The Benefits of Sharp Mower Blades -Toro Yard Care Blog

The Benefits of Sharp Mower Blades

by admin / June 22, 2022 maintain, Master My Lawn, mower info No Comments

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Start your spring season strong with a great cut from the start. Your mower will cut faster and deliver a better quality of cut with sharp blades, so make sure your blades are sharp! One of the top maintenance items for any rotary mower is to ensure blades are properly sharpened, balanced and in good working order.

How Important is a Sharp Mower Blade?

Think about the difference between the times you shave with a brand-new razor blade compared to when you are trying to get one last shave out of an old blade. With an old blade, your skin is more prone to cuts, infection, and irritation. When you use a brand-new, sharp blade you get a nice, clean shave.

The same thing happens with your grass. A sharp cutting blade makes your lawn look great and helps keep your turf healthy. If the mower blades are dull or nicked, it will smash the edge of the grass blade, leaving a torn end rather than a clean cut. This torn end will usually turn your grass brown a few days after mowing and become more susceptible to pests and diseases. But if your mower blades are nice and sharp, the grass will get a clean cut with greatly reduced damage and stress.

Mower Blade Inspection

At the beginning of the mowing season (and after roughly 8-10 hours of service) do a thorough inspection of your mower’s blades. Signs of a dull blade include bends, nicks, and/or dents. You’ll want to ensure the blades are properly sharpened and balanced. In addition to the physical inspection of the blades, do a quick inspection of the lawn before you begin your mowing — clearing away any rocks, sticks, or other debris in the immediate area. As you mow, keep an eye out for these blade-nicking items.

How to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blade

What’s the secret to getting a perfect cut? It all starts with your mower blades. Keep in mind these few basic tips for sharpening your blade:

Wear protective gear, such as safety glasses and cut resistant gloves
First, disconnect the spark plugs
Remove the blade (instructions are found in your owner’s manual)
Use a metal file to smooth nicks or grinder to sharpen
Work in one direction only; blades usually have an angle of 45 degrees
Blades should be sharp like scissors, not like a knife. A knife edge will get dull much faster.
Consult your owner’s manual for procedures specific to your mower
Depending on usage, replace your lawn mower’s blade(s) every 1-3 years. Always use genuine Toro blades designed for your specific mower. Universal blades may save you a couple of dollars, but can create potential safety issues, such as thrown objects. Additional concerns can include the way they fit the mount and the type of steel they are made from. A lot goes into designing and manufacturing a Toro blade to make sure it performs well.

Properly Balancing Your Blades

Having properly balanced blades is every bit as important as blade sharpness. An unbalanced blade causes stress on the engine and cutting deck due to vibration.

After you sharpen the blade, test its balance with a blade-balancing tool. You can hammer a nail partway into a wall in your garage and hang the blade from it (using the center hole) if you don’t have access to this specialized tool. A blade that hangs horizontally is in balance. If one side drops, remove excess material from the side it leans to using a grinder. Material should only be removed from the end of the blade, in the sail area.

Professional Mower Blade Sharpening

If you would like to have the service done professionally, contact your local Toro dealer. They can quickly sharpen and balance blades for you.

Bottom line: Using sharp blades will help you have a perfectly mowed lawn, every time.

Replacing Dull Mower Blades

You can change a set of blades in less than ten minutes. It’s well worth the time and effort. One pro tip is to get an extra set of blades for your mower to swap in when your blades lose their edge. You’ll always have sharp, balanced blades ready to go, with no downtime required for sharpening. However, if you’re not comfortable changing the blades yourself, your Toro dealer will be happy to do it for you.