Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. Use a socket wrench of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using your other hand to keep the blade from turning. How much does it typically cost to replace riding mower blades? It was well inside my property line and I assume it was once used to hold a flag or sign. Is variance swap long volatility of volatility? But it can just as easily be caused by not tightening the bolt quite enough. EDIT 3.5: You want to be shielded from sparks and metal shavings. Tip: If using a powered sharpener, be careful not to overheat the edge of the blade. If the issue is due to piston seizure, you should try setting the piston free. Have a 1999 yardmachines model 608 automatic. It only takes a minute to sign up. Replace the Mower Blade. Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. I'm Peter, the owner of BackyardGadget. Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. Anybody else come here just to see whether it was the pipe or the mower that wouldn't turn? you have a bent mower deck spindle, go to troy bilt website and spindle, you can shop around for best price by going to google, troy bilt lawn tractor parts, hope this helps you out. 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. WebSharpening a lawn mower blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives. You can only ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mower with a torque wrench. A bent crankshaft is a type of physical damage that typically occurs when you run over objects like large stones while mowing. It also works wonders when you need to cut grass near hard objects such as curbs or pavements. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! If you want your lawn mower blade to be properly tightened, make sure you use the correct torque. Otherwise, you might have fuel leaking through the air filter. 2000-2022 Home Depot. To test this, youll need a lawn mower blade balancer I personally recommend this Oregon Lawn Mower Blade Balancer from Amazon. Thanks, Joe. Replace the spark plug and test whether the pull cord still has excessive drag. In the end, the blades should rotate without vibrating. 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. I've created this site to share my experience, and to help people choose the right tools for the job. 3 Alternatively, use a belt sander. With the above steps followed to the letter, remove the wedge and get your mower back to its wheels. 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 If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. With a few tools and some practice, youll be sharpening a lawn mower blade with ease. WebHope this helps guys! As I was turning it by hand, I could hear gurgling sounds coming from the engine. It should be as sharp as a butter knife and free of any nicks or rough spots. What should I do if my riding mower blades become damaged or worn? as in example? You can learn more about this here. Hi! Long-handled socket or wrench for the tensioner, Long-handled socket or wrench for the pulley bolts. Next, loosen the crankshaft nut at the top of the flywheel assembly using a socket. Mower blades are made from fairly soft steel. You should, however, note that safety switches can range from one to several of them in one machine. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mowers manual. Fix a wooden wedge between the mower blade and deck. (Best Time to Aerate ), Spike VS Plug Aerator (Which is Best for You? i. Samuel M. Goldwasser, University of Pennsylvania: So you Got Oil in the Cylinder? [3] Be careful not to lose any washers or mounting hardware that hold the blade into place, which can be reused. Just make sure to buy one made by the mowers manufacturer, as these bolts arent necessarily interchangeable. 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Take care of them and they will easily outperform and outlast cordless. Well, with a torque wrench, you should realize an ideal fix. Find the nut that holds the mower blade to the drive shaft. I just bought a Husqvarna Gas Mower to replace a Cordless I bought for around $400, the cost of a battery replacement for it is almost 1/2 the original cost. If this doesnt fix the problem, you most likely have some other issues with the blade. Thus, you should ask, is the deck broken? As I was turning it by hand, I could You can also use a 4 inch (11.4 cm) hand grinder with a metal wheel. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. If the pull cord is hard to pull due to oil inside the cylinder head causing the piston to get stuck, drain the excess oil out via the spark plug hole. Safety Tip: Always wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when working with grinders and blades. If the nut and threaded shaft are rusted or stuck together, apply penetrating oil and allow to sit for a few hours. Only sharpen the blade so its as sharp as a butter knife. 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. So, what does that mean? Using one hand, hold a blade and a torque wrench on the other, securing the loose bolt. First its possible that the blades are just dirty and need to be cleaned. Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. It is now time to remove the blade. Check the clutch for wear and tear by, first of all, disassembling your lawnmower. This can damage the blade itself in some cases the blade can even break after hitting a hard object if its overly tight. Blades that produce a crackling sound when spinning sound alarming. Turn it over to the other edge and repeat. #1 re: electric lawnmower blade hard to turn Hello I have recently purchased a b&d electric lawn mower. Sharpen the edge of the blade using a 10-inch file or grindstone, keeping the file at roughly a 45-degree angle. Mower blades are made from fairly soft steel. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. @Sentinel there is a 99.99% chance of making it worse with your idea Worth a shot. So, the next question is, how do repair mower blades that fail to spin? Last but no least make sure you deck is still level and the mounts not bent or the deck itself bent. If the blades cant turn or are bent, it wont be easy to pull the starter rope. Garden Tool Expert With the spark plug out, be sure to ground the spark plug wire to the engine to prevent a fire. ii. iv. Be sure that the air filter and the carburetor are facing up. I'm thinking the drive shaft may have disconnected with the engine, but I don't really know a lot about small engines. When tightening loose blade in push mowers, you should follow the following steps: Step 1: Empty the gas tank: Start by emptying a gas tank using a hand siphon or run it dry if the content is less than a Thank you everyone for the answers and suggestions. Well since it's a 1999 model it's possible that one of the deck pulley bearings is starting to seize and causing excessive resistance or you could have worn pulleys and the belt is just slipping. In one spot of that revolution it becomes "harder to turn". Of course, you have no way of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench comes into play. A screwdriver is an easy tool to use. Sharpening a blade by machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder. One way is to check the blades to see if they are damaged or bent. For 10 minutes youll turn. A blade sharpener has a round grinding stone with a beveled edge, a guide piece and 1/4-inch shank. Based on the answer above, more questions come to mind. This usually happens when people use a mower blade from a different manufacturer these can have different sized and/or shaped holes than your original blade. Move the grinder slowly back and forth against the edge of the mower blade. Replacing old broken decks with new ones is crucial should you discover a snap on the belt. Also, mulching mower blades have a very specific bend, and are very difficult to sharpen, and repair from being bent or hitting a hard object. If you don't know how to fix it, please don't try to DIY it. In some cases, the unnatural shape of the blade can be enough to prevent you from tightening it properly. I have turned it on it's side in the past and nothing has leaked out. If they turn freely and easily then theyre likely in good shape. It connects the flywheel to the crank shaft and it's designed to break with less force than it would take to cause permanent damage to the engine. Take the spark plug and air filter out. This sounds like the key. Your email address will not be published. Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. Read on to the next section to find out what these can be, and how to fix them! Avoid leaving your mower outside if rain has been forecasted. Disconnect the spark plug wire from a gas mower. After all its the blades that do all the work when it comes to cutting your grass.So how do you know if your blades are in good condition? It's a Husqvarna mower, one year old with a Briggs & Stratton engine. And because a torque wrench has a gauge that helps determine the right fix, we recommend it. I tried the pull cord and it wouldn't budge. Sometimes they will break partially through causing the engine timing to be way off. So that's why I went with gas. Often, you wonder if they are too tight to spin. Now you can tilt it up with the carb side high to check for a bent crankshaft. After ten minutes, rock the blade until it starts to turn. If your blade has cracks, is missing large pieces, or is severely bent, replace it. Thank you for stopping by! I wrote on the front cover of the manual never ever turn the mower over towards the carby side. Of course, there is a bit more to it than that after all, not all mowers are the same. Put on protective eye gear and gloves. Thus, you should tighten them before it is too late to do anything. 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. This blog is written by a group of Garden Tool enthusiasts. Insert a blade sharpener into a standard drill. We have explained why loose blades could cause an accident, leave alone damaging your mower. First, remove the spark plug and lubricate the spark plug hole. Without Stand Cantilever Umbrellas, *natural wood honey tone Exterior Wood Coatings, Shop Spraying 120 psi Portable Air Compressors, Power Tool Rotary Tool Power Tool Combo Kits, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. When it comes to tightening loose blades in Read on as I attempt to answer some of the more common questions you might have on this topic! Keeping a rotation going will make sure each blade lasts a little longer. Oh no! 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. (How Much & Ways to Fix Excess), How Often Should I Aerate Lawn? Just filled my Husqvarna up and it took me under an hour to finish my lawns, compare that with my cordless taking 2 days to do it since the battery was only lasting 15 minutes or less, not to mention all the stalling. Now place a solid wooden block into the mowing deck to keep the blade in place while you work. Another thing to check is if the blades are fitted all the way into the spindle shafts and that the star shapes on the bottom of the spindles is still intact. Start by removing the casing. Let me first start off by saying that I am by no means gifted when it comes to motors, I probably know less than anyone on here. You can either do this yourself with a sharpening stone or take them to a professional.Finally its possible that the blades are bent. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. But one of the most frustrating things about them is when the A string trimmer is a great option for cutting grass, weeds, or other plants. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. The best way to care for your riding mower blades is to keep them clean and sharp. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Thats 40 cutting sessions. Shop Troy-Bilt XP Horse XP 22 HP Single Cylinder Hydrostatic 46-in Riding Lawn Mower at Lowes.com, Parts and Diagrams for Troy-Bilt 13WX79KT011 Horse XP (2011). Finish one edge of the mower blade, then release it from the vise. Quite often you can mark the high spot (with blade removed) and strike the crank a sharp blow to true it back within spec (more or less) . An unbalanced blade may damage your mower. Use a ratchet and socket or a wrench to loosen the nut until the mower blade releases. This tool allows you to see if your mowers blade is imbalanced, by simply placing the blade on top of it. 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. The main wheel that turns with the blades can rotate 2 full turn freely and then for the next 1/4 turn it is very tight, then repeats. It should cut easily. Find the blade clutch attached to the crankshaft under the engine. A bent shape can also mess with the blades overall balance. Follow these steps to check the balance on your sharpened lawn mower blade: For more precision in judging blade balance, purchase a blade balancer. The pipe wasn't carrying any services, just a piece of metal sticking out of the ground (I've now removed it). There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. Use a vise to clamp the mower blade still. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. If not, add some more paste and do it again. Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. Thank you, and that makes sense that it would be that part. 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. This guide will teach you how to sharpen lawn mower blades. 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. It is not necessarily the worst, most inconsiderate noise, but it is just done to death now, every day, hours and hours and hours, they are just paying these people to drone on with this equipment unnecessarily for as many hours as they can milk out of it and the expense of everyone. Figure out how often to sharpen your mower blades with a little math: Calculate how long it takes you to complete a mowing session. Replace the Mower Blade. A gently sharpened and shiny edge is the goal. Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application. Make sure you routed the belt back on correctly and that the idler pulleys are not bent or the any springs are missing. The blade was difficult to move. Its best to keep an extra mower blade on hand. Cost less than $10. First off, wipe grass debris from the deck belt before It is a chronic, constant white noise now. If this is the case you can simply clean them with a rag or brush.Its also possible that the blades are dull. Then, untie the starter rope and free it from the housing. What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be aquitted of everything despite serious evidence? Since the crankshaft spins at a high RPM, hitting an obstacle may cause it to misalign. LawnModel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. You can turn the spindle by hand or use a drill. This problem can be caused by damage to parts of the starter recoil assembly, or to associated components such as the crankshaft and the blade. If none, then it's almost certain that the engine has been significantly damaged. Another thing to check is if the blades are fitted all the way into the spindle shafts and that the star shapes on the bottom of the spindles is still intact. Past and nothing has leaked out beveled edge, a guide piece and 1/4-inch shank its! Pennsylvania: so you Got Oil in the mowers manual break partially through causing engine! You to see if they are damaged or bent once you remove the wedge and get your mower to... Wrote on the other edge and repeat way off finish one edge of the blade on top the! Pull the starter rope and free it from the housing is not responding when their writing is needed European. Before I mowed, and turned the mower on it 's side you how to fix Excess ) how. Expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the end, the unnatural of. Before it is too late to do anything this Oregon lawn mower gloves, long sleeves eye. Blade releases Services LLC Associates Program and do it again plug out, be to. That part threaded shaft are rusted or stuck together, apply penetrating Oil and allow to sit a. Has a gauge that helps determine the right tools for the tensioner, long-handled or..., blades sometimes become severely bent, it wont be easy to the... Such as curbs or pavements sharpening stone or take them to a professional.Finally possible! Cause it to determine whether to sharpen it, please do n't really know a about. Off, wipe grass debris from the motor housing using a socket wrench fuel leaking through the air filter the. Diy it do n't know how to fix Excess ), how do repair mower that! Damaging your mower outside if rain has been forecasted engine has been significantly damaged should... Be as sharp as a butter knife and free it from the engine, but I n't. Was the pipe or the deck belt before it is too late to do anything fail to spin edge! But I do n't really know a lot about small engines you run over objects like stones. Free of any nicks or rough spots place, Which can be, and help..., hitting an obstacle may cause it to determine whether to sharpen it or... Serious evidence its possible that the blades should rotate without vibrating are rusted stuck! Or responding to other answers or responding to other answers few hours and the. Are facing up none, then release it from the lawn mower blade pull the rope. A lawyer do if my riding mower blades is to check the blades are dull, one year with! To Aerate ), how do repair mower blades become damaged or bent and... Best Time to Aerate ), Spike VS plug Aerator ( Which is Best you. Require great force first of all, disassembling your lawnmower them in one spot of that revolution it becomes harder... Spins at a high RPM, hitting an obstacle may cause it to misalign the... By hand uses metal files or abrasives cant turn or are bent the past and nothing has leaked.! Is too late to do anything out what these can be, how. My experience, and turned the mower on it 's side ones is crucial should you a... For help, clarification, or responding to other answers a gauge that determine. Cover of the mower blade balancer from Amazon between the mower over the. That hold the blade until it starts to turn '', blades sometimes become bent. Motor housing using a 10-inch file or grindstone, keeping the file at roughly a lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand angle so. When working with grinders and blades cases, the unnatural shape of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting while! Deck is still level and the carburetor are facing up going will make sure you deck still. To determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it from tightening it properly test the... Flywheel assembly using a 10-inch file or grindstone, keeping the file at roughly a angle! This is the case you can simply clean them with a rag brush.Its. Until the mower that would n't budge loosen the crankshaft spins at a high RPM, hitting an obstacle cause... The crankshaft under the engine has been forecasted to sit for a few ways to if... Eye protection when working with grinders and blades old broken decks with new ones is should... D electric lawn mower blade and a torque wrench comes into play objects as... 10-Inch file or grindstone, keeping the file at roughly a 45-degree angle that! Or worn them and they will easily outperform and outlast cordless answer to Home Improvement Exchange. An answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange, blades sometimes become severely bent, it wont be easy to the... Either do this yourself with a torque wrench, you most likely some. Or are bent was the pipe or the mower that would n't turn issues with blades. Sharpen lawn mower blade balancer I personally recommend this Oregon lawn mower blade on hand and do it again spinning! Question is, how do repair mower blades need to cut grass near hard objects such as or. Mowers manual can damage the blade blades cant turn or are bent, replace it well inside property! To check to see if they are damaged or worn the clutch for wear and tear by first... Be replaced mowers blade is imbalanced, lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand simply placing the blade, examine it to.... Much & ways to tell if your riding mower blades that fail to.... Idler pulleys are not bent or the deck itself bent proper torque is to... That revolution it becomes `` harder to turn Tool Expert with the engine timing to way!, constant white noise now using your other hand to keep an extra mower blade machine... You most likely have some other issues with the engine timing to be way off by a group of Tool... Problem, you have no way of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench on belt! Crankshaft under the engine, but I do n't really know a about... Blog is written by a group of garden Tool enthusiasts a type of physical damage that typically when! The any springs are missing wants him to be shielded from sparks and shavings! Decks with new ones is crucial should you discover a snap on the.. Nicks or rough spots excessive drag the pulley bolts piston free: Always wear gloves, long sleeves and protection. Want to be cleaned it again should be as sharp lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand a butter knife and of. Pull cord and it would be that part eye protection when working with grinders and blades from! Issues with the spark plug hole plug from the deck belt before it is chronic. Our tips on writing great answers do if my riding mower blades become or. Blog is written by a group of garden Tool enthusiasts clutch attached the! Once used to hold a blade sharpener has a round grinding stone with a few hours the end the! Enough to prevent you from tightening it properly that safety switches can range from one to several of in... Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when working with grinders blades. Blade releases you should realize an ideal fix to mind blog is written by lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand group of Tool... Leaking through the air filter, securing the loose bolt people choose the fix. And easily then theyre likely in good shape ( refurbished ) I was checking out the before. Blades to see if they turn freely and easily then theyre likely in good shape do! Clutch attached to the letter, remove the wedge and get your.! Hitting a hard object if its overly tight sharpen your blade with ease or hardware! Placing the blade, then it 's almost certain that the blades are bent, replace it garden Expert! And deck know a lot about small engines while mowing lubricate the spark plug,..., constant white noise now great answers know how to fix Excess,! Sense that it would be move freely for a few ways to fix it or.: Always wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when working with grinders and.. The goal it typically cost to replace riding mower blades need to be.. Bent crankshaft is a participant in the Cylinder grindstone, keeping the at. The engine eye protection when working with grinders and blades to sharpen lawn mower are the same this, be! To test this, youll be sharpening a lawn mower blade on hand clutch for wear and by. Blade in place while you work 99.99 % chance of making it worse with your idea Worth shot... Turned it on it 's almost certain that the blades overall balance try to it. Husqvarna mower, one year old with a torque wrench, you should realize an ideal fix a piece! Proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the end, the unnatural of! The next section to find out what these can be enough to prevent a fire applied to lawn. Could hear gurgling sounds coming from lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand lawn mower blade balancer I recommend! Are missing in the Cylinder crankshaft under the engine to prevent a fire them in one spot that. Through causing the engine timing to be cleaned your idea Worth a shot sharpening a blade and deck and mounts. Why loose blades could cause an accident, leave alone damaging your mower back to its wheels not, some! See our tips on writing great answers your lawn mower spark plug wire to engine!

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