How to Sharpen Zero Turn Lawn Mower Blades
Sharpening your lawn mower blades is a quick and easy way to ensure you get the best cut. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to sharpen their blades, but it’s not as hard as they think! This blog post will cover some helpful tips on how to sharpen zero-turn lawn mower blades.
If you’re an avid gardener or someone with a lot of experience with these machines, this may be an old hat for you, but there are plenty of ways even seasoned professionals can improve their skills. So read on if you want to learn more about the process of sharpening a blade and what products work best!
Why Should You Sharpen Zero Turn Lawn Mower Blades?
Zero-turn mowers, also known as ZTRs (or zero-turn radius), provide many benefits and flexibility. They offer the ability to navigate around trees, flowerbeds, etc., easily make multiple passes, and get into tight spaces. All of this makes for a considerable time saver.
If you don’t sharpen your lawnmower blades, they will get dull. This will make it harder to mow over long grass or uneven terrain. The blades will also create friction, leading to engine overheating and belt slippage. A dull mower blade will also likely bounce and leave scars on your lawn.
Eight benefits of Using Zero Turn Lawn Mower Blades:
1. More Mowing Time –
You can accomplish more mowing in less time with a zero-turn mower blade.
2. Improved Performance –
With a zero-turn mower blade, you can expect to see an improvement in the cutting performance of your mower.
3. Better Cutting Quality –
A well-sharpened blade will cut grass cleanly, leaving a smooth surface and no torn or ripped grass blades.
4. Less Stress on Mower Engine –
A sharper blade requires less horsepower to operate. A dull blade will stress your mower’s engine, causing it to use more gasoline for the same amount of work.
5. Longer Lasting Lawn Mower Blade –
With routine sharpening, replacing that worn lawn mower blade or that damaged lawnmower blade is no longer needed.
6. Improved Mowing Safety –
Your zero-turn mower’s tires are one of the most dangerous parts of using a zero-turn mower. A sharp lawnmower blade will significantly reduce the risk of tire-related accidents.
7. Improved Mowing Efficiency –
You mow more efficiently when using a zero-turn lawnmower blade. The mower deck will have no trouble cutting around trees, posts, and other obstacles.
8. Eliminate Mower Blade Damage –
A sharpened lawnmower blade reduces the risk that your grass mower blade will get caught on rocks or tree roots, while your blade helps keep the grass blades cut at an even height, reducing the chance for accidents.
Steps to Follow: How to Sharpen Zero Turn Lawn Mower Blades
Step 1: Disconnect the Spark Plug Wire
Before sharpening any lawn mower blade, you must first disconnect the spark plug wire. This step is because lawnmowers are equipped with several safety features to avoid injury or damage to property.
Even when the lawnmower is not in use, these types of safety mechanisms remain active. Since sharpening a lawnmower blade requires the force of a metal file to be applied against the blade, you must remove any remaining charge in the battery or capacitor before proceeding with your project.
Step 2: Remove Lawn Mower Blade
Now that you have disconnected the spark plug wire, you can proceed to remove the lawnmower blade. The first step that you should take is to inspect the existing lawnmower blade.
It may be a good idea to draw a diagram of how your mower is assembled, so you will remember how each piece fits back together when finished. If your lawnmower is equipped with a mulching blade, you will need to remove the grass catcher bag to proceed.
Step 3: File the Edges of the Blade
Once you have removed both your lawnmower blade and mulching blade, it is time to begin sharpening. Start by attaching a metal file to an electric drill with a metal file bit attachment; remember that you will want to file both the top and bottom of the blade.
Step 4: File Each Face of Blade
Since lawnmower blades are usually built with a curve, it is essential that you also sharpen the blade’s edge. For this step, you can secure your metal file to your workbench or table for extra support.
Step 5: Quality Check the Blade
Once the first side of your blade has been sharpened, you should proceed to do the same to the other face of the blade. Again, remember that lawnmowers have several safety features; it may be a good idea to wear protective gear during this step since it will require more force than simply filing the blade.
Step 6: Clean Your Blade
After you have sharpened your blades, make sure to clean them to remove all residue and metal shavings. You can use a wire brush to accomplish this task; however, ensure that the bristles on the brush do not damage or scratch the surface of your blade.
Step 7: Reassemble Lawn Mower
Now that your blade is clean and sharp, you can work to reassemble the lawnmower. Perform each step in reverse order of how you initially took them apart, ensuring everything goes back into place correctly. Be sure to inspect components such as belts or chains to ensure sufficiently tight to avoid further problems or damage.
Step 8: Test Your Blade
Once you have put your lawnmower back together, it is time to test the blade. First, be sure to go over a large area of grass to check your newly sharpened blades’ sharpness and overall effectiveness. You should also inspect your lawn to see if additional trimming or mowing is required.
You Can Check It Out To Sharpen Meat Grinder Blade
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sharpen mower blades without removing them?
Yes, you can sharpen mower blades without removing them. However, using the correct sharpener for your mower blade is important. There are three types of sharpeners: manual, electric, and power.
Manual sharpeners require you to remove the blade from the mower before using the sharpener. Electric sharpeners use an electric motor to sharpen the blade while it’s in the mower. Powered sharpeners have a built-in sharpener that uses a rotating wheel to sharpen the blade.
Do you sharpen both sides of a mower blade?
No, you should only sharpen the right side of a mower blade. This is because the left side of the blade is used to push the grass down while the right side of the blade cuts it.
Does wet grass dull mower blades?
Wet grass can actually dull mower blades, but it is not a common problem. Wet grass clings to the blades and makes them difficult to move. If the blades are not moving properly, they can damage the lawn and cause wear and tear.
Should you sharpen new mower blades?
It depends on the mower and the blades that are being used. However, most experts recommend that blades be sharpened at least once a year to maintain their effectiveness.
What is the proper way to sharpen a lawn mower blade?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the proper way to sharpen a lawnmower blade depends on your lawnmower and how often you plan to use it.
However, general guidelines for sharpening lawn mower blades include using a sharpening stone that is at least 2 inches wide by 3 inches long by 1 inch thick. You should hold the blade at a 20-degree angle and sharpen both sides of the blade.
Conclusion:
You can sharpen your lawnmower blades with a grinder or by filing them. However, a blade that is too dull will need to be pointed more often, and the process of grinding out nicks in a blade may take as long as twenty minutes per side, depending on what type of grinder you use. Therefore, it’s best to have an extra set available, so they don’t get worn down from misuse.
If you file them, it should only take about 15-20 seconds for each side if done correctly. To avoid rusting, remove any metal filings before storing them away again. The last thing you want is for those bits of metal to get into the air filter and cause problems later on, so take a moment to clean them off before you put them back together. We hope this blog post on sharpening zero-turn lawn mower blades has been helpful. Let us know if you have questions in the comments below!
