What Angle Are John Deere Mower Blades? (Solved & Explained!)

If you need to reangle your John Deere lawn mower blades, the angle can be anywhere from 30 degrees to 45 degrees. Manufacturers do not recommend going above 45 degrees, and most recommend staying within the 30 degree to 35 degree range. Still, some users report that they have to go as high as 45 degrees if the lawn mower is old.

This article fully explains the angle of John Deere mower blades. This includes why lawn mower blades need a certain angle, what angle John Deere blades should be, and how to sharpen the angles correctly. Scroll down for all of this and more.

Should John Deere lawn mower blades be angled?

Yes. All lawn mower blades, including John Deere mowers, need to have an angle. The angle is what allows the blades to actually cut the grass quickly and efficiently. The exact angle of the blades will depend on the make, model, and wear of the blades.

If you have been using your John Deere mower for some time, the blades will get bent naturally. To ensure the blades are not dull and do the job effectively, you will need to sharpen the John Deere lawn mower blades at an angle.

Why do you need to angle a John Deere lawn mower blade?

Whenever a blade is sharp, the blade naturally has an angle at the end. This angle is what allows the blade to cut through the grass to mow your lawn. Out of the box, John Deere lawn mower blades come sharpened and do not need to be angled.

As you use your John Deere lawn mower, the blades will become dulled on their own. As a result, you will need to sharpen the lawn mower blade over time. During the sharpening process, you will want to perfect the angle so that the mower is as efficient as it can be.

What angle do you sharpen a John Deere mower blade?

Most John Deere manufacturers and users recommend sharpening the John Deere mower blades to 30 degrees or 35 degrees. This angle is considered the standard for most John Deere lawn mowers, and other lawn mower brands.

You don’t have to get the exact angle per se. For example, it’s OK if the angle is 32 degrees when you are shooting for 30 degrees. You just want the angle in the ballpark. Still, you don’t want the angle to be below 30 degrees, or else it won’t be effective. You don’t want the angle above 45 degrees either.

Do John Deere mower blades need sharpening?

One benefit of selecting a John Deere lawn mower is that the blades come ready to use. As a result, you will not need to sharpen or mess with the blades at all right out of the box. You can just use the lawn mower and it will work effectively.

That being said, you will need to sharpen the John Deere mower blades eventually. After about 20 to 25 hours of use, the blades will become dull, and you will need to sharpen them for effectiveness. In other words, you don’t need to sharpen the John Deere mower blades right away, but you will need to sharpen them eventually.

Are all lawn mower blade angles the same?

No. Not all lawn mower blade angles are the same. Certain brands will recommend 30 degrees, whereas other brands may recommend 40 degrees. Even though the exact angle may differ from brand to brand, almost all manufacturers recommend blade angles between 30 degrees and 45 degrees.

Is it easy to sharpen John Deere lawn mower blades?

If you need to sharpen your John Deere lawn mower blades, the process isn’t very difficult. It only takes a handful of tools and eight steps to accomplish the task. Below, you will get a step by step guide to sharpening your John Deere lawn mower blades.

For further help, there are tons of tutorials online. You can look up YouTube videos that show you how to sharpen your lawn mower blades. These tools make it even easier to sharpen your John Deere lawn mower blades, which is already relatively easy.

What do I need to sharpen John Deer lawn mower blades?

In order to sharpen John Deere lawn mower blades, you’ll need the following must have tools:

  • Floor jack
  • Ratchet (ideally a pull-handle with 6 point sockets)
  • Table vise
  • Hand grinder (with medium stone)
  • Safety glasses
  • Safety gloves
  • Blade balancer

A two-by-four wooden board will also come in handy, but it is not necessary. As long as you have the items listed above, you will be able to sharpen your John Deere lawn mower blades.

How do you sharpen a John Deere lawn mower blade?

To sharpen your John Deere lawn mower blade, begin by getting your required items. Once you have all of your needed items, make sure to keep yourself safe by putting on safety gloves and goggles.

Then, lift the riding mower so that you have access to the blades. Remove these blades and secure them on a table vise so that you can sharpen one side before sharpening the other. Make sure the blade is balanced before replacing the blades and putting everything back together.

How do you put a 30 degree angle on a lawn mower blade?

Putting a 30 degree angle on a lawn mower blade is not as difficult as it might sound. With the blade secured safely on a table vise, you want a medium stone so that the blade has a 30 to 45 degree angle. Go gradually so that you do not over-grind the blade. You can use a simple protractor to make sure that the blade has accurate angling.

Does Lowe’s sharpen John Deere mower blades?

Most home improvement stores do not sharpen mower blades for you, and this includes Lowe’s. You can find individuals who will sharpen the blades for you, or you can purchase lawn mower sharpening kits at Lowe’s and similar stores to do it yourself.