim.
For those who have a 3 blade deck it seems to be faster to take the deck off (at least after you've removed the deck for your first time). On the Accel 48" deck at least the socket you'll need is an 18mm and the recommended torque when re-installing them is 50 ft.-pounds but "good and tight" hasn't seemed to damage anything. Taking the deck off gives you an opportunity to clean the underside without being on your back for effort and if your tractor has some difficult to get to zerk fittings (possibly for pulleys) it's a good time to get those too. Great suggestion on the blade cutting position - I always have to triple check when I re-install blades.
Great video buddy. Those ramps are no less than genius! It would be great if you made them and shipped them out. To be honest ... the beautiful wood, fit and finish you put into them ... makes them look like a work of art to anybody who appreciates fine woodwork! I would certainly be interested in buying.
Glad you like them but sorry can not build and ship. Maybe you can share my video of me building them on Facebook and see if anyone can build you a set. th-cam.com/video/97xIA4t4YXs/w-d-xo.html
Excellent video Jim! Your ramps are top notch. Thanks for the tips. To think I was contemplating paying a mobile technician to come do this, when I have everything I need. Semper Fi Brother
Great job. Found and subscribed to your video today. Love this content because like you I'm also part of the jon deere family. I bought my E170 2 yrs ago and absolutely love it. They are also so fun and easy to work on. As long as you learn from one another and keep records on your repairs and maintenance your golden. Thanks bud. Look forward to all your Jon deere content moving forward.
Thanks so much for producing this video! It sure makes it easy to not have to deal with the deck removal. That was a great tip about how to make sure the blades were installed correctly. I watched a few other videos and they did not talk about how to know which way the blades were to be mounted.
I use my floor jack to jack up the rear with a 4x4 piece of wood on top of the jack after the front is on a ramp. I also like using the flap disc from Home Depot. I use a nail for balancing b/c it’s smooth. You can use a sharpie to mark the bottom of the blade before removing it. I always wondered if it matters what orientation the blades face when bolted on. Check your manual for the torque spec for the nut.
God bless you thank you I got a little problem with my John Deere when I started it once the surge how would I clean the carburetor without taking it off
Thanks for the clean quiet video. Just one thought the washer at the blade has a top and bottom, flat outside part goes against blade for tension. At least my JD has tension washers . Clean shop and thanks again.
Thank you for the info, trying to decide if I should do it and it doesn't look too too hard. I mean I used to change my own car oil and it seems about the same difficulty.
I sharpen my blades without removing them at all. Pull my X300 up on ramps, set deck height to 4, then lay under and sharpen with a Dremel sharpening stone bit. Takes 5 minutes. I also have to pull the tractor up on ramps after every cutting to scrape all the grass off under the deck....or else it stinks up the garage and gets moldy.
Blades need to be clean for balancing. Use a wire cup wheel on your grinder. MagnaMatic balancer is the best. Screw or nail in bench is not even close. Unbalanced blades destroy spindle bearings.
If you torque your blades to the correct manufacturers specs, the only thing you need is a leather glove and a ratchet with the correct socket size, shouldn't even have to raise the deck any higher than max lift. Be smarter than the mower deck...............🏁
Most jobs like this are pretty simple, but it helps most of us a lot to see the process done correctly by someone else first. Your video was calm confident and clear. Good job! Thanks!
First, you my Army brother officially have THE cleanest garage and perhaps the only one with a fireplace. Love the crystal clear video and great presentation. Appreciate the helpful tips. Thanks
Sharpening is a cold process. Its important not to let the grinder wheel sit too long in any one spot. Move left to right lifting the wheel off the blade of the material and then repeat. Its best not to drag it back and forth continuously. If you see the edge of the blade turning blue-black you've lost the temper in the steel and your edge will be soft. I like to do a quick skate over the edge with the grinder, one pass at a time and then do the final dressing with a file. You'll have a sharper blade and it will stay sharper longer.
@@peterjeffery8495Along with using a wire brush on the grinder for cleaning, I would advise to use the bench grinder or, even better, a bench sander to do the sharpening. I would rather hold the blade than a big grinder for the artistic part.
It looks like you turned your breaker bar clockwise to remove the nut, is that correct? I’m used to righty tighty and lefty loosey, except the opposite for plumbing. Thanks…
These videos are great Jim, because it's so educational, they will continue over time to get a lot of views man, especially when viewers realize how helpful they are, it really provides a lot of value to help others who might not know how to do this stuff. 👍
One of the best things I ever did was install an electric winch in the ceiling of my garage/workshop. Works great for lifting the front end of my lawn tractor for blade removal. As well, I use it to hoist my lawn mower not only for blade removal but to lift it for putting in on top of my moveable workbench to do maintenance.
Thanks, Jim. I have the same JD mower, but I bought a mower jack that raises the front even higher for better access.Never thought to use a clamp in stead of a block. I use my wheel grinder, but the hand grinder looks very convenient. Also, wearing gloves saves your hands if the socket wrench slips.
@@DIYJIM He is right. The Ramp is so much to make and to store while a simple car jack, then secured the tractor with a couple of carjack stand on each sides for safety will raise the deck high enough to get an access to remove the Blades. So much easier and less clutter.
Don’t use a grinder even on a mower blade. Use a stone. I make axes and also have to sharpen my Deere blades. Grinders are too aggressive and unwieldy and although gee they seem sharper, you’re removing so much metal on the leading edge that you’re reducing your blade like roughly by half. If I can get a nigh razor sharp blade on an axe bit, putting one on a mower blade isn’t a stretch. And you don’t need to take them off all of the time to clean them with a grinder either. Put some cosmoline coating on there when you get them and it dries and keeps out rust. That’s the problem with the grinder Jim too-balancing. With all of the metal you’re removing they’re won’t be much left to balance and it will be more difficult. If I’m fitting Gun parts in my smithing I wouldn’t use a grinder either as I can’t put the metal back.
@@DIYJIM Jim , I, not giving YOU a tip. I don’t have a channel building anything (ethically Impermiissible) and I build axes but I don’t forge the bits. I buy old steel bits no less than 50 years old, use hickory, Paracord for the neck. I also drive my 115 Deere my truck ramps to get to the deck at full height.. I only mean I wouldn’t tell the average DIY’r to use a grinder on a blade because the leading edge isn’t thick and isn’t like and axe bit that has a super high carbon steel hasp folded into the but at forging for a strong cut or split, while the rest of the forged bit has less carbon.
I used to do this for years until I realized how easy it is to remove the deck. Just remove a couple clips and slide the deck out. Once out it’s so much easier to clean the deck, remove the blades, and grease all the spindles.
That's not how to sharpen blades. First I think it's Quicker and easier to remove deck. The blades need to be ground on a bench grinder with the rest set at 30 degrees. Slowly grind away material without getting the blade red hot. Easy does it. Never ever grind the backside of the blade. It's not a knife. Then to balance grind material off the ends of the blade until you have balanced them. A nail works somewhat but a magnetic balancer is ideal.
I bought a mower/atv jack at Harbor Freight, that was one of the best investments I've made, it makes it really handy to get under it to remove the blades for sharpening or cleaning under the deck. Prices vary but I paid about $100 for mine, it lifts the mower by the front tires, so no stress on the mower.
Hey man quick question I'm replacing my blades & I didn't notice the blade spacing when I removed them as in both horizontal or both vertical at the same time or does that matter? Thanks
Those blades are sharp! So, after putting a nice edge on the blade (wearing Kevlar or leather gloves) fold a piece of masking tape over the edge. Keeps you safe when they are in storage. You don't have to take it off since it wears off quickly within the first 10 feet or so of mowing.
Hi Jim I’m glad I stumbled across your channel that was a very well done instruction for doing the blade maintenance! Those ramps are awesome too. I’m subscribing now! Thanks for sharing, DC
I have a mulcher blade with an upper and lower blade on each end, I sharpen the lower on my bench grinder and I file the upper blade . But the one thing he didn't mention or do is to remove the plug wire from the spark plug. I've seen mowers start by turning the blade by hand...now granted this mower may have a seat safety switch....IDK, he didn't mention it.
It does have a seat safety switch, but very good point thank you for commenting I should have done that I will try to add that in my description and my comments
Hi Jim, I really think your two-part ramps are very ingenious indeed allowing fairly easy access to the under side of the mower deck while on the tractor. Clamping the blade to the work bench top I also a good tip. A vise would also Be verly handy to securely grip the blade. Thanks
Nice video Jim! I have a John Deere STX38 with mulching blades which have not been removed since I bought it back in 1992. Do mulching blades need sharpening? The blades still cut and mulch the grass and leaves. Just wondering if I should replace them. Also love the ramps you made for the tractor.
I sure like this idea of removing blades to sharpen them, without taking that deck off. Just got a S130 last November. My first John Deere piece of plastic piece of work. Nothing like my one X9 series I've had for years. But nice smooth lighter, cheaper cheaply-made xcetera. But fits the bill now. And I'd rather not take off that deck at all if I don't have to.
Glad I could help. Maybe one day I will get me a nicer mower but for now the small John Deere is cutting the grass. Hope you have a good summer. Thanks for watching,
Thanks for the video! Just a couple of suggestions... Mention the size of the socket used to remove the blades also when balancing the blade make sure your head isn,t directly in front of the target field of view.
Thank you Jim, Thanks for this video. Quick summary is that I have a John Deer LT 160 that I bought back in 02 with nearly 700 hrs on it and still runs like a sewing machine. Only gripe is that cheap plastic hood. That Kohler motor is remarkable and so powerful. Tried to order a second hood for it on Amazon and it cost around 400.00. Trying to get it ready for this summer and I am doing same thing that you’re doing with the ramps. The point is that I never thought about the clamps to hold the blades and that is my big Thank You for this information. Bolts are so tight that I could not break them loose with my socket and trying to hold the blade at the same time. 😂 Thanks again, Dale, from TX.
The lip on the deck kept my clamp from connecting well…or I didn’t realize how to best put it on. I used wood to keep the blade from spinning. It can be tough to shimmy that bad boy back our afterward, though. Also, with so little clearance, it was tough to get the leverage or angles to remove that bolt. Luckily, I had a longer ratchet that worked. I guess an impact drill needs more clearance than I thought.
I can have my deck off in under 10 minutes. JD decks are very easy to remove. And, I don’t need to waste space on those ramps. Or the time and money making them.
Hi Jim, Thanks for the quick reply! This makes sense as the seals would keep the bearings protected. I like your blade sharpening video also. I have garage envy! You have a super clean, big, and awesome garage!!!! Thank you a million for all your excellent advice!!
Great ramps. Gave me an idea to use what I have around the house along with my floor jack. I always disconnect the spark plugs...don't know if it matters, but knowing my luck...
Thank you. I can do this! I appreciate being shown how to maintain my tractor myself. I made the mistake of letting the dealer who sent me a flyer advertising $135 to service the machine come. By the time he left it was $435 and now the belt keeps coming off every 5 minutes. The deck even seems wibble wobbly on uneven ground and it never did before. So I'm climbing under my tractor and doing it myself. I watched your leveling the deck video to see what might have been done to make the deck unsteady. Thank you again
Glad you're making these videos. I used to take my John deere to the dealer for service but they've gotten outrageously expensive and they take forever. Be servicing at home from now on.
(Click Read more) One thing i forgot was to unplug the spark plug, and I used a 15/16” socket. Here are the links i talk about in the video. Hope this video helps you out. Please leave a comment and thumbs up it HELPS YOU TUBE PROMOTE MY VIDEO.
If I helped you out you can thank me by buying me a coffee. www.buymeacoffee.com/DIYjim
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Thank you very much for watching and God bless
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Thanks Jim. I'm a newly widowed 59 yr old woman and so many things are frightening to face, like if I can figure out how to change the blades, how do I get under the deck! I'm handy with a saw so the ramps saved the day, and you made the blade process look so much easier than any other DIYer. And it was easy to do.
Awesome love reading comments like this. I’m so glad I could help you. Thanks for watching.
And this is why TH-cam exists!
Thank you Jim for the guidance!
Your welcome glad I could help
I've been looking at the videos to take the whole deck off, but this is so much more useful to be able to remove the blades without taking the deck off... Thanks for such a clear video Jim.
Glad I could help
The deck on those mowers come out very easy.
I have my wife hold up the front end while I crawl under and remove the blades.
I will have to see if my wife could do that for me LOL
I tried that and it ended badly for me...
In other words your wife is amazon lady
I'll have to add this one to the pros column
Brave...lol
clamp trick is genius!!!!..... thanks for the tip, God bless you and family.
thank you very much, God bless stay safe out there. I hope everyone is paying attention
Wire wheel on drill works really well to get rid of grass on blades.
Thanks for tip
Good video thanks Diy Jim I also made a ramp for my J Deere but used a board 'Im changing to a clamp for blade
thanks for watching
Thanks for spending the time to do these videos, they have helped a lot, and are a blessing. God bless, and have a great day.
Thank you very much
For those who have a 3 blade deck it seems to be faster to take the deck off (at least after you've removed the deck for your first time). On the Accel 48" deck at least the socket you'll need is an 18mm and the recommended torque when re-installing them is 50 ft.-pounds but "good and tight" hasn't seemed to damage anything. Taking the deck off gives you an opportunity to clean the underside without being on your back for effort and if your tractor has some difficult to get to zerk fittings (possibly for pulleys) it's a good time to get those too. Great suggestion on the blade cutting position - I always have to triple check when I re-install blades.
Thanks for the info Scott and thanks for watching
What?
@@justinberry3991what don’t u understand
Great video buddy.
Those ramps are no less than genius! It would be great if you made them and shipped them out.
To be honest ... the beautiful wood, fit and finish you put into them ... makes them look like a
work of art to anybody who appreciates fine woodwork!
I would certainly be interested in buying.
Glad you like them but sorry can not build and ship. Maybe you can share my video of me building them on Facebook and see if anyone can build you a set. th-cam.com/video/97xIA4t4YXs/w-d-xo.html
Excellent video Jim! Your ramps are top notch. Thanks for the tips. To think I was contemplating paying a mobile technician to come do this, when I have everything I need. Semper Fi Brother
Glad my video will help save you some money. Hooah
Great job. Found and subscribed to your video today. Love this content because like you I'm also part of the jon deere family. I bought my E170 2 yrs ago and absolutely love it. They are also so fun and easy to work on. As long as you learn from one another and keep records on your repairs and maintenance your golden. Thanks bud. Look forward to all your Jon deere content moving forward.
Thanks for subscribing glad you like my videos
Love those ramps. Great idea! Thanks for the clear and concise video. A big help!
Glad to help!
Thanks so much for producing this video! It sure makes it easy to not have to deal with the deck removal. That was a great tip about how to make sure the blades were installed correctly. I watched a few other videos and they did not talk about how to know which way the blades were to be mounted.
Glad you liked the video, and it helped. Thanks for the comment
I use my floor jack to jack up the rear with a 4x4 piece of wood on top of the jack after the front is on a ramp. I also like using the flap disc from Home Depot. I use a nail for balancing b/c it’s smooth. You can use a sharpie to mark the bottom of the blade before removing it. I always wondered if it matters what orientation the blades face when bolted on. Check your manual for the torque spec for the nut.
Thanks for watching
God bless you thank you I got a little problem with my John Deere when I started it once the surge how would I clean the carburetor without taking it off
If you get it running maybe you can try some sea foam in your gas. You can buy that at an auto parts store or Walmart.
Thank you you have a nice day I've been mowing for a long time and I love mowing I do it for three trailer courts
GREAT Tutorial Jim!!! Very thorough.
Thanks Ken
Thanks for the clean quiet video. Just one thought the washer at the blade has a top and bottom, flat outside part goes against blade for tension. At least my JD has tension washers . Clean shop and thanks again.
Thanks for the info and thanks for watching have a good summer
Thank you for the info, trying to decide if I should do it and it doesn't look too too hard. I mean I used to change my own car oil and it seems about the same difficulty.
Its not that hard just make sure they are balanced, but that is easy also. Glad my video helped you decide
You can easily check your balance using a screwdriver as your balance point, works great.
thank for the tip and thanks for watching a few of my videos hope your summer is going good
That's a nice clean garage.
Thank you it’s not always clean
You do some nice work. Love those ramps!!
Thanks Jerry
You make it look so easy.
It really is not that hard, thanks for watching and thanks for subscribing if you did I can not see who subscribes
Oh crap I should read who is commenting thanks mike
Gheeesh " what a clean garage 💥 👍
Not always lol
Youre the man, Jim!
Thanks again for watching my videos
What's the purpose of the clamps on the deck when you are taking off and putting the blade back on?
So the blades do not spin. Thanks for watching
Great Job! Thank you!
Thanks again
I use a pressure washer to get all the grass clippings off the bottom of the deck.
Guess not a bad idea. Thanks for the tip
Great video. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, glad I could help
I sharpen my blades without removing them at all. Pull my X300 up on ramps, set deck height to 4, then lay under and sharpen with a Dremel sharpening stone bit. Takes 5 minutes. I also have to pull the tractor up on ramps after every cutting to scrape all the grass off under the deck....or else it stinks up the garage and gets moldy.
Great tip! Thanks for watching
Now a subscriber, Jim
Thanks for subscribing
Thanks!
Welcome
Thank you for the Super Thanks
Thanks Jim!
your welcome
I just grind them on the mower. Have been doing this for years. Just don’t grind any more than needed so that they don’t get too out of balance.
Thanks for commenting and watching
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Your video was very helpful and the ramp you built is amazing great job and keep up the good work 👍
Thank you
I wish you would've specified what size the socket to remove the blades is.
15/16 socket sorry thanks for watching
If you will post a tool list at the beginning of the video it would be perfect.
Good video thanks
Glad I could help
I just jack up the front of the mower and slide my car ramps under the front wheels "backwards", so plenty of room to reach the blades.
I have done that also thanks for watching hope your summer is good
Blades need to be clean for balancing. Use a wire cup wheel on your grinder. MagnaMatic balancer is the best. Screw or nail in bench is not even close. Unbalanced blades destroy spindle bearings.
Thanks for the info have a good summer
Does the John deer lawn tractor come with mulching blades?
My mower did not
Just by car ramps the hard plastic works
Thanks for watching
If you torque your blades to the correct manufacturers specs, the only thing you need is a leather glove and a ratchet with the correct socket size, shouldn't even have to raise the deck any higher than max lift. Be smarter than the mower deck...............🏁
Thanks for the info and thanks for watching
To 41 ft lbs on the tighten up
Thanks
Do you people realize how easy it is to take the deck off? I thought this was a joke.
I know it’s easy but others do not know how. Thanks for watching
Not very good for 3 blade decks
Sorry, thanks for watching
@@DIYJIM LOL, Don't be sorry dude. I'm sure it helped others. My scenario is just different.
I use a heavy duty jack and jack stands, but in a pinch, I drive up on my mother in laws fat head
Thanks for watching hope your mother in law has a helmet on lol
thank you for no back ground music! Great instructional video!
Glad I could help
Thanks for sharing....very helpful.
Glad you like thank you
Most jobs like this are pretty simple, but it helps most of us a lot to see the process done correctly by someone else first. Your video was calm confident and clear. Good job! Thanks!
Thanks for watching
First, you my Army brother officially have THE cleanest garage and perhaps the only one with a fireplace. Love the crystal clear video and great presentation. Appreciate the helpful tips. Thanks
Your welcome Hooah
Sharpening is a cold process. Its important not to let the grinder wheel sit too long in any one spot. Move left to right lifting the wheel off the blade of the material and then repeat. Its best not to drag it back and forth continuously. If you see the edge of the blade turning blue-black you've lost the temper in the steel and your edge will be soft. I like to do a quick skate over the edge with the grinder, one pass at a time and then do the final dressing with a file. You'll have a sharper blade and it will stay sharper longer.
Thanks for the tips and thanks for watching
@@DIYJIM Dad was a Blacksmith. You're welcome & keep up the excellent work!
@@peterjeffery8495Along with using a wire brush on the grinder for cleaning, I would advise to use the bench grinder or, even better, a bench sander to do the sharpening. I would rather hold the blade than a big grinder for the artistic part.
@@pfirman A belt sander in a vice also works...
@@peterjeffery8495 Can you get sanding belts for metal as well as wood.
It looks like you turned your breaker bar clockwise to remove the nut, is that correct? I’m used to righty tighty and lefty loosey, except the opposite for plumbing. Thanks…
That is correct, thanks for watching
That rule does not work on whirling blades in most situations, depending of course on the designed spin.
These videos are great Jim, because it's so educational, they will continue over time to get a lot of views man, especially when viewers realize how helpful they are, it really provides a lot of value to help others who might not know how to do this stuff. 👍
Thanks it has been a lot of work to get to where I am now. Hope it only goes up from here.
You made your bench out of a solid core door, right? Those make great benches
Yep they came out of a hospital. Thanks for watching
One of the best things I ever did was install an electric winch in the ceiling of my garage/workshop. Works great for lifting the front end of my lawn tractor for blade removal. As well, I use it to hoist my lawn mower not only for blade removal but to lift it for putting in on top of my moveable workbench to do maintenance.
I have thought about installing a winch in my ceiling also. Thanks for watching
I jack my mower up using a car jack. Take the blades off using my impact gun. Reinstall the sharpened blades with the impact gun. Simple procedure.
Thanks for watching
Dropping those mower decks take 2 minutes tops. Not worth all this fancy floor maneuvering for me ill just pull the deck I can do it in 45 seconds
Thanks for watching
MAAAANNN, YOUR SO LAID-BACK, I'M GOING TO CALL U EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING, LOL, GREAT VIDEO SOLDIER 🪖
Thank you my friend
@@DIYJIM UR WELCOME 🙂
How tight should I tighten the blades so I won't strip the bolt? Is there a specific number by chance?
65 ft lbs if your using a torque wrench. Thanks for watching
If you're strong enough I pick up the back & set the wheels on five gallon buckets.
Most are definitely not strong enough
Great video! What kind of clamps do you use? Thanks 🇺🇸
They are in the description thanks for watching
Or just use a big chain attached to the front end loader and lift it up.
That also would work thanks for watching.
Thanks, Jim. I have the same JD mower, but I bought a mower jack that raises the front even higher for better access.Never thought to use a clamp in stead of a block. I use my wheel grinder, but the hand grinder looks very convenient. Also, wearing gloves saves your hands if the socket wrench slips.
Thanks Stephen for watching
Harbor Freight - 300lb ATV/Mower lift, $130.
I have thought about buying one. Thanks for watching
Thanks, good video
How high are your ramps? Or does it matter.
My ramps are 7 1/2 in tall. Thanks for watching
I bought a Mow-Jack style lift from Harbor Freight for $80. Makes servicing the blades a breeze.
Thanks for the comment I will have to check one out next time I’m at harbor freight
A person can also mark the blades with a white paint marker if in doubt how to reinstall the blades. I know I will. I’m very forgetful 🤷🏻♂️
Good tip thanks for watching
...Or correction fluid...
question..does anyone know if there is a correct alignment of the blades..should they be synced up? facing the same way...
It does not matter just do not put them on upside down. Thanks for watching
I sharpened mine today. Was able to use my car jack. Could not believe how dull my blades were. Thanks for the video.
That mower looked better if you painted it Orange, something like Husqvarna Orange
Thanks again Justin for watching my videos
Thank you for video. Blessings to you.
.
Thank you again
Thanks for posting this, Jim. I like those ramps but I’ll likely just use a car jack.
Thanks
@@DIYJIM He is right. The Ramp is so much to make and to store while a simple car jack, then secured the tractor with a couple of carjack stand on each sides for safety will raise the deck high enough to get an access to remove the Blades. So much easier and less clutter.
@@FigaroBravo agree that will definitely work. I use my ramps for my car and truck also, so I like them. Have a good summer. Thanks for watching
Don’t use a grinder even on a mower blade. Use a stone. I make axes and also have to sharpen my Deere blades. Grinders are too aggressive and unwieldy and although gee they seem sharper, you’re removing so much metal on the leading edge that you’re reducing your blade like roughly by half. If I can get a nigh razor sharp blade on an axe bit, putting one on a mower blade isn’t a stretch. And you don’t need to take them off all of the time to clean them with a grinder either. Put some cosmoline coating on there when you get them and it dries and keeps out rust. That’s the problem with the grinder Jim too-balancing. With all of the metal you’re removing they’re won’t be much left to balance and it will be more difficult. If I’m fitting Gun parts in my smithing I wouldn’t use a grinder either as I can’t put the metal back.
Thanks for the tips and thanks for watching. Do you have a channel building axes?
@@DIYJIM Jim , I, not giving YOU a tip. I don’t have a channel building anything (ethically Impermiissible) and I build axes but I don’t forge the bits. I buy old steel bits no less than 50 years old, use hickory, Paracord for the neck. I also drive my 115 Deere my truck ramps to get to the deck at full height.. I only mean I wouldn’t tell the average DIY’r to use a grinder on a blade because the leading edge isn’t thick and isn’t like and axe bit that has a super high carbon steel hasp folded into the but at forging for a strong cut or split, while the rest of the forged bit has less carbon.
Okay thanks
I used to do this for years until I realized how easy it is to remove the deck. Just remove a couple clips and slide the deck out. Once out it’s so much easier to clean the deck, remove the blades, and grease all the spindles.
Agree I only put it up on my ramps if I only sharpen the blades. Thanks for watching
That's not how to sharpen blades. First I think it's Quicker and easier to remove deck. The blades need to be ground on a bench grinder with the rest set at 30 degrees. Slowly grind away material without getting the blade red hot. Easy does it. Never ever grind the backside of the blade. It's not a knife. Then to balance grind material off the ends of the blade until you have balanced them. A nail works somewhat but a magnetic balancer is ideal.
Thanks for watching, you should make a video
I bought a mower/atv jack at Harbor Freight, that was one of the best investments I've made, it makes it really handy to get under it to remove the blades for sharpening or cleaning under the deck. Prices vary but I paid about $100 for mine, it lifts the mower by the front tires, so no stress on the mower.
thank for the good tip maybe i will have to check one out
Hey man quick question I'm replacing my blades & I didn't notice the blade spacing when I removed them as in both horizontal or both vertical at the same time or does that matter? Thanks
just make sure you do not put them on upside down. Hope this helps
Those blades are sharp! So, after putting a nice edge on the blade (wearing Kevlar or leather gloves) fold a piece of masking tape over the edge. Keeps you safe when they are in storage. You don't have to take it off since it wears off quickly within the first 10 feet or so of mowing.
Great idea! thanks for the comment
Hi Jim I’m glad I stumbled across your channel that was a very well done instruction for doing the blade maintenance! Those ramps are awesome too. I’m subscribing now!
Thanks for sharing,
DC
Glad I could help , thanks for watching hope your summer is great
I have a mulcher blade with an upper and lower blade on each end, I sharpen the lower on my bench grinder and I file the upper blade . But the one thing he didn't mention or do is to remove the plug wire from the spark plug. I've seen mowers start by turning the blade by hand...now granted this mower may have a seat safety switch....IDK, he didn't mention it.
It does have a seat safety switch, but very good point thank you for commenting I should have done that I will try to add that in my description and my comments
buy a kubota and the whole front end rotates up
I would love to lots more $$$
Thanks. Dropping the deck is a pain..
Thanks for watching hope my video helped
Hi Jim, I really think your two-part ramps are very ingenious indeed allowing fairly easy access to the under side of the mower deck while on the tractor.
Clamping the blade to the work bench top I also a good tip. A vise would also Be verly handy to securely grip the blade. Thanks
I have a vice but think it is easier just clamped to my work bench. Thanks for watching and commenting
Nice video Jim! I have a John Deere STX38 with mulching blades which have not been removed since I bought it back in 1992. Do mulching blades need sharpening? The blades still cut and mulch the grass and leaves. Just wondering if I should replace them. Also love the ramps you made for the tractor.
Yes they need sharpened just like normal blades. Thank you for watching and commenting
I have been planning to sharpen blades tomorrow, and your vide explained and showed the process so that even a retired history teacher can do it.
Glad I could help thanks for watching Ken
I sure like this idea of removing blades to sharpen them, without taking that deck off. Just got a S130 last November. My first John Deere piece of plastic piece of work. Nothing like my one X9 series I've had for years. But nice smooth lighter, cheaper cheaply-made xcetera. But fits the bill now. And I'd rather not take off that deck at all if I don't have to.
Glad I could help. Maybe one day I will get me a nicer mower but for now the small John Deere is cutting the grass. Hope you have a good summer. Thanks for watching,
Thanks for the video! Just a couple of suggestions... Mention the size of the socket used to remove the blades also when balancing the blade make sure your head isn,t directly in front of the target field of view.
Thanks for the tips!
Thank you Jim,
Thanks for this video. Quick summary is that I have a John Deer LT 160 that I bought back in 02 with nearly 700 hrs on it and still runs like a sewing machine. Only gripe is that cheap plastic hood. That Kohler motor is remarkable and so powerful. Tried to order a second hood for it on Amazon and it cost around 400.00.
Trying to get it ready for this summer and I am doing same thing that you’re doing with the ramps. The point is that I never thought about the clamps to hold the blades and that is my big Thank You for this information. Bolts are so tight that I could not break them loose with my socket and trying to hold the blade at the same time. 😂
Thanks again,
Dale, from TX.
thanks for watching
The lip on the deck kept my clamp from connecting well…or I didn’t realize how to best put it on.
I used wood to keep the blade from spinning. It can be tough to shimmy that bad boy back our afterward, though.
Also, with so little clearance, it was tough to get the leverage or angles to remove that bolt. Luckily, I had a longer ratchet that worked.
I guess an impact drill needs more clearance than I thought.
Thanks for watching hope it goes easier next time.
What size grit you use on the grinder
I used a 60 grit thanks for watching
I can have my deck off in under 10 minutes. JD decks are very easy to remove.
And, I don’t need to waste space on those ramps. Or the time and money making them.
Thanks for watching hope you have a good summer
Hi Jim, Thanks for the quick reply! This makes sense as the seals would keep the bearings protected.
I like your blade sharpening video also.
I have garage envy! You have a super clean, big, and awesome garage!!!!
Thank you a million for all your excellent advice!!
Welcome thanks for watching
FWIW, Lowe’s usually has the baggers on sale the 4th of July week for $100 off.
That’s not a bad deal thanks for the info.
good idea for removing blades but , the grinding process should be identical as possible for each blade otherwise the blades may become unbalanced .
Agree thanks for watching
I build the ramps so now that I recently got a riding mower, there is one more use for them! Thank you for your great videos!
Thanks for watching
Great ramps. Gave me an idea to use what I have around the house along with my floor jack. I always disconnect the spark plugs...don't know if it matters, but knowing my luck...
I try to be safe, thanks for watching
Thank you. I can do this! I appreciate being shown how to maintain my tractor myself. I made the mistake of letting the dealer who sent me a flyer advertising $135 to service the machine come. By the time he left it was $435 and now the belt keeps coming off every 5 minutes. The deck even seems wibble wobbly on uneven ground and it never did before. So I'm climbing under my tractor and doing it myself. I watched your leveling the deck video to see what might have been done to make the deck unsteady. Thank you again
Welcome thanks for watching
Glad you're making these videos. I used to take my John deere to the dealer for service but they've gotten outrageously expensive and they take forever. Be servicing at home from now on.
Glad I could save you some money.
Terrific video--step by step instructions for the novice and for the experienced. This was very helpful!
thanks for watching and commenting