Regardless of whether you have a ride on or a walk behind lawn mower, blade maintenance is just as important as engine maintenance when it comes to ensuring good performance and longevity. Did you know that dull blades can unevenly rip or even shred grass, which leaves it torn, dry and susceptible to disease. Paying attention to your blades is essential for a healthy lawn.
Your operator’s manual will provide detailed steps on blade replacement and sharpening. If you have misplaced your manual, contact the manufacturer or the team at Hastings Mowers for advice.
Prior to performing any blade-related maintenance on your lawn mower, ensure that the spark plug is disconnected to avoid accidental starting. Always wear appropriate hand and eye protection.
It is not uncommon for the blades to become damaged, which will more often than not require them to be replaced. From rocks lying hidden in the grass to striking the edge of a garden bed, there are a number of ways that the blades can become damaged. Common types of damage include bending, severe chipping or cracking.
Every now and then, you will also notice the blades getting a little dull. They will start to tear the grass rather than cutting cleanly through it. In these cases, providing there is no other damage, it is possible to sharpen the blades rather than replace them. Just note that the blades can only be sharpened so many times before they will need to be replaced.
Although it is possible to sharpen blades yourself, we highly recommend bringing them into our service centre and having one of our qualified mechanics handle this for you to ensure your safety. Either bring the whole mower in or remove the blades and bring just them in.
We hope that the information provided above has given you a much better idea of how to properly maintain your lawn mower’s blade. It is essential that it is kept sharp and in good condition, otherwise your lawn will start to suffer. If you’re unsure about any of the maintenance tasks outlined here, please consult your operator’s manual or contact the team at Hastings Mowers.
