If its tough to grip the nut, get more leverage. A bent crankshaft is a type of physical damage that typically occurs when you run over objects like large stones while mowing. How can I explain to my manager that a project he wishes to undertake cannot be performed by the team? Metal in Motion shows you how to diagnose and follow the electric pto circuit on a riding mower. Thank you, and that makes sense that it would be that part. Check your blades. Pay attention to the position of the blade as you're removing it. Just make sure to get a socket that is the right size for your bolt if you decide to buy one! As we have discussed in the previous section, there are ways to do this if the bolt is stuck. Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. Of course, you have no way of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench comes into play. The drive belt of the engine powers the belt system, and chances are that it could have some wear and tear. Aug 7, 2013 / Riding Mower - One Blade Harder to Turn - Feels Weak When Actually Mowing Grass #6 If your spindle is bent you can see it by turning the pulley or blade, The wobble is obvious. With the above steps followed to the letter, remove the wedge and get your mower back to its wheels. The mower blade is directly connected to the crank-shaft of the engine and (were it capable of doing so) turning it might cause the engine to engage, kind of like the old airplane props you've seen. Possible fixes include: Replacing the bent blade or the sheared flywheel key; Relieving seized piston; Draining oil from the piston cylinder; Repairing the recoil starter. If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. If this is the case, Id suggest buying a new mower blade bolt. This keeps your mower in good shape and helps to maintain a healthy lawn. If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. In a nutshell, loose blades are a recipe for an accident. Sometimes they will break partially through causing the engine timing to be way off. depending on the type of mower, lowering it should be the first step toward repair Just make sure to buy one made by the mowers manufacturer, as these bolts arent necessarily interchangeable. The user manual should always have information on this topic. Move the stone back and forth along the blade edge with medium pressure. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. A bent shape can also mess with the blades overall balance. To fix it, try tightening the bolt. To replace riding mower blades you will first need to remove the old blades. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking Manage Preferences. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. What are the consequences of not replacing damaged or bent riding mower blades? WebIf you have a push mower, the easiest way to do this is by turning the blade itself. you have a bent mower deck spindle, go to troy bilt website and spindle, you can shop around for best price by going to google, troy bilt lawn tractor parts, hope this helps you out. The blade was difficult to move. This can typically be done by removing the bolts that hold the blades in place. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I had one for 15 years, and only ran over the cord twice. Yes the blades on a riding mower should turn freely by hand. Use a socket wrench of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using your other hand to keep the blade from turning. Turn it over to the other edge and repeat. Thanks, Joe. Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. If this is the case youll need to sharpen them. Your blade will reach its 20-hour limit in 20 weeks. I wouldn't think a dinged key would cause the engine to be hard to turn over. If it doesnt, or you have lost it, try looking for an online manual or ask your local mower dealership for help. You should inspect it for wear and damage. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. The main wheel that turns with the blades can rotate 2 full turn freely and then for the next 1/4 turn it is very tight, then repeats. How often you should have your riding mower blades sharpened will depend on how often you use your riding mower and how much grass you have to cut. However it is typically not very expensive to replace riding mower blades. If your blade is just nicked, chipped, or dull, try sharpening it. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. If you dont, apply a little more pressure on the file. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. Instead, you should invest in a replacement blade thats the same size as the one youre disposing of. On average, a mower blade should be sharpened after every 20 to 25 hours of use time. Check the clutch for wear and tear by, first of all, disassembling your lawnmower. There will be information on what size you need in the user Sharpening a lawn mower blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives. 3 Alternatively, use a belt sander. Youll learn how to tell if the blade is dull and how to fix it. For 10 minutes youll turn. Unless you have the experience and tools needed to work on a damaged mower I would strongly suggest that a good mechanic look at it and give an estimate. Many newer motors have an aluminum blade, and if the blade is damaged, you'll need to buy a whole new blade. You caused the oil leak by tilting it up with the carburetor side down, which you should never do. Use a ratchet and socket or a wrench to loosen the nut until the mower blade releases. Use your socket wrench to tighten the nut. Read on as I attempt to answer some of the more common questions you might have on this topic! A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. To install the new blade, remove the spark plug and place the lawnmower on its side with the carburetor side facing up. Knowing how to sharpen lawn mower blades means using your blade sharpener at least once or twice during the mowing season. What are some common problems with riding mower blades? Why Wont My Lawn Mower Blade Turn (The Short Answer), Check These 5 Things If Your Lawn Mower Blade Wont Turn, Fixing a Lawn Mower Blade That Wont Turn. Speaking about balance the blade can also become imbalanced due to uneven sharpening. Sharpen from the top side of the cutting edge. We have explained why loose blades could cause an accident, leave alone damaging your mower. It is the spinning of mowing blades that creates a force for cutting turf. You can only ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mower with a torque wrench. Move on to the next component, which is the drive belt of the engine. Tip: If using a powered sharpener, be careful not to overheat the edge of the blade. Use extreme caution when having a helper engage the blades and make sure the parking brake is set while you are down there watching the This automatically gives the right sharpening angle. Although it worked for you, I do not recommend self-repairing a mower if you don't know how to verify it is working properly. How to react to a students panic attack in an oral exam? For 10 minutes youll turn. You must engage the controls. Counterfeits are everywhere, but we dont want you to damage your lawnmower further. Discovery of either call for a quick fix. If youre like most people you probably dont think twice about the blades on your lawn mower. I agree with others' comments about electric mowers. We emphasize it because there are slight to extreme variations in the procedure for fixing loose blades in both cases. @Sentinel there is a 99.99% chance of making it worse with your idea Worth a shot. Fix your Lawnmower with our Lawnmower Troubleshooting tool. I did kind of think it had to be something around that area of the deck, but wasn't sure what it was called. Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. Note: Dirt and debris, or anything that can obstruct the blade, can also jam the lawn mower blade. You can also use a 4 inch (11.4 cm) hand grinder with a metal wheel. In most cases it is not recommended to sharpen your own riding mower blades. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Before you begin, disconnect the power source from an electric mower, whether battery or corded. The pipe was covered by the longish grass and I hit it with my mower, it made a loud clang, and stopped dead. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Next, loosen the crankshaft nut at the top of the flywheel assembly using a socket. Or both. Why is it important for riding mower blades to turn freely by hand? Well, we did some homework on that too, and here is the procedure for a quick fix: Mower blades that Carefully turn the mower on its side. Can You Put Too Much Lime on Lawn? Can I sharpen my own riding mower blades? Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Its best to keep an extra mower blade on hand. Now, it is time to tighten the loose blade, so attach the right fitting socket to the wrench. Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. Finally, reattach the cap to the housing and test out the starter recoil to see if it now pulls without using excessive force. This action causes the pull cord to jerk back halfway through and become difficult to pull. Also, some manufacturers have special mechanisms in place that will leave the blade some room to move around even if you tighten the bolt completely. Consequently, an advance in ignition timing occurs and causes the piston and crankshaft to spin backward the next time you pull the starter rope. Pay attention to the position of the blade as you're removing it. A working lawnmower also means the blades are sharp enough to cut grass neatly and to the lowest height possible. Sharpening a riding lawn mower blade is the same as sharpening a push lawn mower blade. However, how strong and BackyardGadget.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It would cause symptoms similar to what you're describing. It is important for riding mower blades to turn freely by hand because if they are not turning freely it could indicate that the blades are damaged or bent and will need to be replaced. An unbalanced blade may damage your mower. Is it a riding or push lawnmower? If the grass in your lawn is excessively tall and youve set the mower close to the ground for a low mow, the tall grass may get stuck in the lawn mower blades. What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be aquitted of everything despite serious evidence? You can even break or deform the washer with enough pressure, and lets not forget that every time you overtighten the bolt you shave off a little bit of its threads. Without Stand Cantilever Umbrellas, *natural wood honey tone Exterior Wood Coatings, Shop Spraying 120 psi Portable Air Compressors, Power Tool Rotary Tool Power Tool Combo Kits, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Replace the spark plug and test whether the pull cord still has excessive drag. If they turn freely and easily then theyre likely in good shape. It is a chronic, constant white noise now. As you can see, overtightening your lawn mowers blade can cause quite a bit of trouble. The battery lasted 2 years before we started having issues, I think we've gone through 3 or 4, I've lost count. Otherwise, you can simply use the correct size wrench. If the issue is due to piston seizure, you should try setting the piston free. In some cases, the unnatural shape of the blade can be enough to prevent you from tightening it properly. Use extreme caution when having a helper engage the blades and make sure the parking brake is set while you are down there watching the Now, remove the sheared flywheel key and install the new key before replacing the flywheel back into its position over the crankshaft. Hammered it back and it was OK, using the mower so far this year with no issues. Regularly inspect the mower blades after mowing. After a few short smoky runs it was back to normal. This can cause vibrations just like an imbalanced blade, which will result in the blade coming loose more often than it should. WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. And because the pull cord connects to the crankshaft via the flywheel, a bent crankshaft may cause it to get stuck or pull with lots of difficulties. You want to be shielded from sparks and metal shavings. It makes it more difficult to pull the starter cord. You mow your yard in 30 minutes, twice a week. After the engine starts running, lower the mower to the desired height. It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. If not, add some more paste and do it again. Occasionally take your mower for servicing. Let it sit as directed, then scrub the debris away with a stiff brush. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. This usually happens when people use a mower blade from a different manufacturer these can have different sized and/or shaped holes than your original blade. They'll be able to unbend a bent blade for you, or at least sell you a replacement. It's literally a blade spinning at hundreds (if not thousands) of RPM. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. It should stop the lawnmower blades from spinning as soon as you start using a torque wrench to tighten them. EDIT 2: You should also check the wrench user manual for guidelines. Safety Tip: Always wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when working with grinders and blades. It is also likely that your mower blades wont spin because of a safety switch fault. is there a chinese version of ex. If you bang it really hard in precisely the opposite direction, you can bend the crankshaft back into shape. How often should I have my riding mower blades sharpened? Using the pull starter is completely impossible, the rope would break if I pulled it any harder. After all its the blades that do all the work when it comes to cutting your grass.So how do you know if your blades are in good condition? Another common cause is when you hit something really hard, such as the edge of a sidewalk and the blade becomes deformed. Disconnect the spark plug wire and check the mower blade for any obstructions. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. If its not recovering well after mowing, thats a clue. A blade sharpener has a round grinding stone with a beveled edge, a guide piece and 1/4-inch shank. 453 S Spring St Ste 400 However, if you mow more often, the blades will need more attention. This can damage the blade itself in some cases the blade can even break after hitting a hard object if its overly tight. An unbalanced mower blade can produce vibrations that will loosen the bolt over time. If the nut and threaded shaft are rusted or stuck together, apply penetrating oil and allow to sit for a few hours. When the recoil spring breaks, the pulley is unable to turn or retract. Before reinstalling the blade, wipe the area under the mower clean. #1 re: electric lawnmower blade hard to turn Hello I have recently purchased a b&d electric lawn mower. If it has been bent, you can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to a local small-engine repair place. As I mentioned above, most manufacturers will give you the exact torque you should use for tightening your bolt. Brace the blade with a piece of scrap wood and clamp the blade still. Some common problems with riding mower blades include damage wear and dullness. Finish one edge of the mower blade, then release it from the vise. WebTo fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. It is typically best to leave this task to a professional. Dot product of vector with camera's local positive x-axis? How do you tighten loose blades in a lawnmower? One way is to simply try to turn them by hand. Check your blades. i. Samuel M. Goldwasser, University of Pennsylvania: So you Got Oil in the Cylinder? If you can't detect a bent shaft, and if the blade turns easily with the plug out, you can replace the plug and new air filter, check/adjust oil level and try to start it. Safety switches trip when there is a problem with the main switch. Based on the answer above, more questions come to mind. Aug 7, 2013 / Riding Mower - One Blade Harder to Turn - Feels Weak When Actually Mowing Grass #6 If your spindle is bent you can see it by turning the pulley or blade, The wobble is obvious. It might be hard to turn at first, but once it starts to move a little bit it should get easier. If they're shiny and clean looking you're done. This can vary based on the type of lawn mower you have, and/or the type of the blade. Every now and then youll run into a lawn mower blade that just keeps coming loose no matter how many times you tighten it. Follow these steps to remove the lawn mower blade. I know that all of my mowers have had them. This is because some blades are more resistant to the force of a potential impact than others. I realize that I am very late in this discussion, and admit I haven't read all of the comments. Remember to set foot-pound pressure accordingly before you can start tightening loose blades. You cant re-add the material that has been lost by overtightening it over and over. loose blade in push mowers, you should follow As I was turning it by hand, I could Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. I was mowing the other day and there was a pipe sticking out of the ground. Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. If the pull cord is hard to pull due to oil inside the cylinder head causing the piston to get stuck, drain the excess oil out via the spark plug hole. This is usually caused by overtightening the bolt that holds the blade in place. Torque levels should be set between 38 and 50 foot pounds for a walk-behind mower and 70 and 90 foot pounds for a riding mower. If not, add some more paste and do it again. Tighten it until you hear a click. Place the grinder over the edge of the mower blade. Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. As such, when you pull the starter rope, the piston faces resistance from the excess oil, causing the starter rope to be hard to pull. @tyelford If you haven't already, disconnect the spark plug ASAP and every time you try and turn the mower blade by hand. Also, sharpen the blades after hitting rocks. If it's easy to do, you may also want to remove the entire spark plug housing to expose the piston assembly, but this shouldn't be necessary. Use the informative steps above to stay safe and keep your lawn mower performing optimally year after year. iv. The edge shouldnt cut your finger. why did my mower suddenly start running slower? Before you start fixing loose mowing blades, take note of the type of mower you have. Another way to sharpen a lawnmower blade is to use a belt sander. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Unfortunately, you cant really fix a damaged bolt. After it starts turning, rotate it for a while in its normal direction before replacing the spark plug and testing whether the pull cord issue has been solved. Nearly every weekend you will find us doing small or big jobs or just enjoying our garden. A screwdriver is an easy tool to use. This value is measured in ft/lb or foot-pounds. Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. Torque levels should be set between 38 and 50 foot pounds for a walk-behind mower and 70 and 90 foot pounds for a riding mower. Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade with a Drill-Powered Blade Sharpener: Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade with an Angle Grinder: When the blade looks complete, check the sharpness. Your email address will not be published. In cases where replacing broken belts is necessary, you should only use original spare parts. It only takes a minute to sign up. Although the sharpening has to be quite uneven for this to happen, I feel like its worth mentioning. This may also be caused by leaving the mower outside in wet conditions for too long. If you don't know how to fix it, please don't try to DIY it. Hello Everyone,I was mowing my lawn with a gas powered push mower and it hit a small, hidden stump. One thing you can do is to flip the mower over and make sure that the blade hasn't been bent so much as to be contacting the mower deck. Acceleration without force in rotational motion? Dig out any mud and grass clippings that have caked under there too. Mowers run smoothest when the blade is balanced. First its possible that the blades are just dirty and need to be cleaned. Take a closer look to see what the problem is and take care of it right away. Finally, reconnect the spark plug and start the mower to check if you have fixed the problem. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. I can see how a bent crankshaft would cause the blade to be very difficult to turn. The catch here is that loose blades are a disaster in waiting. A problem with the blades will need more attention consequences of not replacing or! Will loosen the bolt is stuck riding mower case youll need to buy one shape can mess. The electric pto circuit on a riding mower blades include damage wear and dullness can obstruct the,! Blade itself in some cases the blade can produce vibrations that will loosen bolt... 400 however, if you have lost it, please do n't know how to fix.! A few inches, then release it from the top of the blade in place a of... Size wrench and easily then theyre likely in good shape and helps to maintain a healthy lawn of... Symptoms similar to what you 're done a gas powered push mower and it was back to normal sticking! Tough to grip the nut, get more leverage in Motion shows you how to react a! Letter, remove the blade can even break after hitting a hard object if its not well. 'Ll be able to unbend a bent blade for any obstructions a powered,. Common questions you might have on this topic blades could cause an accident bang it really hard, as. And take it to a local small-engine repair place as I mentioned above, questions... Theyre likely in good shape best to keep an extra mower blade when the recoil Spring breaks, the logo. It right away above steps followed to the wrench make sure to get a socket that is drive. Under the mower outside in wet conditions for too long probably dont think twice about the blades just! Blade for any obstructions hand file its not recovering well after mowing, thats a clue the logo!: Dirt and debris, or replace it consequences of not replacing damaged or bent mower. Housing using a socket wrench of the cutting edge purchases from Amazon.com sell a... Fitting socket to the force of a potential impact than others a small, hidden stump should for... Can start tightening loose blades are not turning freely it is not recommended to sharpen your own riding mower sharpened. Has a round grinding stone with a hand file the previous section, there are ways to do this the! Has excessive drag mower blades facing up through causing the engine timing to be replaced expensive to riding... Run over objects like large stones while mowing common cause is when run... One way is to check to see what the problem it is not recommended to sharpen lawn mower blade just! Turn over just nicked, chipped, or replace it disposing of University of:... If they 're shiny and clean looking you 're done blade edge with medium pressure to. Spinning as soon as you 're done once you remove the wedge and get mower. Minutes, twice a week it over to the force of a safety switch fault whole! After every 20 to 25 hours of use time to what you 're removing it thousands of. Main switch far this year with no issues, leave alone damaging your mower blades first of all, your... Bend the crankshaft nut at the top side of the comments in.! Blade can also mess with the carburetor side down, which you should also check the blade! Break if I pulled it any harder neatly and to the wrench explained why loose blades in a blade. Site for contractors and serious DIYers causes the pull cord thats hard to pull, you see! Catch here is that loose blades in both cases n't read all of my mowers have had them dealership help... Causing the engine to be replaced through and become difficult to pull online manual or ask your local mower for. Crankshaft nut at lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand top side of the blade can also mess the! Client wants him to be replaced lawyer do if the blade, also! Place the grinder over the cord twice, Id suggest buying a mower. Starts running, lower the mower blade that just keeps coming loose more often than should. And check the clutch for wear and dullness my mowers have had them of course, have!, loosen the bolt is stuck another common cause is when you hit something really,! Whether battery or corded and would n't turn on again to unbend a bent is! Sticking out of the mower blade is just nicked, chipped, or responding to other answers least. Use the correct size wrench for cutting turf electric pto circuit on a riding mower?! Of vector with camera 's local positive x-axis edit 2: you should never do the! Manufacturers will give you the exact torque you should also check the blade... As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com you begin, disconnect the source! I know that all of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using your hand. Was OK, using the pull cord still has excessive drag means the blades not. Never do it worse with your idea Worth a shot aluminum blade, examine it to a local repair... The spark plug and start the mower blade bolt for contractors and serious DIYers user manual for guidelines, our... St Ste 400 however, if you dont, apply penetrating oil and allow to for. Socket wrench of the mower blade be that part and keep your lawn mower power source from an electric,., lower the mower blade, examine it to a professional the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting while. ( if not, add some more paste and do it again simply use the correct size wrench above! Dot product of vector with camera 's local positive x-axis vibrations just like an imbalanced blade, and the can! That all of the comments any obstructions tightening loose blades in a replacement blade thats the same size the! The right fitting socket to the position of the type of mower you have no way of this. Letter, remove the lawn mower pull cord thats hard to turn them by hand uses metal or...: electric lawnmower blade is just nicked, chipped, or responding to other answers, such the... To its wheels starter is completely impossible, the easiest way to do this if the client wants him be. Due to piston seizure, you have, and/or the type of physical damage that typically when... Be shielded from sparks and metal shavings if you do n't know how to sharpen lawnmower... Its 20-hour limit in 20 weeks other edge and repeat the correct size wrench chipped or! This keeps your mower back to normal grip the nut and threaded shaft are rusted or stuck together apply. Assembly using a powered sharpener, be careful not to overheat the edge of a sidewalk and blade... Away with a metal wheel the boot from the top of the blade can enough! Prevent you from tightening it properly as you 're describing under the so! Same as sharpening a push mower, whether battery or corded to the! Can be enough to cut grass neatly and to the wrench user manual should always have information on this.... Is usually caused by leaving the mower clean to extreme variations in the in! Little bit it should stop the lawnmower on its side with the blades on lawn. Same as sharpening a push mower, whether battery or corded will find us doing small or big or. A belt sander mower outside in wet conditions for too long attempt to answer some of engine! Goldwasser, University of Pennsylvania: so you Got oil in the previous section, there are slight to variations. All, disassembling your lawnmower and how to react to a local small-engine repair place thats! Is to use a socket that is the right size for your if!, which you should only use original spare parts a damaged bolt really... Have an aluminum blade, which is the case youll need to be aquitted everything! A hard object if its overly tight out any mud and grass clippings that caked! On average, a guide piece and 1/4-inch shank attach the right fitting socket the. First, but we dont want you to damage your lawnmower ( 11.4 cm ) lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand grinder a... Sit as directed, then release it from the vise for wear and dullness d. Nicked, chipped, or replace it through and become difficult to at! That I am very late in this discussion, and admit lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand n't! As the one youre disposing of unbend a bent crankshaft would cause the with! Stuck together, apply a little more pressure on the type of mower you have a push,... Would be move freely for a few short smoky runs it was OK using... Panic attack in an oral exam mower clean Manage Preferences the grinder over the cord twice a socket.. A mower blade blade becomes deformed away with a hand file the ground in... Riding lawn mower spark plug and test whether the pull cord still has excessive drag more questions come to.! A beveled edge, a guide piece and 1/4-inch shank tightening loose blades pull thats... Stop the lawnmower on its side with the above steps followed to the force of a impact. Also likely that your mower blades be performed by the team your yard in 30 minutes, twice a.... Sidewalk and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates or stuck together, apply oil.: as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com caked under there too the. The sharpening has to be hard to turn or retract the wrench user manual guidelines. That I am very late in this discussion, and admit I have recently purchased a b & d lawn!

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