How do you sharpen you blades?

[Jeff396]

We had a pretty bad drought here last summer and water restrictions were imposed and fines were levied to cut down on usage. There was also talk of raising rates to cut back on usage. We're on a well so I don't know if they did that or not.

This year we are getting a good bit of rain so water usage is down. Now the water company wants to raise rates because their revenue is down and they aren't making any money. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Jeff

 

[Poppa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ... where there are water restrictions, which are usually connected to a drought condition, hence the 'breaking the law'. Many areas have had to choose between lawn watering and having water to drink. )</font>

Well Mike, I guess my response would be: Almost.

In theory, the water restrictions are in place because the supply of water is low due to drought. And without a doubt, we are in a drought. So all looks good until you realize that the numer of permits issued for NEW taps is at record levels.

In other words they don't have enough water to serve those that live there but they have plenty to entice more to live there. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I suppose it makes sense to some but it sure has me buffaloed.

Mike

 

[oliver28472]

Thanks for your persistence on this post and all the pics. I can see now that your blades are just stacked without being welded. They look a lot like the Woods blades I have on my RM 48. You might look at the Woods blades for a 60" to see if they are the thickness you want. Also for the thin grass in the shade you may want to plug core aerate the heck out of it in the fall, then broadcast some Rebel III. It has worked well for me in shady areas where I didn't have enough grass to tell where I had mowed. I think I will try your double blade set up cause my old Woods deck doesn't seem to create enough suction to pull the grass back up after the front and rear tires run over it. (rear mount) I take mine off with an impact wrench, put the blade in a vise, use angle grinder (safety glasses of course) then tighten with breaker bar.

 

[slowrev]

I mow about 3 acres per week with my Gravely 812 with MMM. I sharpen the plades ( 3 ) about 3 timer per season. I use ramps under the front and an Air impact to remove the blades. Sharpen on a bench grinder and balance them and replace with air impact. Total time about 30 minutes.

Ferrari, A little off topic here but I was wondering what you do with 60 implements ?? Just checking out your bio to figure out what kind of tractor you had and saw the 60 inplements !

 

[FERRARI]

Sorry, the "60" in my profile is where I meant to put 60" mmm on B-8200 and 72" MMM on the B-2900 ...I will change that...Thanks!

About core aerating...I wear out a 48" pull-behind coreing aerator about every 4 to 5 years....but they are cheap...and that is one of the most over looked things I have discovered .....core aeration is about as important as cutting high to improve thickness of grass.....I use it extensively starting in February and March and then in the fall before I fertilize ....You can cut your application rate just about in half if you do it after aeration....But don't aerate during dry season...it will make your lawn dry out way too much......I have a problem where I live trying to grow cool season crass instead of something like bermuda....but here it also gets so cold in winter( I have seen it down to -15 degrees) that the warm season grasses stay dormant and dead looking from about October till May...way too long for me.....There are some great tricks I have learned about the time to apply fertilizer in the fall that I won't go into here....they really make a big difference.

 

[Junkman]

Re: How do you sharpen you blades? *DELETED*

Post deleted by Junkman

 

[slowrev]

Junkman,
Just because an old idea was discared in the past does not mean it won't be back. Take for instance steering column/wheel mounted controls. Were on many older vehicles, then everything went to the dash including pushbutton transmissions. Now much of it is all back on the wheel/column, so who knows.
Maybe the older mowers did not have the HP for it.

 

[tough451]

On lawnsite.com there are many many post about running double blades. I like them the most during the fall (leaf season) Dixie Chopper actually makes an adapter that holds the blades in place. I run them on a toro proline 48 with a 15hp kolher so hp should not be much of an issue. Just somthing else for you guys to look at. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Zoomie]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ( Cut grass today at 8 and 1/2 inches )

Where I come from that's called HAY !!!!! )</font>

Around here too, and not only that, but in many urban areas, such length for a lawn would net you a notice from the city (and/or HOA) to cut it or they'll have it cut at your expense.

I keep extra blades on hand, and use my 1" x 24" belt sander to sharpen them. I get a much better edge, much quicker using my sander... YMMV.

 

[Junkman]

Ferrari...... I have to tell you that you have overstepped the bounds of good taste in your last post. I believe that you owe an apology to the management and membership of the TBN. I might not always agree with what a moderator does, but I will never go so far as to insult them. You have and that isn't acceptable. Just one black sheep's opinion, but if it counts for anything, you are wrong!!!!! I will assume that at some point, the moderator(s) will delete your post, so some might not know what I am referring to, but if I, the blackest of the black sheep, find it offensive, then there is no question about it.


(my original post deleted by moderator and then restored by me with permission of moderator)