Guide To Sharpening A Lawn Mower Blade

Most cutting implements get dull over time and that’s especially true for a lawn mower blade. If you don’t take care of the lawn mower blade, your mowing efforts will look uneven, sloppy and unsightly. You’ll have to put in more effort and you’ll have to spend more time to get the job done. That’s why you should take the time to sharpen your mower blade.

At Mike Cooper Tractors, we want to help our clients take care of their hardy machines at home. So read on to find out how to keep your lawn mower blade sharp. For professional servicing, or if you’re looking for your next lawn mower, come on down to our location in Fort Gibson, OK. We also cater to the people of Tulsa and Muskogee.

Removing the Blade

First things first: make sure the engine is off and that there is no way it can turn on while you work on your machine. One safety step is to take the spark plug out first because without it, the engine won’t start. Mark the bottom of the blade before you take it out with a dab of paint or a piece of tape. This way, you can reinstall it with the correct side up without any hassle.

To take the blade out, tilt the mower to the side so that the carburetor is facing up. Then take a 2x4 and wedge it between the blade and the mower’s deck shirt. You do this so that after the bolt is removed, the blade will resist against the board.

With the board in place, unscrew the bolt. You can use a breaker bar or a long-handle wrench for this. Once the bolt is loosened, remove the blade carefully.

Inspecting the Blade

Once the blade is free, you can inspect it for any damage or signs of concern. If you have a replacement blade on hand, you can compare the two to see how the used one has held up. It helps to have a replacement blade on hand, anyway. If your old one isn’t up to the task anymore, the back-up is there ready to be installed.

Check for a few things when inspecting your lawn mower blade. The cutting edge should be straight while the trailing edge should be thick. If either side is worn or distorted, replace the blade. Sharpening is pretty pointless at this time. If the cutting edge has become chipped or dented, you’ll have to replace the blade

Sharpening the Blade

To sharpen your lawn mower blade properly, you’ll need a file that’s ten inches or longer. Start your strokes at the top side of the cutting edge and push with firm (but smooth) movements downward. It’ll take about twenty or thirty strokes for the edge to be sharp again.

Keep count of how many strokes you’ve done or you might end up with too many. Sharpening a mower blade too much can wreck the blade’s balance and make it useless. Here’s where you can compare to your replacement blade again so you know if the sharpness is just right.

Balancing the Blade

If a lawn mower blade becomes unbalanced, it’ll strain and vibrate against the blade’s shaft. So before reinstalling the lade, make sure it’s balanced. Put a nail in a board and use the blade’s bolt hole to set it on the nail. If the blade tips to one side, file that side down to even it out. It’s a time-consuming process since you should only file small amounts at a time. But it’s worth it!

Hopefully, you’ll find this guide helpful for your DIY lawn mower care. For more professional service, bring your mower down to Mike Cooper Tractors in Fort Gibson, OK, near Tulsa and Muskogee. We also have a wide selection of lawn mowers for sale, so stop by today and let us help you with any of your lawn care needs!