A sharp lawn mower blade<\/a> is crucial to keeping your lawn well-groomed. To achieve a quality cut and healthy lawn, it is important to regularly replace or sharpen\u00a0the blade on your lawn mower<\/a>. One sharpening at the start of the mowing season and one around the middle of the season is usually sufficient until you store your mower <\/a>for the winter. However, you should periodically inspect your lawn and lawn mower<\/a> to help determine if it is time to sharpen or replace your lawn mower blade<\/a>. If you notice unevenness in your lawn, notice the tip of each grass blade is torn and not cleanly-sliced, or the lawn mower<\/a> blade has dings, nicks or rust, then it is time to sharpen or replace your lawn mower blade<\/a>.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to sharpen the blade<\/a> on your walk behind lawn mower<\/a>.<\/p>\n Before performing any maintenance on your lawn mower<\/a>, refer to your owner\u2019s manual for maintenance instructions and safety information.<\/p>\n To prepare your lawn mower<\/a> for maintenance, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. Turn the mower <\/a>on its side; make sure the air filter and the carburetor are facing up.<\/p>\n To remove the lawn mower blade<\/a>, start by placing a block of wood between the blade and the frame of the mower <\/a>to support the blade as you apply force. Remove the hex bolt and the blade bell support that holds the blade and blade adapter<\/a> to the engine crankshaft. Take the blade <\/a>and adapter <\/a>off the crankshaft (cutting blades are sharp \u2013 always wear heavy duty gloves when working with blades).<\/p>\n Sharpen the blade <\/a>with a mower blade sharpener, file, or on a grinding wheel. Do not try to sharpen the blade while it\u2019s still on the mower<\/a>.<\/p>\n Secure the blade <\/a>in a vice when sharpening with a file or hand-held grinder. When you sharpen the blade, follow the original angle and grind. To keep the blade <\/a>balanced, grind each cutting edge equally.<\/p>\n To test the mower <\/a>blade balance, remove the blade <\/a>and balance it on a round shaft screwdriver. Shave metal from the heavy side until the blade balances evenly.<\/p>\n Before placing the blade <\/a>back on the mower<\/a>, lubricate the blade adapter<\/a> and crankshaft. To do so, lubricate the crankshaft and inner surface of the blade adapter<\/a> with light oil and then slide the blade adapter<\/a> onto the engine crankshaft.<\/p>\n Replace the blade adapter<\/a>. The side of the blade <\/a>marked Bottom, or with the part number, should face the ground when the mower <\/a>is in operating position. Make sure the lawn mower blade<\/a> is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges. Place the blade bell support on the blade<\/a>.<\/p>\n Align the notches on the blade bell support with the holes in the blade. Replace and tighten the hex bolt by hand. Place the block of wood between the blade <\/a>and the mowing deck housing again and tighten the hex bolt to the torque recommended in your owner\u2019s manual.<\/p>\n Turn the mower <\/a>right side up and reconnect the spark plug. Start your lawn mower<\/a> and listen for noises or vibration. Adjust the blade balance if necessary.<\/p>\n