MMM sharpening?

[denap]

Hey all...

So, I've been using my bx25 as a both a manicured lawn mower and a 'rough area' beast. Some trenching, pulling bittersweet, planting and pulling trees etc.

Occasionally while in the rough, I will mow over smallish brush and the like to clear out under trees. This tends to work just fine but sometimes I find a rock or two. So, my question is, should I pull the MMM and sharpen the blades? They feel great, no obvious dings or anything; but I'm thinking a sharpening will better the cut when I'm in lawn mode. Do you sharpen seasonally?

I see 2 schools of thought on the sharpening, pull the blades off and grind them, or pull the MMM out and just flip it and file them. Is there a recommended way?

thanks

 

[WH401]

I would pull them off and sharpen them. If you've been hitting rocks, and even sticks, I'm sure you have various dents all along the cutting edge. A sharp blade will make the biggest difference in tractor performance and appearance of the lawn. To take them off, I would leave the MMM on, no real reason to go fooling with taking that off. Run the front wheels up on blocks, or ramps, so that way you can get under the deck to get the blades off. If you have a breaker bar and socket you can use that to get the blades off, just grab the blade with a thick leather glove while you do it. Though, the best way is to use an impact wrench, zip zip zip, and there off. I used to use a bench grinder to sharpen blades, but I have found an angle grinder works soooo much faster, and it's much easier to duplicate a factory edge. Get a work bench or such, something outside, and clamp the blades to it, then go to town. When your done, just stick the blades back on the same way they came off.

 

[TripleR]

I would pull them off and sharpen them. If you've been hitting rocks, and even sticks, I'm sure you have various dents all along the cutting edge. A sharp blade will make the biggest difference in tractor performance and appearance of the lawn. To take them off, I would leave the MMM on, no real reason to go fooling with taking that off. Run the front wheels up on blocks, or ramps, so that way you can get under the deck to get the blades off. If you have a breaker bar and socket you can use that to get the blades off, just grab the blade with a thick leather glove while you do it. Though, the best way is to use an impact wrench, zip zip zip, and there off. I used to use a bench grinder to sharpen blades, but I have found an angle grinder works soooo much faster, and it's much easier to duplicate a factory edge. Get a work bench or such, something outside, and clamp the blades to it, then go to town. When your done, just stick the blades back on the same way they came off.

That is what I have found works best for me too, just take it slow and don't over heat your blades. I know the manual says to use a file and remove the deck, but that takes way too long.

 

[BigD23]

Carrying it just a little bit further, for me the final part of sharpening a blade is to ensure its balance...Putting the blade on a protruding nail and making sure one side is not heavier than the other when the blade is horizontal.

Don

 

[TripleR]

Carrying it just a little bit further, for me the final part of sharpening a blade is to ensure its balance...Putting the blade on a protruding nail and making sure one side is not heavier than the other when the blade is horizontal.

Don

Agreed, I use a balance indicator I have had for longer than I can remember; cost is minimal.

 

[WH401]

Carrying it just a little bit further, for me the final part of sharpening a blade is to ensure its balance...Putting the blade on a protruding nail and making sure one side is not heavier than the other when the blade is horizontal.

Don

I agree, balancing can make a big difference in the life span of your spindles. I know you can buy $100 fancy balancers that mount on a wall and spin the blades on a ball bearing, but a nail is just as close. Even just putting your index finger through the center mounting hole, then moving your arm up and down slightly in a fast motion, will show you the sides that need to have more trimmed off.

 

[denap]

many thanks guys...

I've got 'er up on ramps and will be pulling the blades tonight. I don't have a grinder, but belt sander and file ought to be sufficient for a touch up.

 

[TripleR]

many thanks guys...

I've got 'er up on ramps and will be pulling the blades tonight. I don't have a grinder, but belt sander and file ought to be sufficient for a touch up.

That should work if you don't have any significant damage. The Kubota blades are pretty tough with the upside being they will take a lot of abuse and the downside being it takes a while to sharpen them. Using a file wore me out. I have found a 4" angle grinder works well for me, but if you have the time other methods work also.

Also blades don't need to be really "sharp" to give good results.

 

[PeterK]

An angle grinder with a flap sanding disk works well for touch ups.

 

[TripleR]

An angle grinder with a flap sanding disk works well for touch ups.

Good to know, just got one, but haven't tried it yet.