Is it Better to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades or Buy New?

No home or business owner in and around the Magee, MI, area should be ashamed of wanting to save a little money when it comes to your outdoor operations. Especially in the summertime, regardless of your routine, keeping up with a lawn beaten down by our unpredictable weather can take a mounting toll on your wallet.

Yet, when it comes to sharpening your own mower blades vs. outright replacing them, the immediately cheaper option isn’t always the more reliable one.

The experts at Magee Outdoor Power have put together this guide to help you through this process. Read on to reach the best conclusion for you, based on the specifics of your scenario and, of course, your budget.

Minor vs. Major Issues

A big part of whether or not you should repair or replace your current blades has to do with why you’re asking that question in the first place: What exactly is the issue you’re dealing with?

If you’re simply noticing a less effective cut on a regular basis – maybe your grass is drying out and discolored, despite still being technically trimmed – your problem could come down to general dullness or a slight nick. In this case, you may be more likely to save money by making a small repair on your own time and restoring the efficiency to your ol’ reliable blades.

However, if your blades are suffering larger problems, such as being bent or completely cracked, trying to piece that equipment back together could result in further damage to both your blades and your machine, as well as a continuously inefficient cut on your lawn.

If you fall in the former camp, we’ve got a step-by-step guide to actually making those repairs. 

Making Your Own Repairs

• Safely Remove the Blades

Start by disconnecting your spark plug (for battery mowers, simply remove the battery) to make sure that your mower doesn’t start or tick on in the middle of a repair. Then, tilt your mower on its side to avoid any leaking fluid and use a wrench/socket set to remove the bolt holding the blade.

Make sure you’re wearing heavy-duty gloves throughout this process, and that your lawn mower is safely parked and secure!

• Clean/Check Your Blades

Using a wire brush or similar tool, remove/scrape dried grass and debris from the surface of your blades. If you can, while your blades are removed, check their balance (using either a dedicated balancer or a similar tool) to ensure that it’s operating properly inside the mower deck.

• Sharpen/File Your Blades

Clamp your blade into a secure vise. Then, mimic the blade’s original cutting edge (usually 30-degree angle) with an angle grinder with a 60-grit flap disc or a metal file. Proceed safely, and even, along the edge as you sharpen.

If you have a nick on the surface, grind/file the damaged metal down into an even surface until it disappears. Ensure that, at the end of this process, your blade is reinstalled properly and the bolt turned tightly.

Now, if the damage has gone too far and this step-by-step won’t work for you, we’ve got you covered on a professional level!

 

Magee Outdoor Power has a host of trained experts at our showroom ready to either assist you with a fix or help fit you with replaced blades, or even an entirely new machine, depending on your needs! 

Swing by at 500 Simpson Highway 149, Magee, Mississippi 39111, to get hands-on with our vast equipment stock (featuring top brands like Cub Cadet, Hustler, and more) and set up a flexible financing plan that will make any and every investment work for your wallet. 

Don’t wait – come speak to one of our technicians or call Magee Outdoor Power today! Don’t let damaged equipment set you back right as summer mowing season kicks into full gear.