Talk with a Tech | Mower Blades

Mower Blades

By Jason Imel, GreenFarmParts.com

The most often question our service techs get is, how to tell if you should sharpen vs. replace your mower blades?

To achieve a great cut and a healthy lawn, it is essential to regularly sharpen or replace your lawn mower blades. Although there is no real time frame on how often to sharpen your blades, the exact timing does depend on your workload and how often regularly scheduled inspections of both your lawn and your blades.

Here are 4 Easy Signs to look out for in determining your blades health:

UNEVENNESS IN YOUR CUT:

When your lawn mower blade is sharp, your grass should be cut at the same height every time with just one pass of the mower. If you notice that the tip of each grass blade is torn it is time to sharpen your blades. Torn tips may also decrease grass health, causing grass to lose its lush, green color and making you lawn more susceptible to harmful diseases.

INSPECT YOUR BLADE FOR CHIPS OR DENTS:

Your lawn mower blade can usually be salvaged with routine sharpening but it is important to look for large chips or dents in the cutting edge that cannot be smoothed out. Routinely checking your blades condition will tell you if the blade needs replacing rather than sharpened.

INSPECT THE THICKNESS:

Over time, harmful debris can erode the blade, causing the metal to weaken and become paper-thin. If you notice this, replace the blade immediately to prevent the blade breaking, sending harmful pieces of steel from under the deck. Aligning a straight edge along the cutting edge will show just how much material has been removed from the blade by either wear or periodic sharpening.

INSPECT FOR BENT BLADES:

Stack your blades on top of each other and turn them on their sides and see if them lay nicely together or if there are gaps. If gaps are present you have a bent blade and they should be replaced. If your machine has multiple, we recommend replacing all blades at the same time to ensure even wear for each blade.