Lawn mower shaft removal. How Do I Sharpen the Blades on My Riding Lawn Mower

14th August 2023

How Do I Sharpen the Blades on My Riding Lawn Mower?

It’s important to sharpen or replace the lawn mower blade(s) on your riding mower at least once a year, as this provides a deep, even cut over the entire lawn. With riding mowers equipped with twin blades, maintaining blade quality and blade tolerances are important, as the exact tolerances are calculated to provide a premium cut.

Troy-Bilt mower blades are professionally designed by a team of engineers. who precisely select the lift, length and cutting edge of the blades to provide the best performance of the mower. Additionally, blades are tested within a narrow range of specifications to provide a smooth and even cut.

The instructions that follow detail how to sharpen and change the blades on some models of Troy-Bilt riding mowers. For video instructions on how to change the blade on a walk-behind mower, see How to Change Your Walk-Behind Mower Blade. And, see How to Change a Riding Mower Blade for video instructions on changing the blade on your riding mower.

Depending on your model, the following guide on how to sharpen riding mower blades and Troy-Bilt lawn mower blade removal instructions may vary slightly. Always be sure to consult your operator’s manual for detailed instructions.

Sharpen or Replace Riding Mower Blades

Be aware that riders with twin-bladed mower decks may need to have their blades replaced once they have been sharpened past calculated tolerances. On many models of Troy-Bilt riding mowers, the blades need to cross each other while achieving a tip-to-tip contact of within 1/8 of each other when moving.

When lawn mower blades have been sharpened multiple times, so that this gap is larger than 1/8. homeowners may notice a decrease in cut quality, since the blade’s edges may have recessed, allowing for a greater gap between the blades as well as at the outside edge of the deck. When this happens, the blades should be replaced, rather than sharpened further.

How to Remove, Sharpen and Replace Troy-Bilt Riding Mower Blades

To replace and sharpen the blades on a riding mower, follow these steps:

Turn the mower off and make sure the engine is cool. Remove the ignition key and disconnect the spark plug ignition wire. Engage the parking brake and chock the back wheels. Be sure the PTO lever is disengaged.
Put the deck height lever in its highest position.
To access the blades on a riding mower, it’s best to use a mower jack so you can easily elevate the mower, and safely tend to and remove the mower blades. Another option is to remove the cutting deck:

To remove the cutting deck, place a block of wood under the deck’s edge for support, then lower the deck to the wooden block.
Remove the belt keeper from around the engine pulley by removing the self-tapping screw.
Remove the belt from the engine pulley.
Remove the bow-tie clip from the left rear side of the mower deck and carefully remove the hanger rod.
Repeat steps on right side of mower deck.
Remove the bow-tie clip to release the PTO cable from the bracket and release the tension spring from the idler arm.
Remove the wooden block.
Remove the bow-tie clip to release the PTO cable from the bracket and release the tension spring from the idler arm.
Slide the deck out from under the mower.
Turn the deck over to expose the blades.

Attach the tension spring to the idler arm and insert PTO cable into the bracket. Insert bow-tie clip.
Slide the deck lift rod into the mounting bracket and insert the bow-tie clip into the stabilizer rod.
Attach the hanger rod, then insert bow-tie clips on the left and right side of the mower.
Route the belt onto the engine pulley.
Attach the belt keeper around the engine pulley by inserting the self-tapping screws.

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How to Change a Lawn Mower Blade

This article was co-authored by Grant Wallace. Grant Wallace is a Landscaper and Owner of Grantlanta Lawn in Atlanta, Georgia. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in lawn maintenance and landscape installation. In 2012, he earned his BA from the University of West Georgia. Grant has been profiled in Shoutout Atlanta, Canvas Rebel, and Voyage ATL.

This article has been viewed 387,460 times.

If you’re noticing missed patches in grass you know you mowed over, your mower just isn’t cutting it any more. Blades wear out with use and need to be changed occasionally to make your mower more efficient. You’ll keep your lawn healthier and you’ll need to mow less frequently with sharp, clean blades. Replacing them is an easy project that won’t take up much time, as long as you approach it correctly. See Step 1 for more information.

Inspecting and Removing Old Blades

It’s also best to do this when there’s no gas in the mower. Wait until you use it all up to change the blade, or you might consider draining out the gas with syphon hose. Typically, self-syphon pumps are sold at any hardware or automotive parts store. This prevents gas spillage onto the mower body.

Unplug the spark plug. It’s best to stay on the safe side and prevent a short-out or electrical flare-up if any oil or gas should come in contact with the spark plug. It shouldn’t be a problem if you hold the mower properly, but it’s still best to be on the safe side. [2] X Research source

Pay attention to the position of the blade as you’re removing it. You’ll mount the new one in the same orientation, usually with the sharp edge of the blade going counter-clockwise with the turning of the assembly. Again, this may not be true on all mowers, so pay attention to the way this blade is installed and install the new blade accordingly.

Installing New Blades

Some mowers feature a bottom cap on which two shorter separate blades are attached, while some newer push mowers feature a single longer blade, that looks kind of like a ruler. Tilt the mower back to inspect the blade, or talk to someone at the hardware store about the type of blade appropriate for your brand of mower. You can also check in the owner’s manual, if you have it. [4] X Research source
Alternatively, you can salvage the old blades and have them sharpened if they seem to be in decent condition. If the blades are worn out, with chips or chunks out of the metal, it’s probably wise to get a new set.
Most blades are either specific or universal fit. Be sure you have the same length as the old blade before mounting the new one, and make sure the clearance from the lawn mower deck is the same. Tighten the new blade onto the bolts carefully, since it’ll likely be much sharper than the old one.
It’s a good idea to wear thick mechanic gloves when doing the job, to keep your hands safe. It’s also advisable to use a small piece of wood to stop up the blade from turning while you reinstall it. You can jam a small piece of wood between the blade and the mower deck to keep things from turning. [6] X Research source

Check the blade for play. Be sure the blade is mounted correctly and has no wobble when you move it up and down, firmly. Remove any jacks or props used to hold mower in place and wait about 30-60 minutes for oil to return to motor to prevent issues or motor damage. Check the oil before use to ensure it is within the proper limits.

After a quick inspection, you should be able to start up your mower and start cutting that grass much more efficiently with your new blades.

Expert QA

Grant Wallace is a Landscaper and Owner of Grantlanta Lawn in Atlanta, Georgia. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in lawn maintenance and landscape installation. In 2012, he earned his BA from the University of West Georgia. Grant has been profiled in Shoutout Atlanta, Canvas Rebel, and Voyage ATL.

Residential homeowners who only mow their grass a couple of times a month only need to sharpen their mower blades about once or twice a year. To check your blades manually, remove the spark plug from the mower and run your finger along the blade. If it feels dull or round, it likely needs to be sharpened.

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It depends on the definition of stripped. Is it the head of the bolt or the threads? If it’s the head of the bolt it may be tricky, but an EZ out and a drill tap would get the job done, or a good pair of strong vice grips and a little heat from a propane torch should also assist with removing the bolt. If it’s stripped threads on the bolt then probably take the bolt to your local hardware store and get an exact copy of the bolt depending on the threads (if it’s coarse, fine or whatever). I am fairly certain it’s a 3/8 fine thread on lawnmower blades, though.

How to remove a stubborn mower blade nut

The sharp edge of the blade should be installed facing the grass. If the blades have tabs to fit into the housing, then go ahead and fit the tabs into the housing around the shaft. Always wear gloves though (preferably leather).

How To Remove A Pulley From A Mower Spindle (6 Easy Steps)

Lawnmowers rely on numerous components working in unison in order to deliver the performance expected of them. If even one of those components is not working properly, you may encounter issues while trying to maintain your yard.

Among the lawnmower components that may suffer from some issues is the pulley. If that does indeed happen, you must fix the issue right away. You don’t want to end up stuck with a poorly performing lawnmower after all.

To remove the pulley, you first have to remove the deck and the process varies depending on the lawnmower model. After that, use an impact driver or a wrench to remove the pulley mounting nut. You should now be able to lift out the pulley from the spindle shaft.

Lawnmower repair can be intimidating. Still, it’s a process you can handle safely on your own as long as you follow the right steps. Find out what those steps are and other important topics related to lawn mowers by continuing with this article.

The Problems That Could Affect Your Lawnmower’s Pulley

As you would expect from a machine often tasked with yard work, the lawnmower is prone to having mechanical issues. The pulley is a part of the lawnmower that is likely to experience those troubles. Let’s discuss some of those problems now.

Accumulated Clippings and Debris

Probably the most common issue that affects lawn mower pulleys is the accumulation of grass clippings and debris. This is pretty hard to avoid if you use your lawnmower with any sort of regularity. The more you use it, the more debris and grass clippings are going to slip inside and cause problems.

You may be able to remove some of the debris and grass clippings without getting inside the pulley. However, some of the foreign materials that have made their way into the mower may be lodged in there good. The only option may be to remove the pulley and clean it and the belt thoroughly.

Mounting Issues

After cleaning out your lawnmower last time, you may have made a mistake while putting it back together. To be more specific, the bearing mount that could affect the pulley shaft may be loose.

Loose bearing mounts are going to make their presence felt while mowing. They’ll saddle you with all kinds of annoying issues. You’ll have to go inside the mower to make the required fixes.

Inadequate Bearing Lubrication

Speaking of the bearing, that could also cause issues for the lawnmower pulley if it’s not adequately lubricated. It’s easy to forget about that important part of maintenance. Your lawn mower will be sure to remind you if it’s a matter you’ve neglected though.

Improper Belt Placement

The belt that wraps around the pulley of your lawnmower is critical to the whole machine functioning properly. If it’s not installed the right way, the lawnmower won’t be able to work as designed.

The tension of the belt could be too low thus causing it to constantly slip out of position. You’ll have to fix that problem before you can start using your lawnmower properly again.

Damaged Spindle Shaft

The spindle shaft the pulley’s resting on is not immune to having problems. Gradual wear and tear could cause it to bend and move out of position. Replacing that shaft is necessary, but you’ll have to remove the pulley first.

How Can You Tell if There’s a Problem Affecting Your Lawnmower’s Pulley?

Issues affecting your lawnmower and its pulley can grow significantly worse over time. If you don’t want to spring for a new lawnmower earlier than expected, you need to monitor it closely.

In this section, we’ll discuss some of the signs indicating that the lawnmower pulley is having some problems. Watch out for them as they are telling you something important.

The Lawnmower Is Making a Lot of Noise

Arguably the most obvious sign that the lawnmower pulley is having some trouble is excessive noise. Things can get really loud when something’s wrong with the pulley. It may get to the point where it’s impossible not to notice.

At first, you’ll likely hear loud grinding noises. They will be hard to miss. If you don’t do something about those noises right away, they may turn into loud squeals.

Mowing the lawn can be tiring, but some also find it to be a somewhat relaxing experience. You’re not going to experience any sort of relaxation with all the noise coming from your lawnmower.

The Lawnmower Is Moving Slowly or Seizes Up

The lawnmower stopping from time to time is another indicator of a faulty pulley. The shaft being damaged or the bearing having some problems could lead to the pulley itself not functioning properly. You have to fix those components first before the lawnmower can return to normal.

The Lawnmower’s Pulley Is Visibly Damaged

If the lawn mower’s making plenty of noise and freezing up, you must take a closer look to see what’s wrong. Upon doing so, you’ll likely notice the damaged belt and/or pulley. This isn’t really a warning sign and is instead more of a confirmation that there’s a problem.

How to Remove the Pulley from Your Lawnmower’s Spindle

Removing the pulley properly is something you must know if you want to get better at lawn mower repair. Check out the steps included in this section so you can handle the process yourself with no problem.

Step 1: Prepare the Tools for Pulley Removal

It may surprise you to learn that removing the lawn mower pulley doesn’t necessitate the usage of many tools. Often, a single wrench or impact driver will do. There are even some pulleys that can be removed without the help of any tool.

You may also want to prepare a stopper of sorts. A block of wood or brick will do.

Step 2: Switch Off Your Lawnmower Completely

Before you start working on the lawnmower, make sure that it is completely shut off. Turn off the ignition and remove the key. Switch off the clutch too.

There’s no such thing as working too cautiously when it comes to lawnmowers. Make sure that it is completely off before you even get started. Also, don’t forget to lower the mower deck during this step.

Step 3: Detach the Mower Deck

This next step is tricky because we cannot detail the things you need to do completely. Lawnmowers are designed differently, meaning their mower decks may also be attached in dissimilar ways.

How To Quickly Sharpen A Lawn Mower Blade (With An Angle Grinder)

In order to remove your lawn mower’s deck, you’ll have to check the owner’s manual. Just follow the instructions included there. The good news is that most mower decks can be detached without using any tools.

Step 4: Put the Lawnmower in a Safer and Accessible Working Position

With the mower deck removed, slide it out from under the lawnmower so you can reach the pulley easily. This is also a good time to secure the blades so they don’t accidentally go in motion.

Place some kind of stopper next to the blade to keep it stationary. You can use the brick or the block of wood you prepared earlier.

Step 5: Remove the Pulley Mounting Nut

You should now be able to remove the pulley mounting nut. Using an impact driver is recommended because it can remove the mounting nut faster. If you don’t have an impact driver, a wrench and some elbow grease will work just fine.

Step 6: Lift the Pulley Out of Position

All that’s left to do now is to remove the pulley from its position. Simply slide away the belt and then lift it up away from the spindle shaft.

How To Remove A Stuck Blade Bolt On A Lawn Mower?

Replacing the blade on your lawnmower is a fantastic way to make your mower cut like a new machine. Knowing this, you’ve gone out to buy a new blade, and you’re excited to see the difference on your lawn. But, unfortunately, you have to win the war against the blade bolt first to get the old blade off.

There are several options to remove a stuck blade bolt. The easiest method is to use an impact wrench. If you cant get your hands on one, you can use a socket tool with an extended bar, a vice grip, or a chisel and hammer. Heating up the bolt is also a good way of loosening it.

Knowing which options you have to remove that stubborn bolt can save you a whole lot of frustration.

However, you need to keep some of the safety risks involved in mind to avoid coming out the other end of the struggle missing a few fingers.

Why Lawnmower Bolts Get Stuck?

The best way to loosen a stuck blade bolt is to try and avoid it getting stuck in the first place.

Almost all lawnmowers will come with specifications on how tight a blade bolt must be. That being said, most blade bolts are over-tightened.

Add to that the bolt may tighten further with use and become corroded, and you are left with a rock-hard problem.

There is a way to avoid this by using three steps:

Firstly, lubricate the bolt with WD40 before tightening it (I suggest regular lubrication after that).
Secondly, use a torque wrench to avoid over-tightening the bolt.
Finally, clean the bottom of the mower after every use. The moist grass that sticks to the bottom of the mower deck is the main contributor to corrosion.

If these steps weren’t taken, you would likely be left with a stuck bolt and the challenge of removing it.

Three Important Steps Before Removing The Blade Bolt

Before you even get to the actual task at hand, there are two essential steps you need to take to protect yourself as well as your lawnmower from unintentional damage. The final step will just make the process a little easier.

Disconnect The Spark Plug

Perhaps you are unaware that working underneath your lawnmower’s deck is really dangerous. Don’t be too surprised; you are not alone.

The lawnmower blade is connected to the engine via a drive shaft which means that when you turn the blade manually, you are also turning over the engine. However, turn it hard enough and you can actually create enough compression and spark to start the engine, costing you a hand.

As terrifying as that thought is, you can quickly mitigate the risk by disconnecting the spark plug cable. No spark means there is no way for the engine to accidentally start which you are turning the blade.

Drain The Fuel And Oil

This is an optional step, depending on which way you will tilt your mower to gain access to the blade bold.

Your lawnmower will likely have a picture on it or stipulate safe ways to tilt it in the manual. However, if you are unsure, just drain the fuel and oil.

For example, my lawnmower doesn’t like being tilted on its side because it allows for fuel to flow freely through the system and mix with the oil. Once the fuel has mixed with the oil, you run the risk of running the engine permanently.

Draining the fuel and oil before fighting with the bolt frees you to position the mower in the most comfortable and efficient position.

Clean The Bolt

Finally, with your spark plug disconnected and liquids drained, you can go ahead and tilt the mower.

The final thing you want to do before fighting with the bolt is to take a steel-wire brush and get that bolt as clean as possible.

After cleaning, apply some WD40, allowing it to drain into the bolt’s thread.

Removing Stuck Blade Bolt

With the preparation out the way, you are ready to work through the list of options to get the bolt free.

Option 1: Use An Impact Wrench

If you own an impact wrench of just about any type, your fight will likely be a short one. Provided that the bolt is not stripped, that is. Simply slap on the right-sized adapter, and you’re good to go.

If you are using an impact driver, and the power is a little lacking to get the bolt free, you may need to try some of the other steps on this list.

Option 2: Use A Socket Wrench And Extension Bar

The most common option in terms of accessibility to tools is using a socket wrench. However, if you don’t have a socket wrench, you can use a regular wrench (or spanner as we call them in South Africa).

Firstly, get a wooden block and place it between the blade and the cutting deck to secure the blade in place. You will need to set it so that when you are applying tension on the wrench, the blade doesn’t turn.

Most blade bolts have right-handed thread, meaning that you will need to turn it anti-clockwise to get it loose.

Next, you will need leverage to get that bolt off, and the standard length of a wrench handle is unlikely to cut.

If you have a breaker bar, you’re good to go. If you don’t, or if you’re not using a socket wrench, you can use a length of steel pipe. Slide the pipe over the wrench handle to lengthen it and give you leverage.

Option 3: Use A Vice Grip

If the bolt is slightly stripped, or if you can’t find a pipe for leverage, the vice grip option may be the best for you.

All you need to do is attached the vice grip to the bolt as firmly as possible. Then, using a hammer (preferably a rubber mallet), tap the end of the vice grip to turn the bolt in an anti-clockwise direction.

As soon as the bolt starts to turn, you can go back to the socket wrench.

Option 4: Use A Hammer And A Chisel

If even the vice grip option fails, and you have a pretty severely stripped bolt head on your hands, you can try using a hammer and a chisel.

Place the chisel on top of the bolt (on the side you want to turn the bolt). In other words, if you need to turn the bolt anti-clockwise, you need to place it on the top left corner when viewed from the front.

Hold the chisel in place and tap it with the hammer to dig into the bolt and, if successful, loosen it.

Option 6: Weld An Additional Bolt

If the blade bolt is too stripped and refuses to budge with the chisel, your last option is to weld an additional bolt onto it. This bolt will give you a non-stripped head where you can get a grip.

Just be aware that you need to do a proper job with welding. You don’t want the new bolt to break off, and you also don’t want to accidentally tack the blade bolt onto the blade.

Bonus Tip: Use Heat

Along with any of the above options, you can also use a blow torch to heat up the bolt, which will help a great deal to get it to loosen up.

Here is a video showing all the options you have at your disposal:

Conclusion

Having a seized-up and corroded blade bolt can be a real headache to loosen, but fortunately, there are several tricks available. If a traditional wrench fails, you can use a vice grip, a hammer-and-chisel, or even weld on an additional bolt for increased grip.

However, I advise that you care for your lawnmower in such a way that you prevent corrosion around the blade bolt, making it easy to remove the next time you need to swap out the blade.

Want to change lawn mower deck, don’t know how, check this post out.

Author

Jason is an expert writer and is passionate about Smart Homes and Home Improvements writing as well as lifestyle and Lawn Care. He spent the past twelve years living in Hawaii, where he worked closely alongside event planners and resort owners to perfect his knowledge of luxury products and aesthetics. He discovered his passion for DIY projects and home improvement there. Currently, he lives in Washington D.C with his family and 2 pets. View all posts

Sources:

https://www.troybilt.com/en_US/knowledge-tb-how-to-sharpen-and-care-for-riding-mower-blade.html
https://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Lawn-Mower-Blade
https://upgradedhome.com/how-to-remove-a-pulley-from-a-mower-spindle/
https://howtl.com/remove-stuck-blade-bolt-on-a-lawn-mower/

Lawn Mowers lawn, mower, removal, shaft