Rotary Cutter when to change blades

[dirt clod]

Noticed a loose blade too late on my howse 7' single spindle. Of course noticed it too late as the tab on the bolt that locks into the stumper jumper was worn and bolt would spin. Anyhow got blade of to get new bolt.

The past owner rounded off the end when they sharpened the blades (sort of look like a machete blade now) the new ones are square at the ends

My question is when should blades be replaced? and is sharpening to this shape good or should the ends be square?

Thanks in advance

 

[thatguy]

Im in for an answer to this as well.. BUT I would guess the 'average' person would never wear out a blade - assuming you dont make it a habit of hitting solid objects.. lol

Brian

 

[dirt clod]

no rocks here to hit. plenty of ant hills though. also the length and width of 7' single spindle makes any small high spots of dirt gets cut.

thanks for the reply. anybody else?

 

[jinman]

I think the radial rounding of the end of the cutter's blades is a natural thing related to blade tip speed and the amount of sand in the soil where grass is cut. The sand kicked up is an abrasive that wears away the ends of the blade. The next natural thing to do is to sharpen that curve and the wear progresses to the point that it looks like the ends have purposely been cut that way. This is true of all my cutter blades including mowers and rotary cutters. You either sharpen the curve or leave it blunt to beat the grass at high speed. I prefer to sharpen it.

 

[KennyV]

If you loose 6 inches at the end, you are running a 6 foot instead of a 7 foot... so switch blades before they automatically down size your cutter...
Kind of like a chop saw, that thing really cuts well with a new, full size blade. KennyV