The Importance of Sharp Lawn Mower Blades

THE QUALITY OF YOUR CUT

Ripped or frayed grass blades are the first and most obvious sign of dull mower blades. If you look closely, you’ll be able to see whether you’ve left a nice clean cut through your grass blades, or if they’re fraying at the edges – similar to a split end on a strand of hair.

Not only do frayed or ripped grass blades leave your lawn looking messy and uneven, they can also cause serious problems for your garden’s biggest asset. Frayed grass blades struggle to absorb and retain moisture, so even if you’re hydrating your lawn regularly, it could be a waste of time and water. This is especially concerning during the warmer months when the days are warm and the sun is hot. Ripped grass blades also leave your lawn open to pathogens and susceptible to disease, which, if left untreated, can wreak havoc on your entire lawn.

Don’t be mistaken, however. Dull mower blades aren’t the only cause of ripped or frayed grass blades. Leaving your grass to get too long between each mow means that your lawn mower has to work just that little bit harder to get through your grass, which can also result in an uneven cut and frayed, or torn edges. To avoid this, mow frequently, and only remove 2-3cms of grass each time.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BLADES?

Regardless of how often you mow your lawn, replacing the blades on your mower as required is key to keeping your lawn lush and trim. Replacement blades are available at your local STIHL Dealer, and are incredibly simple to changeover.

With that said, there are plenty of ways you can make the most of your mower blades. Giving your mower a light clean after each use will increase the longevity of both your blades and your mower. This can be done with a brush or a cloth, and is much easier to do as soon as you’ve cut your grass, instead of three months down the track once the wet grass has built up after a long season of grass cutting.

Having a clean mowing deck also ensures wet grass doesn’t develop mold and by having the deck clean and smooth, it also ensure there is no turbulences in the cutting area when your mower is operating, meaning you get more efficient catching from your mower.

If you know you’ve hit a few rocks or harder objects such as twigs/branches along the way, check your blades to ensure there’s no visible damage. If the area you mow is prone to hard objects or sand, you’ll likely need to replace or sharpen your blades more often.

During the months of the year, take your blades to your local STIHL Dealer for a sharpen every couple of months or as required to make sure they’re always ready to go when you need them, and, keep a spare freshly sharpened blade in your shed to make sure you’ll never cut your lawn with dull blades ever again.