Grinding reel mower blades. How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades

Reel Grinding Services

Here at Kenney Machinery, we know that a turf maintenance strategy isn’t complete without utilizing high-quality mowing equipment. Reel mowers, like other types of mowers, must have their blades sharpened regularly in order to provide the best possible results. Kenney Machinery has the reel grinding equipment that you need to help your reel mower work as effectively as possible this upcoming season.

How Often Do Reel Blades Need Grinding?

Ultimately, how often you’ll need to sharpen your reel mower blades will depend on how frequently you use the mower. Typically, you should expect to sharpen your blades after about 20-25 hours of usage.

However, when the time comes to sharpen your blades, you might also notice a decrease in the overall effectiveness of the mower. If it’s taking longer than usual to finish mowing an area, or you’re noticing uneven turf heights right after cutting the area, you likely need to sharpen the reel mower blades.

Benefits of Reel Grinding Services

Sharper Reel Blades

It’s no secret that sharper blades produce higher-quality cuts. Having your reel blades sharpened regularly will help you get through your mowing jobs quicker and more effectively. With sharper blades, you’ll have no trouble efficiently getting through even the thickest of turf.

Healthier Grass and Turf

Reel mower blades will, over time, become dull with continued use. Dull blades can result in poor quality of cut which can cause increased disease pressure on the grass. Regularly sharpening your blades will improve the quality of the cut and help your areas remain healthy and well-maintained.

Additionally, you’ll be able to shorten the time that it takes to finish mowing the area. The less time that it takes to mow your turf, the more you’ll save on gas for your turf equipment.

Less Stress on the Mower

Dull blades do not cut nearly as efficiently as sharp blades. As a result, it will likely take longer to finish mowing an area than it might if your blades were regularly sharpened. As you take longer to finish mowing an area, you’re putting more stress on your mower, time after time. Additional stress can cause you to replace the mower sooner than you otherwise would need to.

The Reel Grinding Process With Kenney Machinery

During reel grinding services, we’ll remove any rust or corrosion that might have accumulated on your reel blades throughout the season. Then, we’ll use our specialty tools and equipment to grind and sharpen the blades. After the grinding process has been completed, we’ll re-check the blades to ensure proper reel-to-bedknife clearance.

Providing your reel blades with grinding services every year will ensure proper cuts and help to decelerate wear and tear that could impact the longevity of your equipment. Contact Kenney Machinery today for reel grinding services in Indiana and Kentucky.

Trust Kenney Machinery

Kenney Machinery has many years of experience in providing customers with the products and services that they need in order to see the highest possible results. We work with industry-leading manufacturers to ensure that all of our customers have access to the best equipment.

Should you be in between a couple of different machines, we’ll discuss your needs with you in detail to help you decide which type of equipment is best suited for your current needs. We understand the importance of using reliable and effective equipment, and we’ll do everything in our power to pair you with the best equipment for your needs.

Contact Kenney Machinery for Reel Grinding Services

The team at Kenney Machinery is passionate about helping organizations create healthy and beautiful landscapes. Whether your grounds include golf courses, sports fields, municipalities, or any other turf area, we’ve got the equipment that you need to get the job done right. We provide reel grinding services throughout Indiana, including Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, and in Western Kentucky.

Contact Kenney Machinery for Reel Grinding Services

The team at Kenney Machinery is passionate about helping organizations create healthy and beautiful landscapes. Whether your grounds include golf courses, sports fields, municipalities, or any other turf area, we’ve got the equipment that you need to get the job done right.

Contact us today to learn more about any of the equipment that we offer.

Sharp blades all season long will give you the cutting edge you need for a healthy, green lawn.

By Bob Vila Staff and Tony Carrick | Updated Jul 18, 2023 11:38 AM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

At the start of growing season, part of the necessary prep every homeowner with hopes of a greener yard tacks (or should tack) onto the to-do list involves the cleaning and sharpening of lawn mower blades. If the blades are left dull, each afternoon spent mowing only rips and chews the grass. Coarsely cut grass doesn’t just look bad; it’s also more vulnerable to pests, disease, and drought. Read on for our step-by-step guide on how to care for your largest landscaping tool, and you’ll reap the benefits of a clean cut all season long.

Types of Mower Blades You Can Sharpen

If you own a walk-behind or ride-on mower, then you can remove and sharpen the blade yourself. Both types have a mowing deck that’s equipped with either one or two blades that spin horizontally around a vertical spindle. Remove each blade by loosening a single nut on the spindle. If you happen to own an old-fashioned reel mower, which uses multiple blades mounted to a cylinder, then you’ll need to take it to a lawn mower repair shop to have the blades sharpened.

Project Overview

Working Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: 0 to 12

Before You Begin

Since this job involves working with a large blade and filing or grinding metal, taking the right safety precautions to protect your hands and eyes is key. You’ll be either filing or grinding the lawn-mower blade to sharpen it, so be sure to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from sparks and tiny shards of metal that might become airborne as you’re working the blade. Since you’ll be using your hands to hold the blade as you sharpen it, you’ll want to wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands.

• Work gloves
• Socket wrench
• Scraper
• Vise
• Safety glasses
• Bastard-cut mill file
• See full list «
• Power drill
• Sharpening stone drill attachment
• Blade balancer

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How To Tell If Your Lawn Mower Blade Needs To Be Sharpened

How often to sharpen lawn mower blades can vary based on use and other factors, but your lawn will tell you if your mower blade is in need of a good sharpening. All you need to do is look for a few telltale signs of a poor cut.

• Ragged cut: A sharp mower blade should slice cleanly through the grass. If it’s leaving a ragged edge, then the blade is tearing grass instead of cutting it.
• Uncut grass: Look carefully at your lawn after you mow it. If there are sections that appear to be pushed down instead of actually cut, then your mower blade is too dull.
• Uneven height: The grass blades should be at consistent height after you mow the yard. If they’re not, then the mower blade isn’t sharp enough to cut cleanly through the grass.
• Nicked blade: In addition to examining your lawn, you should assess the blade itself. If there are noticeable nicks and dents on the blade’s edge, then it needs to be sharpened.

How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades in Less Than an Hour

The type of lawn mower blade sharpener you have in your shed or garage will dictate the best way to sharpen a mower blade. Read on to learn about how to handle this lawn-mower maintenance job using a file, power drill, or bench grinder.

Step 1: Disconnect the spark plug (on a gas mower) or battery (on an electric mower).

This is the most important step in the entire process. Gas mowers start by using centrifugal force, which the user creates by pulling the starter cord. Though very unlikely, it is possible to create that same force by turning the blade. Eliminate any chance of the engine starting by disconnecting the spark plug, which is found on the front of the engine.Those with an electric mower should make sure to either unplug it from its power source or remove the battery if it’s cordless.

Step 2: Remove the blade.

Flip the mower over, so you can access the blade. Holding one side of the blade to keep it from moving, loosen the blade’s mounting nut using your socket wrench. If the nut is on tight or you don’t feel comfortable holding the blade, use a piece of scrap lumber to hold the blade in place so you can loosen the nut.

Step 3: Clean the blade with a metal scraper.

Clean the blade with a scraper and assess its condition. If rocks, branches, and other debris have inflicted deep nicks, you’ll want to replace it. Otherwise, gather the tools you need to sharpen it manually or mechanically.

Step 4: Sharpen the lawn mower blade.

At this point, you have a few options for how to proceed with sharpening, depending on the tools you have at hand.

• How to sharpen lawn mower blades with a file: Clamp the blade horizontally in a vise and run a bastard-cut mill file along the cutting edge, using a one-way down stroke. Follow the existing angle (usually 45 degrees, but you can refer to your owner’s manual for the ideal angle) until the blade has the sharpness of a butter knife. Aim to remove an equal amount of metal from the cutting edge of both ends of the blade. Counting strokes may help you keep track.
• How to sharpen lawn mower blades with a power drill: A faster technique involves a power drill with a sharpening stone attachment. Clamp the blade—cutting side up—in a vise. Secure the sharpening stone in the drill; the stone’s plastic guide should rest against the rear of the blade to ensure the proper cutting angle. Put on safety glasses, turn on the drill, and move the stone from the center of the blade to the tip.
• How to sharpen lawn mower blades with a grinder: The fastest way to sharpen the blade is with a bench grinder. With this method, you’ll need to be careful not to oversharpen the blade or remove too much metal. Oversharpening creates a thin edge, which is easy to damage, and removing too much metal shortens the life of the blade. Hold the blade perpendicular to the rotating wheel as you move it along the cutting edge at the angle of the existing bevel. This throws sparks, so be sure to wear safety glasses. If the blade gets too hot, dip it in a bucket of water to cool it.

Step 5: Check the blade’s balance.

Check the blade’s balance before remounting it, because a lopsided blade will wobble and overtax the mower’s engine. Set a blade balancer on a flat surface and rest the blade on the balancer using the center hole. If the blade dips, use the file, sharpening stone, or grinder to remove metal from the back edge—not the cutting edge—of the heavier side toward the end of the blade.

You can also check the balance by hanging the blade on a wall from a nail through its center hole. If the blade tilts to one side, remove material from that side.

Step 6: Reinstall the blade in the lawn mower.

Reinstall the blade to the spindle under the mower using the mounting nut. Tighten the nut with a socket wrench while holding the blade with one hand. Flip the mower over and reconnect the spark-plug wire or power source, and then get to work!

Final Thoughts

If your lawn mower isn’t cutting it, then it’s probably time to give that blade a good sharpening. This process isn’t difficult if you have the right tools for the job and follow the above instructions. That said, if mower blade sharpening isn’t something you have the tools or time to do yourself, you can have a local lawn mower repair shop sharpen your blade for you for about 15 to 20. If you examine the blade and determine that it’s too worn out or damaged to be sharpened, then you’ll need to purchase a new one that’s compatible with your mower brand and model for about 20 to 25.

How to Sharpen McLane Reel Mower- Best 3 Ways for You

Many people asked how to sharpen McLane reel mower? That’s why we are here today. We try to remove all doubts on this topic.

McLane company started producing reel mower since 1946. Edwin Beard Budding invented the first reel mower in 1830 in England.

Budding’s mower was designed primarily to cut the grass on the sports ground and extensive gardens, which was an excellent alternative to the scythe and got a British patent on August 31, 1830. Reel mower produced by Mclane is very popular and very handy.

In the next portion of this passage, we try to give a step-by-step maintenance procedure so that one can quickly fix his Mclane reel mower. And we tell you how to sharpen McLane reel mower.

How To Sharpen Mclane Reel Mower

A reel mower is a mower in which the blades spin vertically and use a scissoring action to cut the beds of grass.

Big fields like golf courses cut with reel mowers, which usually pulled by a tractor.

But a reel mower pushed by people does not cut very high grass easily. However, once the lawn is under control, the scissor-like cut of a reel mower is good for the garden. Usually, a real mower snips the grass, cutting each blade like a pair of scissors.

It is a precise, clean cut that makes for a healthier and more attractive lawn. Now you can learn how to sharpen Mclane reel mower.

How Many Times Reel Mower Blades Need To Sharp

Reel mower blades need to sharp very rarely. In most cases, inferior blades contact misdiagnosed as a queue to sharpen McLane mower. 90 % of the time McLane reel mower can fix by adjusting the edges so that the modules correctly place.

After several years of use, McLane blades can wear down and get dull. You can sharpen the blade with small stone pieces that snag on the McLane mowing blades. But some other causes responsible for taking the edge off are driving the McLane reel mower over the curbs or just running over rocks.

Gradually as the blades get dull. Then, it gets progressively more challenging to use. The sharp McLane reel mower blades cut more smoothly than flat blades, which are very hard to push.

Way To Sharp The Reel Mower Blades

We must have to take proper safety procedures when we want to sharp Mclane reel mower blades. The maintenance procedure should be run carefully.

There are many comfortable ways, which we may use to sharpen the reel mower blades. One of the most straightforward ways is the back lapping method. To perform this, we have to manage the back-lapping kit. This type of equipment includes a sharpening compound and a handle.

At the first step, it is attaching the handle to a driving gear on the reel mower.

Then it requires to apply a sharpening compound to all of the blades of the mower using a paintbrush.

The next step is cranking the mower backward so that the blades scrape each other down to a smooth edge.

The reverse direction is significant because it minimizes the wear of the blades. Turning the reel mower by hand can take a while and requires massive arm strength. So, for faster results, we should use an electric drill with the proper attachment.

Mclane reel mower can sharp with conventional blades sharpening kits. Still, this traditional sharpening of knife kit is not as effective as a back-lapping sharpening kit, and there is a possibility of over grinding the blades and ruining the mower.

If someone prefers to use a knife sharpening kit, it’s an excellent idea to com disable the machine before sharpening the blades. If the edges are not detachable, then we must have to make sure to pin place blades in place so that it cannot rotate.

In some Mclane, reel mowers have arresting gear that will lock the wheels in place. If our real mower does not have this feature, then putting wooden chock blocks between the blades to prevent them from spinning freely.

While sharpening the blades, we have to be careful about our finger knuckles. It is easy to cut ourselves while applying force on a tiny area. So, it will be rational thinking that to choose a blades howosharpener with finger guards.

There are also more precise sharpening tools that give excellent control over the blade’s angle and deliver a uniform edge.

This type of module sharpener also can use on loopers, secateurs, tree pruners, and other edged tools.

If someone has a power drill, a sharpening attachment may be the most convenient way to sharpen Mclane reel mower blades. Rotary sharpeners fit onto power drills just like drill bits, and they work like polishing brushes. So, let the drill do the work.

Another way to sharp the reel mower blades is to use metal finishing sandpaper. But using this sandpaper to sharpen the reel blades is quite severe. But there are sandpaper appliqués which do an excellent job.

These sharpeners attach to the back blade and brush against the cutting edges as they rotate past.

So, to sharpen the McLane reel mower, all you have to do is to attach the sandpaper and give it to push. To prevent rust and other corrosion of the lawnmower blades, it is necessary to put a light coat of oil on it.

Usually, low acidity vegetable oil is the right choice as it won’t leave any harmful residue on your lawn. And it will protect the edge of the damage.

Conclusion

We learn from the passage that, like any other machine, you can quickly and effectively fix Mclane reel mower by following various procedures. But safety measures must be taken seriously to all methods.

Is this article helpful? Do you have any idea about this topic? Or know any way to sharpen Mclane reel mower? Then comment on the Комментарии и мнения владельцев section and let us know.

We try to inform you how to sharpen McLane reel mower.

How to Sharpen Reel mower Blades – 2 Effective Methods

If you live in a house with a beautiful wide yard, keeping a reel mower is not a choice but a need. Every person wants to keep their lawn clean and beautiful. Reel lawn mowers help you to provide a nicer look to your lawn. They are becoming popular because of their easy usage.

If you are new to them, you must have some questions regarding their functioning and maintenance. In general, reel mowers are cheaper and do not require much effort. But you need to look after their maintenance to keep them in good working condition. This is because the main element in the reel mowers is their blades. Thus, they are required to be kept accordingly. Let’s see a brief on lawnmower’s working before knowing how to sharpen reel mower blades.

How Does a Reel Lawn Mower Work?

Reel lawn mowers are a great option to help you clean your lawn. It comes with a set of revolving curved blades to cut the grass. These blades spin along with the wheels when pushed forward. And when you push forward the mower, its blades graze the ground and meet the grass. This whole process allows the cutting of the unwanted portion of the grass.

Few reel lawn mowers have a collection bin for the unwanted grass. But if your mower does not have one, you should collect the unwanted grass after mowing. And keep it aside to avoid any grunginess.

NOTE: When mowing, be mindful of safety. Make sure that your children do not use this tool in your absence. Always push the tool forward, not backward, and wear proper shoes to avoid any untoward event. Don’t use the reel mower when the grass is wet. It will increase the chances of slipping.

Will Dull Blades Affect My Reel Mower?

Dull blades are explicitly not good for your reel mower and the lawn. When you use the mower with dull blades, it becomes difficult to push it along. Dull blades do not cut the grass but are more likely to push over the grass.

Dull blades will eventually affect your lawn, making them look yellow and brown. Rusty blades can make your lawn look rough and ragged. It can also cause lawn discolouration and even dispose of bacteria and disease. Therefore, it is recommended to sharpen the reel mowers blades at least two to four times a year. Also, before mowing the lawn, make sure to remove stones, sticks, or any hard material from the lawn. This will ensure that your mower blades do not catch any damage while mowing.

How to Sharpen Reel Lawnmower Blades?

The reel mower’s blades are designed to last longer. However, their sharpness might fade with time. Mainly, these two methods are most in use to sharpen the mower’s blades. Go through these methods and learn how to make the blade sharp and effective.

Method 1: How to Sharpen a Reel Mower with a File?

Using a mile file is a great idea for sharpening as it acts as an ideal reel lawn mower blade sharpener. You can easily get the mile file from the nearby store. Below are some easy steps you can follow to sharpen the blade.

• The first step involves choking the blades from spinning. For this, put the reel mower on a large surface, so you have enough space to continue with the process. Make sure to choke the blades to turn on accidentally properly.
• Before filing, clean the blades with a brush or sandpaper to remove any dirt or grass.
• Now, carefully scrap the file between the blades. This will make the dull metal shed and make the blade sharp.
• Repeat this step four to six times. Once you have scraped the file on the front blades, you will need to rotate the cylinder to have the other blade on the front.
• Choke the next blades and file them at least six times.
• Once you have properly filed all the blades, apply some lubricating oil to the blades.

And now you have successfully sharpened the blades using a mile file. Using this lawn mower blade sharpening tool was a bit easy and effective.

Method 2: Sharpening a Reel Mower Blades using Sharpening Compound

Some kinds of sharpening kits are available that contain a sharpening compound to help sharpen the blades. To sharpen the blades using this compound, you need to follow simple steps.

• First, you need to apply the compound on the blades using a brush. You can wear gloves to cover your hands.
• Then, rotate the handle if you are done with applying the compound in the first set of blades.
• After rotating the handle, you should now apply the compound to the next blades.

Now, you have applied the sharpening compound for reel mower well to make your blades sharpen again. This process needs some extra time than the mile file one.

How to Adjust Reel Mower Blades?

Continuous use of any tool requires proper maintenance. With time, the mower or the blades might get rusted and rough. In addition, improper and unbalanced blades can affect the efficiency of the mower blades. If you think your blades are getting dull even if you sharpen them a while ago. Then, do check if they are properly set or need some adjustment.

Unfixed blades can make your work difficult as they will not hash the grass properly. In addition, they will be more likely to leave behind the excess grass. However, if your reel mower blades are unfixed, it’s quite simple to have them adjusted.

As a very first step, you need to put your mower on a table and resist or choke its blade from moving. Then, spin the reel to know the exact level of imbalance. Now, when spinning the reel and hear an unpleasant or scraping sound. You will need to have a tool with you to adjust the blades. For instance, you can use a bed knife tool for fixing the blades.

If the blades are loose and moving too easily, you must adjust them to be close to the cutting bar. And now, if you feel that the blades are in a place where you wanted them to be. You can now tighten the screw on the side of the reel using a screwdriver.

Notably, if you need to bring the blades close to the cutting bar, you will need to tighten the screw. And if you need the blades to move away, you must loosen the screws.

Can you sharpen reel mower with sandpaper?

It is not possible to completely sharpen the reel mower using sandpaper. You can just remove the dust or debris from reel lawnmower using a sandpaper but not sharpening.

How sharp should a lawn mower blade be?

The blades of lawn mower should be sharp enough to cut the leaves or grass, not our hands. They don’t need to be as sharp as razor’s blade. If the blades are more sharp, they need more maintenance.

Final Verdict

A reel mower is a great tool to help you with your garden duty. It is not that complicated to use the mower once you have already operated it. However, despite being a useful tool, it can also be harmful. The blades of the mower are very sharp. Therefore, you need to be attentive while using a reel mower. If you are using it for the first time, ask the manufacturer or the shopkeeper to show you the demo. Be very careful when changing or sharpening the blades about their maintenance. A small negligence can cause a big injury to your fingers. Also, keep your children away from this tool.