Changing Blades?

[grnwnv]

How often do you guys change your blades?

Thanks,
grnwnv

[Bikehigh]

Here's the scoop on blades

http://www.lawnserviceforum.com/showthread.php?t=7265

[Stephen M.]

If you want great looking grass, sharpen daily. It's a good idea to carry a set of sharp blades with you in case one gets bent if you hit something that you don't see, or if you are working in dirty conditions that will dull your blades.
Water on wet grass can also dull blades in a hurry; water acts like a chuck of concrete each time that blade moves on wet grass. Change blades when they wear down at least half way from where they were when they were new.

[Jack D.]

Jack D. will be eXperimenting w/Meg-Mo blades this spring which according to Green Industry Folklore need only be sharpened every 60-70 hrs.

[GeeVee]

Your local conditions being what they are....

I changed every week.

[locutus]

If you want great looking grass, sharpen daily. It's a good idea to carry a set of sharp blades with you in case one gets bent if you hit something that you don't see, or if you are working in dirty conditions that will dull your blades.
Water on wet grass can also dull blades in a hurry; water acts like a chuck of concrete each time that blade moves on wet grass. Change blades when they wear down at least half way from where they were when they were new.

Let me get this straight, my blades will look the same after mowing wet grass as they would if I mowed over a pile of concrete chunks?

[Stephen M.]

No, your blades will get dull after mowing in wet grass. The concrete analogy was how it was described to me by a Walker dealer years ago. Concrete will really screw up your blades, but the point was that water will dull blades the same way sand and rock will.

I'm told that when a person jumps off a bridge into water (Golden Gate), the effect of them hitting the water is like hitting concrete--slat!!! the same goes for your mower blades. What a picture!

[Sammy]

but the point was that water will dull blades the same way sand and rock will.

Now I know why I have to change the prop on my
speed boat all the time, and I was thinking it was the rocks
and sand that was dulling it up !

[MEvans857]

Silly question, how do you all get your mower up to get your blades off? I have always just had mine serviced, but in an effort to save $$$ I have a a Lazer Emark, so it's heavy, and I've tried a few diff. things but have not been able to figure it out yet??

[seven-up]

Evans, there a number of ways: chain hoist, run mower up ramp on trailer with one side hanging off, jack it up, etc....

when i first started out, i used the car ramps that i used to change oil.

[Elwood]

1. Change blades daily. If you do this, you are just "touching up" the blades, and not much time is involved. You also need to run a grease gun daily on many zerks on your machine too. Inspect your machine daily. See if anything is wearing wrong or is in need of replacement. A few minutes of inspection at the end of the day can and will save you valuable time and money in the field if you can prevent a failure on the job site.

2. You need to learn how to service your machines yourself. If you don't know how, learn from someone who does. ALWAYS remember, if you are under a lifted machine, SECURE IT PROPERLY!!! You don't want to be under a machine that can fall on you.

[Stephan Schwebke]

Good words of wisdom Elwood!

[lawnrangeralaska]

Just lay down on your back grab one side of the blade and put the wrench on the nut and push and pull and it comes off, sometimes you will pull hard enought o lift your self up

[JeffM]

Just lay down on your back grab one side of the blade and put the wrench on the nut and push and pull and it comes off, sometimes you will pull hard enought o lift your self up

How many fingers you got left??? I'm just wondering if you've ever had any mishaps going at it that way? Also, do you/you guys torque the nuts on the blades or just hand tighten them?

Jeff M.

[Jack D.]

Jack D.'s initial feedback on Meg-Mo blades is positive. They spewed out lush spring turf in a fine dust much better than stock high lifts and similar to doubles.

They are also promised to stay sharp for 60 hrs vs. a standard blade which maintains an edge only 5-14 hrs depending on conditions. We shall see.

http://www.meg-mo.com/