This morning I finally got around to changing the blades on my ZTR mower. Did not realize how bad they were. Guess 5yrs is pushing it a little to far. The old blades look like they are beyond repair/resharpening. Had to do the old school method of 4x4 wood block to hold blade while wrenching on shaft nut. Manual wrenching with a big box end wrench and a manual screw jack to try and break loose the shaft nut . Used a motorcycle jack to pick up front end of mower. Took a solid 2hrs to complete job. At one point was wishing that I had taken it to someone to get the job done. But now the finished cut of the yard/grass is worth it. ...P.S. last 4 rs cut the next door neighbors front yard when I cut my yard adds less than 15 minutes and she pays with smoked pork and smoked deer sausage that I use for seasoning. .......................................drill sgt.

Just FYI, a battery impact wrench takes ALL the pain out of that evolution.

I barely get 1/2 a season out of a set. Too much Bahia.
Well, lots of rocks also....

I have a Kubota Zero Turn. I have 2 sets of mulching blades that I rotate every 8 mows or so. I use a pneumatic impact wrench to remove them. I use an angle grinder to sharpen the takeoffs. Sharp blades make a huge difference in mowing speed and quality.

Impact is your friend.

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm:
Sharp blades make a huge difference in mowing speed and quality.

A lot better for the grass too.
Minus power tools, some anti-seize and tighten away. If you have an angle grinder, use a flap wheel but be careful, they hog metal quick. I use a 120 grit wheel, a couple light passes on a decent blade should do it.

Same thing here. Since I don't change them much it's like learning to do it all over again every time.
But the outcome is nice.

We got some pretty thick grass that grew very quick. I used our mower blades for 3 years before finally getting them sharpened. Made a huge difference in efficiency.

Will definitely keep that as something to do regularly.

Yeah, it's something I need to do also. Got a few yard tools that need a little spa time with the belt sander.

There’s a device called Blade Buddy that locks the blade to the deck making loosening blade nut easier .

This time of year I’m mowing every 4-5 days due to growth and keeping the grass at about 2”. As a result I swap blades (have two sets) on the Honda about once a month. As others noted a flap disc on an angle grinder makes quick work of sharpening and the resulting cut is noticeable.

I have a more traditional Cub Cadet. I take the deck off for Winter storage. It’s easier to get at the spindle grease zerks, fits the shed better.

I check the blades in the Spring, often sharpen, change if required. My mow areas are mostly rock free, keep the blades up a bit. I like the cut of sharp blades.

It seems 3 replacement blades are about $45 online. Taking them off at times ensures one is able to get them off.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Just FYI, a battery impact wrench takes ALL the pain out of that evolution.

Gospel freakin truth right here.

quote:

Just FYI, a battery impact wrench takes ALL the pain out of that evolution.

Preach on brother!

That job would have taken all of 10 minutes with 1/2" drive impact. Sharpen your blades at least once per season people. Very easy to identify a lawn that has been cut with dull blades, the tips of the grass are all torn and yellow.

quote:

Originally posted by Rev. A. J. Forsyth:

quote:

Just FYI, a battery impact wrench takes ALL the pain out of that evolution.

Preach on brother!

Sharpen your blades at least once per season people.

I can jack up the front of my ZTR with a high lift floor jack and have the blades off in two minuets with my Milwaukee cordless impact... actually quicker probably.

I once researched how often the pro's put on freshly sharpened blades and lots do it daily... or about every 8 hours.

And I rotate the position of the blades much like tires on a car.

Anyone got an effective blade sharpener for mower blades?

quote:

I once researched how often the pro's put on freshly sharpened blades and lots do it daily... or about every 8 hours.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What is this a Dayton 500 for mowers?

We have the blades sharpened when the oil gets changed and air filter blown out, in addition to anything a post-season inspection reveals as warranted. Just another reason why our 25 yo lawn tractor is in such great shape.

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:
Anyone got an effective blade sharpener for mower blades?

As mentioned above, a flap disc on an angle grinder works well.

If you have a belt sander (or better, a belt grinder) you can produce a more consistent edge.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:
Anyone got an effective blade sharpener for mower blades?

As mentioned above, a flap disc on an angle grinder works well.

If you have a belt sander (or better, a belt grinder) you can produce a more consistent edge.

Thanks. Is there such a thing as a guide tool to make sure the angle is consistent or is it just practice? I have trouble maintaining the angle along the whole cutting edge.