Sharpening lawn mower blades

def90

WKR
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Aug 12, 2020
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1,700
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Colorado
Back in the late 80's to early 90's when I worked on a lawn crew we just took the blades off the Toro mowers, put them in a bench vise and used an angle grinder. Don't over think it.
 
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jjohnsonElknewbie
Joined
Mar 16, 2021
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3,570
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Western Iowa
Jezus. Am I the only one who thinks that lawnmower blades are way ‘over-thunk’??
I'm a tight ass, and the new set of 3 I just bought was a little over $50. Just looking for a way to sharpen that is consistent and repeatable to maximize the life of the blades.

A set of 3 for my finish mower was $75, and we mow about 10 acres total.
 
Joined
Jan 30, 2019
Messages
723
Location
Wisconsin
There is only 1 really good way to sharpen them without taking a month of sundays to do it. I sharpen Hundreds of blades a year. It literally takes 1 minute a blade.

Get you one of these:


Get you one of these:



Get you a half a dozen of these:


Put you a balancing nail on your workbench and try to keep the blade balanced the best you can.
This is exactly how I do it. There simply cannot be a better way!

The soil by me has a lot of sand, the blades make it only 1/2 way through the season, a couple sweeps from the hand grinder is all they need to be like new.
 

NRA4LIFE

WKR
Joined
Nov 20, 2016
Messages
1,652
Location
washington
Remove blade, put in vice, use angle grinder to sharpen, put blade back on, repeat with 2nd blade. I do this twice a year and never worried about balance. Seems to work good as my mower is 13 years old and still using the original blades. It is a Kubota.
 

cobbc03

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 12, 2020
Messages
258
There's an arm for the grinder, I think its called All American or something of that nature. If you don't mind spending more, I bought an RBG 712 and it literally takes 20-30 seconds per blade, I highly recommend it.
 
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Feb 24, 2016
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2,578
This is exactly how I do it. There simply cannot be a better way!

The soil by me has a lot of sand, the blades make it only 1/2 way through the season, a couple sweeps from the hand grinder is all they need to be like new.

Or, you could use a hand file. LMFAO.

I have to replace my blades every third yard cutting. So, I think I qualify as a "blade sharpening expert". lol
 

Backyard

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
765
Location
Minnesnowta
I'm a tight ass, and the new set of 3 I just bought was a little over $50. Just looking for a way to sharpen that is consistent and repeatable to maximize the life of the blades.

A set of 3 for my finish mower was $75, and we mow about 10 acres total.

Well there’s your problem, nock the amount of mowing down to about 45 minutes worth. You’ll save on blades and have more time to hunt and drink beer.
Follow me for more great tips


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Joined
Sep 28, 2018
Messages
2,189
Location
VA
A set of 3 for my finish mower was $75, and we mow about 10 acres total.

Sounds to me like you need a couple cows or sheep.. If you've got tree's that can't be damaged, then get some electric fence and sheep. Sell the sheep to the local Hallal butcher

If you're mowing over 2 acres and you're not selling it for hay or grazing it... you're doing something wrong
 
Joined
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Sounds to me like you need a couple cows or sheep.. If you've got tree's that can't be damaged, then get some electric fence and sheep. Sell the sheep to the local Hallal butcher

If you're mowing over 2 acres and you're not selling it for hay or grazing it... you're doing something wrong

Right? Unless this is a golf course, you’re spending way too much time mowing. Imagine how much scouting you could get done every week instead of cutting 10 acres of grass?


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Crusader

WKR
Joined
Sep 16, 2016
Messages
547
Location
St. Louis
There's an arm for the grinder, I think its called All American or something of that nature. If you don't mind spending more, I bought an RBG 712 and it literally takes 20-30 seconds per blade, I highly recommend it.
Sounds interesting. Would you happen to have a link to where that could be purchased?
 

GSPHUNTER

WKR
Joined
Jun 30, 2020
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4,531
You are not looking for a surgical sharp blade. File the damn thing, or grind it, what ever works for you.
 
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jjohnsonElknewbie
Joined
Mar 16, 2021
Messages
3,570
Location
Western Iowa
Sounds to me like you need a couple cows or sheep.. If you've got tree's that can't be damaged, then get some electric fence and sheep. Sell the sheep to the local Hallal butcher

If you're mowing over 2 acres and you're not selling it for hay or grazing it... you're doing something wrong
I have 8 acres enrolled in conservation cover program (not CRP). The native seed mix was drilled last fall. I am required to mow 3x per summer (or as needed) until the stand is established- typically 3 years.

I have 200 trees/shrubs that are also in the program, and they require mowing for weed control.

The acreage itself is around 2 acres.
 
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