How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade

The blade on your lawn mower will naturally get dull over time. Luckily, sharpening the blade is not a challenging process, but it does require a number of steps. We've created the following beginner's guide to sharpening a lawn mower blade easily and safely. If you want more tips or want to explore lawn mowers for sale, head over to Prairieland Partners. Our dealership is located in Kansas.

Safely Remove the Blade

Your first step is to safely take the blade off. Double-check that the lawn mower engine is off and that there is no chance of it turning on again while you are touching the blade. An extra step you can do is to remove the spark plug first since the engine can't start without it. 

Before you remove the blade, mark the bottom with a bit of paint or tape. This helps ensure you know which side is which when you put the blade back in. Next, tilt the lawn mower on its side with the carburetor facing up. Use a 2X4 and put it between the blade and the lawn mower deck's skirt. This will help make the blade resist against the board once you take the bolt off. Then, use a breaker bar or a long handle wrench to unscrew the bolt. Loosen the bolt then take the blade off.

Inspect the Condition of the Blade

Next, see if your blade is in good enough condition or if you need to replace it. Try keeping a replacement blade on hand that you can compare to the current blade. Comparing them side by side will make it easier to see if the current blade is still good. If you need to replace the current blade, the back-up will be there ready to use.

When you inspect the blade, you are looking for a few things. First, the cutting edge needs to be straight and the trailing edge needs to be thick. If either has signs of wear, you will need to replace it. Second, see whether the cutting edge is dented or badly chipped. If it is, then you will need a replacement blade. Otherwise, you can move onto the next step.

Sharpen the Blade

Get a file that is at least ten inches long. Begin the strokes at the top side of the cutting edge and push with firm, smooth movements downwards. In about twenty to thirty strokes, the edge should be sharp again. Make sure not to do too much sharpening. Otherwise, you could throw off the blade's balance and make it worthless. Use the replacement blade as a comparison.

Balance the Lawn Mower Blade

An unbalanced lawn mower blade can vibrate and strain the blade's shaft, which is why you will want to balance the blade before putting it back. Put a nail in a board, then use the blade's bolt hole to set it on the nail. If the blade tips to a certain side, file that side down. This will help even it out. This may take a few minutes since you only want to file a small amount at a time. Keep filing, then checking, and repeat until the blade is balanced. Then you are ready to use your lawn mower again!

We hope you found this article helpful. For more maintenance advice or to check out lawn mowers for sale, visit Prairieland Partners in Kansas. Our expert staff is happy to help you with whatever you need, from answering questions to suggesting the right model for your budget. Stop by and visit today.