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When to Replace Lawn Mower Blade

Tudor Sebi

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One of the most important components of a lawn mower is its blades. A sharp blade makes a clean and fast cut on the grass easily without imposing stress. Moreover, this fast action would generate a faster healing of the grass. But regular mowing actions could cause nicks and dents on the blades, especially at the edges. This could cause bad cuts on the grass which gets damaged easily and the turf becomes uneven and unkempt.

Brown spots could sprout from these uneven cuts with the mower executing more passes which require more energy. This is a clear indication of the poor blade condition which is dull.

Sharpen or Replace?

When the blades are dull, poor performance is expected; if not generated. This is the crucial moment for lawn mower owners to decide on an important decision; to sharpen or replace the mower blades. If it is a sharpening decision, the process is quite simple with an easy removal of the blades for sharpening. After the blades are sharpened, they can be returned to their original position readily.

Most blades are positioned securely for performance but are easy to remove for sharpening or washing. A quick counterclockwise turn to remove the bolt that holds the blade is the required action to sharpen or replace the blade.

Sharpening the blade is essential to the consistent performance of the mower for greener healthier lawns that look clean and neat. A dull blade tends to rip and pull the grass into ragged tears which eventually weaken the growth of the turf while promoting fungal growth as well as other types of grass diseases.

Action Frequency

Lawn mower owners must next consider the frequency of sharpening or changing their mower blades. Most mower users would opt to sharpen their mower blades a couple of times before deciding on a replacement. But the truth of the matter is the frequency of mower operation and the type of grass the turf enjoys as well as its size.

Most lawn mower users might be diligent in sharpening their mower blades about once in 2 months. Some may sharpen more frequently as in once a month with more frequent mowing operations. This would keep the mower blades in good condition for a consistent performance on the turf.

However, if the blades are damaged with obvious nicks and large dents, a replacement is advisable over-sharpening. Of course, more savings are enjoyed with sharpening decisions over a replacement although the cost of new blades is relatively inexpensive to be affordable.

Blade Maintenance

It is good to maintain the condition of the mower blades at all times. This calls for the scheduling of regular maintenance for the entire lawn mower on all its components. However, it is best to consult the user manual first before attempting any maintenance personally. The same goes with repairs of any kind on the lawn mower as there may be specific instructions from the manufacturer with attached warranty conditions which could be violated to become null and void.

If the lawn mower is under warranty, it is best to consult the authorized service centers for any repairs or replacement works. The warranty helps mower users save lots of money as certain mower parts could prove rather expensive. The warranty should always be kept intact through complete compliance with its terms and conditions to enjoy high savings and mower functionality.

Mower owners could call on professional mower service experts to execute any mower maintenance which could include blade maintenance in the form of blade sharpening. These service experts on push or riding mowers should be competent with the different mowing machines to identify the problem and cause immediately while providing the best solutions to resolve the issues.

Signs for Blade Replacement

Mower owners should be educated on when to sharpen or replace their mower blades to enjoy consistent mower performance. A neat yard or lawn requires frequent cuts to keep it healthy and flourishing without growth issues.

There are usually obvious signs to mower owners about replacing or sharpening their mower blades. Most mower owners tend to sharpen their blades at the start of the mowing season and another time in the middle of the season before storing them away for winter. But if the mower picks up stray or bulky pieces during its operation, it would be necessary to have another round of sharpening.

While it is helpful to set maintenance schedules for mower blade repairs or sharpening, sometimes the schedule may be thrown off due to unforeseen circumstances. This is when mower owners or users could tell the need for a special checkup. They would have to be more alert on the condition of the blade and mower to avoid a hefty repair or replacement of parts.

Sign #1 – Lawn Unevenness

A very obvious sign of blade bluntness is the unevenness of the lawn. The mowing is not effective in maintaining a nice and neat lawn as would a sharp blade. The height of the grass should be even with every cut if the blade is sharp. This is achieved with just one pass instead of tedious multiple passes where seemingly missed patches seem to surface.

Sign #2 – Torn Grass

Another clear sign of a dull blade that may require replacement or sharpening is the shape of the cut grass. A close inspection of the grass would reveal a rough tear of the grass. The tip of the grass is torn without a clean slice. This is a good indication of the need to sharpen or replace the mower blade; otherwise, the torn grass tips could impact the grass’s health adversely with a quick loss of its lushness. The grass may quickly turn brown which is a sign of poor health.

Sign #3 – Poor Blade Condition

The blade itself gives concrete proof of what needs to be corrected on a simple inspection. Most of the time, the mower blade could maintain its functionality through routine sharpening but there could be dents or large chips in its cutting edge which could not be smoothed out. This could lead to tearing of the grass instead of offering a clean cut that gives a neat lawn.

The thickness of the blade is also useful in determining the condition and functionality of the mower blade.  There could be a lot of dirt, debris, and sand latched onto the blade to cause erosion of the metal piece over time. This would cause the metal piece to weaken to become as thin as paper if the owner is not alert to the blade’s condition through frequent use.

The alert mower owner should immediately replace the blade if the metal blade seems thin. Further mowing applications could cause breakage while mowing which is dangerous to the user as sharp metal pieces could fly everywhere to injure one and all.

When the mower user pays close attention to the lawn’s appearance and the mower’s condition, there will be clear signs of the need to sharpen or replace the mower blade. This is part of good regular maintenance that would ensure beautiful lawns with every mowing operation.

Different Types of Blades

Different lawn mowers deploy different types of mowing blades for different degrees of effectiveness and efficiency in mowing. Push or riding lawn mowers could engage different blades such as high-lift or mulching blades to achieve the desired mowing outcomes.

A high-life blade is known as a standard blade; it could come in a 2-in-1 design which is popular with all types of lawn mowers. Its high-lift blade design is to allow greater airflow for a cleaner cut with a faster grass clippings discharge.

A mulching blade is an all-purpose blade with a 3-in-1 design for mulching clippings efficiently.

Conclusion

Once you feel that even after sharpening the blades, the performance of the lawn mower is not as it was earlier the grass is not being cut as smoothly as before then you have to consider replacing the blades.

About

Tudor Sebi

A 20-year lawn mower expert, offering insightful guidance for optimal maintenance and top-notch landscaping solutions

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