Tips on Lawn Mower Sharpening

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One of the pitfalls of summer is the chore of mowing the grass. By ensuring that your lawn mower blades are sharp, you can help to make this task a lot easier.

There are several reasons to sharpen your lawn mower blades. Dull lawn mower blades can rip and tear at your lawn instead of cutting it which can leave the grass vulnerable to disease. These dull blades can also cut your grass unevenly, making your yard look worse after you mow than it did before you started. You may find that you also have to run over certain areas of your yard several times to cut the grass properly which leads to a lot of extra time and work on your part as well the extra wear and tear on your mower. By sharpening your lawn mower blades every month or two, you can save yourself and your mower from being overworked as well as help to ensure a healthy and well-mowed lawn.

Sharpening your mower blades is usually an easy process. First, you should disconnect your mower’s spark plug. This step will ensure that the mower does not start accidentally, leading to a serious injury.

In most models, you can use a wrench or a socket set to remove the nut that is holding the blade against the mower deck. If your model’s blades do not seem to detach this way, you should consult your owner’s manual to discover the method that the manufacturer suggests to remove the lawn mower blades. You should then remove the blades from the machine carefully, as even dull lawn mower blades can easily slice your skin.

Once you have the blades removed, you should use a file and run it repeatedly along the angle of the blade. This angle should usually be about 45 degrees. You also want to run the file along the edge the same number of times on both sides to help to keep the blade balanced.

By gently feeling the edge of your blade, you should be able to determine if the blade is sharp enough. Once you are satisfied with your results, you can place the blade back onto the mower deck, making sure that it is fastened securely. Remember to reattach your spark plug and you are now ready to begin mowing. For more on lawn mowers visit www.LawnMowerTypes.com.