by Betty Carew

Created on: March 18, 2010

You will know very easily when it is time to sharpen your lawn mower blades. Your lawn may look like it has been chewed instead of mowed. There will be spots on your lawn where the grass will be twirled in heaps and in general your lawn will take on a very sick look. Do not despair it will only take a little time and effort on your part to make your lawn look beautiful again as soon as you sharpen your lawn motor blades.

It is best to have a good work area cleared before you start the sharpening such as a work shop bench. Remove your lawn mower handle so you can achieve a better grip on your lawn mower. Take your lawn mower and tie it down until the movement is very limited. You can use clamps or tie it on. As long as your lawn mower is fastened that’s all that matters. This will keep your lawn mower from moving while you are applying pressure on the blades.

The next thing you should take time to do is read your lawn mower manual. This will give you hints on small repairs and you may find some useful information of sharpening your lawn mower blades. After you have finished refreshing yourself on how your lawn mower works you can start the process of sharpening your lawn mower blades.  Turn your lawn mower in the position that is comfortable for you to work with the blades exposed. Take a crowbar that is long enough to place in your blades to keep them from moving while you are working on them.

Taking a bastard file that is approximately twelve inches long, moving the file at a forty five degree angle across your blade. Repeat this action until you have finished this entire blade. Remove your crowbar and move your next blade in place. Repeat the same procedure on this blade. Continue until all blades are sharpened. Untie your lawn mower and replace the handle and you are ready to get out there and mow. You should see the difference in your lawn on the first cut you make. This job will take two hours tops depending on how badly your lawn mower blades are.

Sharpening mower blades do not have to become a big project and can be done anytime of the year. Sharpen them in the fall so you can start off in the spring without having to worry about the blades.  Depending on the type of terrain you use your lawn mower on will dictate how many times a year your lawn mower blades will need sharpening. One thing you can be sure of is that your lawn will thank you for doing this when it once again becomes ascetically pleasing to the eye. Once you know how to sharpen lawn mower blades you are on your way to perfect landscaping.

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