Finish mower blade sharpening?

[pennwalk]

John Deere blades are much harder than any other blades I have. The belt sander does them but it is slow. I try to sharpen the JD blades every 10 hours. They seem to dull and get dings like the other blades. I'm sure there is a good reason why JD made them that way.

Chris

 

[Larry Anderson]

I have an older model Woods RM660 finish mower. This mower came with a spindle lock wrench that fits on top of the pully. My questions are: How do you get the wrench to stay? Does it take two people (one to hold the wrench the other to loosen the bolt? And, are the blade bolts standard (lefty loosy, righty tighty) or left handed?

 

[Turbys_1700]

1. Lift mower.
2. Place jack stands under mower.
3. Get creeper under mower.
4. Use impact wrench to remove.
5. Sharpen with angle grinder affixed to vise.
6. Reattach.
I have never balanced blades. My dad taught me years ago to sharpen lightly and I do. Never had an issue with out of balanced blades. I also do not leave a real sharp edge. They dull quicker. YMMV.

 

[Larry Anderson]

Unfortunately. I don't have an impact wrench (using socket wrench). Are the blade bolts left hand or standard threads (don't want to strip)? How do I get keep the blades from turning while I loosen the bolt?

 

[DJ54]

It's been a long time since I changed blades on my RM 700, (don't use it much anymore) and do recall the spindle lock wrench giving me fits keeping it on. Seems on the outside blades, I could just barely reach to hold it on. Of course, this was while hanging on a chain hoist. The middle..?? Hmmm.., I may have wedged it with a block of wood between the belt and pulley.

Mine has LH threads, and the bolt is a Nylock type. cross drilled near the end, with a nylon insert, so as to make it not back out while in operation. An impact wrench does make it a lot easier to remove. Maybe something to put on the Christmas list..!!

I sharpen mine on the 8" bench grinder, and do prefer to have a pretty sharp edge. To each his own. But as mentioned, grind a bit at a time, so as not to get it too hot, and lose the temper. I always have a gal. bucket of water near the grinder to dip blades in to keep them somewhat cool.

 

[Thomabear]

4-1/2" or 5" grinder with a flap disk is about the easiest thing I've found to sharpen blades. They remove metal fast without overheating the blade and they do a great job on the blade curves. Once you use one you will never go back.