After ten minutes, rock the blade until it starts to turn. This can happen if you overtighten the bolt holding the blade in place, like I explained before a damaged bolt wont be able to keep your blade in position for very long. If it kicks back and backfires, etc., you'll have to reset the flywheel with a new 'Woodruff key'. Next, use a screwdriver to tension the new spring while keeping the pulley from spinning. Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. If it has been bent, you can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to a local small-engine repair place. In a nutshell, loose blades are a recipe for an accident. By clicking Accept I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. problem. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mowers manual. When tightening loose blade in push mowers, you should follow the following steps: Step 1: Empty the gas tank: Start by emptying a gas tank using a hand siphon or run it dry if the content is less than a It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. You should also check the blades regularly for damage or wear. All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. Mower blades are made from fairly soft steel. Without Stand Cantilever Umbrellas, *natural wood honey tone Exterior Wood Coatings, Shop Spraying 120 psi Portable Air Compressors, Power Tool Rotary Tool Power Tool Combo Kits, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Although you may indeed have bent the crank . Only sharpen the blade so its as sharp as a butter knife. Yes the blades on a riding mower should turn freely by hand. It is the blade brake that squeaks. Occasionally take your mower for servicing. It depends on the type of lawnmower. If you apply too much pressure, you can break the bolts head right off. If you feel like you have been overly cautious with tightening the blade, try applying some more pressure. Look for these signs that you may need to sharpen the mower blades: Once youve determined that you need to sharpen the blade, its time to remove the blade from the lawn mower. Now place a solid wooden block into the mowing deck to keep the blade in place while you work. This can typically be done by removing the bolts that hold the blades in place. WebI turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. I know that all of my mowers have had them. Yes, we have barking dogs that are obnoxious, but eventually people put them up or do something about them, someone complains about them, whatever. Let me first start off by saying that I am by no means gifted when it comes to motors, I probably know less than anyone on here. Then see if you can turn the blade in a complete 360 degree rotation without interference. Step 2: Remove the Spark Plug. All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. In some cases, the unnatural shape of the blade can be enough to prevent you from tightening it properly. How can I prevent my riding mower blades from becoming damaged or worn? One thing you can do is to flip the mower over and make sure that the blade hasn't been bent so much as to be contacting the mower deck. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? If you want your lawn mower blade to be properly tightened, make sure you use the correct torque. Some of the reasons why your mower pull cord has lots of resistance include a debris-filled blade, loose/chipped blade, a sheared flywheel, and hydro-locking. Your email address will not be published. Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. Required fields are marked *. and how to fix them, Fixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. Put on protective eye gear in case of sparks. I know that it does not look good for this mower at this point. WebCheck These 5 Things If Your Lawn Mower Blade Wont Turn An Obstruction in the Deck. Dig out any mud and grass clippings that have caked under there too. If its tough to grip the nut, get more leverage. Clean cuts with a sharp mower promote good lawn health. WebIf you have a push mower, the easiest way to do this is by turning the blade itself. If any of the mower blades is bent or chipped, the drawcord will pull easily at first then become really hard to pull halfway through. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Even out any rough spots. To fix it, try tightening the bolt. JavaScript is disabled. The engine is still under warranty, but the closest authorized repair place is two hours from where I live. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. The consequences of not replacing damaged or bent riding mower blades can include poor cutting performance uneven cuts and damage to the lawn mower deck. With a few tools and some practice, youll be sharpening a lawn mower blade with ease. You should also avoid hitting rocks or other objects while mowing. This problem can be caused by damage to parts of the starter recoil assembly, or to associated components such as the crankshaft and the blade. Disconnect the spark plug wire from a gas mower. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. When the recoil spring breaks, the pulley is unable to turn or retract. There is a lawnmower service provider nearby who will help you with diagnosis, repair, and damage. However it is typically not very expensive to replace riding mower blades. One thing you can do is to flip the mower over and make sure that the blade hasn't been bent so much as to be contacting the mower deck. Yeah I agree with Sax . The main wheel that turns with the blades can rotate 2 full turn freely and then for the next 1/4 turn it is very tight, then repeats. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Should riding mower blades turn freely by hand? You can learn more about this here. I turned the blade with my hand one full revolution. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Browns and greys can often be brought to life again with purples and plums, move away from solid wooden tables and consider glass or decorative pieces (such as the one in the first image example) and a few cushions. WebTo fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. at the hardware store, dig up that expensive root, and Nail it to the shed wall, to remind you not to hit anything else!A twisted crank-shaft is relatively impossible to fix, as is a bent one! 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LawnMowerGuru.com, All Rights Reserved. Use extreme caution when having a helper engage the blades and make sure the parking brake is set while you are down there watching the Tip: If using a powered sharpener, be careful not to overheat the edge of the blade. If the nut and threaded shaft are rusted or stuck together, apply penetrating oil and allow to sit for a few hours. iv. The wrench should click the set time. On average, a mower blade should be sharpened after every 20 to 25 hours of use time. So that's why I went with gas. Or both. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. It should cut easily. Torque levels should be set between 38 and 50 foot pounds for a walk-behind mower and 70 and 90 foot pounds for a riding mower. Finish one edge of the mower blade, then release it from the vise. Check your blades. Fix your Lawnmower with our Lawnmower Troubleshooting tool. You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. This can damage the blade itself in some cases the blade can even break after hitting a hard object if its overly tight. After sharpening the lawn mower blade, reattach it. How can I change a sentence based upon input to a command? Use the informative steps above to stay safe and keep your lawn mower performing optimally year after year. Metal in Motion shows you how to diagnose and follow the electric pto circuit on a riding mower. That way you can swap a fresh blade in when one needs to be sharpened. Hi there, I can see that you are struggling to think what to put in this room and thought I might offer a little idea into the mix. [How to Use It], How to Revive St. Augustine Grass and Get it to Grow Back, How to Make Bermuda Grass Thicker and Greener, When to Apply Grub Control: Best Timing to Put Down Grub Killer. If the grass in your lawn is excessively tall and youve set the mower close to the ground for a low mow, the tall grass may get stuck in the lawn mower blades. Once the old blades are removed you can then install the new blades by attaching them to the riding mower with the bolts. I'm thinking the drive shaft may have disconnected with the engine, but I don't really know a lot about small engines. Hold the blade horizontal, then let go. @tyelford If you haven't already, disconnect the spark plug ASAP and every time you try and turn the mower blade by hand. I was mowing the other day and there was a pipe sticking out of the ground. It could be dangerous mowing with a bent or otherwise damaged blade. You should also remove the deck and turn each pulley by hand to listen & feel how they turn. What if the blades are too tight to spin? WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. I wrote on the front cover of the manual never ever turn the mower over towards the carby side. You should be able to remove the nut now. Place the grinder over the edge of the mower blade. WebHope this helps guys! Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. A. Repairing an aluminum blade usually doesn't work very well. Knowing how to sharpen mower blades keeps your grass green and healthy. As I was turning it by hand, I could If not, add some more paste and do it again. Thats the bottom of the blade. There is a belt connecting the clutch and crankshaft, powering belts to spin. Throw some gloves on, hold or clamp down the blade activation lever on the handle, and try to unseize the engine. When tightening loose blade in push mowers, you should follow the following steps: Step 1: Empty the gas tank: Start by emptying a gas tank using a hand siphon or run it dry if the content is less than a Although it worked for you, I do not recommend self-repairing a mower if you don't know how to verify it is working properly. Youd have to replace the blade more often after constant resharpening. Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. To fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. The best way to care for your riding mower blades is to keep them clean and sharp. If its not recovering well after mowing, thats a clue. Its possible that the bolt or the washer doesnt fit these holes perfectly, and the blade moves away to one side or another. It was well inside my property line and I assume it was once used to hold a flag or sign. Another thing to check is if the blades are fitted all the way into the spindle shafts and that the star shapes on the bottom of the spindles is still intact. In one spot of that revolution it becomes "harder to turn". Hey, you'll have to tie down the engine/blade control bail to spin the blade to check for bent shaft. Pay attention to the position of the blade as you're removing it. This exact thing happened to me last year (Husqvarna mower, long grass, hit a pipe, clang, mower stopped, cord stuck) and it was a bent blade. It can be really frustrating when you attempt to pull the starter rope on your mower and encounter lots of drag, followed by the mower failing to start. If there's nothing wrong with the blade (that you can see), and if the shaft-key looks good (you might remove the blade by unbolting it, you'll probably need a large pipe-wrench), and ensure that the shaft keyway isn't rounded out. Some manufacturers may recommend the approach I mentioned above, while others will recommend that you tighten the bolt as much as possible. If there is no problem with the deck and drive belt, then check the blade clutch. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. Use extreme caution when having a helper engage the blades and make sure the parking brake is set while you are down there watching the Some common problems with riding mower blades include damage wear and dullness. You may have a bent blade or a bent crankshaft. Put on work gloves and protective eyewear for safety. With the spark plug out, be sure to ground the spark plug wire to the engine to prevent a fire. You can sharpen most with fewer than 50 strokes of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least 10 inches long. If it is not because of worn-out bearings, then you may have to replace the spindle altogether. What are some common problems with riding mower blades? The flywheel key aligns the flywheel to the crankshaft. To test this, youll need a lawn mower blade balancer I personally recommend this Oregon Lawn Mower Blade Balancer from Amazon. Pay attention to the position of the blade as you're removing it. A working lawnmower also means the blades are sharp enough to cut grass neatly and to the lowest height possible. Repeat the process by turning it over and grinding the other edge. Take a few strokes off that end to remove some metal, then retest. How to react to a students panic attack in an oral exam? Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. In some lawn mower models, the flywheel key is designed to shear whenever the blade hits something. Move the grinder slowly back and forth against the edge of the mower blade. Due to the amount of warnings below, I'll take it to a repair place. Now you can tilt it up with the carb side high to check for a bent crankshaft. A faulty recoil starter whereby the starter rope is tangled or a spring is broken, may also cause the drawcord to be hard to pull. You must log in or register to reply here. It might be hard to turn at first, but once it starts to move a little bit it should get easier. Blades that do not spin means there is nothing you can do with your machine. If your blade has cracks, is missing large pieces, or is severely bent, replace it. If it wobbles now, it will wobble on your mower too. Let it sit as directed, then scrub the debris away with a stiff brush. Could it also cause the problem with the leaking oil while the mower is turned on it's side? A blade sharpener has a round grinding stone with a beveled edge, a guide piece and 1/4-inch shank. If not, add some more paste and do it again. The blades should move freely in the housing and not touch the sides anywhere. You mow your yard in 30 minutes, twice a week. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. If the mowers drawcord is hard to pull due to a sheared flywheel key, you should replace the flywheel key by following the procedure detailed below: i. Detach the spark plug wire, then remove the engine casing by unscrewing the bolts that secure it in place. Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. WebGenerally speaking, the blade should be tight enough so that it doesnt move around on its own, but you should be able to move with your hand by applying some pressure. If you want your lawn mower blade to be properly tightened, make sure you use the correct torque. is there a chinese version of ex. Step 2: Remove the Spark Plug. BackyardGadget.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, Commission Junction, and other sites. This guide will teach you how to sharpen lawn mower blades. Disconnect the spark plug wire and check the mower blade for any obstructions. You would better be safe than sorry. Anybody else come here just to see whether it was the pipe or the mower that wouldn't turn? You can also use a 4 inch (11.4 cm) hand grinder with a metal wheel. Apart from loose blades, another scenario that homesteaders are likely to encounter is blades that wont turn. If this is the case, buying a new bolt should fix the problem. The blade was difficult to move. For 10 minutes youll turn. It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. Why Wont My Lawn Mower Blade Turn (The Short Answer), Check These 5 Things If Your Lawn Mower Blade Wont Turn, Fixing a Lawn Mower Blade That Wont Turn. We have explained why loose blades could cause an accident, leave alone damaging your mower. If the spring is damaged, install a replacement part. Then multiply that length of time by the number of times you mow per week. @MonkeyZeus I made this account just to warn OP, lawnmowers are far more dangerous than people realise. What are the consequences of not replacing damaged or bent riding mower blades? Step 3: Place a wedge between the blade and deck: Step 6: Turn the mower back to its wheels: Fixing loose blades in riding lawn mowers. Its a good addition to your mower maintenance tool kit. Replace the Mower Blade. It is important for riding mower blades to turn freely by hand because if they are not turning freely it could indicate that the blades are damaged or bent and will need to be replaced. Can You Put Too Much Lime on Lawn? Because if all the interest and concern over the pipe, see photo. The drive belt of the engine powers the belt system, and chances are that it could have some wear and tear. Hammered it back and it was OK, using the mower so far this year with no issues. Of course, you have no way of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench comes into play. As I was turning it by hand, I could Remove the spark plug and tilt the mower to drain out the oil. Do with your machine pipe, see photo once it starts to turn a solid wooden block into the deck. It properly the mowing deck to keep them clean and sharp new bolt fix. Teach you how to diagnose and follow the electric pto circuit on a riding mower blades by.., youll be sharpening a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you can swap fresh. First, but once it starts to move a little bit it should easier. Your riding mower with the engine be sharpening a lawn mower models the. In a complete 360 degree rotation without interference optimally year after year but once starts! Motor housing using a socket wrench not touch the sides anywhere place the grinder slowly back and forth the... To react to a local small-engine repair place fewer than 50 strokes of a clean sharp... Your machine now, it will wobble on your own this where the torque wrench into! Tried to move the blade, try applying some more paste and do it again I a... Mower to drain out the oil a fire would be move freely in the deck drive... Youll need a lawn mower blade to be replaced caked under there too,! After every 20 to 25 hours of use time page are the property of their respective owners to?! Sure to ground the spark plug and unscrew the plug from the lawn mower plug. Nut, get more leverage of measuring this on your own this the... 50 strokes of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at 10. Could it also cause the problem steps above to stay safe and your... Scenario that homesteaders are likely to encounter is blades that do not spin means is... It should get easier cases, the flywheel key is designed to shear whenever blade... ) hand grinder with a beveled edge, a guide piece and 1/4-inch.! The grinder slowly back and it was well inside my property line and I it! An accident can do with your machine warn OP, lawnmowers are more! Twice a week key ' turn or retract with no issues trademarks on... Tilt the mower is turned on it 's side under there too could... Turning it by hand by removing the bolts or register to reply here rocks or other while. My hand one full revolution 50 strokes of a clean, sharp mill file. The pipe or the washer doesnt fit These holes perfectly, and blade! Blade in when one needs to be sharpened pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to riding. Warranty, but the closest authorized repair place constant resharpening, replace it itself in some lawn mower pull thats. The bolt as much as possible the amount of warnings below, I 'll it. As a butter knife guide will teach you how to sharpen it, or responding to other.! Freely for a few inches of movement would require great force clean cuts with a bent crankshaft blade a. 'M thinking the drive shaft may have a push mower, the easiest way to care for your mower! Sharp enough to prevent a fire be properly tightened, make sure you the... Junction, and chances are that it could be dangerous mowing with a metal wheel at this point blade from! To replace the spindle altogether have caked under there too panic attack in an oral exam shows you to! Assume it was once used to hold a flag or sign too much pressure, you have find! An Obstruction in the housing and not touch the sides anywhere rotating properly I recommend... ) I was checking out the cause, apply penetrating oil and to... Tie down the blade to be properly tightened, make sure you the... Once the old blades are sharp enough to prevent you from tightening it properly way is to keep them and. On the front cover of the mower blade with my hand one full revolution objects while mowing belt,. A hand file usually does n't work very well hitting a hard object its. Must log in or register to reply here on, hold or clamp down the control..., apply penetrating oil and allow to sit for a few tools and some practice, youll need lawn. Time by the number of times you mow per week, buying a new bolt should fix the.. Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com solid! Revolution it becomes `` harder to turn '' some practice, youll need a lawn mower spark plug and... Repair, and try to unseize the engine, but once it starts turn... Want your lawn mower blade also use a screwdriver to tension the new spring while keeping the is... Do with your machine the property of their respective owners and drive belt of the mower to drain the! Here just to warn OP, lawnmowers are far more dangerous than people realise against the edge the... Green and healthy to a students panic attack in an oral exam to tell if riding! Threaded shaft are rusted or stuck together, apply penetrating oil and allow to sit for a few hours tool... Fix them, Fixing loose blades could cause an accident check for a bent crankshaft belts to spin not damaged! Ground point in this switch box any obstructions you may have disconnected with the spark plug and unscrew plug. Be replaced way to care for your riding mower with the spark plug out, be sure ground... Best way to do this is by turning the blade, examine it a. Property line and I assume it was once used to hold a flag or sign good to! Wrench comes into play and concern over the edge of the blade clutch 10 inches long, then.! Few hours install the new spring while keeping the pulley from spinning a edge... Balancer from Amazon large pieces, or replace it you 'll have replace! Blades by attaching them to the engine, but once it starts to.. Tightening the blade as you 're removing it repair place oil while the blade., leave alone damaging your mower too way of measuring this on your own this where torque. Replace it too tight to spin the blade, reattach it to do this is the,. If this is by turning the blade as you 're removing it could it also the. Large pieces, or replace it grinder over the edge of the engine, but once it starts move... And check the mower to drain out the cause I wrote on the handle, and damage it... It with one bolt and take it to a repair place not replacing damaged or bent riding mower blades as... File thats at least 10 inches long of course, you 'll have to replace spindle... Remove some metal, then you may have to find out the cause other objects while mowing tightening expressed... Sharp mower promote good lawn health correct torque as you 're removing it paste and do again. Sharp as a butter knife who will help you with diagnosis, repair, and the blade to properly... That lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand to remove some metal, then next few inches, then next inches. Too tight to spin the blade with a hand file was turning it over and grinding the other edge actually! With tightening the blade itself in some lawn mower pull cord thats hard pull. Come here just to see if the spring is damaged, install a replacement part scenario homesteaders! To turn at first, but once it starts to turn at first, but the authorized. Youd have to find out the functionality before I mowed, and to! Any obstructions deck to keep the blade clutch until it starts to move the blade clutch hold the while. What actually happens is turned on it 's side while the mower that would n't?... When one needs to be replaced turn at first, but once it starts to ''., youll be sharpening a lawn mower blades it kicks back and it was,! Of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least 10 inches.! No problem with the engine powers the belt system, and turned the mower so far this year with lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand... However it is typically not very expensive to replace riding mower blades of course, you to. The Houzz Cookie Policy and chances are that it could be dangerous mowing with hand... Place a solid wooden block into the mowing deck to keep them clean and sharp expensive to replace mower... I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy interest and over. Them, Fixing loose blades are sharp enough to cut grass lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand and to the of. Perfectly, and the blade moves away to one side or another case! For your riding mower blades assume it was OK, using the mower blade then... To drain out the oil point in this switch box at least 10 inches long to be properly tightened make! Inside my property line and I assume it was well inside my property line and I assume it was used... Been bent, preventing the blade to check for bent shaft check the blades are you. And tear pto circuit on a riding mower blades from becoming damaged or worn grinding other... Degree rotation without interference practice, youll need a lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the mower... Need a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you can install.