Sharpen or replace a lawn mower blade
A dull blade tears grass instead of cutting it. Sharpen it once a season, and replace it if it is bent, cracked or worn thin.
Step by step
Take the blade off and put it back
Safety Pull the wire off the spark plug before you touch the blade or reach under the deck. Wait for the blade to stop completely first.
| 01 | Disconnect the spark plug wire first. Then run the tank dry or pump the fuel out. | Don't siphon fuel by mouth. |
| 02 | Tip the mower the right way: air filter side up on Briggs & Stratton engines, muffler side down on Honda GCV170. | Tipping the wrong way floods the air filter with oil. |
| 03 | Wedge a block of wood against the blade and loosen the bolt. | Wear heavy gloves. |
| 04 | Note which way the blade faces, then remove it and its hardware. | |
| 05 | Sharpen the cutting edges with a file or grinder, keeping the original angle. Take the same amount off each end. | Never sharpen a cracked or bent blade. Replace it. |
| 06 | Check the balance on a blade balancer or a nail through the center hole. File the heavy end until it hangs level. | An unbalanced blade shakes the engine. |
| 07 | Refit with the curved ends pointing up toward the deck. | |
| 08 | Torque the bolt to the mower maker's figure. | Toro Recycler 22 in.: 60 ft-lb (82 N·m). |
| 09 | Set the mower upright, reconnect the plug wire, and check the blade stops when you release the bar. |
Blades and torque by mower
Open the engine or model page for the full parts list.
| Mower | Blade | Bolt torque |
|---|---|---|
| Toro Recycler 22 in. (21442) | 59534P | 60 ft-lb (82 N·m) |
| Honda HRN216 | Lower 72511-VR8-M00, upper 72531-VR8-M00 | See your owner's manual |
Engine not listed?
Send us the model number and we will look at adding it.