1/2" or 3/4" Impact?

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I need to replace the blades on my brushhog. The nuts on the blade bolts are torqued to 450 ft/lbs.

I have heard they can be pretty problematic to remove. The hardware gets a frequent bath in weed juice. These are 1-1/8 x 12 nuts.

So, if they turn out to be pretty seized, is something like an IR 231 going to be enough? Or, maybe the 2135?

Or, should I go straight to a 3/4" gun?

 

[GSteg]

Go with the 3/4". While a good 1/2" may be powerful, it might not have enough grunt for really stuck bolts.

 

[ibedayank]

soak the hell out of the bolts for a couple days with a 50/50 mix of aceatone and ATF
then hit it with the impact

 

[Mazdaspeed]

If you don't already own a 1/2" impact, buy a good one (2135). It should do the job and then you'll have a very useful tool kicking around.

 

[woodstockva]

You also may want to consider a cordless 1/2" impact. I just got the Milwaukee 2763-22 high torque impact.....it has 700 ft-lbs forward torque & 1,100 ft lbs reverse nutbusting torque. Unbelievable power from a cordless gun...I was playing around with it this weekend & removed 1 1/2" trailer ball nuts that were rusted on with zero hesitation....then I was driving 8" lags into oak stumps through knots.

I will be making a full review video on it soon....but I did do an "unboxing" if you wanted to see what it has. The link is in my signature.

Other than that, I have the IR 2135qtimax & 2135qtimax2....either of them would work great.

 

[zkling]

I'd try a couple with the breaker bar you already have personally, just to see how much of a bear it is going to be. You might be surprised one way or the other. May want to double up on your Wheaties for breakfast for morning of.

 

[bwringer]

If you don't already own a 1/2" impact, buy a good one (2135). It should do the job and then you'll have a very useful tool kicking around.

Good point -- the 1/2" will be more useful than the 3/4".

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you decide to buy a 3/4" impact, do you have a big enough compressor, both PSI and more importantly CFM ?

I would also recommend going with 1/2" hose and 3/8" fittings (typical is 3/8" and 1/4").

 

[619DioFan]

If you go with a 3/4 inch drive gun make sure your compressor can run it. 1/2 air hose is usually recommended for max air volume. the HF earthquake 3/4 impact is pretty strong ( 1400 flbs ) I believe .

 

[bwringer]

You also may want to consider a cordless 1/2" impact. I just got the Milwaukee 2763-22 high torque impact.....

Good gravy, that thing is beyond sweet, but $429?

 

[619DioFan]

If you decide to buy a 3/4" impact, do you have a big enough compressor, both PSI and more importantly CFM ?

I would also recommend going with 1/2" hose and 3/8" fittings (typical is 3/8" and 1/4").

Also what he said.... I type slow.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

If you decide to buy a 3/4" impact, do you have a big enough compressor, both PSI and more importantly CFM ?

I would also recommend going with 1/2" hose and 3/8" fittings (typical is 3/8" and 1/4").

If I go 3/4", I will add an extra tank just for the gun and use 1/2" hose to that tank.

 

[Bobhdus]

Their both nice but I would get the 1/2" because its more useful for other things... If it turns out that you need the 3/4" just rent one and save your money.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

It sounds like you don't need a 3/4" too often. If you were constantly tearing down tractors, yea, I'd get one. But if this is one of the few times you would need it, then absolutely get a good Ti/TiMax 1/2".

That way you can use it for a million things. And when you run across big stuff, use ATF/Acetone like mentioned, or breaker bar, and finish off with the 1/2" gun.

And then when you see a killer deal on a 3/4" on CL or something, pick it up too.

 

[KEH]

Appearantly you don't have a Bush Hog brand bush hog. They have a hole in the top of the deck above the nut. Blades rotated under the hole in turn. A special tool, a large socket with a square shank on top, is placed through the hole onto the nut and a large adjustable wrench, or large combination wrench, is placed on the square shank and a cheater pipe placed on the wrench and pressure applied. Since the socket is inserted through a hole in the deck, the blades are held in place so nothing turns except the nut. The bolt holding the nut is tapered with a spline forged into the tapered part of the bolt, fitting into a slot in the blade carrier. I think it's a 1 1/2 nut and socket.

BTW, the nut on the shaft coming out of the gearbox that the blade carrier/stump jumper is fastened on with has left handed threads, at least on the ones of mine I have had the misfortune to work on.

A 1 1/8 nut on a 3/4 shaft that you describe shouldn't be all that hard to get off. I'm not sure 1/2 drive tools are enough, however. I would use 3/4 drive tools and try your 3/4 breaker bar first. You might not need to get an air gun.

KEH

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

It is a Land Pride, but it has the same setup with the hole in the deck. The bolt is also splined.

The nut takes a 1-11/16 socket.

 

[sberry]

If you don't own a decent 1/2 air gun you probably need one and its rare for a hobby type to truly need a 3/4. You never know how stuck they are. A 3/4 air gun would be well worth some shopping effort. I have a top of the line gun but at my duty cycle a good knockoff would have served. A small shop will use a 1/2 200 times for every 3/4.

If this was my only job for it might scrounge up a socket, adapter to 1/2 to put it back together with impact. and a pipe breaker bar scheme to get it apart.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

If you don't own a decent 1/2 air gun you probably need one

It has been on my list for some time because I am tired of busting lug nuts loose with a breaker.

As far as shopping around for a bargain on a 3/4, I usually start brushhogging about 8 weeks from now, so time is limited.

Yeah, I should have started on this project last fall. Like so many other farm and shop projects, it has gotten pushed back to the last minute.

 

[4x4gearhead]

You have to remember that moving up to a 3/4 in impact will require you to move up to a 1/2" hose and bigger coupler/****** setup. Not to mention the compressor to run one will need to be pretty substantial. If you have a reasonable sized compressor and dont have a good 1/2, I would start there. Period. Just some food for thought.

 

[DirtRoad]

All you need is a harbor freight 1/2" earthquake. It wouldnt even blink at those bolts.

Even with a 1/2" impact you need a good sized air compressor. I dont think putting two tanks together will cut it.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Even with a 1/2" impact you need a good sized air compressor. I dont think putting two tanks together will cut it.

I will be taking it over to a different shop with a bigger air setup. However, they only run 3/8" hoses.

The extra tank is just a buffer to satisfy the momentary CFM requirements.

Compressor and 60 gallon tank -> 3/8" hose -> 10 gallon tank -> 1/2" hose.

Once the 10 gallon tank is exhausted, I would be operating on the equivalent of the 3/8" hose until it was allowed to recharge.

 

[Mazdaspeed]

You can get plenty of power out of a 1/2" gun on regular 3/8" lines. Yes it opens them up a bit more with more air supply but there's ways around it. If it doesn't come loose holding the trigger, try blipping it open for half seconds at a time, it will allow the pressure at the gun to recover to give you the biggest hit possible.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

You can get plenty of power out of a 1/2" gun on regular 3/8" lines.

Doh! I didn't make clear the part about only adding the tank and 1/2" lines for a 3/4" impact. If I get only a 1/2" impact, I won't bother with the extra tank.

I left out a lot of details that I thought would over complicate my original post.

We are in the process of moving and I haven't finished wiring the new shop yet. The only air there right now is a twin hotdog. I have been looking for a good deal on a Quincy or a Champion but it may be a couple of months before I get one.

However, I do have the use of a 5HP air compressor with a 60 gallon tank at an in-law's shop.

 

[bcradio]

don't forget to purchase your 12pt impact socket for the job.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

don't forget to purchase your 12pt impact socket for the job.

Why 12pt? I always buy 6pt only in impacts.

 

[bcradio]

I need to replace the blades on my brushhog. The nuts on the blade bolts are torqued to 450 ft/lbs.

I have heard they can be pretty problematic to remove. The hardware gets a frequent bath in weed juice. These are 1-1/8 x 12 nuts.

I do have a 3/4" breaker bar and a 4' piece of pipe that I use with it. However, I thought it might be time to get an air impact.

So, if they turn out to be pretty seized, is something like an IR 231 going to be enough? Or, maybe the 2135?

Or, should I go straight to a 3/4" gun?

Why 12pt? I always buy 6pt only in impacts.

I assumed you meant x12 (point) here... Is that not the case?

If not, ignore my comment and use 6pt.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I assumed you meant x12 (point) here... Is that not the case?

If not, ignore my comment and use 6pt.

Sorry, no, that is the thread.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

It will be next weekend before I have a chance to try the breaker bar on it.

However, I can buy a new 2135QTIMAX for $218 tomorrow.

So, I will either get that or get both a 231 and 261.

 

[DirtRoad]

What a waiste of money, you can get two earthquakes for that and still have money to put back in your pocket.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

What a waiste of money, you can get two earthquakes for that and still have money to put back in your pocket.

Harbor Freight and I have an agreement: I stay out of their house and they stay out of mine.

Does that make me a tool snob? Maybe, maybe not. It could be that I just don't like the company.

 

[bcradio]

What a waiste of money, you can get two earthquakes for that and still have money to put back in your pocket.

or get one 1/2" Earthquake and then see what the lowest this guy will take.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Central-Pneumatic-Earthquake-3-4-in-75-Professional-Air-Impact-Wrench-68423-/281281131143?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item417da97287&vxp=mtr

 

[GSteg]

What a waiste of money, you can get two earthquakes for that and still have money to put back in your pocket.

Some people prefer a lighter, more ergonomic gun. Some prefer a quiet gun that won't ring your ears, but still powerful enough to knock out those tough bolts. The IR has all that and if the OP is willing to pay for it, then it's certainly not a waste of money.

 

[Olafur]

I need to replace the blades on my brushhog. The nuts on the blade bolts are torqued to 450 ft/lbs.

I have heard they can be pretty problematic to remove. The hardware gets a frequent bath in weed juice. These are 1-1/8 x 12 nuts.

I do have a 3/4" breaker bar and a 4' piece of pipe that I use with it. However, I thought it might be time to get an air impact.

So, if they turn out to be pretty seized, is something like an IR 231 going to be enough? Or, maybe the 2135?

Or, should I go straight to a 3/4" gun?

1-1/8 x12 in corrosive environment is way outside the range of 1/2" impact.

Better question would be: 3/4" or 1" impact?

 

[Farmall450]

If you don't already own a 1/2" impact, buy a good one (2135). It should do the job and then you'll have a very useful tool kicking around.

Agreed.

 

[mdnelson86]

If you don't have other needs for a 3/4" impact then I would go for the IR2135QTIMAX. It's a really good impact with plenty of power for most jobs, and it works well with what I would call standard air compressor setups.

Having said that, last time I changed blades on our bush hog, the bolts came out with a torch. I've got an IR 3/4" impact with the compressor and air lines to back it up, and it wouldn't budge the bolts on the bush hog. Hopefully you have better luck than I did.

I also fought getting the bolts driven out. They were frozen in the hole as tight as the nuts were frozen on. let them soak for several days, put a floor jack underneath the part the blades bolt to, and go at them with the sledge and a driving pin. At least that's how I finally got them out

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Having said that, last time I changed blades on our bush hog, the bolts came out with a torch. I've got an IR 3/4" impact with the compressor and air lines to back it up, and it wouldn't budge the bolts on the bush hog. Hopefully you have better luck than I did.

Oh boy! This could be some fun.

Like I mentioned, I'm getting tired of breaking lug nuts loose with a breaker bar. I need to rotate my tires this week, so I will go ahead and get the 2135.

I will see how it goes with the 2135 and the breaker bar, but I will admit, you are scaring me bit.

Zoro times their sales just wrong for me. I need a good sale *after* I know whether I will need a 3/4" or not.

 

[GSteg]

You can find a decent used 3/4" drive IR 2141 for around $150 and it should provide plenty of power.

 

[KEH]

Only looked at Land Prides but they look ok. Good deck thickness, etc.

I looked at the Bush Hog tool I mentioned that I got years ago. It is 1 11/6 across the flats, square shank is 1 1/8, length of tool is 10 inches. As I said, I applied an 18 inch Crescent wrench and a cheater pipe to it to make the nut move. Based on my experience, I wouldn't expect a 1/2 impact wrench to be enough for it. A 3/4 drive socket with a short extension and a breaker bar with cheater pipe would be my choice to loosen the nut, after soaking with oil as the other posts describe. First chouce would be the special tool, but I don't know if they are still availiable.

KEH

 

[pipsters]

Harbor Freight and I have an agreement: I stay out of their house and they stay out of mine.

Does that make me a tool snob? Maybe, maybe not. It could be that I just don't like the company.

You'd be keeping the better impact out of your house. I had new 2135timax, 2135qtimax, Aircat 1100k, and the HF Earthquake. The HF was by far more powerful than the IR 2135's. Leaps and bounds. It was on par with the Aircat but under half the cost.

 

[Mazdaspeed]

*Edit* posted in the wrong thread, oops lol