Blade Sharpening Safety Tips

If you notice that your lawn mower isn’t performing well, the problem might not be with the engine or the starter but with the blade. Lawn mower blades can dull over time, and make it hard for your mower to work properly. Fortunately, blade sharpening is an easy process— as long as you know what you’re doing.

Before you get started on DIY blade sharpening, it’s important to know a few rudimentary parts of the process. Remember to always consult a professional if you aren’t completely sure that you are doing the process correctly. Lawn mower blades can be dangerous and you don’t want to end up with any injuries as a result of a do-it-yourself project!

Remove the Blade

Before you can remove the blade from the machine, make sure the engine is shut off and that it will not be able to turn on while you’re touching it.

As you remove it, make a note of where the bottom of the lawn mower blade is so that you know which side is up when you reinstall it. An easy way to do this is to mark the bottom of the blade with a touch of paint or a piece of tape.

Next, tilt the lawn mower on its side so the carburetor is facing up. You can use a 2x4 and wedge it between the deck’s skirt and the blade. When you do this, you’ll force the blade to resist against the board once you remove the bolt. Once this is done, unscrew the bolt with a  long handle wrench or breaker bar. It will eventually become loose enough for you to remove it.

Check the Condition

This is a good time to inspect the lawn mower blade for any problems. You may want to have a new blade available in case it needs to be replaced. It’s also helpful to have a point of reference for just how sharp your blade should be. 

The first step to inspecting the blade is confirming that the cutting edge is straight and the trailing edge is thick. If either of these edges shows signs of major wear or distortion, then you should replace it. You also want to see if the cutting edge has any dents or chips as this also calls for a replacement. If all is well, you can start sharpening the blade. 

Sharpen & Balance It

Make sure you have a file that is at least 10 inches long. Begin your strokes at the top side of the cutting edge. You’ll want to push with firm yet smooth movements in a downward motion. In general, it takes about 20 or 30 strokes to get it fully sharpened. 

Make sure you don’t go too overboard with your strokes as this can throw off the blade’s balance. Your replacement lawn mower blade will give you a good idea of how much you need to sharpen it. Keep in mind that if your blade is not properly balanced, it will vibrate and strain the shaft. 

It is important to always confirm that your lawn mower blade is correctly balanced before you reinstall it. One way to do this is to place a nail into a board. You can use the bolt in your blade to set it on the nail. If you notice that it tips in one direction, file that side down until it is even. This can be tedious and time-consuming, but it will be well worth it for a blade that is properly sharpened and balanced.

Sharpening blades can be a great way of making sure that your lawn mower is operating in top form. And, if you need a set of replacement blades to get started, there’s no better place to get them than at Boehm Tractor Sales in Shiner. We proudly serve customers in Shiner, Seguin, and Austin, Texas, and surrounding areas. Stop in and see us today!