When to replace mower blade

[Lawnboy18]

Well, I have ordered a new blade for my YBravo, but there seems to be a big delay with my order.

Meanwhile, I am still using a blade that I bought in the begining of the season. I wanted to know if the fact that it is loosing it's wings and starting to curve in on the areas where I sharpen it is going to affect anything? I havn't seen a huge difference. It can still stripe very good and it mulches good (I don't think the wings have to do anything with mulching tho).

 

[MRCo.]

When the sails, what you call wings I think, wear away then the blade is done. Or if it's bent or badly unbalanced. If you have no vibration and it's doing the job then carry on.

 

[Lawnboy18]

Thank you for the input!

 

[possum]

Check to see how thin the metal is near the wing. Some get so thin there they become sharp. Long before they begin to bow in on the cutting edge sometimes. You do not want a wing to break off for no reason other than being stingy and fly through a new car windshield, patio door, fuel tank on a 25 thousand dollar motorbike, persons body.

 

[Lawnboy18]

Check to see how thin the metal is near the wing. Some get so thin there they become sharp. Long before they begin to bow in on the cutting edge sometimes. You do not want a wing to break off for no reason other than being stingy and fly through a new car windshield, patio door, fuel tank on a 25 thousand dollar motorbike, persons body.

I will check that out. Thanks for mentionning that.

 

[motoman]

I operate in a very narrow range of experience-only one Craftsman rider. It has original blades .200" thick which I have hand ground since 2004. What is it that can thin out a blade ? sand, rocks? I have seen thinner blades for sale at Wal Mart. The 48 deck blades have wings even hulk could not bend.

 

[Av8r]

I operate in a very narrow range of experience-only one Craftsman rider. It has original blades .200" thick which I have hand ground since 2004. What is it that can thin out a blade ? sand, rocks? I have seen thinner blades for sale at Wal Mart. The 48 deck blades have wings even hulk could not bend.

Sand is one of the biggest killers of blades, but grass wears them down over time too. Try to avoid Sandy areas, not easy though...

 

[Lawnboy18]

I find it incredible how a thick piece of metal can thin out and dissapear. Here is a picture to do a comparison:

 

[exotion]

I find it incredible how a thick piece of metal can thin out and dissapear. Here is a picture to do a comparison:
<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/lawn-care-landscaping/22619-when-replace-mower-blade-la-mes-de-tondeuse-comparaison-jpg"/>

Why is your wing missing a chunk? Also why is that an oem wave or just bad sharpening?

 

[Av8r]

Why is your wing missing a chunk? Also why is that an oem wave or just bad sharpening?

I'm guessing that is how it wore down and they Sharpened to that contour. I keep em straight and take out nicks as well, then pitch em after I have taken off too much metal