Changing the lawn mower blades is a relatively simple job that can be accomplished in roughly 15 minutes. Before getting started, make sure you have the right size of wrench and a pair of work gloves to keep your hands safe.
1. First, tip the mower onto its side so that the blades can be accessed. If your mower has a grass catcher, be sure to remove it and the bolts connecting it to the mower before turning it over.
2. Once the mower is tipped over, locate the blade attachment bolt. Use the wrench to loosen the bolt, and then pull the blade off the deck.
3. Carefully inspect the blade for damage and wear such as cracks, chips, or bent blades. If the blade is severely damaged, discard it and replace it with a new one.
4. Attach the new blade, tightening the bolt with the wrench. When attaching a new blade, make sure the side of the blade with the curved cutting edge faces outwards.
5. Tip the mower back upright and use the wrench to reattach any accessories you may have removed to complete the process.
6. Finally, be sure to sharpen the blades at least once a season to ensure your lawn mower is working at its peak performance.
Which way do you turn the bolt to take off a mower blade?
To take off a mower blade, you need to turn the bolt counterclockwise. If the mower blade is held on with a nut, use a wrench or socket to loosen it. Before attempting to loosen the bolt, be sure to engage the spark plug wire which prevents the engine from starting up.
Once the nut or bolt is sufficiently loosened, you can remove the blade from the mower deck. Be sure to take safety precautions such as wearing safety gloves and eye protection to protect yourself from any pieces of the blade spinning off.
How do you change the blade on a jack up riding mower?
Changing the blade on a jack up riding mower is not a difficult task but does require you to take certain precautions for your safety. First, you will need to make sure your mower is off and the battery is disconnected.
You will then need to use a jack to lift your mower off the ground so you can access the blade. Once you have access to the blade, you can use a wrench to loosen the bolts and washers that hold the blade in place.
Once the bolts are removed, you can then remove the blade. After you have removed the old blade, simply take your replacement blade and attach it with the same bolts and washers using the wrench. Finally, lower your mower and reconnect the battery.
Do you have to remove a lawn mower blade to sharpen it?
Yes, you have to remove a lawn mower blade in order to sharpen it. This is a fairly simple and straightforward process, but it should still be done with caution –use protective eye goggles and heavy leather gloves.
To begin, unplug the spark plug wire, or turn off the gasoline engine and allow it to cool if that’s what type you’re using. Next, you will need to either tilt the lawn mower or use a lifting jack if necessary.
In order to remove the blade, locate the nut or bolt securing the blade to the crankshaft and use a ratchet or wrench to loosen the nut or bolt. Once the nut or bolt is loose enough, the blade can be removed.
Once the blade is removed, use a file or stone to sharpen the edges then reattach the blade to the crankshaft. Finally, be sure to restore the spark plug wire connection or gasoline engine back to its original setting.
Why are new mower blades not sharp?
New mower blades are not sharp for safety reasons. The manufacturer generally ships the blades dull so that it does not pose a risk to the operator. Blades that come off of the production line need to be assessed for defects and checked for safety before they are sold.
The dull edges also provide a better surface for assembly, which can reduce manufacturing costs. Sharp blades can cause injury, so the manufacturer has to take necessary precautions to ensure that they are not sold with sharp edges.
The blades must also be sharpened before they can be used correctly to cut grass effectively. In addition, dull blades produce less noise during operation, which can make mowing more bearable.
What happens if you put lawn mower blades on upside down?
If you put lawn mower blades on upside down, it can cause serious damage to your mower. In addition to not cutting grass properly, the blades may not rotate evenly, which can cause the motor to overheat.
The blades could also put stress on the engine, gearbox and other components of the mower, causing it to wear out faster and decreasing the lifespan of the mower. As a result, your mower could break down sooner, leading to costly repairs and/or replacement.
It may also result in performance issues such as slow grass cutting speeds and uneven grass cutting. To avoid any and all of these issues, it is best to install the mower blades correctly, in the right direction, with the peaks pointing towards the ground.
That way, you’ll get the best performance from your mower, and it will last a long time.
How do you sharpen a push mower blade without removing it?
Sharpening a push mower blade without removing it is possible, although tricky. It requires special tools, skills and patience. The main tools you will need are a grinding stone, feeler gauges, a shear wrench or socket wrench and above all, safety gear.
To begin, it’s important to disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug and put it aside in a safe place.
Next, remove the blade bolts using a shear wrench or socket wrench. Make sure the blade is secure while you’re doing this. Once the bolts are removed, loosen the blade a quarter turn.
Now, use a feeler gauge to check the gap between the cutting edges of the blade. If the gap is too wide, you will need to sharpen the blade. To do this, use a grinding stone and hold it at a 30-degree angle against the cutting edge.
Sharpen both the top and bottom cutting edges in the same way until they are both the same size.
Once you’ve ground the blade, use the feeler gauge to make sure the gap is correct. Be sure to remove any remaining burrs on the blade by running a file along the cutting edges.
After you have completed the sharpening process, reattach the blade to the mower and secure the blade bolts.
Finally, reattach the spark plug wire to the spark plug and the sharpening process is complete. Be sure to wear proper safety gear whenever doing any work on your mower, and never leave the spark plug unattended.
How do you tell if mower blades are upside down?
To determine if the mower blades are upside down, inspect the shape and length of the cutting edge. If the shape is tapered and the cutting edge is shorter than the back of the blade, then the blades are inverted and need to be flipped.
Also, if the blades appear to be bent or warped, they should be checked with a straight edge to make sure they are flat. This can also help to identify if the blades are upside down. Additionally, if the mower blades are covered in oil or lubrication, it may indicate that they have been inverted or installed incorrectly.
Finally, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for how to properly install the blades before beginning. If the blades are upside down, the mower will not be capable of efficiently cutting the grass and can cause damage to the lawn.
It is important to properly install the mower blades so the mower operates at its fullest potential.
How do you tell the top and bottom of a mulching blade?
The top and bottom of a mulching blade can be identified by looking for the manufacturer’s logo or part number. The logo or number should be engraved on one side of the blade. This will indicate which side should be facing upwards when the blade is installed.
Additionally, you can look for the cutting edge. The sharp edge should be facing downward and should be used to slice through grass, weeds or debris. It’s best to inspect the cutting edge before installation to make sure it’s still sharp, and replace the blade if it’s dull or showing signs of wear.
It’s also important to make sure that the blade is balanced during installation, as an unbalanced blade can cause blade wobble and vibration while cutting. Finally, many mulching blades have a curved shape with the rounded top edge facing upwards and the flat bottom edge facing down.
This design helps to promote airflow for efficient and effective mulching performance.
Which way is up on mulching blade?
When determining which way is up on a mulching blade, it can be helpful to look at the shape of the blade. Different brands of mulching blades may have slightly different shapes, but the majority of them will have two distinct shapes: one side is rounder arc, and the other has a more squared-off curve.
The blade with the rounder arc should face up towards the deck of the mower. This is usually the sharper side of the blade, as the sharper side is most effective at doing the mulching action. If the blade is incorrectly placed, then it may cause the mower to produce large clumps of clippings that can clog up the mower’s machinery.
Additionally, it can also cause the mower deck and blades to wear faster, which can both reduce their life expectancy and performance.
Are lawn mower blades supposed to be straight?
Yes, lawn mower blades should be straight. While the curve of a blade may seem like a good idea to increase the blade’s cutting surface, the shape of a curved blade can cause it to be less effective.
Curved blades are unable to evenly trim a lawn due to their uneven design, which can leave patches of grass left uncut. If a lawn mower blade is not straight, it can cause other problems such as uneven grass clippings, increased vibration of the lawn mower, and even blade breakage.
Additionally, lawn mower blades should also be sharp. Dull blades can lead to unsatisfactory mulching performance, will leave clumps of grass in the lawn, and can increase fuel consumption and noise from the lawn mower engine.
Do you sharpen both sides of a mower blade?
Yes, it is important to sharpen both sides of a mower blade evenly to ensure balanced, safe operation of the lawn mower. If a single side of the mower blade is sharpened more than the other, it can cause the mower to become unbalanced and possibly lead to an accident.
To sharpen both sides of a mower blade, it is best to use a handheld rotary file. Start by securing the mower blade on the vise, then slowly and carefully draw the rotary file across the blade on both sides in an even, consistent motion.
Be sure to keep the file perpendicular to the edge of the blade as you pass it over the surface. It is best to take multiple passes on each side, removing only a small amount of material at a time in order to avoid damaging the blade.
Once both sides are sharpened, keep the blade in the vise and use a wire brush to remove any filings and foreign material from the cutting edge.
How often should mower blades be sharpened?
Mower blades should be sharpened at least once a year, regardless of how often they are used. Depending on the size of the yard and the type of grass, sharpening the blades a couple of times a year may be necessary.
Blades should be checked for sharpness every few mowings and sharpened when they become dull. Sharp blades provide a cleaner cut and require less effort to mow the lawn, which can help maintain healthy grass.
Should mulching blades be sharp?
Yes, mulching blades should be sharp in order to effectively chop the grass and distribute the clippings into a finely shredded layer of fertilizer that is beneficial for the lawn. Sharp mulching blades should easily cut the grass, preventing excess strain on the mower’s engine.
If the blades become dull, they can cause the mower to work harder and become less efficient. Additionally, the blades will not be able to cut the grass as finely, which could lead to clumps of clippings lying on the lawn instead of a fine layer of mulch.
To prevent this from occurring, mulching blades should be sharpened regularly and replaced if needed. Depending on the type of lawnmower, a professional technician can help inspect and sharpen the blades or they can be replaced with new blades.
What angle are lawn mower blades sharpened at?
The angle of the mower blades should be set between 30 and 45 degrees. A more aggressive cut requires a sharper angle while a more gentle cut requires a larger angle. When sharpening the blades, the sharpening stone should be held at that same angle and run along the length of the blade to maintain the edge.
The ideal method for sharpening mower blades is to use a handheld grinder with a grinding wheel. This will provide a more consistent angle of sharpening. Be sure to use safety gear when using the grinder, such as safety glasses and gloves.
Once the blades are sharp, reattach them to the mower and start mowing.
