An ability to take care of your lawn mower is a skill that must be possessed by any homeowner that would like to have a beautiful lawn. Conventionally, this is done using a tremendous amount of manual labor, frequent maintenance, and in most cases, a source of frustration. Most individuals may regard lawn mower operations to be limited to changing oil and filling some gas but there is a very essential element that many ignore sharpening of the blades. Sharpening dull blades may destroy your grass by ripping across the grass rather than cutting it cleanly. Luckily my grandfather told me a family secret, a simple trick to sharpen lawn mower blades that is shocking effective.
The lawn will be well maintained by cleanly cutting grass, which is crucial to the health and appearance of the lawn. Dull blades rip pieces of grass which causes jagged edges that expose your lawn to pests and diseases. Rather than making a beautiful and green golf course yard, lifeless blades force brown tips and weaken the grass growth, leaving an uninspired lawn. By ensuring your blades remain sharp you will ensure that your lawn is healthier and sturdy against environmental pressures.
A centuries-old trick handed to the ages
Our generation and those before us have seen fit to devise ingenious, easy mechanisms of keeping their tools in tip-top shape without the use of modern technology. My grandpa is not an exception. He came up with a technique that not only conserved time and energy but that also allowed his lawn mower to perform optimally well. This is a magic that requires minimum effort but produces professional results, and it has been one of the family tricks over the years.
This trick will require a little piece of sand paper, a lubricant such as WD-40, a socket wrench set that fits your mower, and a piece of wood. All it takes is simplicity, and each of the items is used to make sharpening a quick and easy routine without side equipment.
Easy Guide on Sharpening Lawnmower Blades Like a Pro
First, turn the mower on its side with the air filter and carb facing upwards so that no spillage of fuel occurs.
Remove the blade on the mower with the socket wrench.
Lightly spray the sandpaper on the WD-40.
Put the sandpaper on the wooden block, and upon it draw the blade with gentleness, or drawing at a time, until you have a sharp edge.
After sharpening, ensure that you fit back the blade using the socket wrench. The whole procedure is to be performed within 15 minutes resulting in razor-sharp blades that are now ready to work.
When using sharp tools, safety is the priority. You should always use gloves as you operate the blade. Make certain that the power on the lawn mower is off and in a power free status before approaching or disposing of the blade. Doing everything slowly and carefully will avoid any accidental nicks and injuries.
Advantages of Sharpening Lawnmower Blades
Lawn mowing is more productive using sharp blades. They minimise the magnitude of load to the engine of the mower and increase the lifetime of the mower, as well as minimise the usage of fuel. Also, the clean cuts ensure that the new growth of grass will be more healthy and allow a more full and rich lawn.
Other Sharpening the Blade Techniques
Lawn mower blades can be sharpened with a bench grinder, sharpening stones or professionally among other methods as an alternative to the rapid sandpaper method. All have their own perks but tend to take more time, money or expertise, than the simple strategy my grandpa still uses to this day.
Mistakes to Avoid When Sharpening the Blades
Be mindful that over-sharpening will make the blade thinner, and easily worn out. Also make sure the blade is balanced once you are done sharpening otherwise it can vibrate and might even break the mower. Clean the mower deck and make sure you clean the blade after use to avoid rusting.
Summary: The Pleasure of having a Manicured Lawn
Using their sharp blades, it becomes not only chores, but also a means of increasing the curb appeal of your home and improving the well-being of the outdoor landscape. I used the trick my grandpa used to gain more time to enjoy the manicured lawn without maintaining it that much. To a cleaner, green yard, with minimum labor.
