Sharpening bush hog blades

[john_bud]

The other guys have hit on it. If you want to cut brush, you leave a 1/16 to 1/8th inch blunt edge so the brush will shatter and DIE. If you want to cut mostly grass and weeds then sharpen up to a knife edge. It's all in the use you have for them.

I have not had great luck bending blades, they tend to snap for me. But then I seem to cut as many rocks and stumps as brush and trees....

jb

 

[Trainer]

If you know a blacksmith, he can heat and hammer an edge on the blades. Don't lose as much metal and can get a good edge.

 

[Granite Tractor]

Some folks use an angle grinder to sharpen blades without removing them. I've sharpened some two different ways. In both cases I removed the blades, which wasn't a big deal for me since I had a pneumatic impact wrench. I've sharpened some using a 6" bench grinder, and I've also sharpened some using a 4.5" angle grinder with the blade locked in a vise.

I just found this old thread - very useful! Any recommendations on what kind of saw blade to use for an angle grinder to sharpen blades?

 

[CobyRupert]

Just a "regular"" 4-1/2", recessed center grinding wheel.

 

[big bubba]

good advice here. personally, i am not an advocate of crawling under a mower and sharpening the knives. some do it very well...but one slip, and a face full of grinder. as mentioned, i use an impact wrench, remove, & use a hand grinder with knife clamped down. btw, you probably already know that most of the cutting on mowing blades occurs on the last 1/3 of the blade...you'll notice that by the dings on the blade itself. if you are willing to sharpen them as scheduled maintenance (for me that's 2-3 times a season) you'll get a better look and machinery will thank you for it. note that as outer edges become more rounded, the less effective the knives cut. have a sharpened spare set on hand would be my advice. & block that mower well before you crawl under there!!!