How to Change a Blade on a Yard Machine Mower

A dull or nicked blade on your Yard Machine mower can leave your lawn looking disheveled. Plus, the hacking that occurs on grass blades by a dull blade can make your lawn susceptible to disease. For those reasons, every two or three months consider changing the blade on your Yard Machine mower. With the right tools, just about anyone can perform the task in 10 minutes or less and take one simple, inexpensive step toward a better-groomed, more healthy lawn.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Adjustable wrench
• 2X4 wooden block
• File
• Regular screwdriver

Instructions

1. Disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent your Yard Machine mower from starting while you're working with the blade assembly. Put on your work gloves because handling a sharpened blade with bare hands can result in injury.

2. Wait until the engine has cooled and the fuel tank has been drained before tilting the mower on its side with the carburetor up. Loosen the hex bolt holding the blade assembly in place by using a counterclockwise motion with your adjustable wrench.

3. Wedge a piece of wood underneath the blade to prevent it from moving during the replacement procedure. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the bolt and blade bell support, and set them aside. Gently grab and remove the mower blade and adapter from the crankshaft, being careful not to touch the actual cutting surface.

4. Place the removed blade in a vise and begin filing the blade's dulled or nicked cutting surface. Attempt to replicate the blade's original bevel. Test to be sure it is balanced once you're filing is complete by balancing it on the round shaft of a screwdriver.

5. Reattach blade and adapter to the blade assembly crankshaft. Attack blade bell support and hex bolt, tightening the bolt in a clockwise manner with your adjustable wrench. Tilt the mower upright once you have reattached the blade.

References

• MTD Yard Machines 22-inch Push Mower Manual