Do You Balance Your Mower Blades

90cummins · Apr 3, 2020

Every time I sharpen I check balance.
First I clean (wire brush) One side of blade around Center hole then set the blade on the Phillips screw driver which is lying on a flat surface then slowly turn the screw driver back & forth rolling the blade past the center hole of the blade to find the heavy side and grind accordingly.
Takes only minutes.
I would like to add that it is especially important to check your blades for cracks if they are mulching blades.
These blades are prone to cracking in the root of the cutouts.
My property has obstacles that I hit on a regular basis and had one break on my Scag STHM.
I have about 4 sets and rotate them. After the blade broke I checked all of my mulching blades and found cracks in every one which were scrapped.
My advice is sharpen your blades and check them for cracks every time.
You may need to clean with a wire brush expose the crack but you may avoid a terrible accident.

90cummins

DKCDKC · Apr 3, 2020

I have done it with the cone and a nail. It isn't perfect but, if I don't feel the spindle vibrate, it's close enough. I replace blades on one old mower annually and the newer one every two years unless I hit something. By the way, rock gouges can also throw off balance so it pays to visually check them during the season.

radios1 · Apr 3, 2020

one of the most important things to do is make a flat on the cutting edge about the thickness of 2 matchbook covers, this will make the blades last much longer!.. needing to grind much more from one side than the other is what makes balancing necessary!..

Richard001 · Apr 7, 2020

radios1 said:
one of the most important things to do is make a flat on the cutting edge about the thickness of 2 matchbook covers, this will make the blades last much longer!.. needing to grind much more from one side than the other is what makes balancing necessary!..

So if I understand you correctly, yous saying, don't sharpen the blades so they cut the grass, just make a blunt blade to beat the grass into submission.

Dull blades beat up the grass and will leave dead grass at the tip.

radios1 · Apr 8, 2020

Richard001 said:
So if I understand you correctly, yous saying, don't sharpen the blades so they cut the grass, just make a blunt blade to beat the grass into submission.

Dull blades beat up the grass and will leave dead grass at the tip.

wrong!. look at a brand new blade, they have the small flat on them, and cut really well, and don't dull as fast as a sharpened blade with a sharp edge!.. seriously!.. they are NOT dull blades, which have a rounded edge!..

pmsmechanic · Apr 8, 2020

I never sharpen my blades to a sharp edge. If you leave a slight straight edge the edge lasts a lot longer. I don't need a perfect lawn. I just need something that will get the job done.

BigBlue1 · Apr 8, 2020

I typically use a nail in the side of my workbench. I have the cone style balancer but also have the hole size issue. Reading this thread made me think of a possible solution for that... Find the ring that is almost right but too small and wrap tape around it until it is the right size for the blade hole. I don't think it is extremely critical to get them perfect. The nail method has worked for me for 30+ years on many different mowers.

Rob

BigBlue1 · Apr 8, 2020

Richard001 said:
So if I understand you correctly, yous saying, don't sharpen the blades so they cut the grass, just make a blunt blade to beat the grass into submission.

Dull blades beat up the grass and will leave dead grass at the tip.

Blade manufacturers (like Oregon for the Gator blades) recommends a blade edge width that isn't knife sharp. I think it is 1/32" of a 'flat' for Gators. Not sure of the exact science behind it, but it is what it is. Obviously you can do things however works best for you. Not telling you you're doing it wrong.

Rob

KennyG · Apr 8, 2020

The guideline I have always seen is "butter knife" sharp. If you sharpen the blades razor sharp and cut for 15 minutes, they will be back to butter knife sharp, so you are wasting your time and metal getting them really sharp.