It’s obvious that sharper lawn mower blades are essential for keeping a good-looking and well-groomed lawn, but did you know that keeping your lawn mower blades sharp can cut down on the time it takes to mow your lawn? Mowing with dull blades can also lead to a ragged cut on your lawn and can even turn your grass brown in some cases. Keep reading to learn the signs that the lawn mower blades are dull and how to fix them.
When to sharpen your blades
To determine when to sharpen your lawn mower blades, it’s important to regularly check your blades after mowing. When they look worn, you need to remove the blade from the lawn mower and sharpen it. [1]
Importance of sharpening lawn mower blades
It’s important to sharpen your blades because a dull blade can rip and pull at the blades of grass, leaving your grass weaker and even promoting fungal growth. When the blade is sharp, it allows for an even cut and helps your grass recover quickly. Also, a sharper blade lets you cut your lawn quicker with less stress on your mower. [2]
Materials and tools needed
Once you’ve inspected the blades and determined it’s time to sharpen them, you’ll want to make sure you have the proper tools to do it safely and effectively. Here’s a list of tools you’ll want to gather before you start:
- Wrench
- Rag
- Screwdriver
- WD-40 lubricant
- Eye protection
- Mask
- Penetrating cleaner
- Gloves
- Hand file or grinder
- Bench clamp [3]
Step-by-step guide on how to sharpen lawn mower blades
Follow this step-by-step guide to find out the best way to sharpen your lawn mower blades:
1. Clean and remove lawn mower blades
It’s important to disconnect the power source from your electric mower before beginning. Remove the spark plug to keep the motor from accidentally starting. Next, you’ll want to clean any grass clippings and dirt from the blades, which are on the underside of the deck. If possible, tilt your lawn mower on its side to clean, and then carefully remove the blades by loosening the bolt or series of nuts securing the blades to the mower. [3]
2. Sharpen the blades
Next, you’ll want to sharpen the blades of the lawn mower. The goal is to get them as sharp as a butter knife. It’ll still be effective because it rotates at such a high speed. There are 3 common ways to sharpen the blade, and we’ll dive into each of them next. [4]
Use a file sharpener
To sharpen the blades with a file, put on protective gear then clamp the blade horizontally and run a file along the cutting edge in a downward stroke. Try to file at a 45-degree angle until the blade is about as sharp as a butter knife. You should aim to remove an equal amount of metal from both ends of the blade. [5]
Use a drill-powered blade sharpener
To sharpen the blades a little faster, use a power drill. First, put on your protective gear, then clamp the blade and secure the sharpening stone in the drill. Once all this is done, turn on the drill and move the stone from the center of the blade to the tip. [5]
Use a bench grinder
If you’re in a pinch and you need to sharpen your blades very quickly, use a bench grinder. Make sure to put on protective eyewear, as the grinder produces sparks, and be careful not to over sharpen the blade or remove too much metal. Hold the blade perpendicular to the grinder as you move it along the cutting edge at a 45-degree angle. [5]
3. Check the blade balance
You’ll want to check the blade balance before putting it back into the mower. To do this, hang it on a nail. If one side dips, you’ll have to file it off a little bit more to make sure it’s balanced. If a blade isn’t balanced, it can cause vibration and even ruin the blade shaft or bearings. [2]
4. Reinstall lawn mower blades
Once all of that is done, you’ll want to put the blades back onto the mower. Reposition each blade carefully on the mower deck and align them correctly. Once they’re in place, reattach the necessary screws or bolts. Check that everything is secure and that there aren’t any loose parts or potential risks that could cause problems during mowing. Lastly, reconnect the spark plug. [3]
How often should you sharpen your lawn mower blade?
How frequently you sharpen your blades depends on how often you mow your lawn. If you mow frequently, you should sharpen your blades at least once a year. However, if there are a lot of weeds, sticks or other debris in the grass and you mow quite a lot, sharpening your blades several times per summer might be necessary. [4]
How sharp should a lawn mower blade be?
As we mentioned before, your lawn mower blade should be about as sharp as a butter knife. You shouldn’t have a razor-sharp blade. The blade edge should be about 0.03 to 0.045 inches wide. [6]
How much does it cost to sharpen lawn mower blades?
If you lack the time, tools or even the skills to sharpen your lawn mower blades yourself, you can opt to take them to a professional to be sharpened. This can typically cost anywhere from $5 to $20, depending on the size of the blade. [2]
Now you know what it takes to keep your lawn mower blade sharp. Not only is your lawn going to be the envy of the neighborhood with the proper upkeep, but your mower will thank you for the TLC. It’s important to maintain your home and yard, but insuring them is even more important. Make sure you have the proper home insurance for your needs.
Sources:
[1] “How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades,” homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-sharpen-lawn-mower-blades/9ba683603be9fa5395fab904bc45dce (Accessed Feb 2024).
[2] “How to Properly Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades,” familyhandyman.com/project/lawn-mower-blade-sharpening (Accessed Feb 2024).
[3] “How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades in 9 Steps,” Taha Javed, lawnlove.com/blog/how-to-sharpen-lawn-mower-blades (Accessed Feb 2024).
[4] “How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades: 3 Easy (and Safe!) Ways,” Emily Fazio, hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/lawns/how-to-sharpen-your-lawn-mower-blade (Accessed Feb 2024).
[5] “How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades,” Bob Vila and Tony Carrick, bobvila.com/articles/how-to-sharpen-lawn-mower-blades (Accessed Feb 2024).
[6] “Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening,” oregonproducts.com/en/product-support/lawn-mower/how-to-sharpen-a-lawn-mower-blade/c/how-to-sharpen-lawn-mower-blade-s (Accessed Feb 2024).
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