I have a Kubota B2320 , with. 60" deck. I put 2 sets of blades (3ea) @$70 on each season-April-Oct.

Hitting rocks, roots, sticks often throws them unbalanced in addition to dulling. You can sharpen blades, but most have become out of balance.

Takes me about 45 mins to change blades.

quote:

Originally posted by Pyker:

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.

Probably, tho I'm not aware of a specific example.

I really don't think it's all that critical. The Mark I eyeball method should be sufficient.

EDIT: I got curious and did a little surfing. Google "lawn mower blade sharpening jig". Lots of ideas out there, some of which are pretty Rube Goldberg and some that are stupid expensive. A quick look did show a couple of DIY versions that seem practical enough.

quote:

some that are stupid expensive

No shit. A fool and his money...

Back to winging it.

My mower guy is Frank. He does a great job of sharpening blades and other work. Last week he replaced another burnt exhaust valve in my Toro. I burn a high octane no alcohol premium and it does burn valves every couple of years.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
.... Last week he replaced another burnt exhaust valve in my Toro. I burn a high octane no alcohol premium and it does burn valves every couple of years.

You're not associating using premium gasoline with "burning" exhaust valves are you?

The guys at the Toro shop say burning gas with alcohol burns valves. I have never burned alcohol in this mower, just the higher octane fuel. I thought it could be burning valves. Maybe just poorly made valves.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
The guys at the Toro shop say burning gas with alcohol burns valves. I have never burned alcohol in this mower, just the higher octane fuel. I thought it could be burning valves. Maybe just poorly made valves.

I don't know what Toro you have or what engine you have in it, but my 9yr old Toro LX27 with the B&S 20hp Intex engine has never burnt a valve using Ethanol in that time and doesn't burn any oil. Been the best rider I've ever owned, bar none.

Jim

Issue - EXTREMELY tight blade bolt or nut -

Just a heads up - these don’t have to be super tight. Like you probably don’t ever need an impact to put one ON. SNUG IT UP with the right size socket and 1/2” breaker bar. That is enough.

The spin direction of the blade AND the thread direction of the bolt/nut work together. If anything the blade hitting a rock will cause it to tighten a little more.

Putting extra torque to the wrench is just making your work harder when you want to change the blade.

While I have both types of impact wrench, I don’t use them or need them for changing blades.