A Comprehensive Guide on How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade

Why Sharpening Your Lawn Mower Blade Matters

Knowing how to sharpen a lawn mower blade isn’t just about making mowing easier. It’s also key to maintaining a healthy, lush lawn. A sharp blade gives a clean, precise cut, fostering healthier grass growth and reducing the chances of disease or pest infestation. On the contrary, a dull blade rips the grass, leading to an uneven, ragged lawn appearance.

Furthermore, maintaining a sharp blade can help prevent potential damage to the mower. A dull blade overworks the mower's engine, which can lead to overheating or other mechanical issues. Regular blade sharpening reduces the mower's workload, ensuring its longevity and helping you avoid expensive repairs or replacements.

Signs Your Lawn Mower Blade Needs Sharpening

Knowing how to sharpen a lawn mower blade is essential for a well-kept, healthy lawn. But how do you know when it's time to sharpen the blade? Here are some signs to watch for:

• Uneven grass cutting: When you see patches of unevenly cut grass after mowing, your blade may be dull. Knowing how to sharpen a mower blade will ensure a uniform cut, giving your lawn a professional look.
• Torn or frayed grass blades: Inspect your lawn after mowing. If you see torn or frayed grass blades, it's a clear sign that your blade isn't sharp enough to make clean cuts. This can weaken the grass and make it susceptible to diseases and pests.
• Increased mowing effort or time: If mowing feels more difficult or takes longer than usual, it may be due to a dull blade. A sharp blade allows for efficient cutting, reducing strain on your mower's engine and making the task quicker.

If you notice any of these signs, sharpen the lawn mower blades. When you have a riding mower, you can schedule repair service and have a Sears Home Services technician replace the blades for you.

How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade: A Step-by-Step Guide

Keeping a sharp lawn mower blade is a vital part of lawn care. Here are step-by-step guides to help you sharpen blades on push mowers and riding mowers.

Push or Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers

Here’s a video that shows how to remove and replace the blade on a push lawn mower:

Use the procedure shown in the video along with these steps to sharpen the lawn mower blade:

1. Wear protective gloves to protect your hands.
2. Disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent accidental starting.
3. Remove the fuel tank cap. Place a plastic bag over the fuel tank opening and reinstall the fuel tank cap to prevent gasoline from leaking out through the fuel tank cap vent.
4. Tilt the mower back to lift the front wheels then secure the mower handle to your worktable to hold the mower steady.
5. Wedge a block of wood between the mower blade and the deck to keep the blade from turning when you loosen the blade bolt. To make blade remove easier, you can use a blade removal tool as shown in this video.
6. Mark the side of the blade that faces down to ensure proper reinstallation. Loosen and unthread the blade bolt while holding the cutting blade to keep the blade from falling. Pull the blade, blade support and blade bolt off the crankshaft.
7. Inspect the blade and replace it if it’s cracked, bent or damaged.
8. Wear protective eyewear and sharpen the blade using a file. Hold the file at a 45-degree angle as you stroke the blade edge. Apply about 40 strokes to each side of the blade so the blade stays balanced. You should only sharpen the blade until it’s about as sharp as a butter knife, not razor sharp.
9. Check the blade balance using a nail and shave some filings off the heavy side of the blade if it’s unbalanced.
10. Reinstall the blade by following the steps shown in the video.

Riding Mowers

Follow the steps in this DIY video to remove the mower deck and take off the mower blades:

Sharpen the riding mower blades as described in steps 8 and 9 above, then reinstall the blades on the riding mower.

By following this guide, you can learn how do I sharpen mower blades and enhance the health and appearance of your lawn. Regular blade maintenance will ensure your mower runs smoothly and your lawn stays in excellent condition.