A sharp mower blade is essential for a healthy lawn. When blades are dull, they tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly. This can lead to a number of problems, including:
- Brown, unhealthy patches of grass
- Increased thatch buildup
- Reduced mower performance
Sharpening your mower blades is an easy task that can be done at home with a few simple tools. There are also many professional sharpening services available.
The Benefits of Sharpened Mower Blades
There are many benefits to having sharp mower blades. Some of the most important benefits include:
- Cleaner, healthier cuts: Sharp blades cut the grass cleanly, leaving a healthy, even cut. This helps the grass to grow more evenly and resist disease.
- Reduced weed growth: Dull blades tear the grass, leaving it more susceptible to weed growth. Sharp blades cut the grass cleanly, making it more difficult for weeds to take hold.
- Reduced thatch buildup: Thatch is a layer of dead and decaying grass that can build up on your lawn. Dull blades can actually help to contribute to thatch buildup, while sharp blades can help to break down thatch and keep it at a healthy level.
- Improved mower performance: Sharp blades make your mower work more efficiently. This can save you time and money on fuel.
How to Sharpen Your Mower Blades
Sharpening your mower blades can be done at home with a few simple tools. You will need a wrench, a file or sharpening stone and a blade balancer.
- Disconnect the spark plug wire from the mower engine.
- Remove the mower blade from the mower.
- Use the wrench to loosen the blade bolts.
- Remove the blade bolts and carefully remove the blade from the mower.
- File the blade to a sharp edge, keeping it at the same angle.
- Reinstall the blades on the mower and tighten the blade bolts.
- Reconnect the spark plug wire.
How Often to Sharpen Your Mower Blades
The frequency with which you need to sharpen your mower blades depends on how often you mow your lawn. If you mow your lawn once a week, you should sharpen your blades once a year. If you mow your lawn more often, you may need to sharpen your blades twice a year. I will usually start the season with a sharp blade and around September I’ll sharpen it again.
Professional Sharpening Services
If you don’t feel comfortable sharpening your mower blades yourself, there are many professional sharpening services available. These services will typically charge a small fee to sharpen your blades.
Additional Tips
- When sharpening your mower blades, be sure to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris.
- If you are unsure how to sharpen your mower blades, bring them to a local hardware store that also provides equipment repair such as Ace Hardware.
