If you’re a lawn enthusiast, chances are you know how important it is to have a well-manicured lawn. But did you know that one of the most important aspects of achieving a healthy and beautiful lawn is making sure your lawn mower blades are properly balanced?
You know, lawn mower blade balancers are one of the most important pieces of lawn care equipment that you can have. They help to keep your blades sharp and level, while also keeping them from becoming unbalanced and wobbling around.
Why is it important to keep your lawn mower blades balanced?
If your lawn mower blades are not balanced, it can cause a number of problems. Firstly, it will make your mower harder to push as the blades will be constantly moving around and trying to find their own balance point. This can lead to you having to use more force when pushing the mower and can also cause the engine to work harder as it tries to keep the blades spinning at a consistent speed.
Secondly, unbalanced blades will create an uneven cut on your lawn which can leave your grass looking patchy and un-cared for. Not only does this look unsightly, but it’s also likely that those areas of longer grass will become home to weeds which could then start spreading across your whole lawn.
Finally, if the problem is left unchecked, it could eventually damage other parts of your mower such as the bearings or even the engine itself – so it really is important to keep those blades balanced!
How to tell if your lawn mower blades are unbalanced
Here’s a few unbalanced lawn mower blade symptoms that ensure your mower has unbalanced blades installed.
- Check for Uneven Grass Clippings
One of the easiest ways to tell if your lawn mower blades are unbalanced is by checking for uneven grass clippings. If the Blades Are Unbalance, you will notice that the clippings will be either longer or shorter on one side than they are on the other side. Not only does this look unsightly, but it also means that your lawn isn’t being cut evenly which can cause problems down the road.
- Listen for Strange Noises Coming from Your Lawn Mower
Another way to tell if your lawn mower blades are unbalance is by listening for strange noises coming from your machine while it’s running. If you hear any unusual sounds, such as banging or scraping, then there’s a good chance that the blades aren’t balanced properly and need to be adjusted. - Inspect the Blades for Damage
If you suspect that your lawn mower blades are unbalanced, take a closer look at them to see if there is any visible damage. If you notice any wear and tear, such as bent or chipped blades, then this could be causing the unevenness in your lawn’s appearance. In most cases, damaged blades will need to be replaced in order to solve the problem.
- Vibrating Lawn Mowers
If your lawn mower is vibrating excessively, this could be a sign that the blades are unbalanced. Vibration is caused by the blades spinning at different rates, which can create an imbalanced force that makes the entire machine shake. If you notice that your lawn mower is vibrating more than usual, it’s best to take it to a professional for service or repairs.
By following these simple tips, you should be able to tell if your lawn mower blades are unbalanced and take steps to fix the problem. Remember, unevenly cut grass can lead to other problems down the road, so it’s important to address this issue as soon as possible!
How to balance lawn mower blades?
Here is a step-by-step guide on balancing lawn mower blades:
- Park the mower on a level surface and turn off the engine. Disengage the blade control lever or shut off switch before proceeding.
- Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting of the engine while you’re working on it.
- Tip up the front of the mower so that you can access underneath it easily. Place something under the front wheels to steady them while you work – this could be a couple of sturdy blocks of wood or concrete paving slabs, for example. Alternatively, you could place one end of a 2×4 piece of lumber under each wheel (lengthwise) with enough sticking out at either end so that you can grip them easily when tilting and lifting later on. Make sure whatever you use is stable and won’t slip or slide around while you’re working!
- Locate all 4 bolts which hold down each corner of the plastic housing which covers and protects the blade(s). In most cases there will only be 1 bolt per corner, but some models have 2 bolts per corner -it just depends on how big/heavy duty the plastic housing is. If in doubt, just unscrew all 8 bolts until they are all loose then lift off the entire plastic housing unit as 1 piece. (Be careful not to lose these small bolts as they can sometimes be difficult to find once they hit the ground!) You should now be able to see both blades quite clearly.
- Take a close look at each blade to see if one is significantly longer than the other, or if one has more nicks/gaps in it than the other. These are all indications that 1 blade is sharper/more worn down than the other and will need to be replaced soon. However, even if both blades look quite similar, it’s still a good idea to sharpen them both up with a file or grinder before continuing.
- Once you’re happy that both blades are of a similar length and condition, it’s time to start balancing them out. The easiest way to do this is by using a blade balancer which can be attached temporarily to either side of each blade near the outermost edge. Keep adding metal weights until the 2 blades are perfectly balanced – i.e., they should spin around freely without tilting noticeably to either side when released from your hand.
- Reattach the plastic housing unit (being careful not to drop any small bolts in hard-to-reach places!) and tighten down all 8 bolts until they’re snug but not overly tight – you don’t want to strip any threads here!
- Double check that everything looks good before reattaching the spark plug wire and giving her a test run on some flat ground. It should sound much smoother now with no strange vibrations coming from underneath!
Tips:
** Before starting work, wear hand gloves.
** Try to use a wrench
** Remove spark plug before starting work
** Remove all existing fuel. Whatever gas or other oil.
** Find a level surface.
How to balance mower blade with star hole?
1) First, check to see if there is an existing hole in the center of the blade. If not, you’ll need to create one using a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the star washer on your balancing kit.
2) Next, place the star washer over the hole in the center of the blade and secure it with a nut and bolt. Make sure that these are tightened down all the way so that they don’t come loose while you’re working.
3) Now take your balance kit and find where the pointy end goes into the nut on top of the washer. The thicker side of the IRIS will be facing outward and should fit snugly against the outside edge of the mower blade with no gaps in between. If there are any gaping holes between your balancer and the mower blade, simply trim off the excess until it fits snugly all around the circumference of the blade.
4) Finally, use the screws on the side of the balance kit to slowly lower the star washer down onto the sharpening stone until it just barely touches. This is how you achieve a perfect balance and will result in a much smoother lawn mowing experience overall!
How to balance a lawn mower blade without a balancer?
If you don’t have a blade balancer, there are still ways to get the job done. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to balance a lawn mower blade without a balancer (homemade process):
What You’ll Need:
-a piece of cardboard or plywood
-a block of wood (optional)
-tape measure
-pencil or marker
-lawn mower blade
Instructions:
- First, find a level spot outdoors to do this project. It’s best to avoid concrete because it’s harder on the blades if they hit while spinning. Grass is ideal. If you don’t have grass, use a piece of cardboard or plywood as a cutting surface. Place something underneath it to elevate it off the ground if necessary, so the lawn mower deck doesn’t touch when the blade is spinning freely.
- Place the block of wood horizontally across two saw horses so that one end extends out over an edge slightly.
- Using the tape measurer and pencil/marker, note at what point the center of gravity lies. Then place another mark an equal distance from the first button opposite side.
- Now take your lawnmower blade and balance it across your fulcrum so that each end hangs down equally far. This may take some trial and error to get right, but once you do place a mark on this top dead center point again using tape measure and pencil/marker.
- Next take your piece of cardboard or plywood and place it flush up the stone side of the blade then gently spin blade on its axis. The goal here is to spin the blade fast enough that it will stay but not so slowly that the weight pulls it down against the board. When done correctly, blades should be level as possible if not completely level then with very slightly away from board.
- Finally, remove the board carefully and try not to touch or disturb the blade. Now all you have left to do is enjoy a much smoother cut thanks to a balanced lawnmower each time you use it.
What is the best lawn mower blade balancer in the market?
There are a few different types of lawn mower blade balancers on the market, but which one is the best? Here is a list of the best lawn mower blade balancers:
- Oregon Precision Blade Balancer- 42-047 (High Pricey)
This product comes with a complete kit for balancing lawn mower blades. It includes a bar, weights, and an instructional video. This product is easy to use and will help prolong the life of your lawn mower blades. Also supports all kinds of mower blades. - MAG-1000 (Professional Quality)
This tool makes balancing lawn mower blades quick and easy. It has a durable construction and can be used on any make or model of lawn mower. This product is perfect for both home and professional users alike. - Oregon Precision Blade Balancer (Adorable Price)
This tool is designed for use with all major brands of riding lawn mowers, including John Deere, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, harbor freight and more!
Tips for keeping your lawn mower blades balanced
It’s important to keep your lawn mower blades balanced. This helps your mower run more smoothly, and it prevents damage to the blade and the rest of the mower. Here are some tips for keeping your lawn mower blades balanced:
- Inspect the blades regularly. Check for any cracks, chips or other damage that could throw off the balance of the blade.
- When you replace the blade, make sure it’s properly installed and tightened down. An unbalanced or loose blade can cause vibration and damage to your lawn mower.
- If you hit a rock or something else while cutting grass, stop immediately and inspect the blade for damage. A damaged blade will need to be replaced or repaired before using again.
- There are some commercial products available that can help keep your lawn mower blades balanced. These products usually attach to the underside of the mower deck and help dampen vibration caused by an unbalanced blade.
Community Ask Questions and Answers:
Do new lawn mower blades need to be balanced?
The answer is yes, they need to be balanced before starting lawn grass cutting.
Do I need a torque wrench for lawn mower blade?
While you have to enough tighten your mower blade and want to save energy, you should always have a torque wrench. It’s a quiet good idea for any lawn enthusiast.
Is it the right plan to over tighten my lawnmower blades?
Awkwardly, you may over-tighten the lawnmower’s blade if you are not cautious at all. This process can harm your lawnmower blade itself most of the time.
Conclusion
The lawn mower blade balancer tool makes our work easier. Now you know all the benefits of it and how to use it. Just keep your eyes on the article and follow all the instructions. You may do what you want to do. Be careful while sharpening the cutting edge.