Deck blades are the technical term for a lawnmower's cutting blades, and you can find them in various forms and sizes. Additionally, you can cut lawns in multiple ways depending on whether you use a low- or high-lift or mulching blade. We have come to write this post after conducting thorough research on whether or not John Deere mower blades are reverse thread.
John Deere mower blades are not reverse thread, or in other words, they are standard threaded.
Aside from knowing about the blade thread of this equipment, it would be best to learn how the blades work and how to remove them. We will also discuss more tips on determining if your lawnmower has reverse thread blades. Please continue reading to familiarize yourself with the John Deere lawnmower.
Do John Deere Lawn Mower Blades Have A Reverse Thread?
Know that the bolt that secures the blades for John Deere lawnmowers is standardly threaded. The standard threading on the two blades and the side-by-side arrangement ensures thorough mowing every time.
A simple twist in a clockwise direction will snug up the blade. Reverse the direction of the bolt's rotation to remove it.
What Are Reverse Thread Nuts In Lawn Mowers?
Although a John Deere lawnmower has a standard thread, it would still be best to know how a reverse thread nut works.
Typically, the blade on a lawn mower will rotate clockwise. As a result, the nut that secures the blades won't loosen as the blade rotates if it tightens in a clockwise manner. Oppositely, if your lawnmower blades rotate counterclockwise, you should tighten the nut also in a counterclockwise fashion. As a result, as the blade turns, the nut tightens rather than loosens.
When taking the blade out, whether to sharpen it or replace it, keep in mind the following:
- If your lawnmower's blade turns clockwise, you should loosen the nut by turning it counterclockwise.
- If your lawnmower's blade turns counterclockwise, loosen the nut by turning it clockwise.
Furthermore, there is one most common way of indicating which way the blade goes. Specifically, you need to verify that the discharge chute is at the correct location. If this chute is on the right and slanted backward, your mower's blade turns clockwise.
What Are The Additional Tips To Know If You Have A Reverse Thread Lawn Mower?
If you are uncertain how to determine the thread of your lawnmower correctly, you can check these out!
- Looking at the bolt, you can tell which way the threads spin. As mentioned earlier in this post, a regular bolt has threads that slant upwards and to the right, and an average nut will fit it. These perspectives are always there, even if they are not excessively showy.
- The conventional lawnmower uses a bolt with a non-reverse thread. If you own this mower, you must always ensure to securely tighten the bolt and run a quick check before cutting the grass. It will only take a few moments of your time, but it might end up saving you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
- The notion that you can "simply flip" a nut to reverse its threading is widespread but false. Turning it upside down does not alter the orientation of the threads.
How To Maintain John Deere Lawn Mower?
Your John Deere lawnmower will be ready for the season if you follow these maintenance guidelines.
Keep The Mower Deck Clean
Know that your John Deere mower will last much longer if you make an effort to clean or blow out the underneath of it on a yearly basis. Doing so will significantly help your mower always be in good shape every time you use it.
You should ideally do this after detaching the mower's blades for cleaning and sharpening. Lastly, after ensuring that the mower is free of any unwanted dirt, it would be best to use wax to prevent grass from adhering every time you use it.
Routinely Change Lawnmower Oil
When using a lawnmower, it is suggested to change the oil regularly. Every 25 to 50 hours max is ideal. The primary purpose of this step is to ensure to prevent any occurrence of difficulties and issues with your lawnmower.
Sharpen Mower Blades
If the blades of your John Deere mower are not sharp enough, they pose a safety risk. Dull blades also won't cut efficiently, leaving your lawn looking unhealthy.
Remove mower blades for sharpening at least once a year. If you prefer, take the blades to a professional. Replace the blades if they are too worn to hold a sharp edge.
Monitor Tire Pressure
Sometimes just looking at your tires can tell you that the tire pressure (in any or all of the tires) is low. But, actually checking tire pressure with a gauge is the best method.
Get this John Deere tire gauge on Amazon.
Every time you plan to mow, it would be best to check the tire pressure first. Doing so will prevent any accidents that could have been caused by underinflated tires and extend their useful life.
Know that there is a home mower maintenance kit from John Deere. This kit will remove the guesswork from preserving your lawn mower. It includes the following:
- oil filter
- a fuel filter
- two quarts of oil
- an air filter
- an air pre-cleaner (if applicable)
- spark plugs
What Are The Safety Precautions When Removing Mower Blades?
As unfortunate as it is, injuries are typical when detaching mower blades. You could seriously injure yourself if you try to turn the bolt on your knife the incorrect way because you think it is reverse threaded. You may need a specific instrument to loosen it, especially if you have secured it too tightly.
Also, the blade of a mower might cause serious injury if your hand slips while trying to release a seized bolt. So, always protect your hands using work gloves when doing this.
Additionally, you must ensure that you have at least a bit of knowledge about lawnmowers to aid you in quickly removing the blades.
Click here to check out these gloves on Amazon.
How To Detach Lawn Mower Blades Safely?
While it's true that lawn mower difficulties are an inevitable aspect of lawn maintenance, the blades on your mower will eventually dull and require replacement or, at the very least, sharpening. Here are some additional precautions to avoid injury when replacing the blade on a gas-powered mower.
1. Ensure That You Empty Your Mower First Before Removing The Blades
Turning the mower on its side requires you to empty the gas tank, so you should do so before you begin. Not that you'd need to worry about gas or cords with a cordless or electric mower.
Always use thick gloves when detaching mower blades to prevent injury to your hands. It's essential to be careful around sharp objects like mower blades and deck edges.
Your next step is to lay the lawnmower on its side. It's crucial to always keep the air filter on top with a gas-powered lawnmower. Maintenance on the mower may significantly increase if you turn it the other way around, as oil may flow into the filter.
2. Switch Off The Power To The Lawn Mower
When working on a gas-powered mower, be sure to remove the wire from the spark plug. After that, move it out of the way so you can guarantee it can't come into contact with the plug by accident. On the other hand, just take out the battery from your cordless lawnmower.
3. Prevent The Mower Blades From Moving By Putting A Retainer
After flipping the mower over, it would be best to utilize a retainer to keep the blade from rotating as you unscrew the nut. To give you an example of what you can use to do this step, get a piece of wood with just enough size and put it between the side of the deck and the blade.
4. Get A Socket and Wrench To Loosen Your Mower's Nut
Loosening the mower blade's fasteners often requires turning them counterclockwise. Consequently, unfastening the nut is as easy as turning it counterclockwise. A breaker bar or ratchet extension may also be necessary to loosen the bolt.
Observe the orientation of the blade when you remove it from the mower to ensure proper reassembly. Keep in mind which side of the blade is pointing away from the mower deck and which side is pointing at it. Moreover, make sure you remember the correct installation sequence for the tensioning washers on the bolt.
5. Get The New Blade And Fasten It
After detaching the existing blades, you can continue to fasten the newly bought mower blades.
Ensure that the blades face the right side. You can then secure the blades by turning the nut in a clockwise direction. Find out what the recommended torque value is for your mower by consulting the manual. Once you complete replacing the blade, plug the ignition wire back into the spark plug.
Wrapping It All Up
Now that you know the threading manner of a John Deere lawnmower, you can use such information when replacing or repairing its blades. Additionally, you'll be able to handle this mower machine carefully whenever you use it.
You have finally made it to the end! We hope you find this post helpful. If you still have additional questions, please leave a comment. And if you wish to continue reading, you can check these related posts out!
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