Keeping 2550 blades sharp

Dascro · May 10, 2007

Have about 7 hours on my new 2550 and I really like and think I made the right choice.

I've mowed the yard twice and after the second time I took the deck off to check things and noticed the blades were pretty nicked up. Now, I have a yard rather than a lawn, but I haven't hit any stones or hard objects at all. There have been an occasional stick here and there but nothing that I have nicked up mower blades in the past.

My question is... is it the experience of others that the blades on these 50 inch decks need sharpened a lot? Also, are there heavy blades out there for this deck that would hold an edge better/longer?

Thanks for any help.

Dave

Petertucky · May 10, 2007

I just bought a 2550 a few weeks ago, and have mowed 3 times.

When I first bought it, I felt the blades, and they were sharp. Quite an edge on them.

Mine too now have nicks in them from sticks. Honestly, I will not be able to return them to the same sharpness. Mine still mows very well, though I can't get my son to slow down enought to allow a better cut. But I will need to attempt a sharpening soon.

I was surprised that the sticks put those nicks into my blades, though admittedly I never had blades that sharp before. What impresses me is the way it seems to partially mulch the clippings, and it broadcasts them very well out of the chute, and this isn't considered to be a mulching deck. I still like my choice very much.

Dascro · May 10, 2007

Petertucky,

Thanks for sharing your experiences with your new 2550's blades. They are similar to my experiences. I remain convinced I made the correct choice to buy the 2550 and like it very much. I think it cuts very nice and even. And that is saying a lot since my yard is anything but even!

It sounds like i will have to figure out something to reduce the nicking up of the blades too quickly. Maybe there are some heavier blades available.

Dave

Dave01 · May 10, 2007

Blades don't have to be knife edge perfect to cut well. If the bevel is still there you can just dress the nicks with a flat file and you'll get a lot more cutting before having to do it again. If the edges are really rounded you'll have to do a full sharpening.

jay25rs · May 10, 2007

I think that the blade tip speed is pretty high on the Cubs. My previously owned Craftsman didn't nick its blades as easy but I am convinced that it didn't have the same blade speed as the Cub.

Dascro · May 10, 2007

I don't know what the blade tip speeds are for this mower deck. My opinion, for what its worth, is that it may be more a function of the blade thickness than the blade tip speed. But that is just an opinion. My older mowers had much more material in the blades.

And the edges of the blades are not rounded over, but rather just nicked up pretty good. I am confident a good dressing with a file will fix things up. I just don't want to have to do it ever other time I mow.

But I do like that 2550. Best value for the dollar in my opinion!!

Dave

Fordlords · May 11, 2007

All very normal. Like Dave said they don't have to be razor sharp, and by the end of the season will be nicked and dulled down to the point you wonder how they mowed. Just sharpen them once or twice a season and you'll be fine.
-Fordlords-