How often do you sharpen/replace blades on you rotary cutter?

[sweep]

Even the directions say you should not sharpen them.

My Brush Hog instructions also say not to sharpen them but to replace as needed. My dealer say's he sharpens them properly and does it all the time.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I hit mine with a grinder while still on the machine. It takes about 5 min per blade. I do it about every 25 hours of mowing. Spend more time on the end. That is where most of the cutting takes place. Dull blades may work better in rough stuff. It makes tree stumps less likely to become spears(tough on tires).

 

[k0ua]

So far, I've just let the beat-up, blunt edge do the bashing without being sharpened. It shatters the stubs of saplings into relatively soft, frayed brushes sticking up into the air, rather than sharpened punji sticks. So far, I haven't had one puncture my rather delicate turf tires. I'd like to keep it that way. Besides, I'm also under the suspicion that frayed, shattered stubs decompose faster than sharply cut, intact ones.

I suspect when the time comes when it no longer cuts (shreds?) the grass and just starts laying it down, I may pull out the grinder and restore the blades back to the original 1/16" edge. Until then, I'll just keep hacking away as is.

Joe

What he said.

James K0UA

 

[Soundguy]

i sharpen them at the beginning of the season.. and inspect them at the end of the season for cracks or wear that would mean I need to replace them.. that way if needing repalcing i can do it over the winter..

if i hit any noticable or catastrophic debris whilst mowing I reinspect after that session and dress or re-evaluate as needed.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

My Brush Hog instructions also say not to sharpen them but to replace as needed. My dealer say's he sharpens them properly and does it all the time.

i think there is a bit of nomenclature issue goin on here.

a hog blade is not 'sharpened' as is a finish mower blade or a lawnmower blade.. rather it is dressed to have a thin blunt edge.. say 1/16 or 1/32 etc. this shatters stubble and prevents making sharp points that puncture tires.. also inhibits plant growth.

 

[Ken45101]

Replace them? The only time I did that is when I had a blade break off.

I've "sharpened" them once or twice in 12 years.

 

[TripleR]

About every three or four years, I touch them up with a 4" angle grinder. I can't say this is what should be done, just what I do.

 

[Western]

I've sharpened one set, using a 5" grinder while still on the shredder. didn't go for "sharp", rather uniformity. I worry about blade balance more than the sharpness, a large nick or other major blow and I would just replace the set (if it felt out of balance). A finish mower (I dont have) would be different as Soundguy said.

I have thought of hard surfacing my blades with 7018 welding rod , but figured it wouldn't be worth the trouble.

 

[jobguy]

I sharpen the blades as I cut a lot of tough grass. By the time I get to the brush they are dull enough that they work well for that job also. As stated above, when the grass lays down instead of being cut, sharpen the blades
I started pulling the brush to keep it from growing back cutting was making things worse (buck-thorne).

 

[DK35vince]

I prefer mine sharp.
I sharpen the blades about once per year with an angle grinder.