Woods RM59 finish mower (2024)

I have two Woods RM59 mowers that I use to maintain grass along the roads to my fields in the bottom and some general maintenance on the farm. One is on a smaller tractor that goes under trees and the other is on a larger tractor with larger wheels and rides better. Bought the second one for a parts mower and discovered it was too good to use for just parts. I really like these mowers but when it comes time to take the blades off for sharpening or replacement, it becomes quite a task. I have used two different impact guns but there's always at least one of the bolts that won't rattle off. These are left hand thread, 15/16 bolts that have two bellows washers and one flat washer between the bolt head and the mower blade. I usually end up with a piece of pipe cheater bar on a pipe wrench that I put over the blade to keep it from turning. Then use another pipe cheater bar on a 3/4 breaker bar and a 6 sided impact socket to get these rascals off. Seems like I'm about to pull my guts out before it ever moves. Is there a trick to removing these things that I don't know about. Please advise. Thanks in advance.

try putting some never-seize on them

I have a RM59-1 for over 40 years and don't have your problem. I do grease every thing when I sharpen the blades.

Thanks to all for the info. It will be a few months before I have to remove them to sharpen them.....I hope. If I remember, I'll give an update. I re-installed them with a 1/2 breaker bar but not too tight as I know they self tighten. There is oil on the threads and the washers were all cleaned on the wire wheel of my grinder. I have thought about using an angle grinder but i guess I'm still old school and wouldn't be able to assure myself they are balanced using that method. Thanks again everyone.

Add grease to the head of the bolt where it comes in contact with the curved washer.