Lawn Mower Balde - Sharpen & Balance

[Linctex]

Originally Posted by EricG

Don't over-think it. Less than $5! https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Mower-Blade-Balancer-42-100/dp/B000VYFOJM

Same here ...I inherited my grandfather's one.

 

[djb]

The bearing doesn't have much to do with it. You are moving the pivot point closer to the center of mass. That's going to make it more sensitive to imbalance.

 

[oilpsi2high]

I've always just used a metal file and a long bolt for balancing. Wait until it starts "shredding" the grass rather than slicing it off cleanly. Annual sharpening is overkill IMO.

 

[andyd]

.A blade that's off balance creates more wear & stress on the engine crank & main bearings (or deck bearings), not to mention vibrates the mower apart, makes your hands tingle, etc. I suppose, But unless the mower has a visibly bent blade or a bent crankshaft , It hasn't been an issue Ive encountered yet

 

[MasterSolenoid]

I just wanted to find out how balanced I could make the Blade, even if it doesn't improve performance. I checked a 'new' Blade and it was off. Initial balance / right side is heavy 2" x 3" piece of paper levels the Blade / so not much needs to come off Final result / repeatability was exceptable To remove such a small amount of metal, I filed a corner, not the cutting edge

 

[edwardh1]

clamp a nail in a vice, put blade on that

 

[AnthemBassMan]

Originally Posted by Kira

We lay a dowel down and set the blade atop as if making a see-saw. I like the Oregon cone EricG linked to. It's how the Sunoco station used to balance our tires.

I do the same thing. Lay the blade on a dowel or 12" extension and center it in the mounting hole. If it stays level, it's balanced. L8R, Matt

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted by atikovi

Why balance mower blades? It's just a pound or two of solid uniform steel. If it's so bent out of shape, you need a new one.

Do you have tires balanced? Same thing but more critical. Being bent has nothing to do with balance. Someone who sharpens a blade and not balances it, doesn't know what they are doing and probably shouldn't be operating power equipment.

 

[ABursell]

Originally Posted by Lubener

Originally Posted by atikovi

Why balance mower blades? It's just a pound or two of solid uniform steel. If it's so bent out of shape, you need a new one.

Do you have tires balanced? Same thing but more critical. Being bent has nothing to do with balance. Someone who sharpens a blade and not balances it, doesn't know what they are doing and probably shouldn't be operating power equipment.

I agree that balancing is better - it just makes semse. But it's safe to say the majority of people don't sharpen blades (as in, no maintenance required to a machine at all), the majority of those who do sharpen blades don't balance, and even some (maybe all?) new blades come unbalanced. So how much difference does it actually make?

 

[4WD]

Originally Posted by MrMoody

1. Even if they're cheap, it's a shame to waste them. 2. Even the new ones have doubtful balance.

$30 for the set I just ordered and $12 for the balancer and grinder wheel … I should be able to wear out the entire machine with those two sets … If I don't stop the vibration … sooner I'm thinking … (and mine is shaking) … Think it will be better for the grass too if I do better at this …

 

[5AcresAndAFool]

Originally Posted by LoneRanger

Mower blades are throw away items now days, like everything else. China.

Honestly I have not had a hard time finding Made In USA mower blades. All the John Deere blades I purchased were made in Usa as well as the aftermarket blades for those mowers. I just bought a new set for our 2003 Honda Harmony and they were made in the USA as well.

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted by MrMoody

Originally Posted by atikovi

Why balance mower blades?

A blade that's off balance creates more wear & stress on the engine crank & main bearings (or deck bearings), not to mention vibrates the mower apart, makes your hands tingle, etc.

I wonder if he thinks the same way regarding his tires.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

Originally Posted by 4WD

Originally Posted by MrMoody

1. Even if they're cheap, it's a shame to waste them. 2. Even the new ones have doubtful balance.

$30 for the set I just ordered and $12 for the balancer and grinder wheel … I should be able to wear out the entire machine with those two sets … If I don't stop the vibration … sooner I'm thinking … (and mine is shaking) … Think it will be better for the grass too if I do better at this …

If you have that much vibration, check your Spindle Bearings.