When to change a lawnmower blade

Lawnmower blades need to be regularly checked, cleaned and sharpened to preserve the cutting performance of your mower and encourage healthy grass growth. If the blade becomes damaged, we always recommend changing it. It's quick and easy to do.

In this article, we'll explain how to recognise when a lawnmower blade needs to be changed and highlight some of the benefits doing this will bring to your lawn. 

Damage to your lawn

If you spot brown patches on your lawn shortly after mowing, this could be down to a blunt blade. Dull, blunt blades tear through the tips of grass instead of cutting them off cleanly. This kills off the top few centimetres of grass from each blade, hampering photosynthesis and therefore growth. 

Start by looking at the tips of the grass in the affected area. If you spot that they look ragged instead of neatly cut, then it is time to sharpen or change your blade. A sharp blade leads to a neater looking and healthier lawn.

Pro Tip: You can tell when your blade is becoming blunt as the tips of each blade of grass will be ragged and brown. 

It takes longer to cut the lawn

If you find that it’s getting harder to mow your lawn, this could be down to the blade. When the blade is dull, the lawnmower must work harder to cut the grass. This means it will take longer to mow your lawn, which can be frustrating and time-consuming. A sharp blade makes your mowing experience more efficient. 

The mower is making a noise or vibrating more than normal

If your mower is starting to make a noise and/or is vibrating more than normal during use, this could be a sign that the blade is damaged, is imbalanced or has worked loose. This should be repaired as quickly as possible to prevent further damage.

Always consult the product's instructions when maintaining or changing a lawnmower blade to make sure you do this safely.

In conclusion, poorly maintained blades can make mowing less efficient and negatively impact the health of your lawn. If you notice that your blades are blunt or damaged beyond repair, it's best to replace them as soon as possible.