E
Elite Edition

How long do lawnmower blades last

Author

David Edwards

Published Apr 26, 2026

Some lawn mower manuals suggest sharpening or replacing blades after every 25 hours of use. Others suggest doing it at least once a year before you first mow.

How often should lawn mower blades be replaced?

A good rule of thumb for the average homeowner is to replace your mower blades annually. You may also think about replacing them if they become damaged. Dig up that product manual if you want a more clear-cut answer. Always make sure to take protective measures whenever sharpening your mower blades at home.

How often should a lawn mower blade be sharpened?

This keeps your mower in good shape and helps to maintain a healthy lawn. However, if you mow more often, the blades will need more attention. On average, a mower blade should be sharpened after every 20 to 25 hours of use time.

How do I know if my lawnmower blade is bad?

  1. Cutting Grass Unevenly. If your grass seems uneven after mowing, that is an indication of dull or damaged blades. …
  2. Dull After Sharpening. You know you are dealing with a complicated matter if the blades do not mow as expected even after sharpening them. …
  3. Look At The Condition of the Blades.

Do lawn mower blades wear out?

Lawn mower blades are made to last a long time but not forever. It can be hard to decide if your blade needs to be replaced or just sharpened.

How much does it cost to sharpen a lawnmower blade?

Depending on the type of your mower, you can expect to pay anywhere between 20 dollars to 60 dollars. If it’s a reel lawn mower you might not even need to take the blades off the mower and sharpen them while they’re attached.

Are new mower blades already sharpened?

As mentioned above, brand new lawn mower blades do not need to be sharpened because they are always sharpened during manufacturing. … However, lawn mower blades do generally need to be sharpened at the beginning of each new season.

How do I know what lawn mower blade I need?

The easiest way to find replacement lawn mower blades is with the OEM number. The OEM number is the numerical part number of the blade assigned by the manufacturer. In most cases, just typing this number with the manufacturer name into a search engine or online store will be enough to bring up some promising results.

Do I need new mower blades?

You’ll know that you need to sharpen your lawn mower blades when the tips of your grass are brown and ragged. When this happens, your grass becomes less capable of storing water and more susceptible to disease. Some lawn mower manuals suggest sharpening or replacing blades after every 25 hours of use.

How long do mulching blades last?

Well as indicated earlier, most mower blades will last about 20-25 hours until they should be sharpened. But in terms of overall lifetime, most blades last at least 100-200 hours total, and some higher quality ones can last even longer, as much as 400 hours.

Article first time published on

How often should lawn mower spark plugs be changed?

For standard lawn mower and small engine maintenance, you should check and/or replace spark plugs: once a season. every 25 hours of use. if your lawn mower our outdoor power equipment won’t start.

Should I sharpen mower blades?

It’s recommended that you sharpen the blade of your lawnmower at least once a year. … Dull blades will roughly rip through grass, leaving behind raggedly torn tips on the ends of the individual grass blades. And that can cause the grass to turn brown and leave your lawn more susceptible to disease and pests.

Can you replace lawn mower blades?

Mower blades can be sharpened several times to extend their life and ensure that your grass gets a healthy cut, but they can only be filed so many times before a blade replacement is necessary. … New mower blades tend to be reasonably priced, and mower blade replacements usually only require the use of a wrench.

How do you sharpen a lawn mower blade without removing it?

  1. Collect the required tools.
  2. Seal the gas tank. …
  3. Tilt the mower and place the wooden block under it on the other side to give it support. …
  4. Clean the blade with water and a steel brush.
  5. Use the angle grinder or flat-file to sharpen the cutting edge slowly.
  6. Lower the mower.

Why does my lawn mower mow better backwards?

A push model that mows grass better when pulled in reverse than pushed forward may need to be sharpened. The forward motion of the wheels is what turns the interlocking blades and, when operated in reverse, the blades turn in reverse.

Do new mower blades need balanced?

The importance of balancing your blades is not so much about the quality of your cut (although it can be in some cases), but more about wear and tear on your mower. Mower blades are spinning 4000 RPMs. … So if you want to get the most life out of your mower… keep the blades balanced!

Why does my lawn mower not cut all the grass?

If your lawn mower is not cutting grass properly, check the deck, wheel adjustor, and blades. … The blade on your mower should be inspected at least once a year and sharpened or replaced as needed. Your lawn will actually tell you when your blade needs to be sharpened if you know what to look for.

Can you sharpen a mulching blade?

Note: Sharpening mulching blades is sometimes more difficult. Mulching blades may have longer or curved cutting edges, and you may need several types of files to sharpen them.

Does Ace sharpen mower blades?

We sharpen a wide range of edges, from lawn mower blades to paper scissors, we’re here to make your cutting experience safe and easy.

Is it better to sharpen or replace mower blade?

Lawn mower blades are built for durability and can usually be salvaged with regular sharpening. However, if you notice large dents and chips on the edge that aren’t smoothed out with a blade sharpener, it’s time to invest in new blades. … If your blades are worn thin, replace them immediately to avoid breakage.

Which mower blade is best?

  1. Toro 22” Recycler Mower Replacement Blade 59534P (only For Toro) …
  2. Maxpower 561739 2-Blade Set For A 46” Cut Craftsman (only For Craftsman, Husqvarna, And Poulan) …
  3. Honda 72531-VH7-000 + 72511-VH7-000 Lawn Mower Blade Set (Only for Honda)

Why does my lawn mower Miss blades of grass?

A strip of uncut grass left in the middle of mowing rows could signal that your lawnmower’s blades are unbalanced or that one or both of them was installed the wrong way. … Ensure that your mower’s blades are on correctly, that both are secured tightly to the mower deck and that both are balanced.

Is mulching better than side discharge?

No. Both side-discharge and mulching mowers leave grass blades behind. However, a mulching blade chops up clippings into finer pieces so they decompose faster and don’t clump as quickly. Using a side-discharge mower you may need to do your own mulching by running over your grass piles multiple times.

Is it bad to run a lawn mower out of gas?

It won’t hurt your lawn mower engine to run it out of fuel. There is no fuel pump to worry about; fuel is fed by gravity. It is considered “best practice” to drain the fuel tank and run the carburetor dry before storing your lawn mower at the end of the season.

Can you use wd40 to clean a spark plug?

WD-40 removes carbon residue and keeps moisture away from spark plugs and spark plug wires. WD stands for Water Displacement, so if your spark plugs are wet or you need to drive moisture away from ignition distributors, for example, WD-40 is a product you should have handy!

How often should you change your lawn mower air filter?

A lawn mower’s air filter keeps dust and other particles from entering your engine. The mower filter should be replaced every three months to keep your lawn mower engine and parts running smoothly.

How much is a riding lawn mower blade?

Riding lawn mower blades cost between $10 and $40. Our price research shows that the length of the blade is not a great differentiator.

Do I really need a torque wrench for lawn mower blade?

A torque wrench is critical for jobs like lawn mower blade fitting and flywheel fitting, as you already know, overtightening these components could cost you an engine.

How should mower blades be?

It’s important that the blade’s cutting edge follows the direction of rotation. The wings of the lawn mower blade will be oriented up toward the mower deck and any writing on the blade will likely be facing away from the deck. If the blade bolt comes with a washer, its concave side will be facing the blade.

What is the torque for a lawn mower blade?

Walk behind mower blades should be installed between 38 and 50 foot pounds of torque. Riding mower blades should be installed between 70 and 90 foot pounds of torque.