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Confused About All This Stuff

timlab55

Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2021
Messages
11
I'm a retired 65 year old and learning about this stuff, and really don't have any clue. Here is my problem. I have a 2021 Hustle Raptor ZTR. Love it, it cuts my pasture without any problems and does a great job at it. It's a 54" cut as a 42" cut tow behind bush hog. I tow together, so what ever my dule blades on my ZTR miss. Now this is where the garage come in. I would like to use a impact wrench to at least break the bolts and then turn by hand on both mowers. I'm not sure about the lb/torque of the bush hog, but the ZTR comes in at 118 - 120. Would these work:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F9Y1NDU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If not, could you find something that would work for me.
Thanks
Dan
 
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Bighead38

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Nov 11, 2012
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Rockland County NY
If you have any cordless tools than get a cordless impact. Unless of course you have a need/want for a small compressor. I also think you could make better choices in regards to the air impact and compressor.
 

kbs2244

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Nov 11, 2006
Messages
14,065
why over kill
I have a $20.00 H F 110 VAC impact that will do all you want and more
 

Gunfixr

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Feb 9, 2021
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behind the house
I'm not exactly sure what you're asking. However, I have a hustler super z diesel zero turn, with a 72" deck, that I cut the yard and fields with.
When it comes to blades, I remove them with a cordless 1/2" impact, ryobi, but whatever brand floats your boat will work, then install them with the same impact set to the lowest power to snug them up, and finish with a 1/2" drive torque wrench. My blades have a slightly conical washer under the bolt, which when tightened to the proper torque, keeps them tight enough to not slip under normal use, but they can slip if they meet sufficient resistance.
I think mine are around 160 ft/lbs.
 

joshmodelskidoo

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Location
mid western michigan
Go cordless or plug in if that’s all you’re looking for. That compressor is pretty small for an impact but it would probably work ok if you don’t mind waiting for it or listening to it pump up
 
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timlab55

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Jun 26, 2021
Messages
11
Hey Gunfixr, nice to meet another Hustler user, as I'm new to this machine as well. So you can honestly use a cordless 1/2" impact wrench and break the bolt as an air one? The reason why I'm asking is because, this would save me alot of money in the long run as being on SSA doesn't help that much. And I enjoy talking with honest people as well. As for the hustler goes, I can't find the ft/lbs for my machine or blades. I do believe I did ask my dealer about this on Friday before he closed and said either it goes up 120 ft/lbs or something like that. Again, I can't find it anywhere. Could you look it up for me as the type I have is a 2021 Hustler DX Raptor.
Thanks
Dan
 

larry_g

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Apr 28, 2007
Messages
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Location
oregon
Hey Gunfixr, nice to meet another Hustler user, as I'm new to this machine as well. So you can honestly use a cordless 1/2" impact wrench and break the bolt as an air one? The reason why I'm asking is because, this would save me alot of money in the long run as being on SSA doesn't help that much. And I enjoy talking with honest people as well. As for the hustler goes, I can't find the ft/lbs for my machine or blades. I do believe I did ask my dealer about this on Friday before he closed and said either it goes up 120 ft/lbs or something like that. Again, I can't find it anywhere. Could you look it up for me as the type I have is a 2021 Hustler DX Raptor.
Thanks
Dan



They have manuals at the hustler site; I linked one that may be yours.

lg
no neat sig line
 

Gunfixr

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Feb 9, 2021
Messages
677
Location
behind the house
Hey Gunfixr, nice to meet another Hustler user, as I'm new to this machine as well. So you can honestly use a cordless 1/2" impact wrench and break the bolt as an air one? The reason why I'm asking is because, this would save me alot of money in the long run as being on SSA doesn't help that much. And I enjoy talking with honest people as well. As for the hustler goes, I can't find the ft/lbs for my machine or blades. I do believe I did ask my dealer about this on Friday before he closed and said either it goes up 120 ft/lbs or something like that. Again, I can't find it anywhere. Could you look it up for me as the type I have is a 2021 Hustler DX Raptor.
Thanks
Dan
Larry_g beat me to it, but the manuals are there. I've also just done a basic Google search for them, and downloaded the pdfs. I got mine used, so that was the only way to get them. I have gotten the owner/operators manual, general service manual, parts manual, and the engine manual (mine has a diesel engine). They each have different things in them, so if you plan on servicing it yourself, get them all.
The cordless ryobi I have is supposed to go up to 300ft/lbs, more than enough. I know some here don't care for ryobi, and in reality, it's not going to be as good as say Dewalt, or Milwaukee, but I don't use it constantly, and it serves my needs. So, you can get any brand you wish. If you already have some cordless tools, I would stick to the same brand, so your batteries interchange.
 
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timlab55

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Jun 26, 2021
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Thanks Larry_G for your reply. It's amazing that if you look and take pictures then Google them, you'll be surprise at what you find. But sometimes, it's not there and Praise the Lord for garage journal. So what am I talking about. Okay, I found out from Hustler (I hope looking at the right thing), that the ft/lbs for the blade bolts on the bottom is 118 lbs. Where did I find this? Look here and tell me if I'm looking at the right thing for it:
https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/ec/ec0ff373-13a8-4738-be91-d1329a2a9f03.pdf Service Manual
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/955624/Hustler-Raptor.html?page=11#manual under special. Please double check my work on this one.
Moving on, long time ago, I had a drill. Love it until one day it didn't spin anymore. I when down to Lowes and purchased a Dewalt DCF885 impact. According to the picture below it has maximum torque output of 1400 IN-LBS. So if this is true, is this what I need to break those bolts on my Hustler to change the blades according to the information on the manualslib.com (above)?
Thanks
Dan
 

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manwithtools

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Aug 24, 2015
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Lebanon, TN
Hey Gunfixr, nice to meet another Hustler user, as I'm new to this machine as well. So you can honestly use a cordless 1/2" impact wrench and break the bolt as an air one? The reason why I'm asking is because, this would save me alot of money in the long run as being on SSA doesn't help that much. And I enjoy talking with honest people as well. As for the hustler goes, I can't find the ft/lbs for my machine or blades. I do believe I did ask my dealer about this on Friday before he closed and said either it goes up 120 ft/lbs or something like that. Again, I can't find it anywhere. Could you look it up for me as the type I have is a 2021 Hustler DX Raptor.
Thanks
Dan
For sure you can use a cordless impact in place of a pneumatic one, some models develop more torque than the pneumatics. As Gunfixer said, it's best to stay with the brand of cordless tools you already have.

The Dewalt DCF885 is only going to develop 116.66 ft. lbs. of torque. It's really not made for nuts and bolts, it's more intended for driving fasteners like construction screws and lag bolts. A better choice would be the Dewalt DCF894B 1/2"" Mid range Impact Wrench with 300 ft. lbs. of torque and 600 ft. lbs. max breakaway torque.

Regards from one Dan to another. Welcome to Garage Journal BTW.
 
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timlab55

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Jun 26, 2021
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manwithtools

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Yep, that's the same tool. Be aware that the Amazon one you linked to does not come with a battery or charger, which is fine if you already have Dewalt 20V batteries and chargers.
 

manwithtools

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Great choice. I'm a Milwaukee guy, but there is nothing wrong with that, the hog ring is a bit easier than the detent pin. There may be a few instances where one is better than the other, but overall....
 
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matt_i

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Be mindful of the potential for a LH thread on a mower spindle and a powerful impact. A mistake I made in my youth on a Toro Groundsmaster. My Woods mower decks have them. Can't say with any certainty on the mower being discussed here but if nothing it happening under full impact power, my free advice is don't keep pressing on.
 

jrsavoie

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timlab55

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Jun 26, 2021
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I would like to take this time and thank everyone for helping me choose which impact to get. It's actually been a blast too. I'm going to go with the Dewalt.
But now on to problem #2. Floor stands. I don't need a floor stand that is 6 tons to raise my Hustler front end off the floor to get to the blades. I would perfer a 2 ton floor stand to do it. But let me leave this to the experts. I do need to raise it from the ground up to 24".
Thanks
P.S. Day 2 of no nicotine in my vaping machine :).
 
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timlab55

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Jun 26, 2021
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Hey I love it, and I think it will catch on. Just one problem, PRICE! See most people don't have the $214.00 to fork over currently. Maybe 100 - 150 would do the trick. Sorry man.
 

Gunfixr

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behind the house
Be mindful of the potential for a LH thread on a mower spindle and a powerful impact. A mistake I made in my youth on a Toro Groundsmaster. My Woods mower decks have them. Can't say with any certainty on the mower being discussed here but if nothing it happening under full impact power, my free advice is don't keep pressing on.
My deck has three blades, one is left hand, with a left hand bolt.
I would like to take this time and thank everyone for helping me choose which impact to get. It's actually been a blast too. I'm going to go with the Dewalt.
But now on to problem #2. Floor stands. I don't need a floor stand that is 6 tons to raise my Hustler front end off the floor to get to the blades. I would perfer a 2 ton floor stand to do it. But let me leave this to the experts. I do need to raise it from the ground up to 24".
Thanks
P.S. Day 2 of no nicotine in my vaping machine :).
I use a hi-lift, or farm jack. It's like the old bumper Jacks, but bigger and stronger. Mine is a 48" version, they make a 60". Got it at tsc for under $100. I lift it by the front wheel frame, and then support both sides of the deck. Be careful how you support the now angled sides, that the supports don't slide out and drop it on you.
 

iajonesy

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Feb 8, 2009
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Location
Iowa
I manage a Hustler dealership in Iowa and we use a Mac ( same as DeWalt) 3/8 drive cordless impact for removing and installing blade bolts. It works 99 times out of 100 and the charge lasts a looong time. If you have any Hustler questions send me a PM. I'll do my best to answer them.

Mike
 

Gunfixr

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Feb 9, 2021
Messages
677
Location
behind the house
While remove them with an impact, I set it to the lowest, and just snug them in with an impact, a finish them with a torque wrench.
The blades are not keyed to the spindle, the retaining washer is conical, and uses tightness to hold them.
When I bought the mower, used, they were tightened flat, the max setting (300ft/lbs) almost didn't remove them.
I replaced the flattened washers, as well as the bolts.
 
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timlab55

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Jun 26, 2021
Messages
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Well, it's been about 1 month (been busy around here), but I figure I had time now to drop you all a line to let you know how and what I did. First off, I did purchase the

DEWALT 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench Kit, Brushless, High Torque, Hog Ring Anvil, 1/2-Inch, Tool Only (DCF899HB)​

from Amazon, with the 4ah battery. I have to admit this thing was and is a beast! It's heavy and my next door has a tractor with a mower behind it and it takes 400lbs to break the bolt. I took it to him and wow it worked with no problems. Actually, I love the thing and only wish I could replace my impact driver, but I love it as well. Next on the list was jack stands. You know I live on a farm, and on this farm we have a barn, and inside this barn (no horses inside), we have empty stalls. So I took the doors off, and rigs this up:20210703_134334.jpg
My hustler has a trailer hitch in the front and I drive up to the cable, hook it up and up she goes. Once I get it up for safety reasons, I put two 2 x 4 until the front wheels (on the frame), and then lower the just enough to take the pressure off the hook. So far, so good!
I want to thank you all for helping with this project.
Dan
 

jrsavoie

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Location
North east Illinois
On my last tilt trailer, I installed Jack's on the back. I had a cable the perfect length to run the front deck mower out until the tires were at the end of the trailer deck. It was great for cleaning and servicing the deck without removing it. - which kind of a pia solo or even with a helper. It would be much easier if the driveshaft had a quick coupler like my old John Deere 400 had to the mid mount mower deck.

I always thought about making something, but it never got to the top of the list.
 

KEH

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Jan 31, 2010
Messages
5,142
I learned to use an impact wrench, IR air in my case, when I had a 3ph finish mower. I never figured out how to use wrenches to get the blades off, mostly works fine with air tools. Recently has mower in shop and had the blades replaced. When I wanted to sharpen them I found there was one blade I could not loosen. Later had it in shop again and had them put new blades on and asked them not to tighten the blades too much, haven't tried to remove blades yet. I pick up the front of the mower with FEL and put a farm jack under there for additional safety. Oh, mower is a Dixie Chopper bought in 2005.

KEH
 
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