How To Sharpen Lawnmower Blades

Sharpening lawnmower blades should be a part of regular lawnmower maintenance – after all, if you want your lawnmower to cut grass well, the blades need to be in tiptop condition. It is recommended that the blades be sharpened once every one to two months, depending on the amount of usage. Sharpening the blades yourself is not as hard as it sounds, and can actually save you time and money. Putting your lawnmower into a specialist repair shop, especially during the busy season, can put it out of action for a week or more.

But how can you tell if your lawnmower blades need to be sharpened? The best way to check is to look at your grass after mowing it. If the tops of the grass is ragged or torn, then it is likely that your blades are dull.

Before removing the blade, ensure that the lawnmower is switched off and that you have removed the spark plug. This is because turning the blade may stimulate the engine and cause it to switch on, which can cause serious injury or even be fatal. Then, remove the blade by removing the nut that secures it to the lawnmower deck. Some lawnmowers will have one nut, whilst others will have more.

Make sure to remove any rust that may have occurred due to mowing wet or damp grass. This can be done with steel wool, but a steel-bristled brush will work much more efficiently.

To sharpen the blade, use either a grinder or a file. Some lawnmowers will come with a sharpening kit and it is always best to use this if they do. If you choose to use a grinder, be sure to frequently dip the lawnmower blade into water and dry it during the sharpening process. This will cool the blade down and prevent the grinder from overheating or weakening the metal.

Ensure that the metal of the lawnmower blade has been sharpened down to a nice smooth edge. If there are any rough or pitted spots, even them out until they are smooth. The easiest way to sharpen the blade is to follow the angle of the edge that is already there. Make sure that you take an equal amount of metal from both ends of the blade; this will ensure that it remains balanced. An unbalanced blade will make the lawnmower vibrate and cut unevenly.

If you believe that your lawnmower blades need sharpening, do not hesitate to do them yourself. Doing this every month to two months will ensure your lawnmower is at its peak operating level and will perform much better for you.