490-850-0005 Universal Mower Blade Removal Tool/Lawn Mower Blade Clamp Compatible with MTD 21" Walk Behind and Riding Lawn mowers, Fits for 11A-B13M729, 13A326JC058, 13AX935T004, 339079

What It Is

The 490-850-0005 is a universal blade removal tool designed to lock the mower blade in place while you loosen or tighten the center bolt. It works for both 21" walk-behind and riding lawn mowers, saving you from jamming a block of wood or using a second wrench.

Fitment & Compatibility

This tool is compatible with MTD-branded mowers and many other brands using a similar blade retention system. Confirmed fits models include 11A-B13M729, 13A326JC058, 13AX935T004, and 339079.

Before buying, check three things:

• Deck size: Works best on 21" walk-behind decks and standard riding mower decks. Not for zero-turn or large commercial decks.
• Blade bolt size: The tool grips the blade itself, not the bolt. It fits blades with a central hole diameter of roughly 1/2" to 5/8" and standard blade thickness.
• OEM vs aftermarket: Designed for OEM MTD blades, but works with most aftermarket blades of similar shape and thickness. Avoid if your blade has a non-standard center hole or is unusually thick.

Key Things to Know

• Build quality: The clamp is stamped steel, not forged. It’s adequate for occasional use but may bend if you apply extreme torque with a breaker bar.
• Installation difficulty: Very easy—hook the clamp over the blade edge, rest the handle against the deck or ground, then loosen the bolt. No special skills needed.
• Common gotcha: The handle is short (about 12 inches). On some riding mower decks, you may need to block the opposite side of the blade with wood to prevent the tool from slipping.
• Not for all blade types: Won’t work well with mulching blades that have curved or serrated edges—the clamp may not grip securely.

Should You Buy It

If you own one or two MTD mowers and change blades once or twice a season, this $13 tool is a solid, low-cost upgrade over the wood-block trick. For heavy-duty commercial use or non-MTD decks with unusual blade shapes, look for a sturdier, brand-specific tool.