Lawnmower blades wear out with use, and you can tell when you begin to notice missed patches in the grass after mowing.
It is imperative to change your blades occasionally to make your mower perform more efficiently. With sharp and clean blades, you will keep your yard healthy, and your mower will be more productive.
To repair your lawnmower, it is necessary first to remove the blades. Unfortunately, it can be a daunting task to remove the blades.
Therefore, we have put together a step-by-step guide on how to remove a lawnmower blade.
How To Remove A Lawnmower Blade
1. Lift the Mower Deck
Before removing the mower blade, you need first to lift the mower deck to uncover the mower blade.
Before lifting the deck, look carefully to ensure that the oil compartment and carburetor are not tilted to avoid spilling oil over yourself, the engine, and the grass.
The best way to do this is to tilt the mower towards the handle and put a weight at the bottom to prop it up or ask someone to hold it up for you.
Though this may not be necessary for all mowers, it is essential to consult the user’s manual.
It is also advised to lift the deck after you’ve exhausted the gas in the mower, or you can decide to drain it out using a hose, which will prevent spilling gas over the body of the mower.
2. Disconnect the Spark Plug
It is best to unplug the spark plug to prevent electrical mishaps. If the plug comes in contact with any oil or gas, there is a high risk of an electric flare-up.
So to be on the safe side, it is advised to remove the plug first before proceeding with removing the lawnmower blade.
3. Unbolt the Blade Mounting Bolt
To remove the mounting bolt of the lawnmower blade:
Use a socket wrench to unbolt the mounting bolt.
Ensure the socket wrench is of the right size and use your free hand to hold the blade in place.
Ensure to keep every mounting hardware used to hold the blade in place because they can be reused.
While removing the blade, it is vital to note the positioning because the new blade will be mounted in the same way.
Typically, the sharp edge of the blade will be in a counterclockwise motion with the turning of the lawnmower.
However, this may not be the same for all mowers, so pay attention to the position of your blade to install a new one.
4. Buy Replacement Blades
Now that you have gotten the old and cranky blades off, it is time to purchase new ones as replacements.
Generally, replacement blade kits only cost a few dollars, and you can get one from your local hardware store.
The kits usually come with new blades, which have been sharpened and pre-weighted, and replacement nuts.
Some lawnmowers have multiple blades, while some have only one blade that looks like a ruler. Check your mower by tilting it back to determine what type of blade is most suitable for it.
You can also talk to an agent at your local hardware store about your mower and the appropriate blade to purchase. If you have the user’s manual, you can equally consult with it.
As an alternative to buying new blades, you can get your old blades sharpened if they are still in shape. However, if the blades are in bad shape, with parts of the metal out, it is best to buy a new set.
5. Mount New Blades Appropriately
It is best to use the owner’s manual as a guide when doing this. To mount the blades, arrange the blades as they were before removal and fix the nuts, ensure they are of the appropriate sizes.
Some blades have a specific fit, while some are universal. Whichever one it is, make sure the new blade is the same length as the former blade.
Next, carefully tighten the new blade, considering that it is a lot sharper than the old one.
Bottom Line
Removing your lawnmower blade can be pretty simple if you follow these easy step-by-step guides listed above.
However, it is essential to buy the correct replacement blade and wear safety gloves while removing and replacing it to keep your hands safe.
