To any home owner, who needs a good lawn, lawn mower repair is a skill that cannot be ignored. This used to entail much strenuous work, frequent maintenance, and in most cases, a level of frustration. Most of the people may believe that to take care of the lawn mower only requires an oil change or fuel refill, but there is more to that since it is very important to sharpen the blades. Blunt knives can be devastating to your grass cutting it in shreds rather than cutting it. Luckily, one day my grandpa told me a secret recipe: a simple trick on how to sharpen the blades of a lawn mower and it actually works.
The grass is cut very clean by sharp blades, which is crucial in the maintenance of the lawn health and appearance. Blunt blades cut the grass into shreds and as you do not see a smooth edge, your lawn is at risk of becoming a breeding ground of pests and disease-carrying organisms. Dull blades do not incorporate rich, golf-course-like lawn instead they result in brown tips with weakened grass therefore creating a ho-hum yard. When your blades are sharpened, you will ensure that your lawn will be healthier and able to survive more environmental stresses.
An Old, Old Time Gag that has been Flung Down the Ages
Those who came before us have done the same with the simple smart solutions to keep their tools clean long before modern technology was available. And there was no exception to my grandpa. He came up with a way that saved him time and energy and made his lawn mower in good working order. This is an easy trick with low efforts and good professional results, and this trick has been a family one all these years.
To perform this trick you will require small piece of sandpaper, WD-40 or other lubricant, socket wrench set suited to your mower, and a piece of wood. It is all about being simple: all the items can be utilized in helping in the faster and effortless sharpening without the use of special tools.
How to Sharpen Lawnmower Blades with Minimum Fuss How-to-Guide
Start by laying the mower on its side but make sure that the air filter and the carburetor face upward in order to avoid leaking of the fuel.
With a socket wrench, take out the blade of the mower.
Mist the sandpaper using WD-40.
Put straight the sandpaper on the wood-block, and then put the blade lightly on the sandpaper so that with a stroke you may keen the edge.
After sharpening, make sure to bolt the blade back with the use of the socket wrench. It all should not take you more than 15 minutes because after you finish, your blades will be razor-sharp and are ready to do the job.
Sharp tools are treated with a lot of caution. Wear gloves at all times, to cover your hands in contact against the blade. Make sure that the lawn mower has been switched off and it has no source of power when taking away or touching the blade. Taking time and operating slowly will ensure no accidental secrets and injuries.
Advantages of Sharpening Lawnmower Blades
Dull blades would slow down lawn mowing and would be less effective. They also decrease the load on mower engine extending its life and minimizing the fuel usage. Also, the clean cuts allow healthier grasses to grow, with a whole lot more ability to grow bountifully, as well as toward being greener.
Other sharpening of knives ways.
Besides the fast sandpaper method, other methods of sharpening the lawn mower blades include; use of a bench grinder, sharpening stones, and professional sharpening services. All do have their additional benefits to offer but they tend to be more time or money-consuming or demanding some level of skill in comparison with the good old approach of my grandpa.
Major Pitfalls to Be Avoided When Sharpening Blades
Too-sharp, and the blade will be thinned and subject to rapid wear. And, it is always important to make sure that the blade is balanced when sharpening has been performed; the unbalanced blade may lead to vibration and, as a result, possible damage to the mower. After use, ensure that you clean both the blade and the mower deck to ensure they do not rust.
Conclusion: Walking through a well-trimmed Lawn
Your lawn mowing no longer is an unpleasant task, thanks to the sharp blades, but it is now an effort to make your house more appealing and an effort to create a healthy landscape. This tip will save you valuable time and trouble because your lawn will be well kept when you use this trick that was passed to me by my grandpa. To a yard that is green and clean with not much effort.