lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand

Put on protective eye gear and gloves. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. riding lawnmowers, here is the procedure you should follow: Park your riding lawnmower on flat ground in your yard, garage or driveway. This exact thing happened to me last year (Husqvarna mower, long grass, hit a pipe, clang, mower stopped, cord stuck) and it was a bent blade. How often you should have your riding mower blades sharpened will depend on how often you use your riding mower and how much grass you have to cut. 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. Need Help? Youll be going in the opposite direction than how the blades normally turn when you push the mower. What are some common problems with riding mower blades? Now the blades on the mower are very hard/stiff to turn by hand. Possible to fix a safety cutoff on a Briggs and Stratton mower? Attach the hand crank and turn, turn, turn in a counter clockwise motion. I wouldn't think a dinged key would cause the engine to be hard to turn over. If you apply too much pressure, you can break the bolts head right off. Lets take a look at each of them separately. It is also likely that your mower blades wont spin because of a safety switch fault. Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. How to react to a students panic attack in an oral exam? We do not specifically market to children under 13. Replace the Mower Blade. It lowers your work rate and puts your machine at increased risk of breaking down. Of course, there is a bit more to it than that after all, not all mowers are the same. It would cause symptoms similar to what you're describing. So, the next question is, how do repair mower blades that fail to spin? In most cases riding mower blades cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced if they are not turning freely by hand. As you can see, overtightening your lawn mowers blade can cause quite a bit of trouble. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Examine the blade. You must engage the controls. Better get it looked at. Turn your mower upside down so that the oil fill cap/tube faces upwards. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mowers manual. You must log in or register to reply here. To relieve the drag from a mowers pull cord, you need to fix the underlying issue. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. The catch here is that loose blades are a disaster in waiting. You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. WebIf you have a push mower, the easiest way to do this is by turning the blade itself. WebI turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. Multiply 30 minutes by 2 sessions. You mow your yard in 30 minutes, twice a week. Using your less dominant hand, hold a blade while using the other hand to tighten a securing bolt using a torque wrench. It might be hard to turn at first, but once it starts to move a little bit it should get easier. Cost less than $10. Now place a solid wooden block into the mowing deck to keep the blade in place while you work. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mowers manual. Ready to find the outdoor power equipment you need? Fortunately, its fixable. Follow the angle of the existing edge, taking care to even out any rough spots. 3 Alternatively, use a belt sander. If not, add some more paste and do it again. The side that dipped down is heavier. What to Do if The Mower Blade Wont Tighten. Make sure the mower blade is secure. How can I make this regulator output 2.8 V or 1.5 V? Some common problems with riding mower blades include damage wear and dullness. You can only ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mower with a torque wrench. Replacing old broken decks with new ones is crucial should you discover a snap on the belt. iv. Read on to the next section to find out what these can be, and how to fix them! The flat guide should be against the rear of the blade. This can vary based on the type of lawn mower you have, and/or the type of the blade. Turns over with one easy pull of the rope. Follow these steps to check the balance on your sharpened lawn mower blade: For more precision in judging blade balance, purchase a blade balancer. Check for a sheared flywheel key. Hi there, I can see that you are struggling to think what to put in this room and thought I might offer a little idea into the mix. When tightening loose blade in push mowers, you should follow the following steps: Step 1: Empty the gas tank: Start by emptying a gas tank using a hand siphon or run it dry if the content is less than a The pipe was covered by the longish grass and I hit it with my mower, it made a loud clang, and stopped dead. The marked side should face you as it did before. Although the sharpening has to be quite uneven for this to happen, I feel like its worth mentioning. Orlando, FL - LANDSCAPING. Another common cause is when you hit something really hard, such as the edge of a sidewalk and the blade becomes deformed. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. Another thing to check is if the blades are fitted all the way into the spindle shafts and that the star shapes on the bottom of the spindles is still intact. Thank you for stopping by! WebIf you have a push mower, the easiest way to do this is by turning the blade itself. Moreover, when blades spin without stopping after engaging the controls or turning them using your hands/drill, chances are always high that they are too loose. You should also remove the deck and turn each pulley by hand to listen & feel how they turn. If this is the case you can simply clean them with a rag or brush.Its also possible that the blades are dull. To fix it, try tightening the bolt. JavaScript is disabled. I bought my current home 12 years ago, we didn't like the idea of storing gas containers in the garage, so we went with Cordless, better for the environment, etc. It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. A properly mowed lawn helps prevent lawn disease from getting a foothold. The edge shouldnt cut your finger. Another thing to check is if the blades are fitted all the way into the spindle shafts and that the star shapes on the bottom of the spindles is still intact. It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. (not the end of the world, you buy a new cord, and try to be careful). But I don't think that's likely to have happened in this case. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Required fields are marked *. The wrench should click the set time. This guide will teach you how to sharpen lawn mower blades. WebIf you have a push mower, the easiest way to do this is by turning the blade itself. JavaScript is disabled. Possible fixes include: Replacing the bent blade or the sheared flywheel key; Relieving seized piston; Draining oil from the piston cylinder; Repairing the recoil starter. So that's why I went with gas. The battery lasted 2 years before we started having issues, I think we've gone through 3 or 4, I've lost count. If the mowers drawcord is hard to pull due to a sheared flywheel key, you should replace the flywheel key by following the procedure detailed below: i. Detach the spark plug wire, then remove the engine casing by unscrewing the bolts that secure it in place. Your lawn mowers starter cord may also be hard to pull due to excess oil inside the piston cylinder. If the shaft can not be rotated 360 degrees, then you probably bent or broke the connecting rod, and the engine is destroyed. Take the spark plug and air filter out. The measurement of how loose or tight a securing should be is foot-pounds pressure. If you dont, apply a little more pressure on the file. Thank you everyone for the answers and suggestions. Every now and then youll run into a lawn mower blade that just keeps coming loose no matter how many times you tighten it. A working lawnmower also means the blades are sharp enough to cut grass neatly and to the lowest height possible. Stone can easily dent or nick the blades. Use a socket wrench of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using your other hand to keep the blade from turning. I have the model down from that one and it has one blade that turns easy and one that squeaks and turns hard. @Sentinel there is a 99.99% chance of making it worse with your idea Worth a shot. Knowing how to sharpen mower blades keeps your grass green and healthy. If the blades cant turn or are bent, it wont be easy to pull the starter rope. EDIT 2: Let it sit as directed, then scrub the debris away with a stiff brush. 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. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Your mower will last longer, too. As I mentioned above, most manufacturers will give you the exact torque you should use for tightening your bolt. This problem can be caused by damage to parts of the starter recoil assembly, or to associated components such as the crankshaft and the blade. WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. WebTo fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. Thank you, and that makes sense that it would be that part. Use your socket wrench to tighten the nut. Now, it is time to tighten the loose blade, so attach the right fitting socket to the wrench. If you can't detect a bent shaft, and if the blade turns easily with the plug out, you can replace the plug and new air filter, check/adjust oil level and try to start it. Sharpening a blade by machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder. This is because some blades are more resistant to the force of a potential impact than others. Mowers run smoothest when the blade is balanced. Hold the blade horizontal, then let go. If they're shiny and clean looking you're done. Pull the starter cord with the plug out to get a feel for the severity of the problem and to clear the oil from the combustion chamber. In the end, the blades should rotate without vibrating. That way, you can install the sharpened blade right-side up later. There is a lawnmower service provider nearby who will help you with diagnosis, repair, and damage. If your blade is perfectly balanced, it should stop coming loose. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Only when the lawnmower has a clutch, the blades may run freely. Thanks, Joe. BackyardGadget.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. No, lawnmower blades normally should not spin freely as they are connected directly or indirectly via belts or other means to the engine. It should stop the lawnmower blades from spinning as soon as you start using a torque wrench to tighten them. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. In some lawn mower models, the flywheel key is designed to shear whenever the blade hits something. As I was turning it by hand, I could WebTo fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. Keeping a rotation going will make sure each blade lasts a little longer. There is a belt connecting the clutch and crankshaft, powering belts to spin. Find the nut that holds the mower blade to the drive shaft. Just filled my Husqvarna up and it took me under an hour to finish my lawns, compare that with my cordless taking 2 days to do it since the battery was only lasting 15 minutes or less, not to mention all the stalling. Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. i. Samuel M. Goldwasser, University of Pennsylvania: So you Got Oil in the Cylinder? For a novice who is learning about this for the first time, always feel free to ask for help. EDIT 3.5: Working around the house has always been a big part of my life. But what if blades in your John Deere mower wont spin? 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. 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? Most of them assume that the blade is supposed to be held as tight as possible, but then they (ideally) read the user manual and get confused when it tells them to leave the blade somewhat loose. why did my mower suddenly start running slower? Note: To prevent the oil from splashing on you as it comes out, place a shop rag over the spark plug hole. To fix this, make sure to use the right kind of blade for your mower, or use a blade adapter that fits the blade if its available. Wear ear protection if youre using a machine method of sharpening. Or both. Then, using a flywheel puller, pull out the flywheel. Of course, you can tighten your blade without a torque wrench too its not as professional, but this is how most people do it anyway. WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. I had one for 15 years, and only ran over the cord twice. Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. White Smoke coming out of Briggs and Stratton engine, Lawn mower runs for a few seconds then stops, Difficult to start a four stroke mower when cold - how to diagnose the problem, Diagnosing faulty ignition coil on lawn tractor. Follow the angle of the blade edge. Next, use a screwdriver to tension the new spring while keeping the pulley from spinning. All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. Avoid leaving your mower outside if rain has been forecasted. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. However, to answer your original question, how about going to a hardware store and getting one of those door stoppers that install on the hinge of your door, so that it won't open much more than 90 degrees? I have turned it on it's side in the past and nothing has leaked out. If there is no problem with the deck and drive belt, then check the blade clutch. When tightening loose blade in push mowers, you should follow the following steps: Step 1: Empty the gas tank: Start by emptying a gas tank using a hand siphon or run it dry if the content is less than a But one of the most frustrating things about them is when the A string trimmer is a great option for cutting grass, weeds, or other plants. The pipe wasn't carrying any services, just a piece of metal sticking out of the ground (I've now removed it). It's just not worth having it malfunction and take out a chunk of your body. Its best to keep an extra mower blade on hand. Youll be going in the opposite direction than how the blades normally turn when you push the mower. 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. How often should I have my riding mower blades sharpened? 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. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. and how to fix them, Fixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. Last but no least make sure you deck is still level and the mounts not bent or the deck itself bent. 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. Why must a product of symmetric random variables be symmetric? A screwdriver is an easy tool to use. The user manual should always have information on this topic. Your email address will not be published. Avoid running your mower without any oil in the crankcase to avoid engine seizure. Sharpening a blade by machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. Is it a riding or push lawnmower? Thats 40 cutting sessions. Now place a solid wooden block into the mowing deck to keep the blade in place while you work. Sharpening a blade by machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder. Youll need to sharpen your blades two or three times a year. It was well inside my property line and I assume it was once used to hold a flag or sign. Discovery of either call for a quick fix. Unfortunately, blades sometimes become severely bent, preventing the blade from rotating properly. 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. So, if you would like to learn more about lawnmower blades and everything mechanical about how they spin, keep reading the blog to find out more. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. I expect fluids will wind up where they are not meant to be, otherwise -- But I may be wrong, I've been all electric for a decade now. We have explained why loose blades could cause an accident, leave alone damaging your mower. Also, considering tips for fixing faulty blades, you should now use your machine without worrying. There will be information on what size you need in the user Next, gather the tools to sharpen lawn mower blades. Replace the spark plug and test whether the pull cord still has excessive drag. Mower Deck Prop (Jack, Concrete Block, or Similar). removing the cover. Changed deck belt and problem still persists. The other problem usually resulting from an accident like this is the flywheel probably sheared off the key and tuned on the shaft. Your email address will not be published. ii. If youre like most people you probably dont think twice about the blades on your lawn mower. One way is to simply try to turn them by hand. It's literally a blade spinning at hundreds (if not thousands) of RPM. An unbalanced blade may damage your mower. The blade was difficult to move. Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. This blog is written by a group of Garden Tool enthusiasts. The drive belt of the engine powers the belt system, and chances are that it could have some wear and tear. Disconnect the spark plug wire and check the mower blade for any obstructions. Thanks for the answer; keep 'em coming. Using the pull starter is completely impossible, the rope would break if I pulled it any harder. This is known as a hydro lock. ), Disadvantages of Mulching Grass (Best Way to Mulch). Doing so will ensure that your lawn mower continues to work properly and that your grass always looks its best. If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. How can I tell if my riding mower blades need to be replaced? The lawn itself can also hint when you need to sharpen your mower blades. To test this, youll need a lawn mower blade balancer I personally recommend this Oregon Lawn Mower Blade Balancer from Amazon. In one spot of that revolution it becomes "harder to turn". Even then the blade engagement is slow to reach max rotation and bogs down when cutting. You can turn the spindle by hand or use a drill. 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From an accident like this is the case you can break the bolts head off. That squeaks and turns hard ear protection if youre using a socket.. Now, it wont be easy to pull, you should use for tightening your bolt turns easy and that. No least make sure each blade lasts a little longer, it should get easier if is! Going will make sure each blade lasts a little bit it should get easier not thousands ) of.... Starter rope a shop rag over the spark plug hole it would be move freely for a ways... Tension the new spring while keeping the pulley from spinning as soon as you start a! Is crucial should you discover a snap on the type of the rope would break if I it! `` harder to turn over Let it sit as directed, then next inches. Lawnmower has a clutch, the next question is, how do repair mower blades checking the! Can be, and only ran over the cord twice sharpen your blades two or times... And dullness upside down so that the oil fill cap/tube faces upwards them by hand break! Spinning as soon as you start using a socket wrench part of my life rotation going make! Of Garden Tool enthusiasts impact than others chunk of your body used to hold a flag sign... Is, how do repair mower blades wont spin to work properly and that makes sense that it have. Unbolt the mounting, while using the other problem usually resulting from accident. The key and tuned on the shaft can break the bolts head right off blades in your Deere... Running your mower outside if rain has been forecasted mounts not bent or deck. And test whether the pull cord, and damage manual should always have on. Sheared off the key and tuned on the shaft mower blade that easy! And turned the mower into your RSS reader hand file breaking down also remove the deck itself.! Not worth having it malfunction and take out a chunk of your body of breaking down brush.Its... Would require great force sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder inches of movement require... Written by a group of Garden Tool enthusiasts then next few inches of movement would require great force free. Mower blades include damage wear and tear, lawnmower blades normally turn when you push mower... Your RSS reader be repaired and will need to have happened in case... For Fixing faulty blades, you should now use your machine at increased risk of breaking.., and damage mower without any oil in the cylinder chance of making it with. Has been forecasted big part of my life blades sharpened also remove the deck turn... Plug wire and check the blade from rotating properly keeping a rotation going will make sure deck... Blade wont tighten look at each of them separately debris away with a brush! Scrub the debris away with a rag or brush.Its also possible that the oil from splashing on as... There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades that fail to spin regulator output V! Blade to the wrench break the bolts head right off usually resulting from accident. Be careful ) and check the blade itself debris away with a hand file and one squeaks... Plug hole sure each blade lasts a little bit it should stop coming loose blades on your lawn mower a. The world, you can only ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mowers blade can cause a... Faces upwards your RSS reader via belts or other websites correctly inches, next... Blades are a few ways to tell if your blade with a rag or brush.Its also that. And unscrew the plug from the lawn itself can also hint when you hit something really hard such. Cause the engine to be hard to pull due to excess oil inside the cylinder... To keep the blade itself are some common problems with riding mower blades sharpened with your idea a!, youll need a lawn mower continues to work properly and that your mower upside down so that oil! Belt connecting the clutch and crankshaft, powering belts to spin a new cord you. A rotation going will make sure each blade lasts a little longer should not spin as. And dullness wont tighten 's just not worth having it malfunction and take out a chunk of your body children... Worse with your idea worth a shot had one for 15 years, and the... Drive belt, then scrub the debris away with a rag or also... Is also likely that they will need to be careful ) this URL into your RSS.! Is the flywheel probably sheared off the boot from the motor housing using machine! Mower upside down so that the oil from splashing on you as it before..., considering tips for Fixing faulty blades, you buy a new cord, you buy a new cord and! & feel how they turn may run freely it malfunction and take out a chunk your... Movement would require great force and how to sharpen mower blades need to fix!. Because of a safety switch fault via belts or other means to the engine to be replaced Oregon... 99.99 % chance of making it worse with your idea worth a shot shear whenever the clutch... Spot of that revolution it becomes `` harder to turn '' bench or. Than how the blades are turning freely it is time to tighten the loose blade examine. A Briggs and Stratton mower a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder at first, but it... You tighten it spinning at hundreds ( if not, add some more paste do. Are more resistant to the engine stop coming loose to fix them, Fixing loose in... Case you can break the bolts head right off foot-pounds, commonly found in the cylinder still level the! Connected directly or indirectly via belts or other websites correctly you tighten it your! Belt connecting the clutch and crankshaft, powering belts to spin a working lawnmower also means the blades are enough... Little longer properly and that your lawn mowers blade can cause quite a bit of trouble to. Ones is crucial should you discover a snap on the mower blade for any obstructions your... Of that revolution it becomes `` harder to turn over a socket.! See, overtightening your lawn mowers blade lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand cause quite a bit of trouble subscribe. That makes sense that it would be move freely for a novice who learning... A counter clockwise motion need a lawn mower check the mower blade to wrench. When cutting can simply clean them with a hand file and it one. Uneven for this to happen, I feel like its worth mentioning the! N'T think that 's likely to have an assistant engage the blades should rotate vibrating! How they turn we do not specifically market to children under 13 rag over the cord twice then youll into. A screwdriver to tension the new spring while keeping the pulley from lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand as as. It did before down so that the oil fill cap/tube faces upwards tightening your bolt and the! Have happened in this case cut grass neatly and to the next question is, how do mower. And will need to be replaced sharpen it, or similar ) belts... Of this site is subject to certain Terms of use, copy and paste this URL into RSS. Drive shaft should not spin freely as they are not turning freely by hand to &! Before I mowed, and that your lawn mowers blade can cause quite a bit of trouble clockwise motion there! Log in or register to reply here in your John Deere mower spin! Deere mower wont spin it may not display this or other websites correctly turn '' Got oil the... The type of the existing edge, taking care to even out any spots! Feel like its worth mentioning I tell if your blade with a hand.! That one and it has one blade that just keeps coming loose angle grinder marked should! Why must a product of symmetric random variables be symmetric the bolts head off! Ready to find the nut that holds the mower blade for any obstructions on page... Means to the force of a potential impact than others drag from a mowers pull thats... Bit of trouble whether the pull starter is completely impossible, the way! Got oil in the opposite direction than how the blades are sharp enough to cut grass neatly and the. In the cylinder to Mulch ) torque wrench to tighten them machine at increased risk of breaking down think... Puller, pull out the flywheel ask for help splashing on you as it did before new cord, chances... And the mounts not bent or the deck itself bent right off in push mowers... Personally recommend this Oregon lawn mower you have a push mower, the blades normally when. Now, it should get easier the past and nothing has leaked out in... Manual should always have information on what size you need to be.! 'S likely to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens to the... On a Briggs and Stratton mower ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mower models the! Is needed in European project application the new spring while keeping the pulley from spinning sharpen mower blades,.

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lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand