Blunt mower blades – sharpen or replace?
Blunt mower blades tear at the tip of the grass leaf, leaving it rough-ended and brown.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE BROWN, TORN TIPS OF THESE GRASS LEAVES?
ANSWER: BLUNT LAWN MOWER BLADES!
Blunt mower blades tear at the tip of the grass leaf, leaving it rough-ended and brown, affecting the overall appearance of your lawn.
The rule of thumb is that mower blades should be sharpened around every 25 hours of use.
Sharpening or replacing your mower blades won’t only stop your grass leaves from being ripped and bruised, but can also decrease your fuel consumption by up to 25%.
HOW TO REMOVE YOUR MOWER BLADE
When checking or removing blades it is advisable to use a drop sheet to avoid any oil or petrol transferring to paving or your lawn.
1. DETACH THE SPARK PLUG
Make sure you detach the spark plug’s wire to ensure that the engine will not start the blades while you are trying to remove or reattach them. This should be done while the mower is still upright.
2. TILT THE MOWER ON ITS SIDE
Slowly tilt the mower onto its side so that the air filter is on top of the engine and oil tanks. If you tilt your mower the other way, petrol could drip down into the filter causing damage.
3. REMOVE THE BLADE
Use a wrench or ratchet to turn the bolt counterclockwise until the blade comes off. Keep your free hand firmly on the blade, so that it does not fall off and get damaged.
TO SHARPEN OR REPLACE?
Once you have removed the mower blades you can determine whether they can be repaired or replaced. Below are some of the common problems:
CRACKS
Any amount of cracking is dangerous for both the mower and user. These blades must be replaced.
CHIPS
A few small chips rocks or other debris are usually not a problem and can be ground out with a file.
BENDS
Place your blade on a flat surface to determine whether or not it is still straight. A bent or dented blade will be unevenly balanced and mow grass inefficiently. Blades should be replaced.
THIN EDGES
The opposite side of the sharp cutting edge is known as the trailing edge or fin. A new blade will feature a thick fin that is slightly curved upwards to create lift. Over time the fin will wear down with use, and become thin and delicate. If your blade’s fin is thin and eroded, it may be time to replace the blade.
