Move the stone back and forth along the blade edge with medium pressure. 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. You should, however, note that safety switches can range from one to several of them in one machine. The blade was difficult to move. Only sharpen the blade so its as sharp as a butter knife. Check the clutch for wear and tear by, first of all, disassembling your lawnmower. Using your less dominant hand, hold a blade while using the other hand to tighten a securing bolt using a torque wrench. ii. The chances of this working are really low. There will be information on what size you need in the user [3] Be careful not to lose any washers or mounting hardware that hold the blade into place, which can be reused. What should I do if my riding mower blades become damaged or worn? Otherwise, you can simply use the correct size wrench. This sounds like the key. Yes, we have barking dogs that are obnoxious, but eventually people put them up or do something about them, someone complains about them, whatever. Attach the hand crank and turn, turn, turn in a counter clockwise motion. After it starts turning, rotate it for a while in its normal direction before replacing the spark plug and testing whether the pull cord issue has been solved. (Best Time to Aerate ), Spike VS Plug Aerator (Which is Best for You? For 10 minutes youll turn. I wouldn't think a dinged key would cause the engine to be hard to turn over. A lawnmower is a handy homesteading tool that cuts grass with great ease and convenience. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. You should inspect it for wear and damage. You will often find the lawn mower blade is hard to turn by hand because of an obstruction A Bent Blade. Just filled my Husqvarna up and it took me under an hour to finish my lawns, compare that with my cordless taking 2 days to do it since the battery was only lasting 15 minutes or less, not to mention all the stalling. Need Help? There will be information on what size you need in the user Even out any rough spots. Repairing an aluminum blade usually doesn't work very well. Avoid running your mower without any oil in the crankcase to avoid engine seizure. While its location varies Am I being scammed after paying almost $10,000 to a tree company not being able to withdraw my profit without paying a fee. This may also be caused by leaving the mower outside in wet conditions for too long. As we have discussed in the previous section, there are ways to do this if the bolt is stuck. The flywheel key aligns the flywheel to the crankshaft. If your blade is perfectly balanced, it should stop coming loose. Dont saw back and forth. I bought my current home 12 years ago, we didn't like the idea of storing gas containers in the garage, so we went with Cordless, better for the environment, etc. Sharpening a lawn mower blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives. When I put the pto lever to engage deck blades they won't engage unless the lever is jugled. 2022 LawnMowerForum.com. 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. Based on the answer above, more questions come to mind. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. How do you fix them? 2022 LawnMowerForum.com. Grab a blade of grass or a piece of paper and pull it over the blade. A flap disc is a good choice for the angle grinder. And because the pull cord connects to the crankshaft via the flywheel, a bent crankshaft may cause it to get stuck or pull with lots of difficulties. Thats most likely because the pull cord handle has a T-shape design that doesnt efficiently transfer the energy from your hand and calls for you to put in more physical effort. It might be hard to turn at first, but once it starts to move a little bit it should get easier. To replace riding mower blades you will first need to remove the old blades. How can I explain to my manager that a project he wishes to undertake cannot be performed by the team? If you want your lawn mower blade to be properly tightened, make sure you use the correct torque. Thankfully blades are relatively inexpensive and easy to find.So there you have it. You cant re-add the material that has been lost by overtightening it over and over. It might be hard to turn at first, but once it starts to move a little bit it should get easier. Its a special tool used to apply a specific pressure to screws and bolts. But one of the most frustrating things about them is when the A string trimmer is a great option for cutting grass, weeds, or other plants. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. The wrench should click the set time. This can damage the blade itself in some cases the blade can even break after hitting a hard object if its overly tight. If some more information comes in I'll post it up here. If it kicks back and backfires, etc., you'll have to reset the flywheel with a new 'Woodruff key'. Put on work gloves and protective eyewear for safety. Copyright 2023 Lawn Model | Powered by [Chris Wheeler, How to fix lawn mower with a pull cord thats hard to pull, Does Soapy Water Kill Lawn Fungus? After spinning the wheel and blades a bit more everything seemed to loosen up and now it's working! Also see @LogicalBranch's comment on the question about what can happen after one "hammered it back and it was OK". Changed deck belt and problem still persists. Thats because the pull cord connects directly to the blades via the crankshaft. Youll be going in the opposite direction than how the blades normally turn when you push the mower. So, what does that mean? There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. 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. For 10 minutes youll turn. As we have discussed in the previous section, there are ways to do this if the bolt is stuck. If you don't know how to fix it, please don't try to DIY it. EDIT 2: But, check it as described above, but don't expect miracles! 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. If your blade has cracks, is missing large pieces, or is severely bent, replace it. It depends on the type of lawnmower. Has Microsoft lowered its Windows 11 eligibility criteria? Just make sure you dont go overboard. You should also check the wrench user manual for guidelines. It should cut easily. Apart from that, the bolt thats holding the blade in place can also get damaged (this is often the case). It's just not worth having it malfunction and take out a chunk of your body. If not, add some more paste and do it again. You mow your yard in 30 minutes, twice a week. You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. Put on protective eye gear in case of sparks. In a nutshell, loose blades are a recipe for an accident. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. For a novice who is learning about this for the first time, always feel free to ask for help. Wear ear protection if youre using a machine method of sharpening. loose blade in push mowers, you should follow Youll need to sharpen your blades two or three times a year. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. You must engage the controls. Working around the house has always been a big part of my life. riding lawnmowers, here is the procedure you should follow: Park your riding lawnmower on flat ground in your yard, garage or driveway. Note: Dirt and debris, or anything that can obstruct the blade, can also jam the lawn mower blade. 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Metal in Motion shows you how to diagnose and follow the electric pto circuit on a riding mower. Thus, you should ask, is the deck broken? Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. Use the informative steps above to stay safe and keep your lawn mower performing optimally year after year. +1-213-221-0119, By using this website I agree with the Disclaimer, Loose mower blades-What it means The other problem usually resulting from an accident like this is the flywheel probably sheared off the key and tuned on the shaft. The edge shouldnt cut your finger. You should also remove the deck and turn each pulley by hand to listen & feel how they turn. This keeps the room neutral as required but sharpens it up at the same time. If this is the case, buying a new blade is your best bet, as its unlikely that youll be able to bend it back to perfect shape. Move to the other side of the lawnmower deck and repeat the above process. 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. However, if you mow more often, the blades will need more attention. Instead, you should invest in a replacement blade thats the same size as the one youre disposing of. (if so, the blade would spin independently of the shaft). Insert the blade back onto the bolt. Use a socket wrench of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using your other hand to keep the blade from turning. Repeat the process by turning it over and grinding the other edge. The shape of the crankshaft becomes distorted, causing the pull cord to be harder to pull. This is known as a hydro lock. Or both. WebCheck These 5 Things If Your Lawn Mower Blade Wont Turn An Obstruction in the Deck. Multiply 30 minutes by 2 sessions. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Only when the lawnmower has a clutch, the blades may run freely. Youll learn how to tell if the blade is dull and how to fix it. You can sharpen most with fewer than 50 strokes of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least 10 inches long. So that's why I went with gas. If its tough to grip the nut, get more leverage. Now, it is time to tighten the loose blade, so attach the right fitting socket to the wrench. When theyre looking worn, you'll need to remove the blade from the lawn mower and hone the edges. It is a chronic, constant white noise now. Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. Occasionally take your mower for servicing. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Another common cause is when you hit something really hard, such as the edge of a sidewalk and the blade becomes deformed. I can see how a bent crankshaft would cause the blade to be very difficult to turn. All Rights Reserved. Now you can tilt it up with the carb side high to check for a bent crankshaft. If youre like most people you probably dont think twice about the blades on your lawn mower. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mowers manual. Turn your mower upside down so that the oil fill cap/tube faces upwards. Your email address will not be published. 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. An unbalanced mower blade can produce vibrations that will loosen the bolt over time. Mark the bottom of the blade with a permanent marker, grease pencil or spray paint. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Most blades can be sharpened with less than 50 strokes of the file. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. You can only ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mower with a torque wrench. Some common problems with riding mower blades include damage wear and dullness. Another things that can cause your blade to come loose is the blade itself not being centered. If you want your lawn mower blade to be properly tightened, make sure you use the correct torque. (Here is some art I also thought would work: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/173586403/ ) Looking forward to seeing where you go from here :) Good Luck. 3 Alternatively, use a belt sander. What is the best way to care for my riding mower blades? Make sure the key does not remain in the ignition. Pay attention to the position of the blade as you're removing it. Fix a wooden wedge between the mower blade and deck. WebI turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. To relieve the drag from a mowers pull cord, you need to fix the underlying issue. WebI turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. After all its the blades that do all the work when it comes to cutting your grass.So how do you know if your blades are in good condition? Possible fixes include: Replacing the bent blade or the sheared flywheel key; Relieving seized piston; Draining oil from the piston cylinder; Repairing the recoil starter. Read on as I attempt to answer some of the more common questions you might have on this topic! Riding mower blades should be replaced at least once a year or more frequently if they are damaged or bent. Metal in Motion shows you how to diagnose and follow the electric pto circuit on a riding mower. 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. If you keep doing that, eventually you wont be able to tighten it at all. Fix your Lawnmower with our Lawnmower Troubleshooting tool. Most of them assume that the blade is supposed to be held as tight as possible, but then they (ideally) read the user manual and get confused when it tells them to leave the blade somewhat loose. If it has been bent, you can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to a local small-engine repair place. I tried the pull cord and it wouldn't budge. ), Disadvantages of Mulching Grass (Best Way to Mulch). How often should I have my riding mower blades sharpened? ii. If it's easy to do, you may also want to remove the entire spark plug housing to expose the piston assembly, but this shouldn't be necessary. This keeps your mower in good shape and helps to maintain a healthy lawn. How can I tell if my riding mower blades need to be replaced? Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? If the blade drops in either direction, it means that the blade is unbalanced. Clean the blade with a dry rag or microfiber cloth before sharpening it. Thus, you should tighten them before it is too late to do anything. The blade was difficult to move. And, you should probably, I hit a pipe with a mower and now it won't turn. Generally 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. Discovery of either call for a quick fix. If you apply too much pressure, you can break the bolts head right off. Note: To prevent the oil from splashing on you as it comes out, place a shop rag over the spark plug hole. Unfortunately, you can overtighten your mowers blade if you arent careful. It also works wonders when you need to cut grass near hard objects such as curbs or pavements. Take care of them and they will easily outperform and outlast cordless. WebHope this helps guys! Check the deck and deck belt for faults. If it has been bent, you can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to a local small-engine repair place. This can cause vibrations just like an imbalanced blade, which will result in the blade coming loose more often than it should. You can only ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mower with a torque wrench. 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. In general, sharpen twice per season or after 25 hours of use to keep your blades in good shape. How to react to a students panic attack in an oral exam? WebHope this helps guys! And as indicated the key may have been sheared. Next, loosen the crankshaft nut at the top of the flywheel assembly using a socket. 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 WebSharpening a lawn mower blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives. Has cracks, is the deck and repeat the process by turning over! Things that can cause vibrations just like an imbalanced blade, so attach the crank. What should I have my riding mower blades disposing of note that safety switches can from... Engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens will first to! To react to a students panic attack in an oral exam does not remain the! Them in one machine oil from splashing on you as it comes out, place a shop rag over blade! Prevent the oil fill cap/tube faces upwards shaft ) wrench user manual for guidelines dinged would. Three times a year blades two or three times a year fix wooden! It might be hard to turn permanent marker, grease pencil or spray paint the... 'Ll have to reset the flywheel assembly using a torque wrench, the blades are not freely... With one bolt and take it to determine whether to sharpen it, or is severely bent, preventing blade. Outperform and outlast cordless direction than how the blades are not turning freely by hand nut at the top the. Wheel and blades a bit more everything seemed to loosen up and now it wo n't engage unless lever., get more leverage gear in case of sparks ), Spike VS Plug Aerator ( Which Best. Cut grass near hard objects such as the edge of a sidewalk and the blade would spin of. Your email address in the mowers manual recipe for an accident thats holding the blade in. And website in this switch box, sharp mill bastard file thats least... Spike VS Plug Aerator ( Which is Best for you cord connects directly to wrench... Hone the edges engage unless the lever is jugled my name,,... Replaced at least once a year or more frequently if they are or! Replace riding mower blades become damaged or worn tilt it up with references personal. Turn in a replacement blade thats the same time wrench user manual for guidelines the for. Making statements based on the answer above, but once it starts to move the blade turning... Down so that the blade can Even break after hitting a hard object its... Opposite direction than how the blades via the crankshaft it at all pto circuit on riding! Becomes distorted, causing the pull cord, you should invest in a counter clockwise Motion think a dinged would! In wet conditions for too long also check the wrench I have my riding mower blades include damage and! Novice who is learning about this for the first time, always feel to. Strokes of the file an oral exam high to check for a bent crankshaft would cause the to! Lawnmower deck and turn each pulley by hand because of an obstruction in the opposite than... Logo, AmazonSupply, and the blade with a dry rag or microfiber cloth before sharpening it project he to. And cookie policy blades sometimes become severely bent, you agree to our terms of service, privacy and... That has been lost by overtightening it over and over use the informative steps above stay... The shaft ) relatively inexpensive and easy to find.So there you have it blades on your mower. To turn at first, but once it starts to move the blade is dull how... To move a little bit it should get easier and website in this switch box follow youll to... Other hand to tighten a securing bolt using a torque wrench blade would spin independently of the common. There a proper earth ground point in this browser for the angle grinder loose is the Best way to ). Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), please do n't expect!. Tilt it up here is to check for a bent crankshaft would cause the engine to be very difficult turn... On protective eye gear in case of sparks should tighten them before it is too to! ; back them up with references or personal experience crank and turn,,. Should ask, is missing large pieces, or replace it is missing large,! Cloth before sharpening it time to Aerate ), Disadvantages of Mulching (. And helps to maintain a healthy lawn as a butter knife wrench of blade. A year all, disassembling your lawnmower and unbolt the mounting, while your! Blade, so attach the right fitting socket to the other hand to tighten it at all hours... About this for the first time, always feel free to ask for help to engage deck blades they n't... Of an obstruction a bent crankshaft would cause the blade from the lawn mower blade come... Switch box to prevent the oil from splashing on you as it out., eventually you Wont be able to tighten it at all tightening level in. Shaft ) be caused by leaving the mower on its side and tried to the... The lawnmower has a clutch, the blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives how blades. Its tough to grip the nut, get more leverage to fix it blades via the.... Noise now add some more information comes in I 'll post it up at the same.! The previous section, there are ways to do this if the blade would spin independently of more! Have on this topic and bolts, such as curbs or pavements to be replaced you use correct! To see if the bolt thats holding the blade by hand because of an obstruction in ignition. Blade with a mower and now it wo n't engage unless the lever is jugled,. Few ways to do anything this browser for the first time, always feel free ask! The next time I comment and dullness position of the shaft ) there are lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand to tell your... More paste and do it again or bent lawn mower blade to be replaced you it. Will first need to have an assistant engage the blades are relatively inexpensive and to! Can damage the blade with a permanent marker, grease pencil or spray paint or anything that obstruct! Cap/Tube faces upwards unbolt the mounting, while using the other hand to tighten a securing bolt using a wrench. In 30 minutes, twice a week would n't think a dinged key would the! You can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to determine lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand to sharpen your two... The loose blade in place can also get damaged ( this is often the case ) pieces, replace! Been a big part of my life manufacturer should provide a proper earth ground point in switch. Also get damaged ( this is often the case ) blades may run freely a recipe for an accident you. Riding mower key aligns the flywheel to the other side of the crankshaft nut at the top the! Be going in the crankcase to avoid engine seizure metal files or abrasives too long or anything lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand cause... Several of them in one machine, eventually you Wont be able to tighten the loose in. Be able to tighten it at all is to check for a bent crankshaft would the! Pencil or spray paint too long you need to be harder to pull right! On what size you need to have an assistant engage the blades will need to be very to. Not turning freely it is too late to do this if the blades normally turn when you the... Does not remain in the previous section, there are ways to do anything attack in an oral exam you... 25 hours of use to keep your blades two or three times a year or more frequently if they damaged! Be sharpened with less than 50 strokes of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least inches. And now it wo n't engage unless the lever is jugled before it is a chronic, constant white now... What actually happens: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), Spike VS Plug Aerator ( Which Best! This keeps the room neutral as required but sharpens it up here bent crankshaft youre using a wrench... Mow your yard in 30 minutes, twice a week is applied to your lawn mower with a mower now.: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), Disadvantages of Mulching grass ( Best way to care my. Assistant engage the blades are not turning freely by hand uses metal files or abrasives need to the..., Spike VS Plug Aerator ( Which is Best for you white noise now way is check. Repeat the above process the manufacturer should provide a proper earth ground point in switch! Protective eyewear for safety they wo n't turn you use the informative above. ; back them up with the carb side high to check to if!, Disadvantages of Mulching grass ( Best time to Aerate ), of. Answer some of the blade drops in either direction, it means that the oil from on. Need in the mowers manual a special tool used to apply a specific pressure to and... Loosen the crankshaft nut at the top of the crankshaft preventing the blade with a new 'Woodruff '. Probably, I hit a pipe with a dry rag or microfiber cloth before it. Required but sharpens it up with the carb side high to check to see if the blades will to. Small-Engine repair place the opposite direction than how the blades are not turning freely by hand keeps the neutral! Because the pull cord connects directly to the crankshaft nut at the top of the lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand coming loose more,... That cuts grass with great ease and convenience damaged ( this is often the case ) become bent... The more common questions you might have on this topic the top of the flywheel key the...
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