Regular mower maintenance is necessary if you want the best out of your lawn mower. You’ll need to constantly oil the moving parts, conduct repairs/replacements, and, most importantly, balance the mower blades.
Balancing a lawn mower blade ensures precision when working on your yard, preventing it from looking unkempt. But how do you balance these blades? Read on as we look at how to balance mower blades for your equipment’s longevity.
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What Is Mower Blade Balancing?
Mower blade balancing is a maintenance process that ensures the mower’s blade is at equilibrium and cuts well.
Imbalanced cutters are primarily due to the sharpening, where you shave more metal from one side than the other. The result is that a part of the blade is heavier. Damaged blades can also go out of balance and need the necessary attention to have them in shape.
Reasons for Balancing Mower Blades
The following are some reasons why you need to balance a lawn mower blade.
Prevent Engine Problems
Poorly balanced blades can lead to the degradation of the mower’s engine. The motor will require a lot of power to maintain the out-of-equilibrium weight of the blades, which may stress its throttle. In severe cases, the engine may die if you haven’t addressed the blade problem in a long time.
You may also encounter loosened bolts and damage to the decks. You may have to spend a lot to rectify the damages in the long run.
Precision
As hinted earlier, unbalanced blades won’t give the desired results. You may notice poorly cut patches on your lawn after you work on it, prompting a redo. The heavier side may sometimes dig into the soil, destroying your yard.
Stability When Mowing
One of the telltale signs of unbalanced mower blades is vibration when you run the mower. The shaking may get out of control, leading to poor handling. The uncomfortable working experience in your yard can contribute to undesirable results.
Steps for Balancing a Lawn Mower Blade
Ensure you have the required tools before balancing mower blade. The following are the items you need for this maintenance practice.
- A sharpening tool, such as a grinder or a file
- Goggles and gloves for safety
- A balancer
- Steel wire brush
- A wrench
Once you have the tools, follow these steps to balance the cutters.
Step 1: Remove the Blade
Before removing the blade, you must disconnect the spark plug to avoid accidents as you work. Once you pull the spark plug, tilt the mower to its side to access the blade.
Be careful when turning the mower to avoid any mishaps. Use the wrench to unbolt the blade and remove it.
Step 2: Clean the Blade
Clean the blade with the steel wire brush. Clear off any debris on the blade’s surface, as they may be the reason for the imbalance. Also, check the state of the blade. If they’re totally worn out, replacement is the best option.
Step 3: Check the Blade’s Balance
The next step requires you to access the blade’s balance. The go-to utility for this step is a mower blade balancer.
Several balancer types are available in the market, the most common being the conical tabletop ones. If you have this type, you place it on a flat surface and balance the blade by putting it on the cone by its pivot.
Alternatively, you can modify a nail for the same function. Have the nail perpendicularly, and hang the blade by its pivot. Take note of the side that weighs more. If there is no tilt, your cutter is perfectly balanced.
Step 4: Balance the Blade
The next step is focusing on balancing the lawn mower blade. Hold the blade in place with vice and target the heavier side. Before sharpening, you can check the state of the blade. If it has a fold, you can try and open it up, as this may be the culprit behind the imbalance.
Sharpen the blade and put it back on the balancer to see if it is perfect. This is how to balance a lawn mower blade after sharpening it. Take the blade back to the grinder if it still tilts to one side.
Step 5: Fix the Blade Back to the Mower
With the blade in perfect balance, fix it back to the mower. Try mowing to see if the vibrations are still present. If you still notice pulsations, it may be a pointer to other issues that need addressing.
NOTE: You should also balance new cutters, as some may be slightly off-balance.
Final Thoughts
Balancing a lawn mower blade is crucial for the best experience when working in your yard. Imbalanced blades will give a shaky session when tending to your lawn and may leave you with a bad outcome or, worse, a faulty engine.
We have taken an in-depth look at balancing mower blades, showing why it is necessary and how to go about it. Always check the blades’ balance after sharpening to be sure it is okay to hit your yard.
Hello! My name is Chris, and I am the founder of Yard Floor. When I was a toddler, my family had a lush green lawn. I was at the center of caring for and maintaining this lawn and even proceeded to take an associate’s Degree in landscaping. I am here to share my years of experience with you – be it repairing your mower/tractor or caring for your lawn.