If you mow your own lawn, then performing some maintenance on the lawn mower is inevitable. One of the most important tasks is making sure the blade is sharp. Over time, a mower blade can develop nicks and dings from coming in contact with things such as rocks and branches.
When a blade reaches this point of being dull and full of imperfections, grass is ripped, rather than cut cleaning, which leaves it susceptible to damage and disease. A dull blade also causes your mower to run less efficiently, ultimately increasing the time it takes for you to work on your lawn. No matter what type of lawnmower you have, it’s important to keep that blade sharp. Here’s how to do it.
Tools You’ll Need:
- Work gloves
- Clamp
- Vise
- Adjustable or socket wrench
- Steel wool
- Metal file
- Balancer or wooden dowel
- Bench grinder (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions
Before you begin any maintenance, disconnect the spark plug or remove the battery. You want to eliminate any potential risk of the mower starting as you work. Now, onto the work…
- Drain the gas. Since you will be turning the mower on its side, removing the gas will keep it from spilling out and being wasted.
- Mark the blade. Take a piece of chalk or dab a bit of paint on the bottom side of the blade before you remove it. This will keep you from putting it on upside down after it’s been sharpened.
- Remove the blade. The wrench will help loosen and remove the mounting nut or bolt so you can remove the blade from the mower. Once it has been removed, clamp it in a vise.
- Remove rust. A blade with minimal rust will perform much better. Use the steel wool to remove any rust spots that have formed.
- Sharpen the blade. If the blade is severely damaged, you’ll most likely need to use a bench grinder to fix it. For blades with minimal damage however, a metal file will work just fine. Run the metal file, in short, smooth strokes, along the beveled edge of the blade, keeping the file at a 40 to 45-degree angle.
- Check the balance. Use a balancer to determine if the blade is balanced. An unbalanced blade can cause damage to your mower. If you don’t have a balancer, you can place the blade on a wooden dowel. If one side tilts higher than the other, the opposite blade needs to be filed some more until it lies flat.
- Reinstall the blade. Before you put the blade back on, take the time to clean dirt and grass buildup from around the hole beneath.
Although the most often recommended time to sharpen a mower blade is in the spring, right now is actually the best time. We find that the first mow of the year often sneaks up on homeowners, and once the season starts, they often forget to circle back up and sharpen their blades. It takes time, but when done regularly it will benefit your grass and prolong the life of your mower.
If your blade needs to be sharpened, right now is the best time because you won’t forget. It takes time, but when done regularly it will benefit your grass and prolong the life of your mower. If you live nearby, Richardson Saw can sharpen or replace your blade along with any other maintenance your mower needs for long lasting performance.
