Is it necessary to sharpen lawn mower blades?

Lawnmower blades need to be sharpened regularly. A dull blade will pull and tear on your grass blades causing jagged tips. The dull blade stresses the grass and the damaged grass tips turn yellow. A sharp blade will cut cleanly which is healthier for the lawn, easier on you and your mower engine.

What happens if you don't sharpen your lawn mower blades?

Depending on usage, mower blades should be sharpened at least once or twice a year. Dull blades don't just slow your mower down: they can also leave your lawn susceptible to browning and withering. The good news is, it's relatively easy to sharpen your blades.

Is it worth sharpening lawn mower blades?

Mowing with sharp blades will also reduce your mowing time. 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.

Does sharpening mower blades make a difference?

Do sharp mower blades make a difference? Yes, sharp blades make a difference-a huge difference, to say the least. When grass grows fast and becomes bushy during spring, only sharper blades will do a great cut with minimum strain on your lawnmower. You also realize faster mowing with sharp mowing blades.

Is it better to sharpen or replace mower blade?

Lawn mower blades are built for durability and can usually be salvaged with regular sharpening. However, if you notice large dents and chips on the edge that aren't smoothed out with a blade sharpener, it's time to invest in new blades. Yard debris can also wear down a blade over years, resulting in thin weak metal.

How To Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades

How do I know if my mower blade is dull?

A dull blade can make your lawn appear yellow, brown and raggedy. A dull lawnmower blade may even pull up portions of the grass because it actually pulls on the entire plant instead of slicing through the blades of grass cleanly.

What is the average cost to sharpen lawn mower blades?

Depending on the type of your mower, you can expect to pay anywhere between 20 dollars to 60 dollars. If it's a reel lawn mower you might not even need to take the blades off the mower and sharpen them while they're attached.

How often should you sharpen mower blades?

In general, sharpen twice per season or after 25 hours of use to keep your blades in good shape. Also, sharpen the blades after hitting rocks. Stone can easily dent or nick the blades. The lawn itself can also hint when you need to sharpen your mower blades.

How long do lawn mower blades last?

On average, most mower blades last up to 100 to 200 hours under normal conditions. The number of hours can be as high as 400 if you use high-quality blades. When blades get dull, you can sharpen them with a grinder or metallic file, but the blade sharpening will only work for 2 to 3 times.

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.

Why are new mower blades dull?

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.

Are new mower blades already sharpened?

Do New Lawn Mower Blades Need to Be Sharpened? If your lawn mower is brand new, then there won't be any need to sharpen the blade. During the manufacturing process, mower blades are always sharpened, and new mowers come with sharp blades from the factory.

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.

Is it OK to tip a lawn mower on its side?

Well, when tipping a mower over, the main danger is that fuel and oil can leak, but with this method, there's virtually no chance of this. The oil will pool on the backside of the engine, nowhere near your carburetor, muffler, breather tube, valves, spark plug or piston.

How do I know if I need a new mower blade?

Does Ace Hardware sharpen mower blades?

We sharpen a wide range of edges, from lawn mower blades to paper scissors, we're here to make your cutting experience safe and easy.

Do you need to sharpen mulching blades?

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.

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 are Gator blades used for?

Unlike other mulching blades that push the grass down, the high lift on a gator blade draws the grass up which in turn gives you a clean, even cut. This high lift also makes using Gator Blades in bagging operations a great choice.

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.