Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades
The key to a beautiful lawn starts with maintaining your lawn mower. The most crucial aspect of this maintenance is keeping your blade sharp
Removing the Blade
The first step in sharpening your blade is to remove it from the mower. All mowers are different so consult your owner’s manual for the correct way to remove your blade. Since the blade takes most of the punishment that your mower gets you may find that the nut holding the blade in place has been beat up and the edges rounded off making removal difficult. If this is the case you may have to use a set of slip-joint pliers or a pipe wrench to remove the nut. If the nut is badly damage you might consider replacing it before you re-mount the blade.
How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades
Sharpening Methods
Once you have removed the blade from your mower deck you can either sharpen it by hand using a metal cutting file or use an electric grinder. If you blade has not been sharpened in a while the grinder would be the better of the two. The other tool you will need to do this job right is a blade balance. You can buy one at your home store or make one. The balance just needs a center point on which you can rest the blade at its center hole. The main purpose of this balance is to make sure you have ground equal parts off of each end of the blade.
Cleaning and Grinding
Begin by cleaning any debris off of the blade with a putty knife, examine the blade for nicks and dings, and note the angle of the bevel on each end of the blade. After you have inspected the blade put your safety glasses on and start the grinder. If you grinder is equipped with a rest set it to the angel if the bevel and start grinding, if not you will need to “eye ball” your work doing your best to make the new grind match the old bevel.
Balancing
Sharpen both ends so that they match as closely as you can get them to then set the blade on your balance. The blade most balance. If it dose not grind more off of the heavy end until it dose. An unbalanced blade will cause dips in you lawn as well as cause more wear and tear on your mower.
Some blades are too damaged to sharpen and must be replaced but it you sharpen your blade at the beginning of the season and at least once a month you should get a good long life from your blade.
Troubleshooting
If after sharpening your blade you find you still have a yard full of dips and gouges and scalped spots, the problem may not be your blade. Make sure all of your tires are inflated to the proper recommended specs, and that your mower deck is level. Some decks have chains that the deck rides on. Make sure the links are not worn or kinked. Others have floater wheels which can become worn and wobbly. These things can all contribute to the shabbiness of your lawn.
Once you get into the habit of keeping your blade sharp you will see a big difference in the way your yard looks. Remember always be safe when mowing and weed eating, and wear those safety glasses!