The procedure for sharpening lawnmower a blade without dismantling them is outlined below. Sharpen the mower blade when they are still readily installed by following these instructions in the order listed.
Step One: Prep Time
Gather the necessary instruments and observe all safety procedures before beginning the sharpening process:
- a pail of water,
- Block of wood,
- wire brush,
- a metal-bladed angle grinder, or a flat-file
- Safety gear can include goggles and cut-resistant gloves.
Place your mower on a flat space, or any other workable area.
The first step is to take out the mower’s spark plug. You will be able to prevent beginning by accident as a result of this. Make sure your parking brake is engaged as well. While you’re working on your mower, you don’t want it to roll.
Step Two: Shut off the power and seal the tank.
Remove the lid from the gas tank and lay a bag over the top of the gas can seal it. Return the lid to its original position after that. While the mower is inclined, this will ensure gas doesn’t spill.
Make sure the mower isn’t connected in if you’re working on it.
Step Three: Tilt your Mower
To get to the blade, tilt your lawnmower to the side. Make sure the carburetor and gasoline tank are at the top of the mower whenever you tilt it.
To make the lawnmower more sturdy in the raised position, place a block diagonally on the far side. Before you start working, make sure your lawnmower is as steady as possible.
Step Four: Stop the blades from moving.
Now that your lawnmower is secure, apply another wooden block to keep the blade from moving. When grinding or sharpening a blade, it’s important to keep it from moving.
Step Five: Cleaning the Blade
To begin, clean your mower blade with a steel wire brush to take off any dirt or rust. If you notice any dirt or grass behind the mower deck, clear it out while you’re at it.
Remove any debris and dirt from the blades and beneath the deck with a pail of water, a putty knife, and a brush.
Step Six: Sharpen the Mower Blades
When you finish the above steps, you may go on to the major process of honing the blades. You can enlist an electric or handheld grinder or a metal file for this work, depending on your availability and comfort level. Put it over your blade’s cutting edge. When grinding, remember to keep a suitable angle at all times. Repeat the technique on the opposite side after properly honing one side.
Because you won’t be removing the blade from the mower, you’ll have to spend your time sharpening both sides equally.
When sharpening the blade, make sure that you only move your grinder in only one direction and sharpen the top face of the blade. This implies that rather than using a back-and-forth sawing action to sharpen, you’ll be elevating the grinder each time. Alternately of focusing on speed or force, grind slowly and evenly, using the whole length of the grinder or file in each stroke.
When moving the grinder, attempt to achieve a 45-degree angle on its top edge.
Step Seven: Remove the fuel tank’s seal.
Lower the mower gradually when you’ve finished sharpening it. Reconnect the mower and, if using a gas lawnmower, open the fuel tank cover, remove the bag, and replace the lid.
With sharp and clean blades, you’re ready to go.
When Do I Need To Sharpen My Lawn Mower Blades?
The frequency with which you should be sharpening your lawnmower blades is determined by a few key criteria. For the sake of the blade’s health, it’s preferable if you remember them all the time.
Most significantly, and obviously, how much and how often your mower is used is a factor. In general, your lawnmower blade will require sharpening after around twenty hours of use. So, if you have a large lawn that takes an hour to mow, your mower’s blades will need to be sharpened every twenty times it’s used.
After around forty uses, a tinier yard that only takes about thirty minutes to trim is going to require all of this effort. The more regularly you’re mowing your lawn, the more frequently you’re going to be sharpening the blades.
What Affects The Condition of The Mower Blades?
The overall condition and age of your lawnmower will determine how often you need to sharpen your blades. Picking your lawn of garden waste, pebbles, and other solid items helps extend the life and effectiveness of your mower blades.
Cleaning and checking your lawnmower blades before mowing ensures that you don’t distribute dirt and that your blades don’t become overly dull as a result of hitting stones or shredding other tougher items.
Sharpening your mower blades is advised at the beginning of every mowing season. Then, you’ll reasonably need to do it again at least once more over the summer. The ideal method is to inspect the lawnmower blades at the beginning and end of each use to keep track of their condition.
Should Both Sides of the Lawnmower Blades be Sharpened?
The response is never; exactly like scissors, a side of the mower blades should be sharp, while the opposite should be dull. One side of the lawnmower blade should be sharpened at a 45-degree angle, while the opposite side should be kept rough save for flattening any edges that are uneven. If both surfaces of the blades are sharpened, the edges will become needlessly dull far more quickly.
How Sharp Should The Lawnmower Blades Be?
The lawnmower blades don’t have to be razor-sharp, though they should hold a distinct, gleaming metal part that has been grounded. The sharp blades may be distinguished from dull blades just by looking at them.
Keep this easy guideline in mind: don’t grip the edge of the blade after you’ve done sharpening it for the risk of getting cut.
Hi, I’m John Stephens, chief editor and writer for Totalgardener.com. I’ve been gardening and raising animals for over 15 years starting with a small backyard plot in Northern Virginia where I grew corn, potatoes, squash, and using a high mulch technique called the Ruth Stout Method. I also raised ducks and small mammals for meat and eggs in a movable pen similar to the ones used by Joel Salatin. I later moved to Colorado where I experimented with growing greens using aquaponics inside. I eventually added a microgreens setup and home sprouting operation. I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned plus more from the other local gardening and animal raising experts I know.
