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How to Change the Blades on a Riding Lawn Mower





Many riding lawn mowers offer different speed, power and performance, which can be unrivalled by any other way of caring for your lawn.

Riding lawn mowers are consider to be a lot safer than those which are manually pushed, this is because of the elevated seat, which raises you off the ground and out of the way of any objects which fling out from the blades.

Before we get down to the Top 40 Best Riding Lawn Mower you can get for yourself, here are few things to consider while choosing one.

  1. GreenWorks 25322 G-MAX 40V 16-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower, (1) 4AH Battery and a Charger Included
  2. Poulan Pro PP105G30 30″ Riding Mower 10.5hp Briggs & Stratton #960220027
  3. Ariens Zoom 42 – 19hp Kohler 6000 Series V-Twin 42″ Zero Turn Lawn Mower
  4. BLACK+DECKER CM2040 40V Lithium 3-in-1 Cordless Mower, 20″
  5. Earthwise 1715-16EW 16 Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Mower
  6. Husqvarna MZ61 27 HP Zero Turn Mower, 61-Inch
  7. Husqvarna 7021P 21-Inch 160cc Honda GCV160 Gas Powered 3-N-1 Push Lawn Mower With High Rear Wheels (CARB Compliant)
  8. Great States 815-18 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
  9. American Lawn Mower 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
  10. Great States 415-16 16-Inch Reel Mower Standard Full Feature Lawn Mower With T-Style Handle And Heat Treated Blades
  11. Cub Cadet Xt1 Enduro Series Lt 42 In. 18 Hp Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-engine Riding Mower
  12. Troy-Bilt XP 25HP 60-Inch FAB Deck Zero Turn Mower
  13. Earthwise 60617 17-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
  14. Fiskars 18 Inch StaySharp Max Reel Mower
  15. Honda 21” 3-in-1 Self Propelled Smart Drive Roto-stop Lawn Mower w/ Auto Choke and Twin Blade System
  16. BLACK+DECKER EM1500 15-Inch Corded Mower with Edge Max, 10-Amp
  17. Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
  18. Yard Machines 420cc 42-Inch Riding Lawn Mower
  19. Husqvarna 960430211 YTA18542 18.5 hp Fast Continuously Varilable Transmission Pedal Tractor Mower, 42″
  20. Husqvarna 967324101 V-Twin 724 cc Zero Turn Mower, 54″
  21. Poulan Pro 960420188 Briggs and Stratton 20 hp Pedal Control Automatic Drive Riding Mower, 46″ 46000 Outdoor Power Issue – Over LTL Weight Max
  22. Swisher FCE11544BS 11.5 HP 44-Inch Electric Start Finish Cut Trail Mower
  23. Earthwise 50520 20-Inch Corded Electric Lawn Mower
  24. American Lawn Mower 1304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
  25. Husqvarna 960430212 YTA22V46 22V Fast Continuously Variable Transmission Tractor Mower, 46″/Twin
  26. Z-Beast 48ZB 20HP Heavy Duty 48″ Zero Turn Riding Mower with Rollbar Powered By Briggs & Stratton Pro Engine
  27. Poulan Pro 961120130 PR450N20S Briggs 450e Side Discharge Push Mower in 20-Inch Deck
  28. Poulan Pro 960420170 PB20VA46 Briggs 20 HP V-Twin Ready Start Pedal Control Fast Auto Drive Cutting Deck Riding Mower, 46-Inch
  29. Troy-Bilt 382cc Powermore OHV 30-Inch Premium Neighborhood Riding Lawn Mower
  30. WORX WG794 28-volt Landroid Robotic Lawn Mower
  31. Snapper SPX 22/46 46-Inch 22 HP Riding Tractor Mower with Hydro-Gear T2 Hydrostatic Transmission 2691344
  32. Husqvarna 967334101 MZ54S 25V Commercial Zero Turn Mower, 54″/Twin
  33. BLACK+DECKER CM2060C 60V Max Power Swap Mower, 20″
  34. Troy-Bilt 540cc Briggs & Stratton Intek Automatic Riding Lawnmower
  35. Great States 304-14 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawnmower
  36. Sun Joe MJ401C 14-Inch 28-Volt Cordless Lawn Mower
  37. Poulan Pro 960420185 Briggs 22 hp Automatic Hydrostatic Transmission Drive Riding Mower, 48″ 46000 Outdoor Power Issue – Over LTL Weight Max
  38. Yard Machines 420cc 42-Inch Riding Lawn Mower
  39. Husqvarna 967271501 46″ 20HP Briggs and Stratton Zero Turn Lawn Mower
  40. BLACK+DECKER CM2043C 40V Max Lithium Mower, 20″

Keeping the blades sharp and in good condition on a riding lawn mower will increase fuel efficiency, give better mowing results, and extend the life of this expensive piece of lawn maintenance equipment. Here are steps and tips on how to do this project yourself.

Check the condition of your mower blades to see if they need changing. If the blades are not significantly worn but are dull, they may only require sharpening. If, on the other hand, the airfoil built into the back of the blade is worn away, or the blade is bent or otherwise damaged, you probably need to replace it.

Park the mower on a suitable work surface. Turn it off and lock the brakes or chock the wheels. Disconnect spark plug(s).

Raise the mower deck to its highest setting to make it easier to access the blades.

Raise the mower itself to allow room to get your tools underneath it. You need to make sure it is supported solidly, as riding lawn mowers are heavy, and you don’t want to risk having it fall on you while you work on it. For greater safety, consider using a manufactured mower or tractor lift.

Get the correct size wrench to fit the mandrel nut (or bolt) on your mower. You may also need a cheater pipe or other means of keeping the blade from turning while you remove the nut.

Turn the nut (or bolt) counterclockwise to remove it from the mandrel shaft, then allow the blade to drop off. For blades that are tightly seated, you may have to pry the blade off or work it up and down to loosen it after the nut is removed.

Take the old blade to a hardware store or mower repair shop to match it with the new blades you will install. Choose new blades to suit your own preferences – there are a number of different blades for each type mower, including enhanced discharging blades, mulching blades, and heavy duty blades.

Compare blades at the store to make sure the offset, spline (if applicable), length, and other features match. Since there are many different brands and manufacturers of riding lawn mowers, making sure the blades you purchase fit your mower is critical for a successful project.

Install the new blades on your mower. Be sure to install the blade right side up, as they may fit upside down. Generally, if the blade has an offset in it, the center will be in a higher position than the ends of the blade. Make sure the blade fits all the way onto the spline to prevent damaging it when the nut that secures it is tightened.

Tighten the nuts that secure the new blade. You may have torque specifications for this step for your individual mower.

Check the belts, pulleys, tensioners, and other parts of the mower deck assembly while you have the mower parked for servicing.

Lubricate the mandrel bearings and other parts equipped with grease fittings before lowering the mower.

Lower the mower off the blocks, and clean up/put away your tools.


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