I bought a 2016 Toro Titan ZX4800 and I need to change the blades which I haven't done before on a riding mower.
The operator's manual (Model 74861) mentions just raising the deck to its highest cutting setting to change the blades (4.25 inch cut maximum option). The ZTR weighs 740 pounds. The manual doesn't mention anything about lifting the deck to do it. It's not too difficult to reach the two outside blades with the deflector removed but it is tougher to get to the middle blade and I'd have to basically lie flat on the floor to do it. It's not high enough to get an impact wrench underneath so I'd just use a 24" breaker bar and a socket. It would be awkward, but most likely doable.
I do not have a mower lift or a floor jack so I'd have to buy one. Some folks apparently use a portable shop crane to lift the deck, but I don't have one of those either.
Questions: Is it necessary to buy a mower lift such as a MoJack or a Jungle Jack to change the blades out or a heavy-duty floor jack to raise up the deck to easily change out the blades? Has anybody done it on the Titans without lifting the deck? Is one (mower lift vs. floor jack) preferable over the other?
Lots of people seem to be big fans of either the Mojack or the Jungle Jack (about $200 or so each).
The operator's manual (Model 74861) mentions just raising the deck to its highest cutting setting to change the blades (4.25 inch cut maximum option). The ZTR weighs 740 pounds. The manual doesn't mention anything about lifting the deck to do it. It's not too difficult to reach the two outside blades with the deflector removed but it is tougher to get to the middle blade and I'd have to basically lie flat on the floor to do it. It's not high enough to get an impact wrench underneath so I'd just use a 24" breaker bar and a socket. It would be awkward, but most likely doable.
I do not have a mower lift or a floor jack so I'd have to buy one. Some folks apparently use a portable shop crane to lift the deck, but I don't have one of those either.
Questions: Is it necessary to buy a mower lift such as a MoJack or a Jungle Jack to change the blades out or a heavy-duty floor jack to raise up the deck to easily change out the blades? Has anybody done it on the Titans without lifting the deck? Is one (mower lift vs. floor jack) preferable over the other?
Lots of people seem to be big fans of either the Mojack or the Jungle Jack (about $200 or so each).