How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade

Spring is coming, and for many of us, that means it is time to pull the lawn mower out of the garage and get to work taming the jungle that your yard has become. But if your mower has seen its share of summers, it may be time to sharpen the blade.

If you are the do-it-yourself type, sharpening the blade is an

easy way to add a few years to the life of your machine. All you need to do is remove the blade, and take care of any rust you may find with a steel brush or some steel wool. Once the blade is free of rust, and the blade is free of major damage, you can start sharpening. Secure the blade in a table vice, and use a file to sharpen the cutting edge. As you move the file, it is important to match the angle of the cutting edge. This will allow the file to sharpen the blade, rather than dulling it.

The blade of your mower can be damaged in a number of ways, but most commonly it is caused by accidentally mowing over hidden hazards like sprinkler heads. If there are deep gouges or dents in the blade, it is best to have it professionally sharpened. There are countless options for lawn mower repair in Salt Lake City, UT. Do your research and find one you can depend on because you’ll need them for more than just sharpening the blade.  Like with cars, a little research and elbow grease can save you money when it comes to lawnmower maintenance. And just like cars, once you find a good mechanic for your mower, you’ll want to keep them around forever.

Lawn mowers aren’t incredibly complex machines. If maintained properly, they can last for many years. Sharpening the blade ever few seasons is an easy way to extend the life of your mower and it can often be done in your own garage. However, if the damage is too bad to fix with a file, you may need to consider having it looked at professionally. But don’t worry; just look at this as an opportunity to vet your new small engine mechanic! 

By: Kyson Crowell