Q&A for How to Change the Blades on a Riding Lawn Mower

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Question

How do you know when your lawnmower needs a new blade?

Grant Wallace
Landscaper
Grant Wallace is a Landscaper and Owner of Grantlanta Lawn in Atlanta, Georgia. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in lawn maintenance and landscape installation. In 2012, he earned his BA from the University of West Georgia. Grant has been profiled in Shoutout Atlanta, Canvas Rebel, and Voyage ATL.

Grant Wallace

Landscaper

Expert Answer

Unplug the spark plug from the lawn mower motor and gently run your finger along the blade. If it feels dull and rounded, it needs to be sharpened.

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Question

How often should change blades on a mower?

Grant Wallace
Landscaper
Grant Wallace is a Landscaper and Owner of Grantlanta Lawn in Atlanta, Georgia. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in lawn maintenance and landscape installation. In 2012, he earned his BA from the University of West Georgia. Grant has been profiled in Shoutout Atlanta, Canvas Rebel, and Voyage ATL.

Grant Wallace

Landscaper

Expert Answer

It depends on how often you use your mower—for instance, residential homeowners who only mow their grass a couple of times a month only need to sharpen their mower blades once or twice a year.

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Question

If I have two blades and need to replace one but the other is fine, is it best practice to replace both?

Community Answer

It is. As long as you are changing one, change them both for a smooth cut.

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Question

My wrench set only goes to 7/8ths, and the nuts on the top and bottom are bigger. Where can I get bigger wrenches?

Community Answer

At your local tool shop. They are more likely to have the size, but if you don't want to pay that price, garage sales and flea markets might have the size you need for a low price.

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Question

The nut turns but do not loosen or tighten, what do I need to do?

john Doe

Community Answer

Use a longer leverage pipe, make sure the pulley is not rotating, be sure spark plug wire is off the spark plug to avoid dangerous engine start, as the deck belt may turn the engine. If the pulley is turning when you try to loosen blade nut, get a friend to hold the pulley with vise grips or channel locks (not hands).

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Question

What do I do if my yard machine engine stops when PTO is engaged?

Community Answer

Make sure you're throttle is fully on; low throttle is hard on a mower engine.

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Question

I've replaced blades on a 42" deck before, blocked the blade, used a pipe for leverage but mandrel won't free from the blade. Blades are original on a 5-year-old machine. Any help?

john Doe

Community Answer

They sometimes use a longer leverage pipe, make sure the pulley is not rotating, be sure spark plug wire is off the spark plug to avoid dangerous engine start as the deck belt may turn the engine. If the pulley is turning when you try to loosen blade nut, get a friend to hold the pulley with vise grips or channel locks - not hands.

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Question

How do I loosen the nut on my riding lawn mower blade?

Community Answer

Put a small block of wood between the blade and deck to prevent it from turning while you loosen the nut.

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Question

Which direction do I need to turn the nut that holds the blade on?

Community Answer

You turn the nut counterclockwise in order to loosen it.

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Question

What do I do if the bolts won't loosen to change the blades?

Community Answer

Go to Amazon and do a search for "lawn mower blade holder removal tool". You will want to kick yourself for not already having one. In the meantime, you can try putting a pipe on your wrench to get more leverage when taking off a tight nut.

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Question

How many blades are there on a rider mower?

CurtM

Community Answer

It depends on the model. Most riding mowers use a single long blade, but larger mowers sometimes use a pair of blades that may be anywhere from 6-32 inches (15-81 cm) in length.

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