How To Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades Without Removing Them?

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A lawn mower is an effective tool when it comes to keeping the lawn in beautifully trimmed condition. Lawn mowers cut the grass cleanly and quickly. Considering the indeed of this equipment, it is hence crucial to keep the blades sharp and rust-free.

Many people ignore sharpening lawn mowers, thinking that it is not mandatory. Well, ideally, one should trim a lawn mower twice or at least once a year. This step will increase the longevity of the equipment. If you do not want to spend money to get it sharpened from a professional, do not worry at all. If you are thinking about how to sharpen a lawn mower without removing the blades and that too at home, we will tell you how.

Read below to get a detailed step-by-step guide to sharpen the lawn mower.

Why do we need to sharpen lawn mowers?

We all spend thousands of dollars to make sure that our lawn is presentable, healthy, and pleasant to the eyes. Now for a fact, if you keep trimming the lawn grass with ripped, worn, and dull blades, you might damage your lawn.

Worn blades of the lawn mowers do not cut the grass cleanly. There are also many leftover grass tips left behind the lawn. Consequently, the trimmed grass will stay on the healthy grown grass and will turn the whole lawn into brown. It can give rise to diseases , especially if you have pets.

A sharp lawn mower will cut the grass quickly, there would not be residuals, and your lawn will look more assembled. To keep your lawn’s grass in the best condition, it is crucial to sharpen the blades at least once a year.

Tips to sharpen lawnmower blades without removing them?

First of all, you need to gather all the relevant gadgets you need to sharpen the blades. The whole process is easy. Make sure that you use all safety precautions beforehand. You can also seek help from some elders at home to avoid any accidents.

Things you will need:

Steel wool/steel brush (or sharp-bristled brush preferably)
Flat file angle grinder(metal blade attachment)
Water

Glasses
Gloves
Detergent

Step 1: Remove power connection

Once you have gathered all the tools required, it is time to start the work. Do not forget to plug out the power connection. If the lawn mower is connected to a gas tank, seal it properly. In the case of an electric lawn mower, unplug the spark plug wire and make sure you have switched it off. This step will prevent you from any accident in case you mistakenly turn the mower on while cleaning.

Step 2: Tip the mower blades on the side

Once you have removed the power connection, start the process. Always keep the carburetor of the lawn mower on top. This step is to prevent fuel from entering the carburetor.

Turn over the mower to the side. Tilt the lawn mower and incline it aside. Make sure that the blades of the movers should be facing you. This step is crucial so that you can access the blades right in front of you.

Step 3: Stabilize the mower with a wooden block

Before starting the cleaning process, make sure that the mower is not moving. It should be stable so that you do not hurt yourself while cleaning the blades. Take a 4×4 wooden block and place it diagonally on the farthest portion of the mower. The diagonal position will keep the mover lifted position stable.

Step 4: Hinder the blade’s movement.

Now before starting the cleaning process, you need to restrain the blades from moving. Take another wooden block or any support that fits your needs. Your purpose should be to stop the movement of the blades. A diagonally placed block would prevent the to and fro movement of the blade.

Step 5: Clean the blades of the lawn mower

Start cleaning the blades. Dust off large particles. Take a steel brush and try to scrape out all the dirt from the blades. If you notice any rusting, take a ball of steel wool and scrub it all around the blades.

Pour some water on the blades.
Take the detergent and sprinkle it on the blades.
Now the blades with steel wool.

Wash out again to check if any debris is there or not.
This step will help you to identify the extent to which you need to sharpen the blades.
Once you have cleansed, dry the blades before sharpening.

Step 6: Sharpen the blades of the lawn mower.

Once you have got rid of all debris from blades, you would be in a better condition to see them. Check out the extent to which you need to sharpen. If the blades need basic sharpening, you can do it with a flat-file. If you have an angle grinder, you can also use it for the best results.

Wear cut-resistant gloves and glasses.

Now take your sharpening tools and place them on the edge of the blade. Target the cutting edge.
Make an angle of 45 degrees (this is appropriate for sharpening).
Start sharpening.

Do not move to and fro when sharpening the blades.
Move the tool in one direction, lift the tool, keep it from where you started, and start sharpening again.
Do not follow forward and backward directions to sharpen your blades.

Once you have done the top side, you need to move to the lower side.
The lower side can be challenging. Since the blades are attached to the mower, but with little patience, you will be able to do it.
Repeat the process on both sides.

Gently remove the wooden blocks, move the mower to its original position.
Put the spark plug wire. In case of gas, unseal the tank.
Your lawn mower is ready to go.

Conclusion

Lawn mowers are very expensive, and they are essential to keep the lawn grass intact. To keep the lawn mower in the best working capacity it is important to sharpen it at least once a year. People are reluctant to take it to a professional to remove blades and sharpen them. You can sharpen the blades with a flat-file or angle grinder.

Turn it over, clean the blades, and sharpen them. Follow the above-mentioned instructions to sharpen the blades. If your lawn mower is so big or you cannot do the job all alone, you can seek help from a profession.al. They can help to clean and sharpen the blades for you