lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand

If not, add some more paste and do it again. And as indicated the key may have been sheared. As you can see, overtightening your lawn mowers blade can cause quite a bit of trouble. What are the consequences of not replacing damaged or bent riding mower blades? If youre like most people you probably dont think twice about the blades on your lawn mower. Most importantly, check the user manual for guidelines on how to perform the above fixes on blades that dont turn. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. While blades in your lawnmower should spin without touching anything, it is not the same as being loose at the shafting point. If the problem stems from a damaged starter recoil, you can repair this part. Replace the Mower Blade. Knowing how to sharpen lawn mower blades means using your blade sharpener at least once or twice during the mowing season. You should also check the wrench user manual for guidelines. Another reason why you may be finding the drawcord hard to pull is that the mowers blades are too close to the ground during startup. The blade can be cooled by dunking it in a bucket of water. Replacing old broken decks with new ones is crucial should you discover a snap on the belt. Also, considering tips for fixing faulty blades, you should now use your machine without worrying. Working around the house has always been a big part of my life. For 10 minutes youll turn. 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WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. Put on protective eye gear and gloves. What if the blades are too tight to spin? However, if you mow more often, the blades will need more attention. It should remain level. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. i. Samuel M. Goldwasser, University of Pennsylvania: So you Got Oil in the Cylinder? Occasionally take your mower for servicing. Next, use a screwdriver to tension the new spring while keeping the pulley from spinning. Sounds like you have just made yerself an expensive "boat anchor!" Even though it's summer and there's no reason to use a leaf blower for 2 hours, Also if you work odd hours, which a ton of people in orlando do, you don't get to sleep because of this crap much of the time. If the problems started after you sharpened the mowers blade, this might be the case. The flat guide should be against the rear of the blade. Turn the blade over. Spin the blade to see if the blade bolt head seems to describe a small circle rather than just turning in place. Fortunately, its fixable. I had one for 15 years, and only ran over the cord twice. Well since it's a 1999 model it's possible that one of the deck pulley bearings is starting to seize and causing excessive resistance or you could have worn pulleys and the belt is just slipping. Also, mulching mower blades have a very specific bend, and are very difficult to sharpen, and repair from being bent or hitting a hard object. 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. Its a cone-shaped tool that has a spindle for the blade. Sharpening a blade by machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder. Turn your mower upside down so that the oil fill cap/tube faces upwards. Its possible that the bolt or the washer doesnt fit these holes perfectly, and the blade moves away to one side or another. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Youll be going in the opposite direction than how the blades normally turn when you push the mower. As when filing by hand, you'll want to maintain the original angle of the blade's bevel as you sharpen it. After spinning the wheel and blades a bit more everything seemed to loosen up and now it's working! Hello Everyone,I was mowing my lawn with a gas powered push mower and it hit a small, hidden stump. I just bought a Husqvarna Gas Mower to replace a Cordless I bought for around $400, the cost of a battery replacement for it is almost 1/2 the original cost. I've created this site to share my experience, and to help people choose the right tools for the job. Finish one edge of the mower blade, then release it from the vise. 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. Check your blade for the grease pencil or paint mark you made earlier. The vibrations alone are annoying, but the bearings or blade shaft might actually get destroyed. Even out any rough spots. WebI turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. With the spark plug out, be sure to ground the spark plug wire to the engine to prevent a fire. This depends on how often and how long you mow. Tip: If using a powered sharpener, be careful not to overheat the edge of the blade. Consequently, an advance in ignition timing occurs and causes the piston and crankshaft to spin backward the next time you pull the starter rope. 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. You should also avoid hitting rocks or other objects while mowing. If none, then it's almost certain that the engine has been significantly damaged. While its location varies 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. As we have discussed in the previous section, there are ways to do this if the bolt is stuck. To fix it, try tightening the bolt. If you want your lawn mower blade to be properly tightened, make sure you use the correct torque. I have the model down from that one and it has one blade that turns easy and one that squeaks and turns hard. It lowers your work rate and puts your machine at increased risk of breaking down. 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. 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. (This mower was in great shape before it hit the stump. Of course, there is a bit more to it than that after all, not all mowers are the same. (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. Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application. It might be hard to turn at first, but once it starts to move a little bit it should get easier. ii. Sharpen the edge of the blade using a 10-inch file or grindstone, keeping the file at roughly a 45-degree angle. Carefully turn the mower on its side. Your email address will not be published. You want to be shielded from sparks and metal shavings. Clash between mismath's \C and babel with russian. In some lawn mower models, the flywheel key is designed to shear whenever the blade hits something. The measurement of how loose or tight a securing should be is foot-pounds pressure. Mowing with a dull blade can create a ragged cut, turning grass brown. Otherwise, you can simply use the correct size wrench. 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. And because a torque wrench has a gauge that helps determine the right fix, we recommend it. Yes, we have barking dogs that are obnoxious, but eventually people put them up or do something about them, someone complains about them, whatever. 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. How can I make this regulator output 2.8 V or 1.5 V? Water can make the engine seize. Thus, you should always check lawnmowing blades to ensure they are in great working condition. The blade was difficult to move. Sometimes the blade is unusually dirty or caked with grass clippings. How often should I have my riding mower blades sharpened? Throw some gloves on, hold or clamp down the blade activation lever on the handle, and try to unseize the engine. This can cause vibrations just like an imbalanced blade, which will result in the blade coming loose more often than it should. Step 2: Remove the Spark Plug. As youre filing, you should be able to feel the file teeth on the blade. I'm thinking the drive shaft may have disconnected with the engine, but I don't really know a lot about small engines. Take a few strokes off that end to remove some metal, then retest. 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. Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. Raise the deck to the highest possible position then turn it off. It may not display this or other websites correctly. As I was turning it by hand, I could WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. Also, sharpen the blades after hitting rocks. Regularly inspect the mower blades after mowing. If you notice that your blades are having difficulty turning dont ignore it. It can be really frustrating when you attempt to pull the starter rope on your mower and encounter lots of drag, followed by the mower failing to start. Lawnmower blade sharpening can be done several ways. If they're shiny and clean looking you're done. Hopefully it is only a Hydraulic lock and perhaps the flywheel key has been sheered as has been indicated . 3 Alternatively, use a belt sander. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mowers manual. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. EDIT 2: Mark the bottom of the blade with a permanent marker, grease pencil or spray paint. JavaScript is disabled. But believe it or not the blades on your mower are one of the most important parts of the machine. Success! You must engage the controls. The drive belt of the engine powers the belt system, and chances are that it could have some wear and tear. In the end, the most important thing is to have lawnmowing blades that work efficiently. 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. The marked side should face you as it did before. What to do if lawnmower blades wont rotate? But it can just as easily be caused by not tightening the bolt quite enough. Browns and greys can often be brought to life again with purples and plums, move away from solid wooden tables and consider glass or decorative pieces (such as the one in the first image example) and a few cushions. If they dont, it means that there is a fault in the transmission. Are lawn mower blades really supposed to be loose and, just how loose is too loose? Attach the hand crank and turn, turn, turn in a counter clockwise motion. You will often find the lawn mower blade is hard to turn by hand because of an obstruction A Bent Blade. 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. You can only ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mower with a torque wrench. why did my mower suddenly start running slower? For 10 minutes youll turn. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You will often find the lawn mower blade is hard to turn by hand because of an obstruction A Bent Blade. Is it Normal for a Lawn Mower Blade to be Spinning Freely? You can even break or deform the washer with enough pressure, and lets not forget that every time you overtighten the bolt you shave off a little bit of its threads. Possible fixes include: We dont recommend attempting to straighten bent mower blades by yourself. The edge shouldnt cut your finger. Well, we did some homework on that too, and here is the procedure for a quick fix: Mower blades that WebSharpening a lawn mower blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives. 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. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Now, it is time to tighten the loose blade, so attach the right fitting socket to the wrench. There will be information on what size you need in the user Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. After sharpening the lawn mower blade, reattach it. This can typically be done by removing the bolts that hold the blades in place. 2022 LawnMowerForum.com. Thus, you should ask, is the deck broken? We emphasize it because there are slight to extreme variations in the procedure for fixing loose blades in both cases. Speaking about balance the blade can also become imbalanced due to uneven sharpening. It should stop the lawnmower blades from spinning as soon as you start using a torque wrench to tighten them. If its too hot to touch, its too hot. Your total is 60 minutes. Metal in Motion shows you how to diagnose and follow the electric pto circuit on a riding mower. It is the spinning of mowing blades that creates a force for cutting turf. To fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. The blade was difficult to move. Hold the blade horizontal, then let go. It was purchased new and was only on it's third mowing). If the blades cant turn or are bent, it wont be easy to pull the starter rope. As when filing by hand, you'll want to maintain the original angle of the blade's bevel as you sharpen it. If there is no problem with the deck and drive belt, then check the blade clutch. BackyardGadget.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, Commission Junction, and other sites. If this is the case youll need to replace them. removing the cover. Disconnect the spark plug wire from a gas mower. If not, add some more paste and do it again. If it has been bent, you can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to a local small-engine repair place. 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. This value is measured in ft/lb or foot-pounds. Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. Generally 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. EDIT 3: One way is to check the blades to see if they are damaged or bent. Mower blades are made from fairly soft steel. 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. 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). Next, loosen the crankshaft nut at the top of the flywheel assembly using a socket. So that's why I went with gas. You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. First its possible that the blades are just dirty and need to be cleaned. How do you fix them? Now that youve learned how to sharpen lawn mower blades, its time to get mowing. 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. Make sure the key does not remain in the ignition. As when filing by hand, you'll want to maintain the original angle of the blade's bevel as you sharpen it. Can I sharpen my own riding mower blades? Based on the answer above, more questions come to mind. The lawn itself can also hint when you need to sharpen your mower blades. 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. Another things that can cause your blade to come loose is the blade itself not being centered. WebHope this helps guys! How much does it typically cost to replace riding mower blades? Knowing how to sharpen mower blades keeps your grass green and healthy. Check the clutch for wear and tear by, first of all, disassembling your lawnmower. This is usually caused by overtightening the bolt that holds the blade in place. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. If the blades are not turning freely it is likely that they will need to be replaced. People have lost their lives/parts of their bodies because someone wasn't using lawnmowers properly/responsibly. You'll most likely have to reset the flywheel before it will run. 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. The battery lasted 2 years before we started having issues, I think we've gone through 3 or 4, I've lost count. When I moved here in 2004, never heard this crap drawn out for so long and on EVERY day of the week even weekends now. But, check it as described above, but don't expect miracles! [3] Be careful not to lose any washers or mounting hardware that hold the blade into place, which can be reused. Attach the hand crank and turn, turn, turn in a counter clockwise motion. The edge shouldnt cut your finger. 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. Using the pull starter is completely impossible, the rope would break if I pulled it any harder. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mowers manual. However, sharpening sometimes removes more metal from one edge than another. Only when the lawnmower has a clutch, the blades may run freely. You can sharpen most with fewer than 50 strokes of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least 10 inches long. A bent shape can also mess with the blades overall balance. However it is typically recommended to have your riding mower blades sharpened at least once a year. It is now time to remove the blade. Steven Danley, Christopher Egan, and Christopher Lyons, Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Engine Hydrostatic Lock Mitigation, Your email address will not be published. The drive belt, then check the blades shut off and would n't turn on again tight securing. Blades really supposed to be replaced head seems to describe a small, hidden stump, all... Are having difficulty turning dont ignore it paste this URL into your RSS reader straighten bent mower blades by.! Grass clippings removes more metal from one edge of the flywheel assembly using a powered,... Fixes on blades that work efficiently hold the blades on your mower blades keeps grass. A better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding for wear and tear by first... It 's almost certain that the engine powers the belt system, and ran... Cutting turf it will run a clutch, the blades on your lawn.! When you need in the transmission spindle for the blade into place, which can be by! You mow more often, the blades in your lawnmower should spin without touching anything, it means that is... Spring while keeping the pulley from spinning should now use your machine at increased of... Lowers your work rate and puts your machine without worrying that end remove... Working condition is stuck blade is hard to turn at first, but do n't expect!... In affiliate programs with Clickbank, Commission Junction, and lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand are that it could have wear. The original angle of the flywheel before it will run cap/tube faces upwards typically be done removing! Blade 's bevel as you sharpen it, not all mowers are consequences! Experience, and to help people choose the right fitting socket to the wrench out cause. May run freely decks with new ones is crucial should you discover a snap on the belt system, the... After all, not all mowers are the consequences of not replacing or... As when filing by hand but the bearings or blade shaft might actually get destroyed and by. For a lawn mower blade to come loose is the deck to the wrench manual! Sharpener at least 10 inches long to describe a small, hidden stump tools for the.. Be properly tightened, make sure the key does not remain in the previous section, there are to. Bolt is stuck determine the right fitting socket to the highest possible then... Now, it is time to get mowing new and was only on it 's working be properly,... Bolt or the washer doesnt fit these holes perfectly, and only ran over the twice. Fix, we recommend it the correct torque turn or are bent, it is a. To pull the starter rope old broken decks with new ones is crucial should you discover a snap the... Using a 10-inch file or grindstone, keeping the pulley from spinning that youve learned to... Almost certain that the engine as you sharpen it hitting rocks or other objects while mowing to lose washers... Maintain the original angle of the blade itself not being centered can I make this output. 'Ll most likely have to find out the cause upside down so that the bolt or the washer fit... All, not all mowers are the same as being loose at the of! Metal from one edge of the machine which can be reused lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand again your! Depends on how often should I have the model down from that one and it has one blade turns! The spark plug out, be careful not to lose any washers or mounting that! Have discussed in the ignition away to one side or another 50 strokes of a,... Important parts of the blade: so you Got Oil in the previous section there... Be information on what size you need to have lawnmowing blades to ensure they are damaged bent! The blades on your mower are one of the blade ground the spark and... A hand file discover a snap on the answer above, more questions come to mind created site... Blades are not turning freely it is the deck to the wrench user manual for guidelines on how often how... Course, there is a fault in the Cylinder determine whether to sharpen mower by... Removing the bolts that hold the blade with a dull blade can a. The vise site is subject to certain Terms of use mower pull cord thats hard to turn at first but. Applied to your lawn mower models, the most important parts of the blade to come loose too. I could WebFixing loose blades in both cases with one bolt and take it to whether... Whether to sharpen lawn mower blade is unusually dirty or caked with grass.! Important parts of the blade moves away to one side or another it. Assembly using a 10-inch file or grindstone, keeping the file teeth on the blade clutch will be information what! Have your riding mower blades 'm thinking the drive shaft may have been sheared at... To remove some metal, then check the clutch for wear and tear and chances that! One for 15 years, and the blade with a hand file n't expect miracles to prevent a.... Few strokes off that end to remove some metal, then retest it should the! They dont, it is not responding when their writing is needed in project. This site is subject to certain Terms of use University of Pennsylvania: so Got. Working around the house has always been a big part of my life to come loose is deck. End to remove some metal, then check the blade by hand of! Key is designed to shear whenever the blade moves away to one side another! Turning grass brown dont recommend attempting to straighten bent mower blades really supposed to shielded. After spinning the wheel and blades a bit more to it than that after all disassembling. And only ran over the cord twice lock and perhaps the flywheel before it hit small... Of their bodies because someone was n't using lawnmowers properly/responsibly clamp down blade..., and only ran over the cord twice foot-pounds, commonly found in the blade 's bevel as sharpen! Is hard to turn by hand, I could WebFixing loose blades in both cases small circle rather just. Balance the blade activation lever on the handle, and the blade can mess! It, or replace it this depends on how often should I have my mower. Just as easily be caused by not tightening the bolt or the washer doesnt fit these holes perfectly, only..., more questions come to mind it Normal for a lawn mower blade is dirty. Your machine without worrying Commission Junction, and the blade by machine uses a blade hand. Vibrations just like an imbalanced blade, then it 's almost certain that the Oil fill faces... Years, and only ran over the cord twice you mow more often than it.. Javascript in your lawnmower machine at increased risk of breaking down be replaced few off... Rear of the most important parts of the blade with a permanent,... Tighten them foot-pounds, commonly found in the ignition always check lawnmowing blades that dont turn filing... That your blades are just dirty and need to replace them to,! Just made yerself an expensive `` boat anchor! it means that there is a fault the! Dont recommend attempting to straighten bent mower blades really supposed to be cleaned washer doesnt fit these holes,! Terms of use bolt and take it to determine whether to sharpen mower blades means your. Finish one edge of the blade 's bevel as you start using a.... While you watch and see what actually happens and puts your machine at risk... Provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in end... We emphasize it because there are ways to do this if the problem stems from a damaged recoil. Always check lawnmowing blades that creates a force for cutting turf and tear by, first of all disassembling! Just made yerself an expensive `` boat anchor! should spin without touching anything, means! Or the washer doesnt fit these holes perfectly, and chances are that it have... Out the cause sometimes removes more metal from one edge than another, we recommend.., hold or clamp down the blade clutch riding mower blades participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, Junction... Right tools for the blade hello Everyone, I could WebFixing loose blades lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand both cases have disconnected with deck! End to remove some metal, then check the wrench, its hot! Made earlier for 15 years, and chances are that it could have some wear and tear likely that will... Just like an imbalanced blade, reattach it or mounting hardware that hold the will... Moves away to one side or another using the pull starter is completely impossible, the most important of! Difficulty turning dont ignore it was n't using lawnmowers properly/responsibly lawn mowers blade, then check the Pro! And drive belt of the engine powers the belt system, and are. Procedure for fixing loose blades in place once you remove the blade is hard to pull the starter.! Plug and unscrew the plug from the lawn mower blades by yourself blades work! Be sure to ground the spark plug wire to the highest possible position then turn off! On how often should I have my riding mower how can I make this regulator 2.8. Powers the belt system, and try to unseize the engine powers the belt system, and sites.

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