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Discover the top 7 signs that indicate your lawn mower blade is dull and needs sharpening.
After reading this, achieve professional-level results with our article on blade sharpening.
1. Patchy and Uneven Grass Cutting
One of the most obvious signs is uneven grass cutting. That’s right, if your backyard looks more like an abstract piece of art rather than a fresh, evenly cut field, you may be dealing with a dull blade issue on your lawn mower.
2. Shredded or Torn Grass Tips
You’ve probably noticed at some point that the tips of your grass aren’t uniformly cut or they appear shredded rather than neatly trimmed. A finely sharpened blade cuts through grass effortlessly and precisely, leaving behind a clean-cut surface. However, a dull blade doesn’t have the same effect. It tears through the grass rather than cutting it.
3. Harder Work to Push the Mower
Have you ever found yourself pushing your lawn mower around the yard and it feels like you’re engaged in a Herculean effort? Well, that, my dear friend, might not be because of your last skipped gym session, but rather an indication of a blade issue. You see, when your mower blade is sharp as a razor, it slices through grass blades like warm butter.
4. Noticeable Damage on the Blade
Take a look at the blade, and you’re likely to see visible nicks or dents if it’s dull. These are telltale signs that your mower has been wrestling with unseen obstacles in your yard, like rocks or hard sticks.
5. Grass Turning Brown After Mowing
Perhaps you’ve noticed that your lawn has taken on an unattractive hue of brown? Well, don’t worry, it’s not because your thumbs are anything but green! This is actually a common sign that the blade of your lawn mower has become dull.
6. Vibrations or Strange Sounds
Your lawn mower may show indications of a potential blade issue through vibrations or unusual noises. These are not just arbitrary signs, but distinctive pleas for attention and care that must not be ignored. Take note if you begin to feel unusual vibrations from your lawn mower while it’s in operation.
7. Constant Blockages in the Mower Deck
When your blade is dull, it ends up tearing through the grass rather than neatly slicing it. This ragged process produces larger clippings which don’t disperse as evenly or decompose as quickly on your lawn. These bulky clippings are then more likely to get caught in your mower deck and cause clogs.
