Hardface for mower blades?

[Rickey]

I was getting tired of having to sharpen mower blades on my Cub 2166 , often several times a year to maintain good consistent cuts.

So as an experiment I applied some hardface coating to a set of worn out blades that were ready for scrapping anyhow.

Can't remember the exact spec, only that it was FCAW wire intended for hardfacing earth engaging equipment.

Attesting to the hardness obtained, this was a bear to get a sharp edge on initially.

This worked nicely never requiring sharpening again , until ... the first serious blade/rock collision which removed most of the hardface coating in one fell swoop.

Maybe I didn't apply the hardface coating correctly?

End of experiment.

 

[spasm3]

Marbain mower blades are harder , last.longer.

I sharpen them with a flap disk.

 

[Rickey]

Marbain mower blades are harder , last.longer.

I sharpen them with a flap disk.

Good intel.

Thanks !

 

[spasm3]

Blue Demon makes a gasless hard face wire. I have not tried it. ( I assume that means flux core).
https://a.co/d/00zBdjBG

 

[shortyb]

The secret to maintaining an "edge" to a mower blade is not to make it razor sharp or grind at a shallow angle. Flap wheel disc over a stone wheel to keep temps down and prevent losing any metal hardness already in the blade. Steeper grind angle and "blunt" the edge slightly with a flat file. I do all of my Honda mulching blades at 40° and they cut well almost all season.

 

[KGMtech]

Many years ago I sold welding stuff, specifically welding rods and tig wires, mig wire wasn't really our thing. I used to sell a hardfacing alloy that laid down with TIG or oxy acy like a brazing rod. 65Rc without any difficulty other than being very expensive. I always explained that if the surface being hardened was really soft (any mild steel) the result of almost any impact was the complete hardening allloy would peel off.

In Canada the mindset was to lay a bead of this stuff on the 2 runners of your snowmobile and then any driving on roads wouldn't damage the runners..the road might get grooved

I know from cutting lawns at the local pilot training airport, that lawnmower blades don't need a sharp edge, just something sort-of shaped like a chisel, but without any fine edge. Grass doesn't need much to cut.

 

[walterjay]

I recommend Gator Blades. They are hard, hard, hard. I mow 3 acres. At the end of the season they are pretty much like they were at the beginning. When I dress them up I use a flap sander and avoid a sharp edge.

 

[Kestas]

I tried the same experiment, with the same results. I now sharpen using a file.

 

[ripcord]

Hard steel is brittle steel. Brittle steel is susceptible to breaking when striking something hard. That's why lawn mower blades are made out of mild steel. Your experience is quite expected, IMO.

 

[spasm3]

Good intel.

Thanks !

https://www.fisherbarton.com/products/turf/marbain/

 

[Skippy722]

Hard steel is brittle steel. Brittle steel is susceptible to breaking when striking something hard. That's why lawn mower blades are made out of mild steel. Your experience is quite expected, IMO.

I'm about to make some out of AR500. 1.5 seasons is all I can get before the sand annihilates them.

 

[Not Sure]

Try the G5 blades they have an even harder tungsten carbide cutting edge. I used to have to sharpen my blades after every other mowing, the G5 blades hold an edge all season. However just like your hard faced blades I am sure they will chip the carbide cutting edge right off if you hit a rock. However they have held up amazingly well to hitting wood like stumps, roots, and big sticks.