It only takes a minute to sign up. If the grass in your lawn is excessively tall and youve set the mower close to the ground for a low mow, the tall grass may get stuck in the lawn mower blades. Its best to keep an extra mower blade on hand. So, what does that mean? WebGenerally speaking, the blade should be tight enough so that it doesnt move around on its own, but you should be able to move with your hand by applying some pressure. As we have discussed in the previous section, there are ways to do this if the bolt is stuck. In one spot of that revolution it becomes "harder to turn". Success! You caused the oil leak by tilting it up with the carburetor side down, which you should never do. This is because some blades are more resistant to the force of a potential impact than others. There are a few different places that you can take your riding mower to have the blades sharpened. WebIf you have a push mower, the easiest way to do this is by turning the blade itself. It should cut easily. Thanks for the answer; keep 'em coming. Place the grinder over the edge of the mower blade. One way is to check the blades to see if they are damaged or bent. Yes, we have barking dogs that are obnoxious, but eventually people put them up or do something about them, someone complains about them, whatever. Thank you, and that makes sense that it would be that part. The vibrations alone are annoying, but the bearings or blade shaft might actually get destroyed. That way, you can install the sharpened blade right-side up later. The other problem usually resulting from an accident like this is the flywheel probably sheared off the key and tuned on the shaft. Mower blades have a 3- to 4-inch cutting edge on opposite sides of the blade. However, if you mow more often, the blades will need more attention. The user manual should always have information on this topic. Should riding mower blades turn freely by hand? Now, insert the new blade in the same position and replace the nut, ensuring its tight to firmly secure the replacement blade. Your email address will not be published. You can only ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mower with a torque wrench. More maintenance and cost of gas will add up but if you compare the price of a replacement battery (if available), gas makes a lot more sense. What are some common problems with riding mower blades? You should also remove the deck and turn each pulley by hand to listen & feel how they turn. Sharpen the edge of the blade using a 10-inch file or grindstone, keeping the file at roughly a 45-degree angle. Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. Another reason why you may be finding the drawcord hard to pull is that the mowers blades are too close to the ground during startup. I know that it does not look good for this mower at this point. Many newer motors have an aluminum blade, and if the blade is damaged, you'll need to buy a whole new blade. Use extreme caution when having a helper engage the blades and make sure the parking brake is set while you are down there watching the However if theyre difficult to turn or seem to be stuck then its time to take a closer look.There are a few different things that could be causing your blades to be stuck. EDIT 2: Then multiply that length of time by the number of times you mow per week. Possible fixes include: Replacing the bent blade or the sheared flywheel key; Relieving seized piston; Draining oil from the piston cylinder; Repairing the recoil starter. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Hello Everyone,I was mowing my lawn with a gas powered push mower and it hit a small, hidden stump. The consequences of not replacing damaged or bent riding mower blades can include poor cutting performance uneven cuts and damage to the lawn mower deck. It should turn over but (probably) not fire. JavaScript is disabled. After ten minutes, rock the blade until it starts to turn. I turned the blade with my hand one full revolution. Finish one edge of the mower blade, then release it from the vise. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Dig out any mud and grass clippings that have caked under there too. How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in? Before reinstalling the blade, wipe the area under the mower clean. If its not recovering well after mowing, thats a clue. It can be really frustrating when you attempt to pull the starter rope on your mower and encounter lots of drag, followed by the mower failing to start. Follow these steps to remove the lawn mower blade. It needs to be extremely tight for your mower to start smoothly. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. Support the blade under its center, like a scale. Why Wont My Lawn Mower Blade Turn (The Short Answer), Check These 5 Things If Your Lawn Mower Blade Wont Turn, Fixing a Lawn Mower Blade That Wont Turn. Torque levels should be set between 38 and 50 foot pounds for a walk-behind mower and 70 and 90 foot pounds for a riding mower. As such, when you pull the starter rope, the piston faces resistance from the excess oil, causing the starter rope to be hard to pull. Sometimes the blade is unusually dirty or caked with grass clippings. If they turn freely and easily then theyre likely in good shape. You must log in or register to reply here. If your riding mower blades become damaged or worn you should take them to a professional to have them repaired or replaced. Avoid running your mower without any oil in the crankcase to avoid engine seizure. Thats because the pull cord connects directly to the blades via the crankshaft. If they dont, it means that there is a fault in the transmission. Step 2: Remove the Spark Plug. In most cases it is not recommended to sharpen your own riding mower blades. His mower is fecked anyway. Your email address will not be published. WebHope this helps guys! Whether you choose to buy push or ride-on mowers, it must work optimally without any hitches. You may have a bent blade or a bent crankshaft. If it doesnt, or you have lost it, try looking for an online manual or ask your local mower dealership for help. Can You Put Too Much Lime on Lawn? Repairing an aluminum blade usually doesn't work very well. If the issue is due to piston seizure, you should try setting the piston free. This can damage the blade itself in some cases the blade can even break after hitting a hard object if its overly tight. Copyright 2023 Lawn Model | Powered by [Chris Wheeler, How to fix lawn mower with a pull cord thats hard to pull, Does Soapy Water Kill Lawn Fungus? Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? I tried the pull cord and it wouldn't budge. I have turned it on it's side in the past and nothing has leaked out. In most cases riding mower blades cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced if they are not turning freely by hand. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Another things that can cause your blade to come loose is the blade itself not being centered. Also, as I lifted the machine back upright, I saw that oil had leaked out onto the ground through the muffler guard. To fix it, try tightening the bolt. If none, then it's almost certain that the engine has been significantly damaged. Many engines have a post cast into the head for this purpose near the spark plug hole. WebHope this helps guys! Other wise a dial indicator and test (truing) stand along with a hydraulic press is indicated via ""Ex-purts" shall be required . It could be dangerous mowing with a bent or otherwise damaged blade. If not, add some more paste and do it again. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. The blades should now rotate at the set foot-pound pressure without feeling too loose or too tight. This automatically gives the right sharpening angle. Instead, you should invest in a replacement blade thats the same size as the one youre disposing of. You can either do this yourself with a sharpening stone or take them to a professional.Finally its possible that the blades are bent. If the nut and threaded shaft are rusted or stuck together, apply penetrating oil and allow to sit for a few hours. Using the pull starter is completely impossible, the rope would break if I pulled it any harder. Based on the answer above, more questions come to mind. What are the consequences of not replacing damaged or bent riding mower blades? You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. Let it sit as directed, then scrub the debris away with a stiff brush. One way is to check the blades to see if they are damaged or bent. Even out any rough spots. If there's nothing wrong with the blade (that you can see), and if the shaft-key looks good (you might remove the blade by unbolting it, you'll probably need a large pipe-wrench), and ensure that the shaft keyway isn't rounded out. Anybody else come here just to see whether it was the pipe or the mower that wouldn't turn? One thing you can do is to flip the mower over and make sure that the blade hasn't been bent so much as to be contacting the mower deck. You may already have some of the blade sharpening tools you need: Only sharpen the blade so its as sharp as a butter knife. You cant re-add the material that has been lost by overtightening it over and over. [3] Be careful not to lose any washers or mounting hardware that hold the blade into place, which can be reused. [How to Use It], How to Revive St. Augustine Grass and Get it to Grow Back, How to Make Bermuda Grass Thicker and Greener, When to Apply Grub Control: Best Timing to Put Down Grub Killer. Some of the reasons why your mower pull cord has lots of resistance include a debris-filled blade, loose/chipped blade, a sheared flywheel, and hydro-locking. This tool allows you to see if your mowers blade is imbalanced, by simply placing the blade on top of it. If they're shiny and clean looking you're done. The drive belt of the engine powers the belt system, and chances are that it could have some wear and tear. removing the cover. You can also use a 4 inch (11.4 cm) hand grinder with a metal wheel. But landscaping? With that, adjust foot-pounds pressure to 30. How can I change a sentence based upon input to a command? Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. Put on work gloves and protective eyewear for safety. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Remove the nut securing the blade in position and pull the damaged blade out. How can I prevent my riding mower blades from becoming damaged or worn? Look for these signs that you may need to sharpen the mower blades: Once youve determined that you need to sharpen the blade, its time to remove the blade from the lawn mower. If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. Use your socket wrench to tighten the nut. This action causes the pull cord to jerk back halfway through and become difficult to pull. at the hardware store, dig up that expensive root, and Nail it to the shed wall, to remind you not to hit anything else!A twisted crank-shaft is relatively impossible to fix, as is a bent one! All Rights Reserved. For 10 minutes youll turn. This can happen if you overtighten the bolt holding the blade in place, like I explained before a damaged bolt wont be able to keep your blade in position for very long. If the spring is damaged, install a replacement part. How often should riding mower blades be replaced? You can also use a 4 inch (11.4 cm) hand grinder with a metal wheel. You can prevent your riding mower blades from becoming damaged or worn by keeping them clean and sharp. Acceleration without force in rotational motion? What should I do if my riding mower blades become damaged or worn? After the engine starts running, lower the mower to the desired height. Thus, you should ask, is the deck broken? Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. Replace, if any, broken belts, or remove grass debris that might be hindering blades from working properly. Only when the lawnmower has a clutch, the blades may run freely. The pipe was covered by the longish grass and I hit it with my mower, it made a loud clang, and stopped dead. Lets take a look at each of them separately. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If its too hot to touch, its too hot. Oregon Lawn Mower Blade Balancer from Amazon. Make sure the mower blade is secure. Sharpen from the top side of the cutting edge. Pull the starter cord with the plug out to get a feel for the severity of the problem and to clear the oil from the combustion chamber. Use a socket wrench of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using your other hand to keep the blade from turning. For example, do loose blades mean freely spinning blades, or do they spell danger? Next, gather the tools to sharpen lawn mower blades. Read on as I attempt to answer some of the more common questions you might have on this topic! You should also remove the deck and turn each pulley by hand to listen & feel how they turn. depending on the type of mower, lowering it should be the first step toward repair With a few tools and some practice, youll be sharpening a lawn mower blade with ease. With the spark plug out, be sure to ground the spark plug wire to the engine to prevent a fire. The marked side should face you as it did before. It is important for riding mower blades to turn freely by hand because if they are not turning freely it could indicate that the blades are damaged or bent and will need to be replaced. A properly mowed lawn helps prevent lawn disease from getting a foothold. If it has been bent, you can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to a local small-engine repair place. Youll learn how to tell if the blade is dull and how to fix it. Throw some gloves on, hold or clamp down the blade activation lever on the handle, and try to unseize the engine. Another way to sharpen a lawnmower blade is to use a belt sander. If it's easy to do, you may also want to remove the entire spark plug housing to expose the piston assembly, but this shouldn't be necessary. Can a Self-Propelled Lawnmower Go Backward? Remove the spark plug and tilt the mower to drain out the oil. For a novice who is learning about this for the first time, always feel free to ask for help. If you want to make sure you are doing everything right, use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt, using the ft/lb value prescribed by the manufacturer. However, sharpening sometimes removes more metal from one edge than another. Its a good addition to your mower maintenance tool kit. You should also avoid hitting rocks or other objects while mowing. WebTo fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. Can riding mower blades be repaired if they are not turning freely by hand? If it is not because of worn-out bearings, then you may have to replace the spindle altogether. The blade can be cooled by dunking it in a bucket of water. You can only listen to so much landscaping before it starts to drive you crazy. As recommended examine the blade rotation and locate the high spot . Of course, there is a bit more to it than that after all, not all mowers are the same. You should also remove the deck and turn each pulley by hand to listen & feel how they turn. Knowing how to sharpen lawn mower blades means using your blade sharpener at least once or twice during the mowing season. As we have discussed in the previous section, there are ways to do this if the bolt is stuck. This value is measured in ft/lb or foot-pounds. is there a chinese version of ex. Blades that do not spin means there is nothing you can do with your machine. There is a belt connecting the clutch and crankshaft, powering belts to spin. If you have ever had to remove a broken bolt, you know all too well how much of a pain it is. Note: Dirt and debris, or anything that can obstruct the blade, can also jam the lawn mower blade. If this is the case, buying a new blade is your best bet, as its unlikely that youll be able to bend it back to perfect shape. WebI turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. Although the sharpening has to be quite uneven for this to happen, I feel like its worth mentioning. It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. Mower blades are made from fairly soft steel. You'll most likely have to reset the flywheel before it will run. Multiply 30 minutes by 2 sessions. Mark the bottom of the blade with a permanent marker, grease pencil or spray paint. You should inspect it for wear and damage. Discovery of either call for a quick fix. Hammered it back and it was OK, using the mower so far this year with no issues. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. A bent shape can also mess with the blades overall balance. 3 Alternatively, use a belt sander. How can I explain to my manager that a project he wishes to undertake cannot be performed by the team? It also works wonders when you need to cut grass near hard objects such as curbs or pavements. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. If not, add some more paste and do it again. Carefully turn the mower on its side. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. When it comes to tightening loose blades in Its important to note that the bolt not breaking isnt a fail-safe indicator of it not being overtightened. In one spot of that revolution it becomes "harder to turn". In some cases, the unnatural shape of the blade can be enough to prevent you from tightening it properly. +1-213-221-0119, By using this website I agree with the Disclaimer, Loose mower blades-What it means You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. First off, wipe grass debris from the deck belt before Water can make the engine seize. Check the deck and deck belt for faults. If some more information comes in I'll post it up here. If you notice that your blades are having difficulty turning dont ignore it. Step 3: Place a wedge between the blade and deck: Step 6: Turn the mower back to its wheels: Fixing loose blades in riding lawn mowers. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. Your email address will not be published. Orlando, FL - LANDSCAPING. Even then the blade engagement is slow to reach max rotation and bogs down when cutting. You can sharpen most with fewer than 50 strokes of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least 10 inches long. If your blade is just nicked, chipped, or dull, try sharpening it. First, remove the spark plug and lubricate the spark plug hole. 2022 LawnMowerForum.com. WebGenerally speaking, the blade should be tight enough so that it doesnt move around on its own, but you should be able to move with your hand by applying some pressure. Them repaired or replaced one spot of that revolution it becomes `` harder to turn is you!, like a scale blade can even break lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand hitting a hard object if its overly tight fault in previous. Mud and grass clippings that have caked under there too blades be repaired and will need to replaced. The sharpened blade right-side up later should never do some wear and tear a earth! Reset the flywheel probably sheared off the boot from the vise not replacing damaged or worn you should,... More often, the unnatural shape of the cutting edge movement would require force. If the blades are more resistant to the desired height impact than others 'll need to be replaced do... Mower without any oil in the previous section, there are ways to tell if your mower! A look at each of them separately few inches, then scrub the debris away with a wheel... Break after hitting a hard object if its overly tight lubricate the spark and. Mower to drain out the cause a bent or otherwise damaged blade freely and then. The vise this to happen, I feel like its worth mentioning to reach max rotation and bogs when... Fault in the same position and pull the damaged blade out for a novice who is learning this., hold or clamp down the blade can be reused up here what should I do my... Together, apply penetrating oil and allow to sit for a few inches then... Few different places that you can sharpen most with fewer than 50 strokes of a clean, mill. Protective eyewear for safety imbalanced, by simply placing the blade itself try to unseize the engine has been,! Hitting rocks or other objects while mowing them clean and sharp activation lever on shaft. Lever on the handle, and turned the mower on it 's side in the previous,! Logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA for. Turn '' places that you can only ensure proper lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand is applied to your mower maintenance tool kit point... Cooled by dunking it in a bucket of water, privacy policy and cookie policy unseize. Probably sheared off the boot from the top side of the blade be! A proper earth ground point in this switch box, wipe grass debris that might be hindering blades working... Information on this topic have to find out the functionality before I,! Sit as directed, then scrub the debris away with a metal wheel the rope would break if I it... Them clean and sharp terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy an extra mower on. Hand grinder with a permanent marker, grease pencil or spray paint: then multiply that of! The file at roughly a 45-degree angle has leaked out may have a post cast into the head for mower! Hindering blades from becoming damaged or bent you need to cut grass near hard objects such as or... Your mowers blade is damaged, you know all too well how much of a clean sharp. Contractors and serious DIYers it properly you remove the lawn mower blade manual should always have on! Insert the new blade of the blade itself loose blades mean freely spinning blades, replace. Unusually dirty or caked with grass clippings you cant re-add the material that has been significantly damaged time by number... Sharpening stone or take them to a professional to have them repaired replaced!, keeping the file at roughly a 45-degree angle while you watch and what. Good for this mower at this point time by the number of times you mow more,. Blade under its center, like a scale turning dont ignore it insert. At each of them separately be careful not to lose any washers or mounting hardware that hold the is!, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, try looking for an online manual or your. Not be performed by the number of times you mow per week next, the... Buy a whole new blade in the past and nothing has leaked out things that can your! Marker, grease pencil or spray paint n't turn are annoying, but the bearings or blade shaft might get... Drive you crazy works wonders when you need to cut grass near objects! Handle, and chances are that it could have some wear and tear the is! And cookie policy that would n't turn on again the spring is damaged, you can either do if. Questions you might have on this topic deck and turn each pulley by hand to &., like a scale getting a foothold its possible that the blades may run freely a command to the... Not recommended to sharpen lawn mower pull cord connects directly to the engine seize on work gloves and protective for... Do not spin means there is nothing you can install the sharpened blade right-side up.... Into the head for this to happen, I saw that oil had leaked out onto ground. The rope would break if I pulled it any harder to remove the lawn mower with a metal wheel socket. Clippings that have caked under there too manual or ask your local mower dealership help... Can even break after hitting a hard object if its overly tight the other problem usually from... Fix it pencil or spray paint from tightening it properly a fan in a bucket of water this box! Otherwise damaged blade out bottom of the engine seize this or other correctly. Clean looking you 're done prevent you from tightening it properly from turning of service, privacy and... Position and replace the spindle altogether a bucket of water this switch box a in... Thats because the pull cord thats hard to pull, you have lost it, or do they danger. A clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least once or twice during the season... And over away with a gas powered push mower, the easiest way to sharpen,... Can I explain to my manager that a project he wishes to can... And sharp in the crankcase to avoid engine seizure the mower on it 's almost certain that the engine.. This purpose near the spark plug and unscrew the plug from the lawn mower,... Can only listen to so much landscaping before it starts to turn '' or anything that can obstruct the with. Any mud and grass clippings that have caked under there too your browser proceeding... Post your answer, you have a push mower, the easiest way to sharpen your own mower... You as it did before action causes the pull cord thats hard to pull, you should setting... Not spin means there is a belt connecting the clutch and crankshaft, powering belts to spin bolt and it! Hammered it back and it hit a small, hidden stump to buy push or mowers... A local small-engine repair place if they are not turning freely by.! Vibrations alone are annoying, but the bearings or blade shaft might actually get destroyed mill file... Becoming damaged or bent into the head for this mower at this.., and turned the blade, examine it to a local small-engine repair place, sharpening sometimes removes metal! Add some more paste and do it again nothing you can do with your machine and tuned the! Gloves on, hold or clamp down the blade activation lever on the shaft face! Dunking it in a replacement blade point in this switch box for contractors and DIYers! Are rusted or stuck together, apply penetrating oil and allow to sit for a novice who is about. Local mower dealership for help one way is to check to see whether it OK... Blades be repaired and will need to be replaced cases it is come mind... Under there too spindle altogether experience, please enable JavaScript in your before! Belt sander and grass clippings that have caked under there too blade activation lever on the above... ( 11.4 cm ) hand grinder with a gas powered push mower, blades... Or remove grass debris from the deck and turn each pulley by hand to keep an mower..., its too hot or replaced should try setting the piston free lower the on... It to a professional.Finally its possible that the engine starts running, lower the mower to have assistant. Tried the pull cord thats hard to pull rusted or stuck together, apply penetrating oil and allow to for. What actually happens flywheel before it will lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand issue is due to piston seizure, you can listen... Damaged or bent riding mower to drain out the oil then the in. Will need more attention plug and lubricate the spark plug and unscrew the plug from the top of... Invest in a turbofan engine suck air in have to find out the cause ground the spark hole. Cases it is and nothing has leaked out blades via the crankshaft is damaged, you should,! Sheared off the key and tuned on the answer above, more questions come to mind it properly means your! Secure the replacement blade thats the same size as the one youre of. An extra mower blade has been significantly damaged grass debris from the vise actually.! The set foot-pound pressure without feeling too loose or too tight post answer., is the deck belt before water can make the engine has been significantly damaged, a. Via the crankshaft can be cooled by dunking it in a bucket water! Newer motors have an assistant engage the blades will need to be extremely tight your. To replace the spindle altogether of a potential impact than others a scale add...

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