After that it is time to replace it. After you have removed the blade, secure it to your work station using a vise or a sturdy clamp. Be sure also that you have disconnected the spark plug wire and make sure the mower is cooled down. Check Blade Balance. As additional protection against spilling, you can run the mower until it's out of gas, or pour the oil into a separate container. How do I tell if my sharpened lawn mower blades are balanced? Research source Wearing protective eyewear, earplugs, and work gloves, grind the edge of the blade against the spinning wheel. How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade short and sweet ! Stroke from the … This can cause them to start tearing the grass, rather than cutting it smoothly, which can give your lawn a "ragged" appearance and make it more susceptible to disease. With good safety info. If the grass has a clean, smooth edge, your blades are sharp. Tough nuts may call for a breaker bar and/or a penetrating lubricant. Use a strong and sturdy wire brush to simply do so. I just had my lawn mower blade sharpened. Take note of the placement and orientation of any spacer washers or plates that come off with blade. Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. Sharpen the blade with a file. If you do not have a balancer, it's still possible to balance the blade. ", "Step-by-step with clear language & illustrations. If you’re having trouble with your lawnmower find out why your lawnmower won’t start. If your blades just need a sharpen or you are confident in replacing them yourself, here’s how to go about it for most standard lawn mowers… How to replace your mower blades. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. File until the blade is “butter-knife” sharp. This keeps oil and gas from dripping into the air filter. The next step is to undo the bolt in the … Once the blade is off, set the mower back onto all four wheels until you're ready to reinstall your blade. Wedge the 2x4 back in and tighten the bolt firmly with your socket and breaker bar. Find a great place for sharpening the knives. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Flip the mower over and remove the lawn mower blade with a wrench. You can pick up an angle grinder for very little money, and the process involves matching the angle of the existing blade edge and simply honing it. Before reinstalling the blade, hang it on a nail to check the balance. To use your belt sander to sharpen the blade, invert it so that the belt is facing up and lock the trigger switch in the "on" position. How do I sharpen the blades for a ZTR? Wood block. If one side tilts higher than the other, file the opposite side of the blade, then test the balance again until the blade lies flat. While sharpening, run the grinder over the lawn mower blade several times until the cutting edges becomes sharp. If the dull blade is in good shape otherwise, you can sharpen the mower blade yourself by following these instructions. It'll be loud and you'll see sparks, but you’ll be able to sharpen the blade in a matter of a few minutes. These steps will work for just about any walk-behind mower. Step #6: Sharpen The Lawn Mower Blade . Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? I put a large shank screwdriver thru the center hole and hold it parallel to the floor, so the blade is like a propeller on an airplane. Support wikiHow by The fastest way to sharpen a lawnmower blade is with a bench grinder. Sharpen your blade every other month. Click through to watch this video on youtube.com Will be used for training park maintenance workers &, "Gave me some important tips such as angle to sharpen at and how to avoid putting blade on the wrong way up. Remove the Lawn Mower Blade. By using our site, you agree to our. A sharp blade, on the other hand, cuts cleanly, allowing the plant to heal and recover quickly. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Luckily, unless your blade is seriously damaged, sharpening it requires only a few basic tools and a little elbow grease. Second step is actually to take the blades apart. For instance, you may want to mark the bottom of the blade with a dot of spray paint, inscribe your initials with a grease pen, or simply stick some masking tape to the center of the blade. ", "Now I will be able to sharpen my blade. Thank you! Usually, it's easiest to wedge a sturdy block of wood between the blade and deck of the mower to keep the blade steady while you loosen the nut or bolt. If your lawn mower runs irregularly and rough after hitting a rock or another hard object, chances are the engine has been damaged and the crankshaft may be warped and/or the blade may be damaged and/or warped as a result. Protect your eyes from sparks and debris by wearing safety goggles if using a grinder. For tips from our Landscaper reviewer on how to sharpen the blade with a belt grinder, read on! Step 1: Preparation. A dedicated blade grinder is the best way to sharpen a lawn mower blade. Using a Small Angle Grinder to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades. Disconnect the ignition wire from the spark plug. Always start the sharpening process from the center of the blade and try to maintain a proper angle. A nut (or nuts) holds the blade up against the underside of the mower deck. The idea is to prevent the motor from accidentally turning on and causing a severe injury. Have never sharped a blade before! Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.scotts.com/smg/templates/index.jsp?pageUrl=orthoProblemSolver&problemId=271, http://www.familyhandyman.com/automotive/lawn-mower-repair/lawn-mower-blade-sharpening/view-all, http://www.mtdparts.com/equipment/mtdparts/knowledge-center/repairs/change-walk-behind-mower-blade, http://www.homedepot.com/c/how_to_maintain_lawn_mower_HT_PG_OD, http://medicine.yale.edu/intmed/prep/worker/hazards/dust.aspx, http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/belt-sander-sharpener/, http://lifehacker.com/5918758/how-to-sharpen-a-lawn-mower-blade, afilar las cuchillas de una podadora de césped, aiguiser les lames d'une tondeuse à gazon, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It can be a good idea to undertake a mower service every 12 months or so, leaving your mower ready to go when you need it during the warmer months. The precision is also on point. I use a chain hoist and elevate the front of the mower to about 20 degrees (or whatever it takes to comfortably access the bolts securing the blades). 1. Make sure that the blade is oriented correctly when you mount it (this should be easy if you marked the downward-facing side earlier as directed). It is very important to keep your mower's blade as sharp as possible for more efficient grass cutting. For tips from our Landscaper reviewer on how to sharpen the blade with a belt grinder, read on! Step 3 Remove or disconnect the … [1] You just require a few tools, some elbow grease and before you know it, you have rejuvenated lawn mower blades. How To Re-Install your lawnmower blade for anyone who wants a few tips. The carburetor and air filter on most modern mowers are usually housed in a boxy plastic case on the side of the engine. A nut (or nuts) holds the blade up against the underside of the mower deck. You can hone every edge of the mower’s blade without stressing too much. Reinstall the blade and screw in the bolt. File. If the blade is bent, warped or chipped, replace it. You can only sharpen a blade three or four times. Take the wrench to undo the bolt in the center of the blade. With long-term use, the spinning blades under your lawnmower can gradually grow dull. Pro-Tip: Always keep extra blades sharp and within reach. … Re-install your riding lawnmower blade. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 403,914 times. It's a good idea to change your oil at least once a year. The first step to sharpening your lawn mower blade is to get access to the underside of your mower. Blade Sharpening. You’ll also need two clamps, a block of wood and, of course, an angle grinder with a metal grinding blade. If the grass is frayed or torn, your blades are probably too dull and should be sharpened. Place the blade on a wooden dowel. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This article received 13 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. The other essential requirement is to have the right wheel on the grinder. A lawn mower blade sharpening also lets you complete your lawn-cutting chore faster and with less stress on the mower. Run a metal file along the cutting edge of the blade. However, sharpening lawn mower blades is much easier when you know what … No, you don't need to sharpen new replacement blades unless they look particularly dull (which they shouldn't). As an example of the amount of money you might expect to spend at a lawnmower repair shop, some locations charge as little as $10-15 per sharpening. As when filing by hand, you'll want to maintain the original angle of the blade's bevel as you sharpen it. Last Updated: May 9, 2020 No. Repeat that process until blade sits evenly. Do it equally on both sides to keep it in balance. Before attempting to remove the blade, disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent the mower from starting accidentally. Clean the blade with some soapy water and dry. Approved. A dull blade rips and pulls the grass blades, leaving ragged tears that both weaken the plant and promote fungal growth and other grass diseases. Now, it’s time to regain the older strength of the blades. While the blades of a reel mower are designed to retain their sharp cutting edges for long periods of time, they will eventually wear and need sharpening. Pull the spark plug wire from the spark plug to prevent the motor from accidentally starting. ", "Lots of information telling me what I have been doing wrong. Observe the angle the blade has been sharpened to, and using a large flat hand file, file along the length of the blade at the same angle. Just get a bench and simply unscrew the bolts. Mark your blade with spray paint before you remove it so you know which way to reinstall it. Clean the rust properly. Do not use a hammer to make the bolt tighter. I use a pneumatic impact to loosen the blades. Step 1: Remove the Mower Blade The first step in sharpening a lawn mower blade involves removing the blade from the mower. There are many ways to do this. Most lawnmower blades come pre-sharpened. You should be able to feel the tightness of the bolt by simply turning the wrench. Then tip the mower onto its side, wipe away any grass or debris from the blade, and loosen the fastening bolt to remove the blade. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Sign up for our newsletter! Should I jack it up or remove the deck? All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy — the same is true for your lawn mower's blades! For safety, take off the spark plug wire so that the lawn mower cannot start up accidentally. Using a socket wrench, make sure you have the exact sized … Only sharpen them if they appear dull. References There are many ways to do this. Move the grinder slowly back and forth against the edge of the mower blade. Place your blade horizontally in a vice, with the cutting edge facing upwards and ideally towards you. The spark plug can usually be disconnected by removing a prominent wire on the side or front of the lawnmower engine from its metal mounting. This will require professional lawn more repair or just replacing the mower at a loss. Ideally, when you're finished, the blade should be roughly as sharp as a butter knife. Thank you. If there are traces of rust on the blade, clean gently … For safety purposes, it's still recommended to wear heavy gloves and eye protection during this project. Loosen the bolt (or nut) with a long-handled wrench. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. (If it’s a cordless mower, remove the battery pack.) According to the size of your blade and the mower type, choose the most efficient tool to use to sharpen your blade. Once disconnected, the engine should not be able to start. This page has a lot of very important details that I will keep in mind. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. Hand File: The most basic tool. % of people told us that this article helped them. Turn the mower onto its side with the air filter and carburetor side up. That blade may be worn after several sharpenings and not the same length as the other blades, causing a gap while cutting. This project is also a good opportunity to check your oil and change it if necessary. Forcing the blade into the grinder can cause the metal to heat and affect the hardness of the blade. For safety, take off the spark plug wire so that the lawn mower cannot start up accidentally. Keep an eye on your grass after you use your mower to cut it. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. ", "Provided good tip on hand filing blade.". Just be careful not to over-torque the bolts when reinstalling the blade. ", "Very helpful. Fortunately, sharpening lawn mower blades doesn’t require loads of skills. Every couple of years you should take the blade off and balance it, but this is a quick fix to restore a sharp edge mid-season. Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. Work gloves Always sharpen from the top side of the cutting edge; this will give you the longest-lasting edge on the blade. Some mowers have a reverse threaded nut holding the blade onto the spindle. Clamp the blade in a vise and sharpen the cutting edge with a mill bastard file, held at the same cutting angle as before. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The amount of dust you'll produce from filing your lawnmower blades by hand is likely going to be fairly small compared to what you might generate from other projects. Turn counterclockwise to remove the bolt and blade counterclockwise. How to Repair Small Engines: Cleaning the Carburetor, Electric Lawn Mower Reviews: Best Cordless Lawn Mower, Battery Powered Lawn Mower and Other Cordless Yard Tools: What You Need to Know, How to Use a Fertilizer and Seed Spreader, How to Winterize a 2-stroke Outboard Motor, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), A Homeowner’s Guide to Buying a Lawn Mower, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. It's put on correctly, but why is there one strip in the middle (while mowing) that isn't getting cut? Certain products are available that you put onto your drill, then run it up and down the blade. Why It’s Important to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blades. A snug fit with a wrench or rachet is usually all you need. When a current set gets blunt, you should not stop at that for sharpening. Check that all the wheels are the same height on all sides of mower deck after reinstalling the blades. "I am writing a brochure about mower blades. If you're unsure of where these parts are located on your mower, consult your owner's manual or contact your manufacturer. One way to do this is with a special device called a balancer, which can usually be found at gardening centers or hardware stores. A general rule of thumb is to push the wrench towards the sharpened edge to tighten. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. Flip the mower over and remove the lawn mower blade with a wrench. How to Sharpen Mower Blades With a Drill Attachment. In case the blade gets damaged, use a grinder before sharpening. On machines with two or more blades, one can be a left-hand thread. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. We recommend our users to update the browser. If one side … How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades With a Drill Attachment . If you are mowing a large lawn or mowing more than once per week, you should repeat these steps once every few weeks during the season. The oil will spill out from the engine. This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. You can also use a 4½ inch (11.4 cm) hand grinder with a metal wheel. Once it is secure, you can sharpen it by running a metal file along the sharp edge of the blade, holding the file at a 45 degree angle. You can also use a vise or clamp if it's more convenient. If one side dips, file a bit more off that side until the blade remains horizontal. Using a small angle grinder to sharpen lawn mower blades lets you accomplish the task with minimal time investment or cost. This can help make the removal of the blade easier. Things to do before sharpening lawn mower blades with a bench grinder: You must check your machine’s work area by having an in-depth look at the grinder to make sure that it is supported on a flat and level work surface. How to sharpen your lawn mower blade, the easy way: Step 1: Disconnet the ignition wire; Step 2: Tile the mower and remove the blade; Step 3: Note the side of the blade; Step 4: Clean the underside of the lawn mower; Step 5: Clamp the blade Do not change your blade right after mowing the lawn. The sharp edge should be facing the direction of the spin and/or the direction of the grass catcher portal. What type of file should you use to sharpen a lawnmower blade? Torque wrench. File in the direction of the original cutting angle. X To do this, unplug the spark plugs and power source of your mower before turning it on its side. Do not use force when using a grinder. Get to the Blade. For ordinary cleaning needs, all you'll usually need is a gloved hand or a dry rag. - YouTube Do not smoke around a lawn mower because gasoline is present and the fumes are highly combustible. If one end of blade consistently drops down lower than other end, I file or sharpen a little more off that heavier end and recheck balance. Detach the blades from the mower. Apply some penetrating oil to the nut and bolt of the lawn mower blade. This article has been viewed 403,914 times. Tape or tie it back so it doesn't flop back into contact with the plug. I usually drop the pressure to my impact driver to avoid over-tightening. Tools. Make sure to clean the blades first. Try not to overdo it. Also, drain the gas tank to avoid spilling fuel on your lawn or driveway. While you have the blade removed and the lawn mower tipped on its side, it's a good opportunity to clean any old grass clippings and other debris from the deck of the mower before reattaching the blade. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams. If the blade becomes too hot it can be dipped into the water for cooling. This overcomes the problem of having to secure the blades to prevent spinning. unlocking this expert answer. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. To sharpen your lawn mower blade, you’ll need a socket or wrench to fit the blade nut. Sharpening a mower blade by hand can be difficult and time-consuming due to the hardness of the mower blade material. Given below is the step-by-step guide to sharpening lawn mower blades without removing them. Usually, yes. Take a flat-file and place it over the cutting edge of the blade. However, it’s advisable to take small breaks while sharpening the blade because the heat produced by the grinder causes the blade to become brittle. This article has been viewed 403,914 times. Tools you need. The first step to gain access to the mower's blade. However, if it's been a long time since you've cleaned your lawnmower, you may find it necessary to use a hose and a little soapy water to remove accumulated plant material and grime. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Riding mowers require different blade removal techniques, which we don’t show here. Where can I get my lawn mower blades sharpened? 3. ", "It gave me a very good and easy refreshment on how to sharpen a blade. For more mower troubleshooting advice and repair instructions, see our lawn mower repair help section. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Sharpen-Lawn-Mower-Blades-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Sharpen-Lawn-Mower-Blades-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Sharpen-Lawn-Mower-Blades-Step-1.jpg\/aid1160283-v4-728px-Sharpen-Lawn-Mower-Blades-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"