Are Lawn Mower Blades Supposed to be Loose or Tight. Lawn mower blade torque

How many in. lbs. of torque for changing blades.

Looking for cordless impact wrench and comparing the in. lbs. of torque. So far, the DeWALT DW055K-2 for 219 with free shipping is looking like the winner. Coming in at 1,550 in. lbs. of torque. I think this should be efficient. what do you think?

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”. Aristotle

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”. Leonardo da Vinci

Blessed 1

I think that if you use 1/2 that amount of torque you will never get the blades off. I try not to really bare down with my 49.00 electric impact wrench. Even my dealer when installing blades just barely tightens them after the get to the knocking sound and thats a plenty. That DeWALT you are looking at will surely get the job done!

Mike’s Lawn Service, Albany GA. In Business since 2002 02 2500HD Silverado Duramax::walking: 04 36″ 15hp Metro 05 60″ 31 HP Exmark Lazer XS :cool2: 07 60″ 35 HP Exmark Lazer XS (Like a International) 07 Ferris IS2000 25 Kaw 61″(Like a Lexus) (sold 10/07) 07 Toro 52″ Kubota Diesel (Like a Corvette) Magna-Matic 9000 Out of Business in 2008 Due to High Cost of Fuel and full time job time requirements.

geogunn

as for the stregnth of the wrench to torque, I dunno. I use a 1/2 in air ratchet for removal.

but I use a torque wrench to tighten the blades. 90 ft/lb is recommended but I do 100 ft/lb.

Richard Martin

To get foot pounds just divide the inch pounds by 12. So you start with 1,550 inch pounds and end up with 129 foot pounds. That should be sufficient.

DennisF

Don’t over-torque the blade bolts. If the manual says 75-80 lbs/ft. that is all the torque that is needed. If you over-torque the bolts, they will stretch which will weaken them and possibly causing them to break. An impact wrench is not necessary for blade bolts. A simple click torque wrench is much more accurate and easier to use.

Smithers

Richard, your formula is correct, but 1550 makes it 125, not 129 ft.lbs as you stated.

Also, depending on the mower. Exmark says 125 ft.lb

Travis Followell

We don’t torque our bolts either. We use an impact wrench to take them off and an impact to put them on and we’ve never had a problem either.

walker-talker

Normally I just use the Campbell Hausfield impact wrench that came with the air compressor and it has always worked fine. Doubt if it matters, but they are doubles, but they have a special bracket for this. it’s just not two blades laying on top of each other. I might just get buy using a “T” tire iron. I will only have to do this in the field a few times when I am out scalping. Thanks for the post.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”. Aristotle

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”. Leonardo da Vinci

DennisF

Fasteners have a torque rating on them for a reason. Different grade nuts and bolts have specific maximum torque ratings recommended by the manufacturer of the nut or bolt. The reason is an anomaly called metal fatigue. Metal fatigue occurs when a fastener has been over-stressed or over-torqued. Metal fatigue is the reason that nuts and bolts strip or break when they are over tightened. If you exceed those maximum torque values, you are flirting with disaster. There is no reason to install a fastener with an impact tool and not know how much torque is being applied, when a very simple tool called a torque wrench will do the job properly.

Albemarle Lawn

I have a Milwaukee 18V cordless (240 lb. /ft) and sometimes it can’t get the bolts off of my Gravely 260Z.

If you hit something with the blade and it gets tighter, you’re not going to get the bolt off with that impact wrench.

Plus, that thing is barely enough to handle car lugs, etc.

Get the Milwuakee, its 300 and worth it.

Are Lawn Mower Blades Supposed to be Loose or Tight?

This is a common question from people who are new to lawn mowers. Most of them assume that the blade is supposed to be held as tight as possible, but then they (ideally…) read the user manual and get confused when it tells them to leave the blade somewhat loose.

So, what does that mean? Are lawn mower blades really supposed to be loose and, just how loose is too loose?

Generally speaking, the blade should be tight enough so that it doesn’t move around on its own, but you should be able to move with your hand by applying some pressure. The manufacturer should provide a proper tightening level expressed in foot-pounds, commonly found in the mower’s manual.

Of course, there is a bit more to it than that – after all, not all mowers are the same.

Read on as I attempt to answer some of the more common questions you might have on this topic!

How Tight Should a Lawn Mower Blade Be?

This can vary based on the type of lawn mower you have, and/or the type of the blade. Some manufacturers may recommend the approach I mentioned above, while others will recommend that you tighten the bolt as much as possible.

This is because some blades are more resistant to the force of a potential impact than others. Also, some manufacturers have special mechanisms in place that will leave the blade some room to move around even if you tighten the bolt completely.

The user manual should always have information on this topic. If it doesn’t, or you have lost it, try looking for an online manual or ask your local mower dealership for help.

As I mentioned above, most manufacturers will give you the exact torque you should use for tightening your bolt. This value is measured in ft/lb or foot-pounds.

Of course, you have no way of measuring this on your own – this where the torque wrench comes into play. It’s a special tool used to apply a specific pressure to screws and bolts.

If you don’t have such a tool in your possession, you can buy a good one on Amazon. The TEKTON 1/2 Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench is one of my favorites. Just make sure to get a socket that is the right size for your bolt if you decide to buy one!

Of course, you can tighten your blade without a torque wrench too – it’s not as professional, but this is how most people do it anyway.

Can You Overtighten a Lawn Mower Blade?

Unfortunately, you can overtighten your mower’s blade if you aren’t careful. This can damage the blade itself in some cases – the blade can even break after hitting a hard object if it’s overly tight.

A Common Mistake Made When Installing Lawnmower Blades!

Apart from that, the bolt that’s holding the blade in place can also get damaged (this is often the case).

If you apply too much pressure, you can break the bolt’s head right off. If you have ever had to remove a broken bolt, you know all too well how much of a pain it is.

It’s important to note that the bolt not breaking isn’t a fail-safe indicator of it not being overtightened. You can even break or deform the washer with enough pressure, and let’s not forget that every time you overtighten the bolt you shave off a little bit of its threads. If you keep doing that, eventually you won’t be able to tighten it at all.

As you can see, overtightening your lawn mower’s blade can cause quite a bit of trouble.

What to Do if The Mower Blade Won’t Tighten

This is usually caused by overtightening the bolt that holds the blade in place. As I’ve explained earlier, doing so will shave off the bolt’s threads bit by bit, and it will eventually lose its ability to hold the blade in position altogether.

If this is the case, I’d suggest buying a new mower blade bolt. Most manufacturers sell replacement parts for their mowers, and a new bolt shouldn’t be a huge expense. Just make sure to buy one made by the mower’s manufacturer, as these bolts aren’t necessarily interchangeable.

Unfortunately, you can’t really fix a damaged bolt. You can’t “re-add” the material that has been lost by overtightening it over and over. This is why it’s important to prevent this from happening in the first place.

Is it Normal for a Lawn Mower Blade to be Spinning Freely?

This is not normal at all, and can be caused by a number of things. It most likely means that the blade has become loose somehow.

To fix it, try tightening the bolt. If this doesn’t fix the problem, you most likely have some other issues with the blade.

Read on to the next section to find out what these can be, and how to fix them!

What Causes a Lawn Mower Blade to Keep Coming Loose, and How to Fix it?

Every now and then you’ll run into a lawn mower blade that just keeps coming loose no matter how many times you tighten it.

Here are some of the most common causes:

Overtightened Bolt

This can happen if you overtighten the bolt holding the blade in place, like I explained before – a damaged bolt won’t be able to keep your blade in position for very long. If this is the case, buying a new bolt should fix the problem.

Bolt Not Tight Enough

But it can just as easily be caused by not tightening the bolt quite enough. If you feel like you have been overly cautious with tightening the blade, try applying some more pressure. Just make sure you don’t go overboard. If you want to make sure you are doing everything right, use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt, using the ft/lb value prescribed by the manufacturer.

Deformed Blade

Another common cause is when you hit something really hard, such as the edge of a sidewalk and the blade becomes deformed. In some cases, the unnatural shape of the blade can be enough to prevent you from tightening it properly.

A bent shape can also mess with the blade’s overall balance. An unbalanced mower blade can produce vibrations that will loosen the bolt over time. If this is the case, buying a new blade is your best bet, as it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to bend it back to perfect shape.

Unbalanced Blade

Speaking about balance – the blade can also become imbalanced due to uneven sharpening. Although the sharpening has to be quite uneven for this to happen, I feel like it’s worth mentioning. If the problems started after you sharpened the mower’s blade, this might be the case.

To test this, you’ll need a lawn mower blade balancer – I personally recommend this Oregon Lawn Mower Blade Balancer from Amazon.

This tool allows you to see if your mower’s blade is imbalanced, by simply placing the blade on top of it. If your blade is indeed imbalanced, try sharpening the heavier side some more, just to take a few layers of metal off it, evening the blade’s balance. If your blade is perfectly balanced, it should stop coming loose.

The Blade Not Being Centered

Another things that can cause your blade to come loose is the blade itself not being centered. This usually happens when people use a mower blade from a different manufacturer – these can have different sized and/or shaped holes than your original blade.

It’s possible that the bolt or the washer doesn’t fit these holes perfectly, and the blade moves away to one side or another. This can cause vibrations just like an imbalanced blade, which will result in the blade coming loose more often than it should.

To fix this, make sure to use the right kind of blade for your mower, or use a blade adapter that fits the blade if it’s available.

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Best Torque Wrench For Lawn Mower Blades- Top 7 Cheaper Picks Available!

A torque wrench is an essential item to have for your lawnmower blade. And since it gets the responsibility to treat one of the most important parts of a lawnmower, there’s no way you want to invest in a poor quality one. So, looking for the best torque wrench for lawn mower blades is not just a need but also a requirement.

From that fact, you also must be able to grasp the idea that choosing the wrong tool means increasing the chance of damage to your lawnmower blades. So overall it’s not a task you should take lightly.

Today, let’s talk about it and help you with choosing a quality torque wrench. We will be recommending 7 such picks that are popular for their great ability in this case. Keep on Reading…

Best Torque Wrench for Lawn Mower Blades

Just giving you the names of the 7 picks won’t be enough no doubt. So here are the complete reviews for the options we have for today. Go through each of them and you’ll know yourself if there’s a suitable pick for you.

Specifications Of eTORK Click-Style Torque Wrench

The eTORK click-style wrench is a great choice that allows you to get 50 – 250 ft. lbs. range. It is also a fine pick for setting the Briggs and Stratton lawn mower blade torque in a good way.

Not only that this wrench is light in weight but also ensures good strength to use for most purposes. It is made out of solid alloy steel that ensures no hitch of rust for a decent while.

Out of all, this torque wrench has dual scales that are available in English and metric standards to get rid of errors. It as well allows you to read out the settings with no struggle.

And, we are not done yet. This wrench also has a large grip that is very soft and snug to hold. It as well helps you to hold for a good while in 50% of low turning force to avoid fatigue.

Plus, this torque wrench is very easy to use for loosening or tightening 1/2 inches of lug nuts at ease. It also allows you to use the drive-on nuts to fit with an audible click sound.

This torque wrench as well comes with a secure lock in the knob to ensure no struggle of slips or accidental changes. It also allows you to lock when grabbing other tools.

The Bottom Line:

In short, this wrench is an ideal pick for a reliable and good torque tech to use at ease. It is also good enough to try out if you are working on mid-size areas for lawnmower blade nut fitting.

Pros:

• This torque wrench has a logical price range.
• It has a solid body to last a long while.
• The handle is snug to hold and work with.
• It has a good client service to give advice.
• This torque wrench has simple to see settings.

Specifications Of GearWrench 3/8″ Drive Micrometer Torque Wrench

The GearWrench torque wrench comes with a fixed square head style that allows use on smaller bolts at ease. It also has 3/8 inches of a drive to lose or tight the nut on most works.

We are in love with this wrench 30 to 250 in/lbs. of range to use on lawn mower blade torque spec at ease. It as well as helps you to easily rotates or turns the nuts for fitting well.

With a polished finish, this wrench has a solid tire tread cover in a rubber material on the head. It also allows you to use it for checking wheel lug bolts. This wrench also gives easy torque.

And, these are just a few. This wrench also has /- 3% CW of torque precision to give the right calibration. It as well helps you to get 20% to 100% of capacity to makes sure max deviation.

But wait, that is not all. This wrench is light in weight and solid to stand for a long while thanks to its alloy steel body. It as well has scale markings that allow good visibility to read at ease.

This torque wrench also has a handle that is made out of aluminum material to ensure good contact with a good grip. It as well allows you to hold in snug by dipping hand pain and fatigue.

The Bottom Line:

On the whole, this torque wrench is a good pick if you want an easy to hold for working fast option. It is also fine for light use with a 1 year of warranty and 90 days of guarantee support.

Pros:

• This torque wrench is protected in a one-year warranty.
• It has a plastic hard case to store easily.
• This torque wrench has good precision.
• For the price range, it is hard to beat.
• This torque wrench is light in weight.

Specifications Of Performance Tool M197 Torque Wrench

The M197 torque wrench is one of the finest options for using on barrel or lug nuts. It as well as helps you to get 3/8 inches of drives to use on nuts that won’t harm or crack using light force.

And, we are not through yet. This torque wrench as well has dual scale adjustments in inches-lbs. and Newton meter. It also helps you to view the settings well to modify with no struggle.

But wait, there is more. This wrench is also quite simple to use to lose or tight any fitted bolts. It as well helps you to get an audible click to lean when the bolt reaches the end of settings.

Plus, this wrench has a lock and unlock collar for you to leave attached on the bolts with no accidental move. It as well allows you to easily adjust even if you leave the wrench attached.

Besides, this wrench has a high-end spring made out of steel to ensure good tension for rotating well. It as well as allows you to get fine fitting and angle that won’t result in rust.

Plus, this wrench has a 41 tooth ratchet head that allows you to get fine torque control. It as well allows you to get the job done for mower blades in fine precision and long life.

The Bottom Line:

To sum it up, this torque wrench is a solid option if you are one who wants to work on cars, light trucks, and most engines. And, it is a logical pick that makes sure quality and stability.

Pros:

• This torque wrench is easy to use.
• It has a clear user manual to read well.
• This torque wrench is simple to store.
• It has a friendly client service to solve issues.
• This torque wrench has 14 inches long in length.

Specifications Of GearWrench 1/4″ Drive Micrometer Torque Wrench

Another mention of the GearWrench brand that made this wrench with a /- 3% CW of torque accuracy. It as well allows you to get 20% and 100% of wrench capability with no hitches.

In fact, this torque wrench has a sealed and teardrop head that allows you to get fine access when fitting nuts. It as well helps you to use at ease on highly effective machine works.

No matter how you use this wrench, it is secured with 1 year of limited warranty to get restore and repair benefit. This wrench also allows you to get fine client support to ask for solutions.

And, this wrench has a hard case that is made out of solid plastic to stand a good while. It as well helps you to store the wrench in a secure position that won’t harm or damage the surface.

Plus, this wrench has a midpoint mark on the handle that is built out of anodized aluminum to get precision. It as well allows you to get hold in a cozy way with no pain or stress on the hand.

On the face of it, this wrench has scale markings that allow you to get better visibility to view well. It as well helps you to read out the options clearly for tuning wrench at ease.

The Bottom Line:

In brief, this torque wrench is an elegant finish, handy, and light in weight to work on mower blades well. It is as well good for quick and easy changes of torque settings with no hitch.

Pros:

• It lasts for a long while.
• This torque wrench has a nice hard case to store.
• It has an accurate adjustment to use well.
• This torque wrench has travel-friendly.
• It helps to tighten nuts and bolts at ease.

Specifications Of EPAuto 1/4-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench

The EPAuto click-type wrench is an excellent pick for the money that ensures you with fine quality. It as well has a mechanical mode to take care of loosening or fitting nuts at ease.

No doubt about it, this wrench has a ratchet head made out of steel alloy to get rid of rust and decay. It as well helps you to use the wrench for a long period of time with no hitch of peels.

With a satin finish, this wrench has a dual-range scale that is high in contrast to view well. It as well ensures you are getting easy reading settings to alter the torque with no hitches.

And, this wrench has a sturdy storage case designed with firm plastic material. It as well helps you to place the wrench inside to store or travel well after using a good period.

In fact, this wrench has a knurled handle that takes care of slip struggle very well. It as well allows you to get a good grip to hold a long time with no pain or tiredness on your hand.

This torque wrench also has a reliable setup that makes it very easy to use. Besides, it makes a click sound that shows torque value to lead the end for stop putting pressure on the nut.

The Bottom Line:

By and large, it is one of the best torque wrenches that has a slim and modern design to get stable service. This wrench is also good enough to try out for trucks, lawns, and garden tools.

Pros:

• This torque wrench has 1 year of warranty.
• It is simple to set and attach nuts.
• The torque wrench has a good instruction guide.
• It has a good client service.
• This torque wrench has a hard case to store well.

Specifications Of Teng Tools 3/4 Inch Drive Torque Wrench

This torque wrench is built out of solid steel materials that allow you to use it for a good while. You also get the finest longevity that will serve a long time with no rust or decay struggle.

It as well has a firm angular gauge that helps you to tighten out the stretch bolts in less force. This wrench also allows you to get a fine fitting that won’t harm the surface and work fast.

And, it has a dual-range scale in a good contrast that helps you read the settings fast and stably. This wrench as well helps you to work with it at ease even in low light or dark areas.

Want to know the best part? It has a reversible ratchet head that allows turning in both the left and right sides. This wrench also allows you to get fine torque in both ways with no hitches.

Plus, it has a /- 4% accuracy range that allows you to reach the right contact based on the lug nut. This wrench also has 3/4 inches of a drive to fit in the nuts at ease by calibrating well.

It as well has a comfortable plastic grip that is quite easy to hold for a good while. This torque wrench also gives good rotation using less force on the nut that won’t cause harm to your hand.

The Bottom Line:

If you are looking for a Honda mower blade torque wrench that has a fixed square head style, then it is your best bet. This torque wrench is also easy to maneuver and use for a long time.

Pros:

• It has 42 inches of length to use well.
• This torque wrench is firm to stand a good while.
• It is good for rotation and removable use.
• This torque wrench is compact and light in weight.
• It has a higher quality at a good price.

Specifications Of CDI Torque 2502MRMH Torque Wrench

This CDI torque wrench has an industrial style that offers a non-slip grip made out of soft material to hold well. It as well allows you to get rid of fatigue and hand pain to use a long time.

And, this wrench has a 30 to 250 inch/lbs. torque range that allows you to tighten or loosen out the nuts at ease. It as well allows good angling and changing settings with no struggle.

Furthermore, this wrench has a dual scale that allows calibrating in both ways with no struggle. It as well allows you to use it in the left or right sides without harming the nuts or surface.

This torque wrench also has a positive lock setup that allows you to get rid of unintentional changes. It as well helps you to get spring-loaded with a lock ring to use well with no rust hitch.

In addition, this wrench has a fast release button that allows you to get a fine turning of the socket when using. It as well helps you to take out or attach nuts or bolts in a good manner.

Also, this wrench has a safety standard with a ± 3% clockwise and ± 4% CCW in an indicated valve to use well. It is also very easy to clean using a cloth and solution to wipe out dirt at ease.

The Bottom Line:

For those of you who want a rugged and expert use wrench at a worth price range, then it is a good pick. This torque wrench is a fine option for a nice design, handling, and performance.

Pros:

• This torque wrench is good for all purposes.
• It has a fine accuracy to rotate well.
• This torque wrench has a nice torque range.
• It has good durability to avoid rust.
• This torque wrench is easy to clean.

How To Pick The Torque Wrench For Lawn Mower Blades?

Picking the right torque wrench will need you to check some aspects. Going with a torque wrench that doesn’t fulfill your need is worthless. To avoid this type of situation, here we have given some factors that will help you pick the best one.

Torque Drive Sizes

When it comes to removing or fitting lawnmower blades nut, you need to learn about the right size of the drive. Basically, there are 3 types of drive sizes available in most torque wrenches such as 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 inches. Let’s look into these drive sizes in details:

1/4” Drive

For those who are looking for a small lug nuts fitting wrench torque, then the 1/4” drive is a good choice. This type of drive is excellent for 50 to 250 lbs. of torque range to fit bolts well. The 1/4” drive torque wrenches are perfect for tight spaces.

3/8” Drive

This type of drive is good for lawnmowers or trucks to tighten out nuts well. The 3/8” drive of torque wrench is fine for a 15 to 75 ft-lbs. torque range at ease.

1/2” D rive

The 1/2” drive of torque wrench is a great choice for fitting large nuts or bolts in lawnmowers blade. This type of drive is great for 30 to 250 lbs. of torque range to attach in a good fitment. The 1/2” drive is best for automotive works to use.

3/4” Drive

The 3/4” drive is made for using in largest nuts to fit or remove well. In fact, this type of drive is good for special use. And, the 3/4” drive is excellent for the 50 to 500 lbs. torque range.

Accuracy

The accuracy of the torque wrench is an essential thing you need to think about. When in the store, you’ll notice different accuracy calibrations in the wrench that has precise sizes to alter the torque.

Most torque wrenches have ± 4% or ± 6% reading accuracy tuning by turning in the right-left direction to get precision. So, try to go with a torque wrench that has good accuracy adjustments.

Longevity

No one will prefer a torque wrench that doesn’t last a good while, right? The durability of the torque wrench is important for use on a lawnmower blade.

Most torque wrenches are made out of solid materials such as alloy steel or metal to ensure longevity. Also, it has plastic material on the bottom areas.

If you go with a fragile torque wrench, you cannot use a long while. Therefore, be sure to go with a firm torque wrench that will go a long way.

Ratchet

Another thing you want to check in the torque wrench is the ratchet. A torque wrench that has a good ratchet head to support attaching a bolt smoothly is a good option.

Also, it will allow you to hear a click sound when the fitting is done. Thus, makes sure your picked torque wrench has a ratchet head to use at ease.

Hard Cases

The hard case included torque wrench is a good selection. A travel-friendly case will also ensure good storage benefits. Most torque wrenches offer hard cases made out of solid plastic materials.

Also, a hard case will protect torque wrenches from damages and other harm. So, make certain to go with a torque wrench that contains a protective plastic case.

Comfortable Grip

For fine support, the torque wrench should have a good grip that is snug to hold. A soft grip included torque wrenches will make sure lasting comfort even if you grasp for a good while.

Also, makes sure the handle or grip is slip-free to use on lawnmower blade nuts. Therefore, be sure to pick a torque wrench that has a comfy grip.

Tricks to Use A Torque Wrench Safely

Even if the torque wrench looks very simply to use, you need to pull out the right trick to do so. It can cause scratches or cracks if you use the torque wrench in the wrong way. For that, the following tricks will lead to how exactly you start off using a torque wrench.

Hold the Torque Drive with Gentle Pressure

One of the common mistakes that are done by most people is adding more pressure on the torque wrench. No matter if you are using a torque wrench for removing or attaching a bolt, try to put less pressure.

It will not only help your nut to stay firm but also ensure no harm to the surface. Putting too much pressure in a nut will cause cracks or grazes.

Pay Attention to The Click

You definitely don’t want to fit nut tightly on lawnmower blade as it will result in short time lasting ability. When fitting nuts on the lawnmower blade, it is better to listen to the click sound before putting an extra twist.

This will help you to fit the nut in the perfect safety measure. So, makes sure you have listened to the click sound by reducing the tapering pace.

Loosen Out the Wrench

After you have done working with a torque wrench, then loosen out the wrench from the bolts. This way you can help wrench to get a good lifespan. If you leave the wrench in unwind form, it will result in the wrench stress of the spring getting stuck. And, it causes harm to the spring.

Follow the Safety Rating

All wrenches have a safety rating or limit to use in set torque force. It indicates the maximum limit of torque force that a wrench can handle when using. On this topic, most experts suggested using a wrench in a quarter range so that you don’t reach the safety rating.

And, if you get in touch with the limited ratings of torque force, it will weaken the surface by shorting the lifespan.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Ques: What size socket for lawn mower blade?

The socket size can be different based on your lawnmower blade nut. Most lawnmower socket nuts sizes are 5/8 or 9/16 inches that allow using a rightly fitted socket wrench. For example, if you have 5/8 inches of socket nut in your mower blade, then you’ll need a 5/8 inches socket wrench to get the job done well.

What type of torque wrench is most accurate?

There are many types of torque wrench that are good in precision such as click-type, electric type, and beam type. Out of all, we find the click-type torque wrench most precise for its high-quality design and pinpoint accuracy. The other two types of torque wrenches are good in precision but lack present pinpoint accuracy.

Do I really need a torque wrench for the lawnmower blade?

It is not compulsory that you will need a torque wrench for all lawnmower blades. But, to avoid harming the surface or your hand, using a torque wrench is the ideal solution. Not only that it helps to reach the right fitting but also makes sure not to attach tight or loose.

What direction do I turn the nut to change a mower blade?

When changing the mower blade, you need to turn the nut in the counterclockwise position or to the left. It will help to take out the nut in the right rotation with no harm to the nut or blade. You will notice the nut is loosening which indicates you’re doing right.

Can you over-tighten a lawnmower blade?

Yes, you can overtighten a lawnmower blade. However, if you do the overtighten process carelessly, it will result in damages. This technique will cause the nut to get harm due to too much pressure. So, it is fine to avoid overtightening a lawnmower blade.

Conclusion

Finding a decent torque wrench for lawn mower blades will need good ideas and research. To take care of your lawnmower blades, the torque wrench is an essential item.

There are many times when you need to replace the lawnmower blades which will need a quality torque wrench to get the job done well. You will notice many types of torque wrenches in the market that are good for different purposes.

Some products are good for long-term usage which others work well for occasional use. And, it will be easy to pick the right torque wrench if you know what features and points will fulfill the desire. If you need durability and quality, then pick a long-term torque wrench.

For your ease of research, we have listed 7 top-notch torque wrenches after spending a long hour of study to present the best in both world choices. Besides, we have given you the buying guide and some popular questioned solutions to help you known in detail.

Also, avoid choosing a cheap torque wrench that lacks in quality. Instead, pick a long-term usable and high-quality one even if cost more.

We hope this guide helped you find your ideal partner from our given best torque wrench for lawn mower blades list. And, hope you’ll try out our mentioned products. Happy shopping!

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How Tight Should Lawn Mower Blades Be?

Lawnmowers are an incredibly useful and time-saving landscaping tool. However, like with most power tools, they can pose serious health and safety risks when used improperly or when they are faulty.

Mower blades can be as tight as desired for machines with ‘give’ mechanisms built in. Many mowers have manufacturer specified foot-pound torque values. For zero turn and lawn tractors 65 to 100 ft-lb is an acceptable level. Tightness for push and self propelled mowers range from 30-60 ft-lb.

Today, I FOCUS on the most dangerous part of a lawnmower…the blades. We discuss how tight the blades should be when the mower deck is disengaged, as well as whether they should be allowed to spin freely in place.

How Tight Is Too Tight For Lawn Mower Blades?

The average Joe with no clue on how mowers work may have the belief that the blade on a lawnmower should be completely unmovable from its position when the mower isn’t in operation. Many people believe the engine’s power alone is what should drive the blade(s), which is understandable.

While lawnmower blades shouldn’t be spinning freely, they should still have give when you push or pull them. This give is necessary as it is a safety measure that will protect the blades and even the clutch from permanent damage if the blades hit a hard object like a rock or slab.

When it comes to tightening the blade’s position, your first port of call is your product’s instruction manual. Some manufacturers have an in-built “give” mechanism that works regardless of how tightly you screw the blade in place.

This is usually the case if the manual doesn’t specify how tight the blade should be screwed in. However, it’s a good idea to contact them or the dealer to be sure.

• Mower blades on zero-turns and garden tractors have a range of 65 and 100 ft-lb. These values are usually dependent on the size of the blade and decks. Some of the biggest z-turn mowers have 100” decks!
• Power push and self-propelled mowers typically range from 30 to 60 ft-lb. Again, this can depend on the size and heaviness of the blades.
• Reel mowers should be tightened as much as possible. The rotation of reel blades is entirely dependent on the movement of the mower.

The easiest way to determine a torque value is to use a torque wrench (Amazon link). You can also wing it with a regular wrench if you’re confident enough, but that increases the risk of over-tightening, which can damage the screw.

The blade will also be deprived of the collision-give, which increases the risks of damage if it comes into contact with something hard.

Even worse is the risk of under-tightening, which can result in the blade(s) flying off! Most mowing decks are designed not to be breached by the blade made for the mower, but that doesn’t prevent the mower from tipping or the blade slinging free from under the deck.

Should Lawn Mower Blades Spin Freely?

The answer to this is actually in two parts. It is not an answer that relies on ‘it depends’ in reference to the blade spin itself. Though it does depend on the type of mower it is attached to.

Lawn mower blades should not spin freely on mowers with belt driven systems. They have collision variances, but are directly connected to the motor for power. Blades do spin freely on mowers designed with a clutch at times and are not directly dependent on the engine.

Blades on gearless mowers should not move freely at all because their movement is directly dependent on the running of the engine. The blades are held by a belt system that connects directly to the motor. They must only move to the extent of the collision give we discussed earlier.

A freely spinning blade on such a mower may be a sign of a loose connection to the shafting point. This is very bad because the continued operation could eventually lead to the blade flying off and causing unimaginable damage.

Mowers with a clutch should have blades that spin freely. Blade operation is not dependent on the engine, as the operator can engage or disengage the mower deck and belts anytime. In fact, if your mower blades are not moving freely, it may point to problems with your mower’s transmission.

Can A Lawn Mower Blade Be Too Sharp?

Most people should use sharp, but thick, blades because they will last longer than the razor-thin varieties, which require regular sharpening.

Lawnmower blades can be too sharp for long-term use. An ideal blade angle is 35 degrees. The thinner the edge of the blade becomes, the more fragile it is, especially with blades made of brittle metal. However, some experienced landscapers may make use of extra sharp blades from time to time.

The typical homeowner just wants to bring out the old mower once in a while and trim the grass. Frequent sharpening could become annoying to you, while not sharpening thin blades enough could be a health hazard for your lawn. Dull blades tend to tear the grass, rather than cut it, and this leaves it vulnerable to infection and fungi.

If the blade is secured at the right tightness, the blade is sharpened at the proper angel, and care is taken not to mow over hard objects, a mower should be in optimal performance conditions for quite some time.

The ideal sharpening angle range is 30-40 degrees. Too low is too sharp and too high is too dull. A grinder is an ideal tool for the job, and several good ones are available on Amazon. You can also go old-school with a whetstone.

• For dense grass with lots of twigs and dead leaves, your best approach is a thick and slightly dulled blade. Think of this as a bruising battle, where your mower will need brute force over seamless intricacy.
• Softer grasses and weeds can be done with a sharper blade. However, it’s best to make the lawn is free of sketchy debris.
• Avoid mowing with the blades too close to the ground, as this will accelerate the dulling of the blade. If you are looking to buy a lawnmower, make sure to get one with an adjustable cutting/deck height. We recommend a three-inch cut for decent ground clearance. This height is also best for most lawn grasses.

As you can see, the sharpness of your blades matters in either direction. Too sharp, and the blade will be prone to quicker dulling, especially on impact with tough objects.

Too dull, and you might end up ripping your grass, which produces a sub-standard and disease-prone lawn. Dull blades also require you to make more passes over the grass, which will cost you time and fuel/energy.

At some point, you and your mower blades may reach a point where sharpening just won’t cut it anymore (pun intended). This is when you might want to consider replacing the blades entirely. Most manufacturers sell and even install replacement blades for their machines, so feel free to contact them when you need to change.

The Final Touches On How Tight Lawn Mower Blades Should Be…

Some mowers have built in safety mechanisms to protect against blade collisions with hard objects. Others have recommended torque values that blades should be tightened to in order for blades to operate safely.

Proper blade tightening, sharpening, and construction can ensure a fast, clean, and healthy cut for your lawn.

References

Mathew has worked in landscaping professionally for over 10 years. He is a grandpa and frequently interviews other experienced landscapers and lawn care experts who are also grandpas for these articles.

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We are Jerry McMillan and Mathew Booe (Father-In-Law/Great-Grandpa and Son-In-Law/Grandpa). Jerry has been in the landscaping business professionally for over 45 years and 10 of those years Mathew worked with him and helped him run his business. Together they answer landscaping, lawn care, and gardening questions of all types from hard work, first hand knowledge, and experience.

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