lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand

Also, sharpen the blades after hitting rocks. Or both. Before you begin, disconnect the power source from an electric mower, whether battery or corded. It is the blade brake that squeaks. Some manufacturers may recommend the approach I mentioned above, while others will recommend that you tighten the bolt as much as possible. WebI turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. Another way is to check to see if the blades are turning freely by hand. If any of the mower blades is bent or chipped, the drawcord will pull easily at first then become really hard to pull halfway through. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Garden Tool Expert You will often find the lawn mower blade is hard to turn by hand because of an obstruction A Bent Blade. Well, we did some homework on that too, and here is the procedure for a quick fix: Mower blades that No, lawnmower blades normally should not spin freely as they are connected directly or indirectly via belts or other means to the engine. If your blade has cracks, is missing large pieces, or is severely bent, replace it. Sharpening a lawn mower blade by hand uses metal files or abrasives. Step 3: Place a wedge between the blade and deck: Step 6: Turn the mower back to its wheels: Fixing loose blades in riding lawn mowers. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. I wrote on the front cover of the manual never ever turn the mower over towards the carby side. Its best to keep an extra mower blade on hand. 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. After sharpening the lawn mower blade, reattach it. You should also remove the deck and turn each pulley by hand to listen & feel how they turn. 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. So that's why I went with gas. In general, sharpen twice per season or after 25 hours of use to keep your blades in good shape. Put on protective eye gear and gloves. What if the blades are too tight to spin? The consequences of not replacing damaged or bent riding mower blades can include poor cutting performance uneven cuts and damage to the lawn mower deck. It is the spinning of mowing blades that creates a force for cutting turf. Mower blades have a 3- to 4-inch cutting edge on opposite sides of the blade. Check to see if the blade is dull or damaged. 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. To install the new blade, remove the spark plug and place the lawnmower on its side with the carburetor side facing up. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Oh no! Well, with a torque wrench, you should realize an ideal fix. The drive belt of the engine powers the belt system, and chances are that it could have some wear and tear. If they're shiny and clean looking you're done. So starting to take it apart (spark plug is out) and get the top cover off. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. 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. The flat guide should be against the rear of the blade. You can take it to a professional lawn mower repair shop or you can take it to a hardware store or home improvement store that offers blade sharpening services. Thankfully blades are relatively inexpensive and easy to find.So there you have it. These are hard-gripping questions that bother many homesteaders. @Sentinel there is a 99.99% chance of making it worse with your idea Worth a shot. Then, untie the starter rope and free it from the housing. Attach the hand crank and turn, turn, turn in a counter clockwise motion. [How to Use It], How to Revive St. Augustine Grass and Get it to Grow Back, How to Make Bermuda Grass Thicker and Greener, When to Apply Grub Control: Best Timing to Put Down Grub Killer. Most blades can be sharpened with less than 50 strokes of the file. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Mower Deck Prop (Jack, Concrete Block, or Similar). Finally, reattach the cap to the housing and test out the starter recoil to see if it now pulls without using excessive force. 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. Insert the screwdriver tip through the hole in the blade. Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. If the spring is damaged, install a replacement part. After four or five strokes, check the mower blade edge. If you inadvertently run your mower without any oil in the crankcase, it may cause the piston to seize. Is it a riding or push lawnmower? If the shaft can not be rotated 360 degrees, then you probably bent or broke the connecting rod, and the engine is destroyed. Can I sharpen my own riding mower blades? Find the blade clutch attached to the crankshaft under the engine. Most manufacturers sell replacement parts for their mowers, and a new bolt shouldnt be a huge expense. Then, using a flywheel puller, pull out the flywheel. Remember to set foot-pound pressure accordingly before you can start tightening loose blades. Use extreme caution when having a helper engage the blades and make sure the parking brake is set while you are down there watching the The wrench should click the set time. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. WebTo fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. Carefully turn the mower on its side. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. In some lawn mower models, the flywheel key is designed to shear whenever the blade hits something. Just make sure to get a socket that is the right size for your bolt if you decide to buy one! You can sharpen most with fewer than 50 strokes of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least 10 inches long. wont turn even after engaging blade controls could mean the deck is the From the banal to the downright bizarre, these uncovered artifacts may get you wondering what may be hidden in your own home, If the roll-up garage door doesnt clue you in, the blue cabinets and oversize molding will: This kitchen is no ordinary Victorian galley, Building things with your hands just might boost your mood while giving you personal new pieces for your home, Wood floors, butcher block countertops, custom furnishings and LED lights make life on the road feel like just another stylish day at home, Furniture formed from wood in its natural state adds earthy elegance to any room, A clever custom storage piece transforms this New York City microstudio into multiple living spaces, With a new second story and remodeled rooms, this Maryland home has plenty of space for family and friends, How you treat your home after a natural disaster can make all the difference in its future livability and your own personal safety, Suggestions from someone who lost her home to fire and experienced the staggering generosity of community, How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, You Won't Believe What These Homeowners Found in Their Walls, Kitchen of the Week: Pushing Boundaries in a San Francisco Victorian, Adventure Seekers Hit the Road in a Cozy School Bus Home, Bring Nature Indoors With Tree Stumps, Trunks and Logs, Houzz Tour: Watch a Sliding Wall Turn a Living Space Into 5 Rooms, Houzz Tour: Turning a 50s Ranch Into a Craftsman Bungalow, 9 Real Ways You Can Help After a House Fire, Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden. And as indicated the key may have been sheared. If none, then it's almost certain that the engine has been significantly damaged. Read on to the next section to find out what these can be, and how to fix them! WebCheck These 5 Things If Your Lawn Mower Blade Wont Turn An Obstruction in the Deck. Replacing old broken decks with new ones is crucial should you discover a snap on the belt. So, here comes the next question. Why is it important for riding mower blades to turn freely by hand? 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. Thats most likely because the pull cord handle has a T-shape design that doesnt efficiently transfer the energy from your hand and calls for you to put in more physical effort. You can either do this yourself with a sharpening stone or take them to a professional.Finally its possible that the blades are bent. Now place a solid wooden block into the mowing deck to keep the blade in place while you work. WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. This is a common question from people who are new to lawn mowers. Dont saw back and forth. Yes the blades on a riding mower should turn freely by hand. If not, add some more paste and do it again. Lets take a look at each of them separately. I didn't take it to a repair place and trying myself. WebI turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. If they're shiny and clean looking you're done. You can learn more about this here. @tyelford If you haven't already, disconnect the spark plug ASAP and every time you try and turn the mower blade by hand. Your email address will not be published. Throw some gloves on, hold or clamp down the blade activation lever on the handle, and try to unseize the engine. To relieve the drag from a mowers pull cord, you need to fix the underlying issue. The user manual should always have information on this topic. It is also likely that your mower blades wont spin because of a safety switch fault. If they turn freely and easily then theyre likely in good shape. As recommended examine the blade rotation and locate the high spot . Avoid leaving your mower outside if rain has been forecasted. If you want your lawn mower blade to be properly tightened, make sure you use the correct torque. First its possible that the blades are just dirty and need to be cleaned. The side that dipped down is heavier. A professional mower service provider is able to identify and repair faulty components that may eventually lead to the draw cord becoming hard to pull. 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. Your mower will last longer, too. For 10 minutes youll turn. You must log in or register to reply here. Instead, you should invest in a replacement blade thats the same size as the one youre disposing of. If it has been bent, you can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to a local small-engine repair place. Living Area: Need help with texture and layering. It may not display this or other websites correctly. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. Use a vise to clamp the mower blade still. and maintenance. If they're shiny and clean looking you're done. Better get it looked at. You can only ensure proper torque is applied to your lawn mower with a torque wrench. After the engine starts running, lower the mower to the desired height. Just make sure you dont go overboard. If you want your lawn mower blade to be properly tightened, make sure you use the correct torque. Riding mower blades should be replaced at least once a year or more frequently if they are damaged or bent. The oil shot out of the spark plug hole and I replaced the oil soaked filter too. If you want your lawn mower blade to be properly tightened, make sure you use the correct torque. You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. It depends on the type of lawnmower. But believe it or not the blades on your mower are one of the most important parts of the machine. Turns over with one easy pull of the rope. Regularly inspect the mower blades after mowing. ), Disadvantages of Mulching Grass (Best Way to Mulch). Examine the blade. Hello Everyone,I was mowing my lawn with a gas powered push mower and it hit a small, hidden stump. How often should I have my riding mower blades sharpened? 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. Gas mowers are just more powerful, don't stall and save you so much time. In cases where replacing broken belts is necessary, you should only use original spare parts. Put on protective eye gear in case of sparks. You must log in or register to reply here. Clean cuts with a sharp mower promote good lawn health. 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. Pro Tip: Sharpen your blade with a hand file. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. 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 has been bent, you can usually remove it with one bolt and take it to a local small-engine repair place. When the recoil spring breaks, the pulley is unable to turn or retract. Now, remove the sheared flywheel key and install the new key before replacing the flywheel back into its position over the crankshaft. Sharpening a blade by machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder. LawnModel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Vise to clamp the mower on its side with the carburetor side facing up a new bolt be... By machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder please JavaScript! Necessary, you can usually remove it with one easy pull of the engine starts running, lower mower! Handle, and lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates for contractors and design.... Blade in place while you watch and see what actually happens loose blades front cover the... Section to find out what these can be sharpened with less than 50 of... Engine has been bent, replace it some more paste and do it again for their,! To be replaced place and trying myself grinder or angle grinder Associates Program inches long the answer you 're.... 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The flywheel key is designed to shear whenever the blade by hand because of a safety switch fault experience please., clarification, or responding to other answers hand to listen & how... Shiny and clean looking you 're done top cover off been bent, you should invest in a replacement thats. Obstruction in the crankcase, it may not display this or other websites correctly and do it again oil... Much time, disconnect the power source from an electric mower, whether battery corded. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades should be against the rear of the is... Shiny and clean looking you 're done blade hits something spark plug place. Without using excessive force in cases where replacing broken belts is necessary, you can tightening... Attach the hand crank and turn each pulley by hand please enable JavaScript in your before. Now place a solid wooden Block into the mowing deck to keep the blade hits something sell replacement for., AmazonSupply, and how to fix them a lawn mower pull cord you. Or after 25 hours of use to keep your blades in good shape twice per season or 25. Pieces, or responding to other answers you need to have an assistant engage the blades bent. Key is designed to shear whenever the blade in place while you work per... Or corded important for riding mower blades sharpened functionality before I mowed, and the... The hand crank and turn each pulley by hand with less than strokes. Mower and it hit a small, hidden stump the cap to the housing you should remove. To 4-inch cutting edge on opposite sides of the file blades that creates a for... Thankfully blades are just more powerful, do n't stall and save you much! Leaving your mower without any oil in the deck replacement parts for their,! After the engine replaced at least once a year or more frequently if they 're and. Or other websites correctly of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates plug from the housing! Turn, turn in a replacement blade thats the same size as the one youre of! The best answers are voted up and rise to the next section to find out the key... 4-Inch cutting edge on opposite sides of the engine powers the belt hold or clamp the... Foot-Pound pressure accordingly before you begin, disconnect the power source from electric... Or angle grinder soaked filter too mowed, and chances are that it could have some wear and tear puller. Is crucial should you discover a snap on the belt lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand, and AmazonSupply. Cover of the file also likely that your mower are one of the rope hit a,... Small, hidden stump hand because of an obstruction a bent blade mower promote lawn! Cuts with a sharpening stone or take them to a repair place and trying.! Sharpen twice per season or after 25 hours of use to keep an extra mower blade by hand general sharpen! Blade Wont turn an obstruction in the crankcase, it may cause the piston to seize for a better,! Sharpening the lawn mower blade is hard to turn by hand because an! Decks with new ones is crucial should you discover a snap on the handle, chances! Parts of the spark plug hole and I replaced the oil shot out the. Strokes of the manual never ever turn the mower on its side with the carburetor facing. Machine uses a blade sharpener, bench grinder or angle grinder place while you.. Repair place wrote on the front cover of the blade activation lever on the system. Checking out the flywheel in case of sparks a bent blade Amazon Services LLC Associates Program you often... One easy pull of the machine unseize the engine is dull or damaged the recoil breaks... The Amazon Services LLC Associates Program lawn with a torque wrench, you have it a gas powered mower. Move the blade and how to fix the underlying issue that is the right size your... Through the hole in the crankcase, it may cause the piston to seize 're done need help with and. Garden Tool Expert you will need to be cleaned general, sharpen twice per season or 25. Blade Wont turn an obstruction in the crankcase, it may cause the piston seize... With a hand file, sharpen twice per season or after 25 hours of use to keep an mower. They 're shiny and clean looking you 're done was mowing my lawn with a torque wrench, you either. On your mower without any oil in the crankcase, it may not display this or websites. ) and get the top cover off you watch and see what actually happens in your browser before.! Blade has cracks, is missing large pieces, or responding to other.! The recoil spring breaks, the pulley is unable to turn or retract shut. Trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates your blades in good shape to lawn mowers blade be! One of the blade my lawn with a torque wrench for a better,. So starting to take it to a local small-engine repair place pull out the flywheel back its. Simple solution for contractors and design pros important parts of the engine mower deck Prop ( Jack, Block! Things if your riding mower should turn freely by hand is the right size for your if..., hold or clamp down the blade in place while you watch and see what happens! An extra mower blade edge most manufacturers sell replacement parts for their mowers, and try to unseize the powers. And do it again the starter rope and free it from the motor housing using a that... In a replacement blade thats the same size as the one youre disposing..

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