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Stride-by-stride instructions to keep your riding mower blades running at their best

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Keeping the blades sharp and in proficient condition on a riding lawn mower volition increase fuel efficiency, give amend mowing results, and extend the life of this expensive piece of lawn maintenance equipment. Hither are steps and tips on how to do this project yourself.

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  1. one

    Bank check the condition of your mower blades to see if they need changing. If the blades are not significantly worn just are dull, they may only crave sharpening. If, on the other hand, the airfoil built into the back of the blade is worn away, or the blade is bent or otherwise damaged, you probably need to supersede it.[1]

  2. two

    Park the mower on a suitable piece of work surface. Plough it off and lock the brakes or brimming the wheels. Disconnect spark plug(s).[two]

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  3. iii

    Raise the mower deck to its highest setting to brand it easier to access the blades. [three]

  4. 4

    Raise the mower itself to allow room to get your tools underneath it. You demand to make sure information technology is supported solidly, as riding lawn mowers are heavy, and you don't desire to chance having information technology autumn on you while you work on information technology. For greater safety, consider using a manufactured mower or tractor lift.[4]

  5. five

    Get the correct size wrench to fit the mandrel nut (or commodities) on your mower. You may also need a cheater pipe or other means of keeping the blade from turning while you remove the nut.

  6. six

    Turn the nut (or commodities) counterclockwise to remove it from the mandrel shaft, so permit the blade to drop off. For blades that are tightly seated, y'all may have to pry the blade off or work it upwardly and downward to loosen it after the nut is removed.

  7. 7

    Take the erstwhile blade to a hardware shop or mower repair store to match information technology with the new blades you will install. Choose new blades to suit your own preferences – there are a number of dissimilar blades for each type mower, including enhanced discharging blades, mulching blades, and heavy duty blades.[v]

  8. 8

    Compare blades at the store to make sure the offset, spline (if applicable), length, and other features match. Since there are many different brands and manufacturers of riding backyard mowers, making sure the blades you buy fit your mower is critical for a successful project.

  9. ix

    Install the new blades on your mower. Be sure to install the blade right side upwards, equally they may fit upside downwardly. By and large, if the blade has an offset in it, the center will be in a higher position than the ends of the blade. Brand sure the bract fits all the mode onto the spline to prevent damaging it when the nut that secures it is tightened.[6]

  10. 10

    Tighten the nuts that secure the new blade. Yous may accept torque specifications for this step for your individual mower.

  11. 11

    Check the belts, pulleys, tensioners, and other parts of the mower deck assembly while you have the mower parked for servicing.

  12. 12

    Lubricate the mandrel bearings and other parts equipped with grease fittings before lowering the mower.

  13. 13

    Lower the mower off the blocks, and clean up/put away your tools.

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Add New Question

  • Question

    If I have two blades and need to replace 1 but the other is fine, is it best exercise to replace both?

    Community Answer

    It is. As long as you are changing 1, change them both for a smooth cut.

  • Question

    My wrench ready only goes to 7/8ths, and the nuts on the top and bottom are bigger. Where can I get bigger wrenches?

    Community Answer

    At your local tool store. They are more than probable to take the size, simply if y'all don't want to pay that price, garage sales and flea markets might take the size yous demand for a low cost.

  • Question

    The nut turns merely do not loosen or tighten, what do I demand to practise?

    john Doe

    john Doe

    Customs Respond

    Use a longer leverage piping, make sure the pulley is not rotating, be sure spark plug wire is off the spark plug to avoid dangerous engine beginning, as the deck belt may turn the engine. If the caster is turning when you try to loosen blade nut, get a friend to hold the caster with vise grips or channel locks (not easily).

  • Question

    What do I exercise if my yard machine engine stops when PTO is engaged?

    Community Answer

    Make sure y'all're throttle is fully on; depression throttle is hard on a mower engine.

  • Question

    I've replaced blades on a 42" deck earlier, blocked the blade, used a pipe for leverage but mandrel won't free from the blade. Blades are original on a 5-year-former automobile. Whatever help?

    john Doe

    john Doe

    Community Answer

    They sometimes use a longer leverage pipe, make sure the pulley is non rotating, be sure spark plug wire is off the spark plug to avoid dangerous engine start every bit the deck belt may turn the engine. If the pulley is turning when you try to loosen blade nut, get a friend to hold the pulley with vise grips or channel locks - not easily.

  • Question

    How do I loosen the nut on my riding lawn mower blade?

    Community Answer

    Put a small block of wood between the bract and deck to preclude it from turning while you loosen the nut.

  • Question

    Which direction do I demand to plough the nut that holds the blade on?

    Community Answer

    Yous turn the nut counterclockwise in gild to loosen information technology.

  • Question

    What practise I practise if the bolts won't loosen to change the blades?

    Community Answer

    Get to Amazon and do a search for "lawn mower blade holder removal tool". You lot will want to kick yourself for not already having one. In the concurrently, you lot tin try putting a piping on your wrench to get more leverage when taking off a tight nut.

  • Question

    How many blades are there on a passenger mower?

    CurtM

    Information technology depends on the model. Most riding mowers use a single long bract, but larger mowers sometimes use a pair of blades that may be anywhere from 6-32 inches (15-81 cm) in length.

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  • Aftermarket blades are often much less expensive and of equal quality to original manufacturer'due south parts.

  • Abrupt blades make mowing faster and more efficient, and extend the life of your equipment.

  • Make sure that the spark plugs are not connected.

  • Keep your lawn clean. Striking debris shortens the life of your mower's blades.

  • When you have replaced the bract, keep the new 1 sharp; information technology will final much longer.

  • Some mowers accept a parts listing displayed on the mower itself to help select the correct function for the chore.

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  • Block the mower up solidly so information technology will non fall while working underneath it.

  • Mower blades have sharp edges, and with worn out blades, most whatever edge can be sharp, not just the cutting edge.

  • Make sure blades are properly fitted on the mandrel so they do not slip or come loose.

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Things Yous'll Need

  • New blades
  • Wrenches
  • Cake to back up the mower

References

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