[Marcintosh]

Trying to return the brush blade to service. Can't seem to lock the shaft to tighten the nut. Gravely (L?) in gear (F+R), deck in gear, even out of gear just to see. To be certain the trans worked, I tried rolling by hand it and yes indeed when in gear it won't roll.
Contemplated pulling the big plug on top and jamming a chisel into something to stop the rotation. Didn't want to open a can of worms that had nothing to do with current issue. One at a time please.
I'm used to Stihl equipment that has a hole and shaft system to stop rotation when doing an install. I did notice a small hole and plug on the side that looked attractive but I didn't investigate for fear of making bigger problem. If I remember, it's opposite the grease fitting on the swivel casting. Looks to be a threaded 1/4 hole and plug.

Looking at the schematic, can/should I put my large waterpump pliers on the Keywayed Fixed Collar and then just reef on it?
BTW is there a Torque Spec for the blade nut?
Do I have to take the deck off the tractor?

Came here, I thought I'd seen this issue go by before so I searched for it but no dice.
Feeling pretty stupid, exasperated and, getting a bit grumpy too. I'm even willing to listen to reason for a change.
If you have a moment I'd appreciate getting smartened-up, please.
TIA
Mark

 

[Fla Don]

Trying to return the brush blade to service. Can't seem to lock the shaft to tighten the nut. Gravely (L?) in gear (F+R), deck in gear, even out of gear just to see. To be certain the trans worked, I tried rolling by hand it and yes indeed when in gear it won't roll.
Contemplated pulling the big plug on top and jamming a chisel into something to stop the rotation. Didn't want to open a can of worms that had nothing to do with current issue. One at a time please.
I'm used to Stihl equipment that has a hole and shaft system to stop rotation when doing an install. I did notice a small hole and plug on the side that looked attractive but I didn't investigate for fear of making bigger problem. If I remember, it's opposite the grease fitting on the swivel casting. Looks to be a threaded 1/4 hole and plug.

Looking at the schematic, can/should I put my large waterpump pliers on the Keywayed Fixed Collar and then just reef on it?
BTW is there a Torque Spec for the blade nut?
Do I have to take the deck off the tractor?

Came here, I thought I'd seen this issue go by before so I searched for it but no dice.
Feeling pretty stupid, exasperated and, getting a bit grumpy too. I'm even willing to listen to reason for a change.
If you have a moment I'd appreciate getting smartened-up, please.
TIA
Mark

Pipe wrench or pliers on it is a common way to get them loose. No chisel but a wood wedge/rag is ok in the gears. If the shaft has the tanged square washer on the bottom, then some times it can be used instead. Nylock nut on the bottom when reinstalled and you tighten till the blade doesn't slip.

 

[Dunbarmule]

Never had a problem when it came to "tighten the nut" on a 30" blade. The threads need to be reasonably clean, so the nut can be turned by fingers & the spacers & washer placed correctly. For me the nut just goes on finger tight, then the wrench just tightens it right down, by merely holding the blade, others jam blade w/block of wood against a side. I place the wrench so I can squeeze it & the blade together efficiently, instead of wrestling the whole machine.

Never had to "lock the shaft to tighten the nut" & have had at least a dozen 30" decks over decades. Presume by "brush blade" you mean the single thick 30" blade. It should have 6 spacers 1/4" thick, under the 3/4" thick collar that fits into the housing & a washer for the nut. The blade & height adjustment stack needs to add up beyond the shoulder on the shaft, for it to be possible to tighten the blade. If spacers are missing you could bottom the nut out on the shoulder, w/o even contacting the blade.

 

[jrd]

I've never had to do anything special about locking the shaft to get the blade on or off. Usually just stick a chunk of 2x4 between the blade and the deck housing and go at it with my big crescent wrench.

If you try something like that, does the shaft just spin inside the blade? If so I suspect manged/dirty threads, or per Dunbar, not enough spacers so that you're bottoming out the nut. When I tighten mine down, there's only about 1 thread out the top of the nut, if you've got significantly more, probably not enough spacers.

 

[Marcintosh]

Thanks, got it anyway.