How to Change Your Lawn Mower Blades

Is your lawn mower cutting grass a little raggedly? If so, chances are the blade is a bit dull. Instead of taking it to someone and having them do the work fro you, why not learn how to change your lawn mower blades yourself? It's such an easy task that just about anyone can really do it. Just be sure that you follow the directions listed here carefully, or you could easily find yourself damaging either your lawn mower or yourself.

1. Turn it off! Before you begin doing any work on your lawn mower you need to make sure that it is completely turned off. This rather simple safety precaution may sound a little rudimentary, but you would be surprised at how many people forget to do this and end up getting hurt. Once you have done this, make sure that you empty the gas tank of the lawn mower. This will help prevent any gas leaks or spills later on.
2. Clear the deck. Take a little time and begin clearing away any dirt and debris that you may find on the deck area of your mower. Typically this is the area that looks like the "top" of the mower when you look at it. Simply cleaning the deck will give you a much easier time of the whole process and help ensure that something doesn't accidentally get caught where it shouldn't. While you are doing this, make sure that you check to ensure that the oil cap is nice and secure.
3. Get into the blade compartment. As it is usually the easiest way to get into the blade compartment, turn your lawn mower over. Another way that you can usually access the blade compartment is to remove the deck completely, but often times it is simply a whole lot easier to turn the mower over.
4. Grab some wood. Grab a block of wood that will fit snugly between the blade and the deck. Place this block of wood between the blade and the deck to ensure that the blades do not turn while you are removing the bolt that holds it in place.
5. Loosen and remove the old blade. Locate the bolt or nut that holds the blade in place. Once you have it located, grab a hold of socket that will fit the bolt or nut, and then begin to loosen it. Continue to loosen the nut until it comes off completely. Once the nut is off, remove the blade from the spindle that it is resting on. Set aside the old blade.
6. Replace and tighten the new blade. Grab hold of the new blade, and put it onto the spindle. Make sure that you are putting it on in reverse order of how you took off the old blade. Tighten the bolt by hand, place the block of wood under the blade, then continue tightening the bolt with the socket. Once it is tightened fully, remove the block of wood and you are finished.