Do you sharpen both sides of a lawn mower blade?

Always sharpen from the top side of the cutting edge; this will give you the longest-lasting edge on the blade. Note: The file cuts in one direction only, on the push stroke; you'll feel it bite into the steel on the blade.

What angle should lawn mower blades be sharpened at?

Lawn mower blades come from the factory with a specific angle on the angled edge. This angle should be kept as you grind your blades over time. The most common lawn mower blade angle is 30-35 degrees. When sharpening your mower blades it is important to keep this 30-35 degree angle over time.

What is the grass side of a mower blade?

To determine which side of your lawn mower blade is up, first figure out which side is the sharp cutting edge, and which side is the blunt edge. Look for a sticker indicating which side goes up and which side faces downward. The cutting edge should face the grass while the dull edge should face the deck of the mower.

How do you know which side of a lawn mower blade is up?

The most common and easiest way to tell which side of your lawn mower blade is up, is to look for the label. Most manufacturers will stamp at least one side of the blade with a direction label. These can say things like: “This Side Up”, “This Side Down”, or “This Side Toward The Grass”, depending on the brand.

Can you put a lawn mower blade on backwards?

Mower blades have a cutting edge at each end. The key to replacing the mower blade is installing the new one properly. It is common to install a blade upside down. When this happens, the lawn mower will not cut correctly, or it could damage the mower.

How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade | This Old House

How do you know if your lawn mower blade is backwards?

If on the right side, move the blade in a counterclockwise direction, and if on the left side, move it in a clockwise direction.) When doing this, this sharp edge of the blade should be the edge that leads. If it does, then you have the correct lawn mower blade position. If not, you need to flip it over.

Can a mower blade be too sharp?

In fact, an edge that is that sharp has the tendency to roll over, which can cause blades to get nicked and chipped. Additionally, lawn mower blades that are too sharp get duller, faster resulting in the need to sharpen more frequently and a shorter blade life.

Why are new mower blades not sharp?

The main reason that some people believe that new blades should be sharpened before use is due to the powder-coated paint finish that is applied to most replacement blades by the manufacturer. This finish is particularly thick around the blade's cutting edge and to the touch, it can make it feel like it's dull.

How do I know if my lawnmower blade is sharp?

Look for these signs that you may need to sharpen the mower blades: Dents or nicks in the mower blades. Uneven grass height after cutting. Grass blades look torn instead of sliced.

Can you sharpen lawn mower blades without taking them off?

Can a Lawn Mower Blade Really Be Sharpened Without Removing It? Yes, you can sharpen a lawn mower blade without removing it. I usually take my blade off to sharpen it, but if you want to hone yours while it's attached to the mower you certainly can.

Does wet grass dull mower blades?

Wet grass doesn't dull lawn mower blades any more than grass that is bone dry does. It's simply a common (and incorrect) conclusion that people come to when they're cutting wet grass and not having the same level of success as in drier conditions.

Should mulching blades be sharp?

Mulching blades are supposed to be sharp so they can cut through grass, leaves, and other debris. Sharpen the mulching blades with a file until they easily cut through the grass, then tighten the blades onto the lawnmower's deck. The blades should be sharpened twice per season.

How often should you replace lawn mower blades?

For the average homeowner, a good rule of thumb is to replace your mower blades annually. Sharpening mower blades on a regular basis will prolong the life of your blades. Be sure to take protective measures if you sharpen your blades at home - wear protective gear and disconnect the spark plugs.

How tight should lawn mower drive belt be?

Home and Garden Geek adds that you should be able to loop one or two fingers over the same belt when the tractor is off and the belt is “engaged” and pull it gently away from the pullies. This translates to one or two pounds of force. If you need more than two fingers, your deck belt may be too tight.

How do you keep lawn mower blades sharp?

Lawn mowers have a few options to sharpen lawn mower blades, ranging from a bench grinder, hand file, rotary tool or angle grinder. Your lawn mower blades can also be sharpened with a drill and sharpening stone designed for sharpening dull lawn mower blades.

Should lawnmower blades be tight?

Generally speaking, the blade should be tight enough so that it doesn't move around on its own, but you should be able to move with your hand by applying some pressure. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mower's manual.

Do new mower blades come sharpened?

Almost all new lawnmowers and lawnmower blades come pre-sharpened from the factory and there is no need to sharpen them before you can use them.

Which side goes up on a mulching blade?

1. Look at both sides of the mulching blade. Most blades have the word “bottom” stamped on them, or they have a model number imprinted onto the underside. Whether a word or a number, that side of the mulching blade must face the ground after it is installed and the mower is standing upright.

What happens if you turn a lawn mower upside down?

Possible cause 1: In some models, when you tip the mower, fuel can leak into the carbon in the cap, which restricts the venting of the fuel system. This can cause the engine not to start, or only run for a few minutes, then quit. POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Leave the cap to dry out or replace with a new cap.

How many times can you sharpen mower blades?

Typically, most home owners just need to sharpen blades twice per season. One good sharpening at the beginning of the season and one around the middle of the mowing season should be good. If you mow over debris such as sticks or rocks, however, you may need to sharpen your blades more than that.

Why does my mulching mower leave clumps of grass?

1 – It's too wet

Heavy mowers will start to sink into the grass and whip up moisture as they cut your grass, which causes grass to clump in matted wet wads that clog the deck of your mower and its catcher.

Will mulching blades work with side discharge?

Mulching blades are sometimes called “all purpose” or “3-in-1” blades because you can use them to mulch, bag, or side discharge. Standard blades are called 2-in-1 blades because you can use them to either bag or side discharge the grass.

When should you not cut your grass?