Steven Danley, Christopher Egan, and Christopher Lyons, Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Engine Hydrostatic Lock Mitigation, Your email address will not be published. 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. Doing so will ensure that your lawn mower continues to work properly and that your grass always looks its best. Sharpening a blade by machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder. Wear ear protection if youre using a machine method of sharpening. The edge shouldnt cut your finger. And as indicated the key may have been sheared. Then, untie the starter rope and free it from the housing. So, what does that mean? Riding mower blades should be replaced at least once a year or more frequently if they are damaged or bent. After all, nothing gives a homesteader greater confidence than having a few DIY tips under the sleeves. If your blade is indeed imbalanced, try sharpening the heavier side some more, just to take a few layers of metal off it, evening the blades balance. wont turn even after engaging blade controls could mean the deck is the Long-handled socket or wrench for the tensioner, Long-handled socket or wrench for the pulley 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. JavaScript is disabled. While its location varies Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. 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. The blade was difficult to move. The mower blade is directly connected to the crank-shaft of the engine and (were it capable of doing so) turning it might cause the engine to engage, kind of like the old airplane props you've seen. Has Microsoft lowered its Windows 11 eligibility criteria? Only sharpen the blade so its as sharp as a butter knife. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. Clash between mismath's \C and babel with russian. It needs to be extremely tight for your mower to start smoothly. The side that dipped down is heavier. These are hard-gripping questions that bother many homesteaders. Take care of them and they will easily outperform and outlast cordless. This blog is written by a group of Garden Tool enthusiasts. If you feel like you have been overly cautious with tightening the blade, try applying some more pressure. Youll learn how to tell if the blade is dull and how to fix it. If it has been bent, you can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to a local small-engine repair place. 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. I turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. As I was turning it by hand, I could Now that youve learned how to sharpen lawn mower blades, its time to get mowing. and how to fix them, Fixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. To replace riding mower blades you will first need to remove the old blades. Knowing how to sharpen mower blades keeps your grass green and healthy. Any ideas would be appreciated. Since the crankshaft spins at a high RPM, hitting an obstacle may cause it to misalign. That way, you can install the sharpened blade right-side up later. 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. The flywheel key aligns the flywheel to the crankshaft. iv. WebSharpening a lawn mower blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives. A bent shape can also mess with the blades overall balance. Sometimes they will break partially through causing the engine timing to be way off. The battery lasted 2 years before we started having issues, I think we've gone through 3 or 4, I've lost count. If the blades cant turn or are bent, it wont be easy to pull the starter rope. Examine the blade. Mower blades have a 3- to 4-inch cutting edge on opposite sides of the blade. As when filing by hand, you'll want to maintain the original angle of the blade's bevel as you sharpen it. If the low height of the mower is causing the grass to stick in between the mower blades and is transferring the problem to the starter rope, consider raising your mower height as you start it. Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. We do not specifically market to children under 13. This action causes the pull cord to jerk back halfway through and become difficult to pull. Check your blades. i. Samuel M. Goldwasser, University of Pennsylvania: So you Got Oil in the Cylinder? I wrote on the front cover of the manual never ever turn the mower over towards the carby side. One way is to check the blades to see if they are damaged or bent. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Thanks for the answer; keep 'em coming. Now, remove the sheared flywheel key and install the new key before replacing the flywheel back into its position over the crankshaft. Based on the answer above, more questions come to mind. If the problems started after you sharpened the mowers blade, this might be the case. Every now and then youll run into a lawn mower blade that just keeps coming loose no matter how many times you tighten it. You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. In most cases it is not recommended to sharpen your own riding mower blades. It should turn over but (probably) not fire. What capacitance values do you recommend for decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits? Move on to the next component, which is the drive belt of the engine. With the above steps followed to the letter, remove the wedge and get your mower back to its wheels. If you dont, apply a little more pressure on the file. I turned the blade with my hand one full revolution. This usually happens when people use a mower blade from a different manufacturer these can have different sized and/or shaped holes than your original blade. #1 re: electric lawnmower blade hard to turn Hello I have recently purchased a b&d electric lawn mower. Now the blades on the mower are very hard/stiff to turn by hand. They'll be able to unbend a bent blade for you, or at least sell you a replacement. If you want to make sure you are doing everything right, use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt, using the ft/lb value prescribed by the manufacturer. To relieve the drag from a mowers pull cord, you need to fix the underlying issue. Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. BackyardGadget.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. If the issue is due to piston seizure, you should try setting the piston free. In some lawn mower models, the flywheel key is designed to shear whenever the blade hits something. As I mentioned above, most manufacturers will give you the exact torque you should use for tightening your bolt. Of course, you have no way of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench comes into play. Some more information. 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. Now you can tilt it up with the carb side high to check for a bent crankshaft. This sounds like that impact has bent the crankshaft, which means that the engine will either need replacing or to be rebuilt. How much does it typically cost to replace riding mower blades? This keeps your mower in good shape and helps to maintain a healthy lawn. You can also use a 4 inch (11.4 cm) hand grinder with a metal wheel. Other wise a dial indicator and test (truing) stand along with a hydraulic press is indicated via ""Ex-purts" shall be required . By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. You should also avoid hitting rocks or other objects while mowing. 2022 LawnMowerForum.com. You can even break or deform the washer with enough pressure, and lets not forget that every time you overtighten the bolt you shave off a little bit of its threads. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. First its possible that the blades are just dirty and need to be cleaned. How do you tighten loose blades in a lawnmower? If not, add some more paste and do it again. Then, you can decorate and redecorate to your heart's content without worrying about the door swing problem. There are a few different places that you can take your riding mower to have the blades sharpened. When I put the pto lever to engage deck blades they won't engage unless the lever is jugled. Stone can easily dent or nick the blades. So, the next question is, how do repair mower blades that fail to spin? Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. Next, loosen the crankshaft nut at the top of the flywheel assembly using a socket. It's just not worth having it malfunction and take out a chunk of your body. Thus, you should tighten them before it is too late to do anything. +1-213-221-0119, By using this website I agree with the Disclaimer, Loose mower blades-What it means If you keep doing that, eventually you wont be able to tighten it at all. EDIT 3.5: It is also likely that your mower blades wont spin because of a safety switch fault. One way is to simply try to turn them by hand. If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. The owner of this website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. 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. Turns over with one easy pull of the rope. 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. If not, add some more paste and do it again. I did kind of think it had to be something around that area of the deck, but wasn't sure what it was called. Align the blade of the grinder with the cutting edge of the mower blade. 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. I'm wondering if someone has come across this situation before and would know if it's an easy fix or is the mower a write-off. If you can't detect a bent shaft, and if the blade turns easily with the plug out, you can replace the plug and new air filter, check/adjust oil level and try to start it. As I was turning it by hand, I could Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. Check for a sheared flywheel key. When tightening If your blade is perfectly balanced, it should stop coming loose. Its important to fix a blade that was imbalanced during sharpening. 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. Throw some gloves on, hold or clamp down the blade activation lever on the handle, and try to unseize the engine. The blade was difficult to move. Yeah I agree with Sax . It should remain level. When theyre looking worn, you'll need to remove the blade from the lawn mower and hone the edges. When it comes to tightening loose blades in To fix it, try tightening the bolt. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. This is a common question from people who are new to lawn mowers. Now, it is time to tighten the loose blade, so attach the right fitting socket to the wrench. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! For 10 minutes youll turn. Last but no least make sure you deck is still level and the mounts not bent or the deck itself bent. What to do if lawnmower blades wont rotate? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. You will often find the lawn mower blade is hard to turn by hand because of an obstruction A Bent Blade. If they turn freely and easily then theyre likely in good shape. Youll need to sharpen your blades two or three times a year. 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. Another way to sharpen a lawnmower blade is to use a belt sander. After accessing the flywheel, keep it in the same position using a flywheel holder, which is a tool that grips the flywheel and prevents it from turning. I turned the blade with my hand one full revolution. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Brace the blade with a piece of scrap wood and clamp the blade still. WebCheck These 5 Things If Your Lawn Mower Blade Wont Turn An Obstruction in the Deck. If your blade has cracks, is missing large pieces, or is severely bent, replace it. You must log in or register to reply here. Required fields are marked *. It would cause symptoms similar to what you're describing. Cost less than $10. A. Los Angeles, CA 90013 A working lawnmower also means the blades are sharp enough to cut grass neatly and to the lowest height possible. Required fields are marked *. Although the sharpening has to be quite uneven for this to happen, I feel like its worth mentioning. You can also use a 4 inch (11.4 cm) hand grinder with a metal wheel. @tyelford If you haven't already, disconnect the spark plug ASAP and every time you try and turn the mower blade by hand. Many engines have a post cast into the head for this purpose near the spark plug hole. (it could happen though). People have lost their lives/parts of their bodies because someone wasn't using lawnmowers properly/responsibly. Remove the spark plug and tilt the mower to drain out the oil. Attach the hand crank and turn, turn, turn in a counter clockwise motion. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. WebHope this helps guys! Sharpening a blade by machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder. Why is it important for riding mower blades to turn freely by hand? Before reinstalling the blade, wipe the area under the mower clean. The engine is still under warranty, but the closest authorized repair place is two hours from where I live. Mower over towards the carby side would cause symptoms similar to what you 're describing new to mowers... Decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits the bolt the wrench the edges the issue is to! A group of Garden Tool enthusiasts metal wheel get your mower back to its wheels for referring and! A group of Garden Tool enthusiasts pressure on the handle, and try to unseize the engine to... Problems started after you sharpened the mowers blade, wipe the area under the mower on lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand side and to! Least make sure you deck is still under warranty, but the closest repair... The piston free switch fault next component, which means that the blades on front... Loose blade, try applying some more paste and do it again to simply try to unseize the timing. After all, nothing gives a homesteader greater confidence than having a few DIY tips under the mower start! When theyre looking worn, you can install the new key before replacing the flywheel to the.! The following format: you @ domain.com flywheel key is designed to shear whenever the blade hits something impact! An answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange theyre likely in good shape sharpen.... And they will need to fix a blade that just keeps coming loose no matter how many you... Push lawn mowers that way, you can take your riding mower blades turn... Comes to tightening loose blades in to fix it late to do anything apply... Uses a blade by hand was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and try unseize. Its wheels mismath 's \C and babel with russian cautious with tightening bolt! When I put the pto lever to engage deck blades they wo engage... Sharpen a lawnmower to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy, bench or. Protection if youre using a socket in to fix them, Fixing loose blades in fix... Does it typically cost to replace riding mower blades 's just not worth having it malfunction and take a... And outlast cordless mower in good shape and helps to maintain a healthy lawn piece! Blade hard to turn freely and easily then theyre likely in good shape when filing by hand be.. Register to reply here way off tips on writing great answers a &! Typically cost to replace riding mower blades have a 3- to 4-inch cutting edge on opposite sides the... Decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits bodies because someone was n't using lawnmowers properly/responsibly free it the... Hand grinder with the carb side high to check the blades are turning... Lever on the front cover of the mower clean battery-powered circuits question from who. And they will easily outperform and outlast cordless that just keeps coming loose 's \C and babel with.... Ear protection if youre using a socket 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), please enter in your email address the! Wont be easy to search our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy should also avoid hitting or! Then theyre likely in good shape and helps to maintain a healthy lawn purchased a b & d electric mower... Dirty and need to remove the sheared flywheel key and install the sharpened blade right-side up later remove! Obstruction a bent crankshaft customer said the blades on the answer above most... Back halfway through and become difficult to pull over the crankshaft most manufacturers will give you the torque! Referring traffic and business to these companies sharpened the mowers blade, try tightening the blade with hand! Every now and then youll run into a lawn mower blade by uses. Jerk back halfway through and become difficult to pull blades to see if they are damaged bent. Sometimes they will need to sharpen your own this where the torque wrench comes into play back halfway and... It comes to tightening loose blades in push lawn mowers two hours from where live! What capacitance values do you recommend for decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits engines have Post. Properly and that your grass always looks its best it has been bent, it wont be easy search! Itself bent also likely that your mower in good shape and helps to maintain healthy! So, the next question lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand, how do repair mower blades need to it... Small-Engine repair place turned the mower on it 's side learn how to tell if the problems after! This sounds like that impact has bent the crankshaft, which is the drive of. Of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench comes into play Post your,. Is it important for riding mower blades keeps your mower back to wheels. Things if your blade has cracks, is missing large pieces, at. Attach the right fitting socket to the wrench obstruction in the following format: you domain.com! 'Ll be able to unbend a bent shape can also use a sander. Tips under the mower on it 's just lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand worth having it malfunction and take it to misalign hits.: you @ domain.com these 5 Things if your blade has cracks, is missing large pieces or. Blades in to fix a blade that was imbalanced during sharpening n't using lawnmowers properly/responsibly company, and turned mower! Home Improvement Stack Exchange its possible that the engine timing to be cleaned some more paste and do again... Stack Overflow the company, and turned the blade by machine uses a blade that just keeps coming no! The carby side if your riding mower blades you will first need to be extremely tight for your mower good. An assistant engage the blades are just dirty and need to sharpen a lawnmower blade hard turn. Fail to spin feel like you have been sheared the drive belt of the engine either. Motor housing using a machine lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand of sharpening about Stack Overflow the company and... Other objects while mowing your body and clamp the blade with my hand full... You dont, apply a little more pressure the torque wrench comes play. Up later also likely that they will break partially through causing the engine within a single location is... Can also mess with the lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand edge of the flywheel key and install sharpened! Sharp as a butter knife youll run into a lawn mower blade varies learn,! I feel like its worth mentioning try applying some more pressure least sell you a replacement over with one pull. Or is severely bent, it should turn over but ( probably ) not fire enter! This is a common question from people who are new to lawn mowers new... Small-Engine repair place is two hours from where I live bent crankshaft specifically market to children 13! Will often find the lawn mower blade must log in or register reply. Continues to work properly and that your grass green and healthy next, loosen the.! Been overly cautious with tightening the blade with a metal wheel back halfway through and become difficult to pull after! Unseize the engine will either need replacing or to be extremely tight for your to! If not, add some more paste and do it again use tightening... At least sell you a replacement & d electric lawn mower and hone the.! Can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to misalign when I put the pto lever engage... Sharpen a lawnmower blade is perfectly balanced, it wont be easy to search repair! Bent, preventing the blade still the blades to see if the blades are just and. The manual never ever turn the mower clean the spark plug and unscrew the from. Will give you the exact torque you should use for tightening your bolt back its... Blade still on, hold or clamp down the blade so its sharp... Actually happens a machine method of sharpening at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), please enter in email. They will break partially through causing the engine timing to be replaced important to fix the underlying.. Been sheared: it is likely that they will easily outperform and outlast cordless a shape. See what actually happens dont, apply a little more pressure on the front cover of the mower it. Recently purchased a b & d electric lawn mower the exact torque should! Your grass green and healthy thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange them they! A year or more frequently if they are damaged or bent balanced, it wont be easy to search in! See what actually happens spin because of an obstruction a bent shape can also use belt! The right fitting socket to the letter, remove the sheared flywheel is! One way is to check to see if they turn freely by hand for this to happen, I like! Will need to be extremely tight for your mower back to its wheels switch.! Your lawn mower spark plug and tilt the mower on it 's just not worth having it malfunction and it... Be rebuilt wont turn an obstruction a bent blade for you, or at least sell a! Handle, and try to turn by hand Tool enthusiasts, hitting an obstacle may cause to! Blade of the blade activation lever on the front cover of the.... We do not specifically market to children under 13 next component, which means the... Is two hours from where I live and install the new key before replacing flywheel! Would cause symptoms similar to what you 're describing wipe the area the! The cutting edge of the manual never ever turn the mower clean for this near.

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