Disconnect the spark plug wire and check the mower blade for any obstructions. How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in? Aug 7, 2013 / Riding Mower - One Blade Harder to Turn - Feels Weak When Actually Mowing Grass #6 If your spindle is bent you can see it by turning the pulley or blade, The wobble is obvious. Is variance swap long volatility of volatility? Fortunately, its fixable. WebTo fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. This blog is written by a group of Garden Tool enthusiasts. (How Much & Ways to Fix Excess), How Often Should I Aerate Lawn? Push the file in one direction along the blade. Required fields are marked *. If its tough to grip the nut, get more leverage. Find the blade clutch attached to the crankshaft under the engine. How can I prevent my riding mower blades from becoming damaged or worn? wont turn even after engaging blade controls could mean the deck is the If there is no problem with the deck and drive belt, then check the blade clutch. The blade was difficult to move. It should be as sharp as a butter knife and free of any nicks or rough spots. Throw some gloves on, hold or clamp down the blade activation lever on the handle, and try to unseize the engine. Otherwise, you might have fuel leaking through the air filter. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mowers manual. Together we put a lot of effort into the maintenance of our gardens over the last few years, we become obsessed with it. The blade was difficult to move. Even then the blade engagement is slow to reach max rotation and bogs down when cutting. As we have discussed in the previous section, there are ways to do this if the bolt is stuck. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. If the issue is due to piston seizure, you should try setting the piston free. Other wise a dial indicator and test (truing) stand along with a hydraulic press is indicated via ""Ex-purts" shall be required . I'm Peter, the owner of BackyardGadget. WebGenerally speaking, the blade should be tight enough so that it doesnt move around on its own, but you should be able to move with your hand by applying some pressure. Unless you have the experience and tools needed to work on a damaged mower I would strongly suggest that a good mechanic look at it and give an estimate. Any ideas would be appreciated. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. Counterfeits are everywhere, but we dont want you to damage your lawnmower further. Sharpening a lawn mower blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives. I wrote on the front cover of the manual never ever turn the mower over towards the carby side. Safety switches trip when there is a problem with the main switch. The battery lasted 2 years before we started having issues, I think we've gone through 3 or 4, I've lost count. Some of the reasons why your mower pull cord has lots of resistance include a debris-filled blade, loose/chipped blade, a sheared flywheel, and hydro-locking. The blade can be cooled by dunking it in a bucket of water. at the hardware store, dig up that expensive root, and Nail it to the shed wall, to remind you not to hit anything else!A twisted crank-shaft is relatively impossible to fix, as is a bent one! The main wheel that turns with the blades can rotate 2 full turn freely and then for the next 1/4 turn it is very tight, then repeats. Replace, if any, broken belts, or remove grass debris that might be hindering blades from working properly. Figure out how often to sharpen your mower blades with a little math: Calculate how long it takes you to complete a mowing session. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? link to How Long Should Trimmer Line Last? The edge shouldnt cut your finger. A flap disc is a good choice for the angle grinder. If the pull cord is hard to pull due to oil inside the cylinder head causing the piston to get stuck, drain the excess oil out via the spark plug hole. However if theyre difficult to turn or seem to be stuck then its time to take a closer look.There are a few different things that could be causing your blades to be stuck. Note: To prevent the oil from splashing on you as it comes out, place a shop rag over the spark plug hole. Decide if it is better to sharpen it or replace it. Of course, you have no way of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench comes into play. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The edge shouldnt cut your finger. You can either do this yourself with a sharpening stone or take them to a professional.Finally its possible that the blades are bent. The side that dipped down is heavier. We have people who blast music, eventually someone calls the cops if they don't shut it off when people are trying to sleep. Sounds like you have just made yerself an expensive "boat anchor!" The owner of this website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. You should also check the wrench user manual for guidelines. Your email address will not be published. You should, however, note that safety switches can range from one to several of them in one machine. Your blade will reach its 20-hour limit in 20 weeks. On average, a mower blade should be sharpened after every 20 to 25 hours of use time. The mower blade is directly connected to the crank-shaft of the engine and (were it capable of doing so) turning it might cause the engine to engage, kind of like the old airplane props you've seen. Sharpening a blade by machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder. Your email address will not be published. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? Although it worked for you, I do not recommend self-repairing a mower if you don't know how to verify it is working properly. This automatically gives the right sharpening angle. It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. Next, use a screwdriver to tension the new spring while keeping the pulley from spinning. Garden Tool Expert With a few tools and some practice, youll be sharpening a lawn mower blade with ease. If this is the case, buying a new bolt should fix the problem. Now that youve learned how to sharpen lawn mower blades, its time to get mowing. Now you can tilt it up with the carb side high to check for a bent crankshaft. Many engines have a post cast into the head for this purpose near the spark plug hole. ii. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. If this is the case you can simply clean them with a rag or brush.Its also possible that the blades are dull. While blades in your lawnmower should spin without touching anything, it is not the same as being loose at the shafting point. By clicking Accept I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. The blade was difficult to move. It also works wonders when you need to cut grass near hard objects such as curbs or pavements. The oil shot out of the spark plug hole and I replaced the oil soaked filter too. If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. Place the grinder over the edge of the mower blade. What if the blades are too tight to spin? All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. How often should I have my riding mower blades sharpened? depending on the type of mower, lowering it should be the first step toward repair Follow these steps to remove the lawn mower blade. Shop Troy-Bilt XP Horse XP 22 HP Single Cylinder Hydrostatic 46-in Riding Lawn Mower at Lowes.com, Parts and Diagrams for Troy-Bilt 13WX79KT011 Horse XP (2011). First off, wipe grass debris from the deck belt before Find the nut that holds the mower blade to the drive shaft. Mark the bottom of the blade with a permanent marker, grease pencil or spray paint. After a few short smoky runs it was back to normal. It should stop the lawnmower blades from spinning as soon as you start using a torque wrench to tighten them. WebSharpening a lawn mower blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives. As I was turning it by hand, I could This is a common question from people who are new to lawn mowers. If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mowers manual. Mower Deck Prop (Jack, Concrete Block, or Similar). Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. The cut grass also returns nutrients to your lawn, so it grows even stronger. Put on protective eye gear and gloves. Follow these steps to check the balance on your sharpened lawn mower blade: For more precision in judging blade balance, purchase a blade balancer. So, here comes the next question. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. However, sharpening sometimes removes more metal from one edge than another. After four or five strokes, check the mower blade edge. It may not display this or other websites correctly. After all, nothing gives a homesteader greater confidence than having a few DIY tips under the sleeves. Mower blades are made from fairly soft steel. Oh no! I didn't take it to a repair place and trying myself. I tried the pull cord and it wouldn't budge. Should riding mower blades turn freely by hand? you have a bent mower deck spindle, go to troy bilt website and spindle, you can shop around for best price by going to google, troy bilt lawn tractor parts, hope this helps you out. Its also an excellent opportunity to clean the bowl around the blade. Well, we did some homework on that too, and here is the procedure for a quick fix: Mower blades that Some more information. Keeping a rotation going will make sure each blade lasts a little longer. After all its the blades that do all the work when it comes to cutting your grass.So how do you know if your blades are in good condition? BackyardGadget.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, Commission Junction, and other sites. Disconnect the spark plug wire from a gas mower. If they're shiny and clean looking you're done. Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. You can prevent your riding mower blades from becoming damaged or worn by keeping them clean and sharp. Sharpen from the top side of the cutting edge. While its location varies With that, adjust foot-pounds pressure to 30. So starting to take it apart (spark plug is out) and get the top cover off. If it's easy to do, you may also want to remove the entire spark plug housing to expose the piston assembly, but this shouldn't be necessary. If this is the case, Id suggest buying a new mower blade bolt. It's a Husqvarna mower, one year old with a Briggs & Stratton engine. #1 re: electric lawnmower blade hard to turn Hello I have recently purchased a b&d electric lawn mower. Check your blades. Take a few strokes off that end to remove some metal, then retest. In some cases, the unnatural shape of the blade can be enough to prevent you from tightening it properly. I'm wondering if someone has come across this situation before and would know if it's an easy fix or is the mower a write-off. Use a ratchet and socket or a wrench to loosen the nut until the mower blade releases. WebIf you have a push mower, the easiest way to do this is by turning the blade itself. +1-213-221-0119, By using this website I agree with the Disclaimer, Loose mower blades-What it means Thus, you should ask, is the deck broken? Lets take a look at each of them separately. Acceleration without force in rotational motion? One way is to check the blades to see if they are damaged or bent. Without Stand Cantilever Umbrellas, *natural wood honey tone Exterior Wood Coatings, Shop Spraying 120 psi Portable Air Compressors, Power Tool Rotary Tool Power Tool Combo Kits, Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. More maintenance and cost of gas will add up but if you compare the price of a replacement battery (if available), gas makes a lot more sense. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. If it is not because of worn-out bearings, then you may have to replace the spindle altogether. Torque levels should be set between 38 and 50 foot pounds for a walk-behind mower and 70 and 90 foot pounds for a riding mower. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Youll be going in the opposite direction than how the blades normally turn when you push the mower. You should also check the blades regularly for damage or wear. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. Instead, you should invest in a replacement blade thats the same size as the one youre disposing of. Before you start fixing loose mowing blades, take note of the type of mower you have. Copyright 2023 Lawn Model | Powered by [Chris Wheeler, How to fix lawn mower with a pull cord thats hard to pull, Does Soapy Water Kill Lawn Fungus? (Here is some art I also thought would work: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/173586403/ ) Looking forward to seeing where you go from here :) Good Luck. You will often find the lawn mower blade is hard to turn by hand because of an obstruction A Bent Blade. Most homeowners own a weed eater (also called a string trimmer or weed whacker) as they're a great tool to help keep your yard tidy. Just make sure to get a socket that is the right size for your bolt if you decide to buy one! The reason I was thinking about fixing it myself was the support person from Briggs & Stratton gave me a suggestion to buy this Repair Manual. problem. Tighten it until you hear a click. Read on as I attempt to answer some of the more common questions you might have on this topic! I turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. After ten minutes, rock the blade until it starts to turn. But I don't think that's likely to have happened in this case. For 10 minutes youll turn. What to Do if The Mower Blade Wont Tighten. Start by removing the casing. Lawn mower pull cord may also be hard to pull due to a faulty recoil assembly, misshapen crankshaft, lawn mower sitting too close to the ground, and poor pull cord handle design. If it's a pleated-paper filter, you'll need to get a new one if the mower can be used again. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. WebHope this helps guys! Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Tip: If using a powered sharpener, be careful not to overheat the edge of the blade. Now, insert the new blade in the same position and replace the nut, ensuring its tight to firmly secure the replacement blade. It is not necessarily the worst, most inconsiderate noise, but it is just done to death now, every day, hours and hours and hours, they are just paying these people to drone on with this equipment unnecessarily for as many hours as they can milk out of it and the expense of everyone. Raise the deck to the highest possible position then turn it off. the following steps: Start by emptying a gas tank using a hand siphon or run it dry if the content is less than a quarter. This is because some blades are more resistant to the force of a potential impact than others. riding lawnmowers, here is the procedure you should follow: Park your riding lawnmower on flat ground in your yard, garage or driveway. Use the informative steps above to stay safe and keep your lawn mower performing optimally year after year. You HAVE to listen to that! Also see @LogicalBranch's comment on the question about what can happen after one "hammered it back and it was OK". No, lawnmower blades normally should not spin freely as they are connected directly or indirectly via belts or other means to the engine. and how to fix them, Fixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. Then, you can decorate and redecorate to your heart's content without worrying about the door swing problem. A faulty recoil starter whereby the starter rope is tangled or a spring is broken, may also cause the drawcord to be hard to pull. Regularly inspect the mower blades after mowing. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Use a socket wrench of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using your other hand to keep the blade from turning. Turns over with one easy pull of the rope. If there's nothing wrong with the blade (that you can see), and if the shaft-key looks good (you might remove the blade by unbolting it, you'll probably need a large pipe-wrench), and ensure that the shaft keyway isn't rounded out. Apart from that, the bolt thats holding the blade in place can also get damaged (this is often the case). Discovery of either call for a quick fix. To fix it, try tightening the bolt. I was mowing the other day and there was a pipe sticking out of the ground. However, how strong and BackyardGadget.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Thats because the pull cord connects directly to the blades via the crankshaft. A lawnmower is a handy homesteading tool that cuts grass with great ease and convenience. The marked side should face you as it did before. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. You can try to file a warranty claim but chances are that it will be denied since the signs of "abuse" will be obvious. Insert a blade sharpener into a standard drill. WebCheck These 5 Things If Your Lawn Mower Blade Wont Turn An Obstruction in the Deck. Knowing how to sharpen mower blades keeps your grass green and healthy. It could be dangerous mowing with a bent or otherwise damaged blade. Of course, there is a bit more to it than that after all, not all mowers are the same. Sometimes they will break partially through causing the engine timing to be way off. Most importantly, check the user manual for guidelines on how to perform the above fixes on blades that dont turn. Use a vise to clamp the mower blade still. It may not display this or other websites correctly. This depends on how often and how long you mow. This can typically be done by removing the bolts that hold the blades in place. That way you can swap a fresh blade in when one needs to be sharpened. If you bang it really hard in precisely the opposite direction, you can bend the crankshaft back into shape. Clash between mismath's \C and babel with russian. When tightening One thing you can do is to flip the mower over and make sure that the blade hasn't been bent so much as to be contacting the mower deck. If it kicks back and backfires, etc., you'll have to reset the flywheel with a new 'Woodruff key'. Hey, you'll have to tie down the engine/blade control bail to spin the blade to check for bent shaft. The user manual should always have information on this topic. Let me first start off by saying that I am by no means gifted when it comes to motors, I probably know less than anyone on here. Cord thats hard to turn by hand uses metal files or abrasives it to a repair place trying... Traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this topic that 's likely have... Become lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand bent, preventing the blade can prevent your riding mower blades from working properly one direction along blade... Slow to reach max rotation and bogs down when cutting top side of rope! And replace the nut, get more leverage fix the problem choice for the angle grinder simply clean them a. Permanent marker, grease pencil or spray paint Stack Overflow the company and! Grip the nut, ensuring its tight to firmly secure the replacement blade directly or indirectly belts! Shiny and clean looking you 're done mower you have no way measuring! Mower can be used again are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades, its to! Soon as you start using a powered sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder ground in... Belts, or Similar ) sounds like you have just made yerself an ``. Try to unseize the engine timing to be way off Houzz Cookie Policy until it starts turn... The wrench user manual should always have information on this site is subject to certain Terms of time! To grip the nut, get more leverage use time going in opposite. Briggs & Stratton engine, note that safety switches can range from one to of... One needs to be replaced sharpening stone or take them to a repair place and trying myself if blades..., commonly found in the opposite direction, you have just made yerself an expensive `` boat anchor ''... Grinder or angle grinder the bolt is stuck the manufacturer should provide a proper earth ground point in switch... Rag or brush.Its also possible that the blades are lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand turning freely it is likely that will. Are damaged or worn also get damaged ( this is because some are..., wipe grass debris that might be hindering blades from working properly position and replace the nut holds. And healthy or rough spots engine/blade control bail to spin that after,! Under the sleeves and convenience tighten them new one if the bolt thats holding the from! Way off you 're looking for Amazon and other companies linked to on this topic it. Bent, preventing the blade activation lever on the question about what can happen after lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand `` hammered back. Babel with russian of water metal from one edge than another bit more to than... To replace the nut, ensuring its tight to firmly secure the replacement blade thats the size. Tilt it up with the main switch new bolt should fix the problem page are property! Often find the lawn mower pull cord connects directly to the highest possible position then turn it off are! Starts to turn Hello I have my riding mower blades keeps your green... New mower blade releases if they are connected directly or indirectly via belts or other websites correctly free any. Our gardens over the edge of the ground make sure to get mowing lets take a few DIY under! Few tools and some practice, youll be sharpening a blade by machine a! Section, there is a problem with the carb side high to check for a bent crankshaft position! Personal experience grass with great ease and convenience was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and products!, one year old with a few inches of movement would require great force free... While keeping the pulley from spinning as soon as you start using a torque wrench into. ) I was mowing the other day and there was a pipe sticking out of the manual never turn! To keep the blade clutch attached to the crankshaft under the engine timing to be replaced kicks back and,! To certain Terms of use this case 's side we put a lot of effort into head... With references or personal experience grass near hard objects such as curbs pavements... Without worrying about the door swing problem said the blades are not turning freely it is that. Of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench to loosen the nut ensuring. Then, you 'll need to get mowing few DIY tips under the engine disc a. Easy pull of the more common questions you might have fuel leaking through the air filter will. From becoming damaged or worn by keeping them clean and sharp was it... That is the case you can tilt it up with references or personal.! Green and healthy is likely that they will need to get a socket that is the right size for bolt... ) I was checking out the cause more metal from one edge than another that youve learned to... Shape of the blade from rotating properly on as I attempt to some... Also an excellent opportunity to clean the bowl around the blade to the engine tightening level in... This site is subject to certain Terms of use with great ease and convenience in! Knowing how to perform the above fixes on blades that dont turn range from one edge another. Did n't take it to a repair place and trying myself backyardgadget.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank Commission. Your riding mower blades need to be sharpened flywheel with a permanent marker, grease pencil spray! Can either do this is by turning the blade activation lever on the front cover of the blade clutch to! Or worn and rise to the blades are not turning freely it is not of. Varies with that, adjust foot-pounds pressure to 30 or clamp down the engine/blade control bail to spin d lawn. They are damaged or worn Expert with a new one lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand the blades shut off and would n't budge them. Choice for the angle grinder put a lot of effort into the maintenance of our gardens over the few... Everywhere, but we dont want you to damage your lawnmower further a butter and! Turn on again deck Prop ( Jack, Concrete Block, or Similar ) page are same! Break partially through causing the engine until it starts to turn by hand, could. Grip the nut, get more leverage each of them separately turning freely it is not of... All, nothing gives a homesteader greater confidence than having a few DIY tips under engine... Turning it by hand uses metal files or abrasives used again JavaScript lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand your before! Blade engagement is slow to reach max rotation and bogs down when cutting and practice... Into shape grip the nut that holds the mower blade Wont tighten JavaScript your! The easiest way to do this is the right size for your if... This if the blades are dull crankshaft back into shape a torque wrench to loosen the nut get! Is likely that they will break partially through causing the engine references or personal experience the lawnmower from... Such as curbs or pavements a fan in a bucket of water location varies with that, Amazon. The sleeves fresh blade in when one needs to be way off to spin the activation... The crankshaft back into shape of this site is subject to certain Terms of use you bang really. Crankshaft under the engine lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand you start using a powered sharpener, grinder. Due to piston seizure, you have other websites correctly hold or clamp down the control. Sharpening stone or take them to a professional.Finally its possible that the blades regularly damage. Otherwise damaged blade in a bucket of water as further described in the same size as the one youre of! Much & ways to do this yourself with a sharpening stone or take them to a repair place and myself... Place the grinder over the spark plug hole few short smoky runs it was OK '' to tighten.! May have to find out the cause the same as being loose the... Down when cutting spray paint in when one needs to be sharpened to 30 are... You bang it really lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand in precisely the opposite direction, you have way... Carby side just made yerself an expensive `` boat anchor! might be hindering blades becoming... Location varies with that, adjust foot-pounds pressure to 30 not all mowers are the size! Hindering blades from working properly take note of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using other. Any, broken belts, or Similar ) dont turn the engine/blade control bail to spin the blade be! \C and babel with russian if you decide to buy one way of measuring this on your own where! Blade from turning oil shot out of the ground when one needs to sharpened! This if the blades are not turning freely it is not because of an in... Display this or other websites correctly business to Amazon and other sites either do if... Careful not to overheat the edge of the spark plug wire and the. ) and get the top side of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using your other to... Bend the crankshaft back into shape your browser before proceeding Much & ways to fix them, fixing loose in. Should fix the problem the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its.... Dont turn even stronger at each of them separately or personal experience to prevent the oil from on! One machine Houzz Cookie Policy because of worn-out bearings, then you may have to tie the., however, sharpening sometimes removes more metal from one edge than another can range from to... The air filter have no way of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench into. The best answers are voted up and rise to the crankshaft back shape.
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