Lawn Tractor Buying Guide
Getting to the blades on riding mower - Help?
I am new to owning a riding mower and not the "most" mechanically inclined person so please bear with me on this question - I have an MTD riding mower (front engine, 14.5hp) - on the deck it says "triple cut" but all I can really see is 2 circular areas for blades under the deck (not positive if it has 2 or 3 blades) I bought the tractor used so no owners guide or anything. It is about a 2001 model I believe, in very good shape. My question - how do I get to the blades to remove for sharpening? The tractor of course is very heavy and I don't think I could tilt it on its rear end - the deck having atleast the 2 blades under it is pretty wide and sticks out far on each side, so I don't see how I could tilt it sideways either as it would be pivoting all the tractor weight on the deck metal. Is the some trick to getting access under these types of lawn tractors? Maybe putting it up on ramps or something? Also is that the way to sharpen the blades - to remove them first ?
When we were using our Yard Machine riding mower, mfg. by MTD, I found the easiest way to get to the blades to remove and sharpen them, was to use a block & tackle to raise the front end. And yes, it is*definitely* best to remove them to sharpen them! A "come-a-long" is the modern version of a block & tackle or a winch used for removing an automobile engine would work just as well, as long as you have a tree limb or an overhead beam strong enough to bear the weight. However you chose to lift the front of the mower, be sure to place blocks or jack stands under the raised front end before you reach under to remove the blades for sharpening! If your mower is a 42" cut, it most likely has just two blades. Our Y-M has a 14.5hp engine and a 42" deck.
After our experiences of our Y-M not being rugged enough to handle our rather uneven ground, and constantly needing replacement parts, we bought a two blade, 42" cut Cub Cadet riding mower. Not only is it better built, and able to take more rugged use, it is also relatively easy to unfasten the mowing deck and slide it out so one can remove and sharpen the blades, then slide it back in and hook it back up!
Another John Deere Tractor Update
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Black & Decker LM175 18-Inch 6-1/2 amp Electric Mower $151.04 If you're in the market for a solid, economical electric mower, the Black & Decker 18-inch electric mower is worth a look. Powered by a high-efficiency, 6.5 amp, Black & Decker motor, this mower offers quiet, hassle-free operation, without the mess and expense of gas-and-oil models. No need for tune-ups and pull starts, either. This mower weighs just 36 pounds, making it easy to push and maneuver ... |
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Helicoil 5334-14 Save-A-Thread Thread Repair Kit M14 x 1.25 $42.20 The only thread repair product that can be used to repair both taper seat and gasket type spark plug assembliesThree insert lengths are available to accommodate all spark plug reachesPositive mechanical locking feature means the insert will never come out! The piloted reamer tap means no drilling is necessary and perfect alignment of the tapped holeAvailable in kit or set for the do-it-yourselfer ... |
