Note: To prevent the oil from splashing on you as it comes out, place a shop rag over the spark plug hole. First off, wipe grass debris from the deck belt before The blade was difficult to move. Use extreme caution when having a helper engage the blades and make sure the parking brake is set while you are down there watching the deck belt! If you inadvertently run your mower without any oil in the crankcase, it may cause the piston to seize. Move the stone back and forth along the blade edge with medium pressure. Your lawn mowers starter cord may also be hard to pull due to excess oil inside the piston cylinder. Should riding mower blades turn freely by hand? Safety switches trip when there is a problem with the main switch. Otherwise, you can simply use the correct size wrench. A bent shape can also mess with the blades overall balance. Use a ratchet and socket or a wrench to loosen the nut until the mower blade releases. Regularly inspect the mower blades after mowing. Before you start fixing loose mowing blades, take note of the type of mower you have. Also, as I lifted the machine back upright, I saw that oil had leaked out onto the ground through the muffler guard. you have a bent mower deck spindle, go to troy bilt website and spindle, you can shop around for best price by going to google, troy bilt lawn tractor parts, hope this helps you out. Support the blade under its center, like a scale. As youre filing, you should be able to feel the file teeth on the blade. Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros. Can a Self-Propelled Lawnmower Go Backward? Then, using a flywheel puller, pull out the flywheel. You can sharpen most with fewer than 50 strokes of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least 10 inches long. The customer said the blades shut off and wouldn't turn on again. An unbalanced blade may damage your mower. Some of the reasons why your mower pull cord has lots of resistance include a debris-filled blade, loose/chipped blade, a sheared flywheel, and hydro-locking. For 10 minutes youll turn. If you don't know how to fix it, please don't try to DIY it. Once you remove the blade, examine it to determine whether to sharpen it, or replace it. Dot product of vector with camera's local positive x-axis? The marked side should face you as it did before. The vibrations alone are annoying, but the bearings or blade shaft might actually get destroyed. There are a few ways to tell if your riding mower blades need to be replaced. WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. And because the pull cord connects to the crankshaft via the flywheel, a bent crankshaft may cause it to get stuck or pull with lots of difficulties. Youll be going in the opposite direction than how the blades normally turn when you push the mower. If your blade has cracks, is missing large pieces, or is severely bent, replace it. WebHope this helps guys! If it is the blade brake, could you possibly post a picture or describe what it looks like so I can check it. If they're shiny and clean looking you're done. Rotating blades should do so at the right torque but not too loose to damage the engine or your mower altogether. After it starts turning, rotate it for a while in its normal direction before replacing the spark plug and testing whether the pull cord issue has been solved. After spinning the wheel and blades a bit more everything seemed to loosen up and now it's working! Most blades can be sharpened with less than 50 strokes of the file. If there's nothing wrong with the blade (that you can see), and if the shaft-key looks good (you might remove the blade by unbolting it, you'll probably need a large pipe-wrench), and ensure that the shaft keyway isn't rounded out. Just make sure to buy one made by the mowers manufacturer, as these bolts arent necessarily interchangeable. Of course, you have no way of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench comes into play. Sharpen the other edge. Together we put a lot of effort into the maintenance of our gardens over the last few years, we become obsessed with it. Now the blades on the mower are very hard/stiff to turn by hand. It could be dangerous mowing with a bent or otherwise damaged blade. Possible to fix a safety cutoff on a Briggs and Stratton mower? The blade should balance on the tip or drop to balance on the handle. The blades should now rotate at the set foot-pound pressure without feeling too loose or too tight. Only sharpen the blade so its as sharp as a butter knife. Push the file in one direction along the blade. Follow these steps to check the balance on your sharpened lawn mower blade: For more precision in judging blade balance, purchase a blade balancer. You must engage the controls. Unfortunately, you cant really fix a damaged bolt. However, if you mow more often, the blades will need more attention. You should inspect it for wear and damage. If its too hot to touch, its too hot. Clean the blade with a dry rag or microfiber cloth before sharpening it. Most importantly, check the user manual for guidelines on how to perform the above fixes on blades that dont turn. To relieve the drag from a mowers pull cord, you need to fix the underlying issue. Another thing to check is if the blades are fitted all the way into the spindle shafts and that the star shapes on the bottom of the spindles is still intact. Another common cause is when you hit something really hard, such as the edge of a sidewalk and the blade becomes deformed. loose blade in push mowers, you should follow A lawnmower is a handy homesteading tool that cuts grass with great ease and convenience. I turned the blade with my hand one full revolution. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. This value is measured in ft/lb or foot-pounds. After sharpening the lawn mower blade, reattach it. Since the crankshaft spins at a high RPM, hitting an obstacle may cause it to misalign. A. You should always remember that disabled safety switches automatically stop blades from rotating. I tried the pull cord and it wouldn't budge. There are a few different places that you can take your riding mower to have the blades sharpened. You caused the oil leak by tilting it up with the carburetor side down, which you should never do. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them. (not battery; with a cord). The mower immediately went dead. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? Thats the bottom of the blade. If it doesnt, or you have lost it, try looking for an online manual or ask your local mower dealership for help. Is variance swap long volatility of volatility? WebCheck These 5 Things If Your Lawn Mower Blade Wont Turn An Obstruction in the Deck. A screwdriver is an easy tool to use. You want to be shielded from sparks and metal shavings. rev2023.3.1.43269. Dont saw back and forth. Thankfully blades are relatively inexpensive and easy to find.So there you have it. Its a good addition to your mower maintenance tool kit. WebFixing loose blades in push lawn mowers. at the hardware store, dig up that expensive root, and Nail it to the shed wall, to remind you not to hit anything else!A twisted crank-shaft is relatively impossible to fix, as is a bent one! As recommended examine the blade rotation and locate the high spot . But I don't think that's likely to have happened in this case. There is a lawnmower service provider nearby who will help you with diagnosis, repair, and damage. It is important for riding mower blades to turn freely by hand because if they are not turning freely it could indicate that the blades are damaged or bent and will need to be replaced. Dig out any mud and grass clippings that have caked under there too. The chances of this working are really low. In one spot of that revolution it becomes "harder to turn". Align the blade of the grinder with the cutting edge of the mower blade. You can try to file a warranty claim but chances are that it will be denied since the signs of "abuse" will be obvious. Thats 40 cutting sessions. Blades that do not spin means there is nothing you can do with your machine. I turned the blade with my hand one full revolution. Mower blades are made from fairly soft steel. Then multiply that length of time by the number of times you mow per week. I think: most likely, you have damaged the blade. Brace the blade with a piece of scrap wood and clamp the blade still. Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. I agree with others' comments about electric mowers. Blades that produce a crackling sound when spinning sound alarming. To install the new blade, remove the spark plug and place the lawnmower on its side with the carburetor side facing up. You will need to have an assistant engage the blades while you watch and see what actually happens. WebI turned the mower on its side and tried to move the blade by hand. Some manufacturers may recommend the approach I mentioned above, while others will recommend that you tighten the bolt as much as possible. Anybody else come here just to see whether it was the pipe or the mower that wouldn't turn? Possible fixes include: We dont recommend attempting to straighten bent mower blades by yourself. To fix this, make sure to use the right kind of blade for your mower, or use a blade adapter that fits the blade if its available. If none, then it's almost certain that the engine has been significantly damaged. What to do if lawnmower blades wont rotate? Why is it important for riding mower blades to turn freely by hand? Before you begin, disconnect the power source from an electric mower, whether battery or corded. +1-213-221-0119, By using this website I agree with the Disclaimer, Loose mower blades-What it means Pull off the boot from the lawn mower spark plug and unscrew the plug from the motor housing using a socket wrench. Check the clutch for wear and tear by, first of all, disassembling your lawnmower. If youre like most people you probably dont think twice about the blades on your lawn mower. I'm wondering if someone has come across this situation before and would know if it's an easy fix or is the mower a write-off. Thank you everyone for the answers and suggestions. You may already have some of the blade sharpening tools you need: Only sharpen the blade so its as sharp as a butter knife. To fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. v. Finally, screw the engine cover back in and replace the spark plug wire before testing the pull start engine to check if the pulling resistance issue is gone. Followed 1saxman's advice. Can non-Muslims ride the Haramain high-speed train in Saudi Arabia? Find the blade clutch attached to the crankshaft under the engine. In a nutshell, loose blades are a recipe for an accident. How can I make this regulator output 2.8 V or 1.5 V? Even then the blade engagement is slow to reach max rotation and bogs down when cutting. The lawn itself can also hint when you need to sharpen your mower blades. If you bang it really hard in precisely the opposite direction, you can bend the crankshaft back into shape. A flap disc is a good choice for the angle grinder. Attach the hand crank and turn, turn, turn in a counter clockwise motion. Use a socket wrench of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using your other hand to keep the blade from turning. Unless you have the experience and tools needed to work on a damaged mower I would strongly suggest that a good mechanic look at it and give an estimate. First its possible that the blades are just dirty and need to be cleaned. In one spot of that revolution it becomes "harder to turn". Once the old blades are removed you can then install the new blades by attaching them to the riding mower with the bolts. The cutting edge should slot into the bevel. Its a cone-shaped tool that has a spindle for the blade. WebTo fix a lawn mower pull cord thats hard to pull, you have to find out the cause. I had one for 15 years, and only ran over the cord twice. When it comes to tightening loose blades in Next, use a screwdriver to tension the new spring while keeping the pulley from spinning. Step 3: Place a wedge between the blade and deck: Step 6: Turn the mower back to its wheels: Fixing loose blades in riding lawn mowers. 453 S Spring St Ste 400 It would be move freely for a few inches, then next few inches of movement would require great force. Step 2: Remove the Spark Plug. Finally, reattach the cap to the housing and test out the starter recoil to see if it now pulls without using excessive force. If it's easy to do, you may also want to remove the entire spark plug housing to expose the piston assembly, but this shouldn't be necessary. Aug 7, 2013 / Riding Mower - One Blade Harder to Turn - Feels Weak When Actually Mowing Grass #6 If your spindle is bent you can see it by turning the pulley or blade, The wobble is obvious. (refurbished) I was checking out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the mower on it's side. The blade was difficult to move. LawnModel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Sounds like you have just made yerself an expensive "boat anchor!" Reconnect your spark plug wire and your power source. (it could happen though). Torque levels should be set between 38 and 50 foot pounds for a walk-behind mower and 70 and 90 foot pounds for a riding mower. You are using an out of date browser. The flat guide should be against the rear of the blade. Turn your mower upside down so that the oil fill cap/tube faces upwards. If you dont, apply a little more pressure on the file. A razor-sharp blade dulls more quickly. Other wise a dial indicator and test (truing) stand along with a hydraulic press is indicated via ""Ex-purts" shall be required . Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. If not, add some more paste and do it again. If there is no problem with the deck and drive belt, then check the blade clutch. Another reason why you may be finding the drawcord hard to pull is that the mowers blades are too close to the ground during startup. This where the torque wrench comes into play and locate the high spot attempting to bent. Out any mud and grass clippings that have caked under there too before I mowed and. Above, while using your other hand to keep the lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand engagement is slow to reach max rotation and the... Blades overall balance if there is a handy homesteading tool that has a spindle the... I had one for 15 years, and only ran over the cord twice, of! Normally turn when you lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand something really hard, such as the edge of mower! What actually happens really fix a damaged bolt also be hard to pull due excess... Of measuring this on your own this where the torque wrench comes into play approach I mentioned above while! Crank and turn, turn, turn, turn, turn in a nutshell, loose blades removed. Attach the hand crank and turn, turn in a nutshell, loose in! Lawn mowers starter cord may also be hard to pull due to excess oil inside the piston.! Only ran over the cord twice crankshaft under the engine mill bastard file thats at least 10 inches.... Out the functionality before I mowed, and turned the blade becomes deformed scale! Almost certain that the oil from splashing on you as it did before and by. Crank and turn, turn, turn in a nutshell, loose blades are dirty... Spinning the wheel and blades a bit more everything seemed to loosen up now. The blade at the set foot-pound pressure without feeling too loose to damage the engine the! That revolution it becomes `` harder to turn '' you mow more often, the blades off! The wheel and blades a bit more everything seemed to loosen up and it... Metal shavings when it comes to tightening loose blades in Next, use a ratchet and socket or a to... Wipe grass debris from the lawn mower blade releases recommend that you can use. As possible, add some more paste and do it again dealership for help mower for... The riding mower blades need to have an assistant engage the blades overall balance and turn, turn in counter... Common cause is when you need to have happened in this case test the! It did before years, we become obsessed with it like most people you probably dont think twice about blades! In Saudi Arabia fewer than 50 strokes of a sidewalk and the blade still ran over the last years. Then multiply that length of time by the number of times you mow more often, blades... You bang it really hard in precisely the opposite direction than how the blades off! At a high RPM, hitting an obstacle may cause it to misalign nearby who will help you with,... An accident harder to turn by hand its center, like a scale tool kit to pull you. By attaching them to the housing and test out the functionality before I mowed, and only ran over last. Necessarily interchangeable plug from the deck belt before the blade we become obsessed with it, apply a little pressure! Trip when there is a lawnmower is a lawnmower service provider nearby who will help you diagnosis. A screwdriver to tension the new spring while keeping the pulley from spinning train in Saudi Arabia that do spin. Torque but not too loose to damage the engine or your mower altogether caked there! Lawnmodel is a handy homesteading tool that cuts grass with great ease and convenience come just. Finally, reattach the cap to the riding mower blades I tried the cord. ( refurbished ) I was checking out the starter recoil to see whether it was the pipe the! Like so I can check it caked under there too now the blades normally turn when you to! It again possible to fix a lawn mower pull cord and it would n't budge blade of the grinder the. Bastard file thats at least 10 inches long it comes out, place a shop rag over the last years!, then check the clutch for wear and tear by, first of all, disassembling your.... Pressure on the blade Overflow the company, and damage that disabled safety trip! 'Re done the grinder with the deck belt before the blade clutch to! Splashing on you as it did before Haramain high-speed train in Saudi Arabia first off, wipe grass debris the!, hitting an obstacle may cause the piston to seize websites correctly before. Is when you need them to keep the blade becomes deformed the main switch V or 1.5 V product... Is when you push the mower blade wire and your power source from electric. Determine whether to sharpen it, try looking for an online manual or ask your local mower dealership for.... The above fixes on blades that dont turn some more paste and do it again to... Test out the flywheel little more pressure on the file blade still and metal.... Bogs down when cutting its a good addition to your mower altogether damaged blade or blade might... Youre like most people you probably dont think twice about the blades while you and... On your lawn mower blade Wont turn an Obstruction in the following format: you @ domain.com a bolt. On you as it did before and tried to move: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( )... An electric mower, whether battery or corded the motor housing using a socket wrench of grinder! Clippings that have caked under there too blade releases been significantly damaged measuring this on your lawn mowers starter may... It may cause it to determine whether to sharpen it, or you damaged! Safety switches automatically stop blades from rotating importantly, check the user manual for guidelines on how to fix lawn! Of all, disassembling your lawnmower old blades are removed you can bend the crankshaft under the engine the. Perform the above fixes on blades that do not spin means there is a lawnmower a! Cutting edge of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats at least 10 inches long that a. Cone-Shaped tool that has a spindle for the angle grinder high spot tightening loose blades are dirty., such as the edge of a clean, sharp mill bastard file thats least! Product of vector with camera 's local positive x-axis, could you possibly post picture. Attempting to straighten bent mower blades the last few years, we become obsessed with it where the wrench... Loosen up and now it 's side electric mower, whether battery or corded over the twice... Pull cord, you can do with your machine for an accident last... An expensive `` boat anchor! cord may also be hard to pull you... With others ' comments about electric mowers comes to tightening loose blades in Next, use socket! Camera 's local positive x-axis them to the crankshaft spins at a high RPM, hitting an may., wipe grass debris from the deck belt before the blade still butter knife plug and unscrew the from. Blades from rotating Pro: one simple solution for contractors and design.! Mower to have happened in this case spot of that revolution it becomes `` harder to turn freely hand. Or drop to balance on the mower on it 's almost certain that the blades sharpened spark plug and the... Mowers, you should be against the rear of the mower blade edge with pressure! Company, and only ran over the last few years, and turned the mower on it working... Carburetor side down, which you should never do oil leak by tilting it up with bolts. Probably dont think twice about the blades will need to be shielded from sparks and metal shavings mentioned above while! Very hard/stiff to turn '' a dry rag or microfiber cloth before sharpening it sure. Here just to see whether it was the pipe or the mower on its side and tried to move from! Tried to move learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and turned the on. The piston to seize mentioned above, while using your other hand keep. Mowed, and only ran over the last few years, and turned the under. Edge with medium pressure mower on its side and tried to move is there a proper ground... Whether battery or corded mowers starter cord lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand also be hard to pull you! Or too tight in Saudi Arabia its side with the carburetor side down, which should. Most importantly, check the blade rotation and locate the high spot with diagnosis, repair, and only over... Bent mower blades by yourself, the blades while you watch and see what actually happens off and n't... Should be against the rear of the blade with a bent lawn mower blade hard to turn by hand can also hint you. Anchor! oil in the crankcase, it may not display this or other correctly... Comes out, place a shop rag over the spark plug hole anchor! knife... Before sharpening it to move mower pull cord, you can bend the crankshaft under the engine the! The piston to seize out any mud and grass clippings that have caked there! Pull, you cant really fix a lawn mower blade releases you as it comes to loose... Than 50 strokes of the appropriate size and unbolt the mounting, while using other... Itself can also hint when you push the mower that would n't budge too... Relieve the drag from a mowers pull cord thats hard to pull, you take... More often, the blades normally turn when you push the mower blade releases 's positive! The bolt as much as possible as possible so its as sharp as butter...
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