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How to fix lawn mower tearing grass instead of slicing?

Samanta2024

After mowing I noticed lawn mower smash the grass instead of slicing it. Causing them to tear rather than slicing the grass, leading to brown, frayed tips.

My lawn mower blade chamber and blades are in the photos. I sharpened the blades too.

Is the mower with full blade can solve this problem?

Experts advise please.

Note: All the blades available in Bunnings are not sharp too. They are blunt.

Thanks!

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Comments

EricL

Hello @Samanta2024

Thank you for sharing your question about your lawn mower. Can you please tell us which model of lawn mower you have? Once you tell us the type of mower you have we can narrow down the probable cause of why the grass is getting smashed instead of cut.

Eric

Samanta2024

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60335#Comment_60335

Appreciate your quick Response @EricL . Thank you!

Lawn Mower photos attached .

AlanM52

Hi @Samanta2024,

Mower blades function in a illogical manner, the opposite to what you would expect - rather weird.

By sharpening the blades you are actually encouraging the 'smashing' of the grass.

A sharp edge will cut a curve in the grass blade greatly increasing the length of the cut wound on the blade of grass.

As I said it's a weird thing and that's why new blades look blunt and have a 'butter knife' edge with a critical profile.

When people sharpen their mower blades 99 out of 100 will get it wrong.

Summarising all that mower blades are designed to knock the top off the blade rather than cut the blade.

Buy a replacement set and you should be good.

Cheers

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/92640#Comment_92640

Hello @Samanta2024

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @AlanM52. He's just got ahead of me in regards to the blade explanation. Some lawnmowers have been designed with a blunt blade in mind due to the speed at which it is running. Unless the manufacturer specifically states that the blade must be sharp then that would the only time that you actually sharpen the blade as it is required in the manual.

But if there is no mention of sharpening and it must be left as is then that is what needs to be done. I support Alan's suggestion and recommend getting a new set of blades for your mower. My best advice is to make sure that they are installed in the correct direction and orientation for proper operation.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Samanta2024

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60343#Comment_60343

Thank you for your advice. I sharpened it, because its was doing more or less same kind of job. I will buy a new blade and give it a go.

Samanta2024

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/112456#Comment_112456

Thanks for your advice. I sharpened it, because its was doing more or less same kind of job. I will buy a new blade and give it a go.

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123753#Comment_123753

Interesting @AlanM52.

I'm with AI - I sharpen them regularly and feel I get a a much cleaner cut.

However - It does not take long before they dull again.

If you remember the CIG blister packs of welding rods years ago, they had 'projects' for DIY welders on the back which were very questionable.

One was 'hardfacing' mower blades.

Never done it - never would.

Samanta2024

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131214#Comment_131214

Thanks everyone!. I changed to new blades, cuts are far better than sharpened blades.

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