I’m a big, big fan of valuing my time. I’m an even bigger fan of paying someone to do something, even if I can do it, when I think that my time is worth more to me than what I’m paying.
That’s why I’ve paid someone to cut my lawn for the last two years or so. That is until we recently needed a new septic tank…
Since the money tree in the backyard must have been taken by the previous owners, it’s back to doing some things around the house that I previously paid people to take care of.
Cutting the grass being near the top of the list.
Getting Back In The Groove
Like I mentioned, it had been about two years or so since I cut the grass myself and the lawnmower hasn’t been fired up once in that time. But, being the truly gifted mechanic that I am (he says tongue firmly placed in cheek), I was able to get it running without much trouble. Internal combustion engines really only need three things – fuel, air and ignition. Make sure that your engine gets those three things and you’ll cure 90% of what ails you when it comes to engine trouble.
But, after a cut or two, I was noticing that the blades of grass just weren’t getting a clean cut to them. A quick look under the lawnmower showed that the blade was in pretty rough shape. Time for a replacement.
Basics Of Changing A Lawnmower Blade
For just about the price I paid for a weekly lawn service, I was able to bring my lawnmower back into top form. Here’s how I did it:
- Safety first – you want to rule out the possibility of a rogue start-up while your working on the blade so disconnect the spark plug.
- As you tilt the lawnmower on its side, you’re going to want to catch the fuel as it spills out. Make sure you have a catch pan underneath the fuel cap. If the pan is clean, you can probably reuse the fuel. If not, make sure you properly dispose of it.
- Using a sturdy glove to protect your hand from the blade, take a first grasp of it with one hand. With the other hand, use your socket wrench or box end wrench to loosen the bolt holding the blade on.
- Once the bolt is loose, remove it from the drive. The blade should pop off at this point.
- Place the new blade back on making sure that the sharp edge is on the bottom side where it will cut the grass.
- Hand tighten the bolt and align any washers that you may need. I was able to reuse the centering plate that came on my mower, but you may need to use some of the hardware provided with the new blade.
- Grasp the blade with your gloved hand and tighten the bolt using a socket wrench or box end wrench.
- Flip the lawnmower back over onto its wheel, replace the fuel and reconnect the spark plug. You’re ready to go!
[nggallery id=4]
This process is a relatively easy way to turn your beat up lawnmower back into a lean, mean grass cutting machine. These easy steps along with some simple maintenance to the spark plug and air filter should keep your machine running well for years to come.
[raw]
photo credit: wasabicube via photo pin cc
Do you have more tips on lawnmower care? We’d love to hear them. Be sure to stop by my Facebook Page and drop me a line!
[/raw]
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.