One of the best ways to have a healthy lawn is by cutting it using sharp blades. A dull mower blade will rip off the grass and weaken it, which leads to diseases. Therefore, sharpening the blades is the ideal tactic to reduce your mowing time and ensure you do not get too tired. However, before buying new mower blades, inspect the old ones to ensure they need a replacement.
When to Replace a Lawn Mower Blade?
- If the lawnmower is cutting grass unevenly
- When the blade is bent or damaged
- When the blade is dull after sharpening
- If it is more than a few years old
- When the the condition of the blades is bad
- Torn grass
So, when should you consider replacing your mower blades? Read to know some of the signs that the blades are not working as they should, and when the replacement should happen.
Contents
Signs You Should Replace Your Mower Blades
If you have sharpened your blades several times and seem to have too much damage, getting a new set of blades is a perfect deal. Below are the things that indicate it is time to replace these blades:
● Cutting Grass Unevenly
If your grass seems uneven after mowing, that is an indication of dull or damaged blades. Normally, your lawn mower should cut the grass at a similar height if the blades are sharp. However, when these blades are damaged or dull, you will be forced to mow the same area a couple of times before getting the desired results.
● Bent or damaged
It is common for the blades to bend or damage if you accidentally mow over the rock and debris. A bent blade is often off-balance and poses a safety threat to you and the mower. Replacing it on time could save you lots of money, and ensure mowing happens without any complications. So, how do you know that the blade is bent?
- Bumpy when mowing.
- Strange noise when you start the machine
- If your mower stalls.
● Dull After Sharpening
You know you are dealing with a complicated matter if the blades do not mow as expected even after sharpening them. A dull blade contributes to an unhealthy lawn since the grass is ripped out, making it hard to get even cuts. Repeated sharpening only weakens the blade and makes it susceptible to serious damages, so work towards replacing the blades. If you want to improve your blade’s lifespan, ensure they are constantly sharpened and thoroughly checked after every mowing period. Also, make sure the blades are cleaned after each mowing session and dry it to prevent rust.
● If It Is More Than A few Years Old
Generally, manufactururs recommended to have the blades replaced every few years. Of course this greatly depends on how loing you use your lawnmower. If you have a large lawn and use if often it can even mean you have to change your blades yearly. But if you use if less often, maintain it well, and do not damage it, the blade can be used for many years.
● Look At The Condition of the Blades
Check to see if the blades are dented or chipped since they will not cut the grass evenly. That might be as a result of corrosion caused by moisture in the lawn or dirt. If you constantly sharpen the blades, it could lead to weakened metal, and you will be forced to replace the blades.
● Torn Grass
Inspect your grass to see if the tips are cut and if they look torn out. That indicates the blades are damaged since that is the only time your grass will have a nasty cut. If that is the situation, have the blades replaced immediately since that could be harmful to the grass as it inhibits healthy grass growth.
Common Errors People Make When Replacing the Blades
During the blade replacement, people are prone to make mistakes such as:
- Direction: Placing the blade in the wrong direction.
- Replacing it too soon: Replacing a blade that can still be sharpened and perform the tasks well.
- Replace it wrongly: Trying to replace the blade without any experience or without asking for help from an expert.
Different types of Mower Blades
Since there are different types of mower blades, look at the manufacturer’s data to ensure it is suitable for your lawnmower. Here are a few great choices to consider:
- Gator Blade: It is a 3-in-1 blade with medium, low, and high lift, allowing you to use different cutting techniques. The blades are easily spotted in stores as they have serrated sections at the end.
- Basic Mulching Blade: It is enough to cut grass and fits in a range of mowers. The blades have distinctive and curvy edges, enabling you to cut the grass finely.
- High-Lift Blades: The blade produces airflow useful in pushing grass clippings into the discharge chute. It helps give your yard a perfect trim and cut it to the utmost precision. These blades range from 1-20 inches, hence suited for a yard with long grass.
When Should You Replace The Lawn Mower Blades?
An average homeowner should replace their mower blade each year during the start of every season. However, if the blades get damaged before the season, have the blades replaced immediately. Before any replacement is done, inspect the blades to see which condition they are in and consult the user manual for guidance. The manual should also help you know the safety precautions to take during replacement and still under warranty. When replacing these blades, wear heavy-duty gloves to protect yourself.
A lawnmower blade could last for about 200 hours, but that is dependent on the mowing intensity. If your yard has lots of sticks and stones, your blade might have to be replaced more than once a year. However, before replacing it, ensure it has been sharpened a couple of times, but if it is worn out or keeps getting dull, replace it. The ideal way to achieve a clean cut when mowing is using sharp mower blades. If you want to have an easier job, keep a spare blade and occasionally swap the blades on different mowing sessions.
Mowing your yard needs the ideal equipment to avoid pests and diseases and ensure that your lawn looks healthy. The wrong blades could damage even the healthiest lawns, so be on the lookout for damaged blades to avoid having discolored grass. Replacing the blades when you see damages that cannot be corrected through sharpening saves you time and money, and ensures you can still mow without experiencing any issues.
FAQs
● Should You Sharpen Or Replace Your Mower Blade?
There are things to look out for as they determine whether your blade needs sharpening or a replacement. Pay attention to how it is cutting the grass, and if there are dents on the blades. Sharpening should be done if your blades are dull and have not been in constant use, meaning that there is still metal that you can sharpen. If the blades appear thin, then you should replace it. Also, you have to put into consideration how long you have used the blades to know if it is suitable.
● How Often Should You Sharpen Your Blades?
A lot of times, you will need to sharpen your blades twice per season. That should be in the beginning and somewhere in between the season, especially if you mow over rocks or sticks. Determine how often to sharpen the blades based on how it feels after every mowing session.
● Are New Mower Blades Sharpened?
Some brands have a small amount of coat paint, and you will need to sharpen the blades before using them. However, most brands do not require sharpening since they are in good condition, so do not waste your time sharpening them. New blades are ready to be used, so install the blades once you get them.
Final remarks
Regardless of whether you mow regularly, your blades must be in good condition always. If you notice dents, damages, or as if your blades are worn out, it might be the right time to replace them. Thoroughly inspect your blades to see if there are any damages to your lawnmower. A broken or damaged blade is harmful to you and could also affect your machine’s lifespan, so be sure to get a replacement as soon as you realize it is damaged.
Dull blades do affect your yard’s health since it gets ripped off with every mowing session. It also leads to a short lifespan since your mower is continuously straining to trim the yard. After every mowing, look at the blades to see if the tips are jagged. Looking at the signs indicated here will help you to know when you should have the blades replaced, the type of blades available, common errors to avoid, and other essential things about lawn mower blade replacement.