sharpening mower blades

[Raul-02]

If you are like me you prefer sharp mower blades. I like to sharpen them with each mow. So I cycle three sets of blades for my Ferris zero turn. But it's still a massive $#$&@&$#*% PITA~!!!!!!!!! I got these great grinder disks from PFERD, They are fabulous I got them in 2019 for my large and 4.5" grinders. I've done a lot of sharpening and mill scale removal and the disks I installed back then are still on my grinders. Unlike flap disks, if used correctly (Read Do not lean on them) they last forever and cut steel like butter. Anyway, I got a triton gizmo vice thing to do my grinding outside instead of the dusty shop. BUT STILL, it was a pita. Set the grinder down struggle to get the blade out of the vice flip it clamp it and bend over for the grinder.
Yah, I know modern problems; they built the pyramids with copper chisels and rocks lashed to sticks. Anyway I repurposed a hunk of a pallet to this and it's fast and easy. I did all three sets in like 15 minutes plus balancing Tools I made or purchased - The Axlotal Tank

 

[CH4Ohio]

I have to admit that I've never heard of anyone that sharpens their blades after every cutting. Not sure whether I feel inadequate or relieved . . .

 

[JJT]

I have to admit that I've never heard of anyone that sharpens their blades after every cutting. Not sure whether I feel inadequate or relieved . . .

Don't feel inadequate, I get by with sharpening once a year. I mow 3+ acres once a week for about 26 weeks a season.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Don't feel inadequate, I get by with sharpening once a year. I mow 3+ acres once a week for about 26 weeks a season.

Yeah. Me too. At the most!

Thanks for the reassurance . . .

 

[/pine]

If you are like me you prefer sharp mower blades. I like to sharpen them with each mow. So I cycle three sets of blades for my Ferris zero turn. But it's still a massive $#$&@&$#*% PITA~!!!!!!!!! I got these great grinder disks from PFERD, They are fabulous I got them in 2019 for my large and 4.5" grinders. I've done a lot of sharpening and mill scale removal and the disks I installed back then are still on my grinders. Unlike flap disks, if used correctly (Read Do not lean on them) they last forever and cut steel like butter. Anyway, I got a triton gizmo vice thing to do my grinding outside instead of the dusty shop. BUT STILL, it was a pita. Set the grinder down struggle to get the blade out of the vice flip it clamp it and bend over for the grinder.
Yah, I know modern problems; they built the pyramids with copper chisels and rocks lashed to sticks. Anyway I repurposed a hunk of a pallet to this and it's fast and easy. I did all three sets in like 15 minutes plus balancing Tools I made or purchased - The Axlotal Tank

Unless you're cutting heavy turf with sticks and typical debris etc...you should not need to sharpen blades that often...
...It is recommended to have a smooth cutting edge of about 1/16"...they should not be knife sharp...

 

[Eagle1]

I like the blade holder and will have to copy something. I don't sharpen that often but when I do it is blades for 3 60" decks, at least. 2 Zturns and the BX for the rough or steep stuff.

 

[RandyT]

Unless you're cutting heavy turf with sticks and typical debris etc...you should not need to sharpen blades that often...
...It is recommended to have a smooth cutting edge of about 1/16"...they should not be knife sharp...

The Oregon blade 30-30 rule applies. Ground at a 30 degree angle while leaving a .030 blunt edge.

 

[WranglerX]

When things start cutting poorly then its time to sharpen.... Found out OREGON brand blades work a whole lot better and last longer than the JD blades for my riding mower... Sharpening them after every cutting session is a OCD problem, and should be avoided....

 

[Raul-02]

Unless you're cutting heavy turf with sticks and typical debris etc...you should not need to sharpen blades that often...

Clearly he has never cut my lawn

 

[Raul-02]

Sharpening them after every cutting session is a OCD problem, and should be avoided....

I can Fly with sharp blades and I use less fuel. They get a little dull and I notice it right off. Not noticing it, is a problem with one's situational awareness and demonstrates acute mental disability. Discourage people from relying on you for important things.

 

[RjCorazza]

Whatever floats your boat!
I personally sharpen my Gator mulching blades every 30-35 hours or so, along with greasing my zd mowers. For me, that works out to be once per week.
I also gave up trying to keep a 30 degree edge by hand with an angle grinder. I have been using a commercial jig that keeps the edge correct.
I am interested in the grinding wheel the op is using. I'll look it up eventually...

 

[big bubba]

I personally sharpen my Gator mulching blades every 30-35 hours or so, along with greasing my zd mowers. For me, that works out to be once per week. RjCorazza

you're mowing that much per week? almost a full time job...that much per month seems about right, can't imagine spending that much time on mower every day, maybe you're in the business?
sounds like you have a system though, regards

 

[Thomas]

That's lot of sharping,after 3-4 mowing I touch up the blades also deck couple inches from ground.

 

[5030]

As cheap as blades are, I NEVER sharpen them. Just replace every fall. I get all my blades from ASC. Save the old ones to make knives from. Good tempered steel.

 

[RjCorazza]

I personally sharpen my Gator mulching blades every 30-35 hours or so, along with greasing my zd mowers. For me, that works out to be once per week. RjCorazza

you're mowing that much per week? almost a full time job...that much per month seems about right, can't imagine spending that much time on mower every day, maybe you're in the business?
sounds like you have a system though, regards

Retirement gig, plus I really enjoy cutting grass. I mow 18 rural lawns within a 1/2 mile radius of my house.

 

[big bubba]

Retirement gig, plus I really enjoy cutting grass. I mow 18 rural lawns within a 1/2 mile radius of my house.

what equip & size are you using? weed trimming too, or just mow?

 

[Eagle1]

I mow 18 rural lawns within a 1/2 mile radius of my house.

If I had 18 neighbors within 1/2 mile I'd have to move. I have 2 that close. One on 80 acres the other on 2 acres split from this property many years ago. Not my doing. Mostly I'm almost surrounded by National Forrest.

 

[RjCorazza]

what equip & size are you using? weed trimming too, or just mow?

ZD326 60", ZD1211 72", Bobcat hydro walk behind, Stihl trimmers and blower.
The 326 is setup as a bank mower with ag style chevron tires that are fluid filled. I have a set of wheel spacers ordered to widen the stance by 4". The 1211 is my primary mower, and the 36" walk behind is used on really steep banks and gated areas.
I trim half of those 18 lawns, the others trim it themselves.

 

[Raul-02]

every 30-35 hours or so,

When I let it go that long I notice the difference in fuel, in energy, in speed I can go, in cut quality, especially if I let it get tall, and I do that rather a lot.

I also gave up trying to keep a 30 degree edge

I've never paid attention to things like that. I'm, fairly consistent but I have never once bothered to check the angle.

I am interested in the grinding wheel the op is using.

PFERD
This video made me want to try them, And Oh man~!!!

They are spendy but man oh man do they last and last and last I have thrown all my flap disks away. I bought 'em in Jyly 2021. I put one on my 4.5 angle grinder and many welding projects ago. I prefer to descale any steel I'm going to paint so this one disk I've been using has seen a lot of use between the little Metabo grinder and my bigger porter cable 8". So far I have only used the two disks, one for each grinder and they are still going strong.

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[i7win7]

Pretty sure OSHA killed it. Toru once made a 2 cycle push mower that had a disk with 4 sickle bar points for the blades. You could push the handle down to angle mower deck and walk thru waist height weeds.