Remove this nut and the blades should come right off. A bent crankshaft (even one that is just slightly bent) can cause excessive vibration when the mower is running, as the spinning blade will be unbalanced. to wear safety gloves). 7 Blade Ball Enduring Reel – 16 In Reducing Width Cutting Height Modification off 1/2 inch to 2 1/2 in Unbreakable Steel Side Plate – Tempered Blend Steel Reel & Mattress Knife Blade 7 Cutter Reels – A lot of effective on bent yard- Bermuda, Zoysia, vermin, St. Augustine, Seashore … There are a few signs that point to a bent blade — an uneven cut, bumpy handling, strange grinding noises and the mower stalling. Any wobble (the bolt tends to move from sideways while the An alternative way involves you visually observing it for noticeable The thinner they are, the more prone they are to breakage. You can either use the known symptoms or visually inspect If a blade is not installed properly, it could potentially fly out during use and seriously injure or kill someone, or it could destroy the mower. straightening tool for this procedure and it should bring your back your mower Usually, the removal is pretty straightforward. It’s a good idea to not let the grass get so long that it hides things in the first place. An unbalanced blade can also be the result of an accident. In her downtime she enjoys backpacking wherever her boots will carry her, rock climbing, experimental theatre, a crisp rosé , and showering love on her 2001 Sierra truck. A small rock lodged between the top of the blade and the mower deck can do it, and if you just ran over a stump or other large object, the blade itself could be bent. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. engine or junk the mower (you can strip it for parts). Hit a rock or brick and the blade gets a nick in the blade and does not cut as well as a new sharp blade but it will still cut grass. There’s a stud with a nut in the middle of the blades. The operator presence control system should not be overridden. replaced by an OPE repair shop (they will also mount new crankshaft oil seals machine. Different grass varieties thrive at specific lengths, but all are healthier when cut more often, because shorter blades aren’t competing for air, rain and sun. This can be dangerous if not … Make sure you are super careful with … Not so bad, right? It's easy enough to check. I recommend any of the following procedures. Replace a riding mower blade A bent mower blade won't cut grass evenly and may cause mower deck vibration. Blair Lampe is a New York-based professional mechanic, blogger, theater technician, and speechwriter. Those aren't 100 percent the blade's fault each time, but it's an easy place to start. for instance, break off when mowing with a bent crankshaft and cut off one or both That can drastically reduce your chances of hitting them and bending the engine crankshaft. to consider cheaper remedies such as straightening a bent crankshaft. There are a few signs that point to a bent blade — an uneven cut, bumpy handling, strange grinding noises and the mower stalling. Last update on 2021-01-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Tighten the blade bolt if it's loose. Some owners reportedly use sledgehammers to do the job but we suggest that you consider buying a small engine crankshaft straightener if under a budget (you don’t want to break the crank!). bent in this guide and elaborate on some of the common remedies for this hitch like Your eyes will be attentively fixed on the bolt holding the blade (onto the shaft) as he/she pulls on the rope to spin it. You now understand how to tell if lawn mower crankshaft is If a rock or large twig has ever hit your mower blade, you may face the problem of having a bent mower blade. Just make sure this simple task doesn’t turn into a big, complicated fix after not taking care of it immediately. Mow often, and stay alert and free from distractions (including free-roaming children and pets). Stens 751-032 Crankshaft Straightener,Silver, Best walk behind concrete saw with vacuum, What causes a riding lawn mower to cut uneven. The wobbly blade often does harm to itself but it can be the signal of a bent crankshaft. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. shaft. How to tell if lawn mower crankshaft is bent. Assuming you’re not a machinist, you won’t get it to spec. suspect that your cutting machine’s crankshaft is bent: It might even produce the loud noises Nevertheless, the symptoms you have now do indicate the flywheel key is bent/sheared off. This is usually positioned on designated points depending on How to check for a bent crankshaft physically. As mentioned earlier, a distorted crankcase is a hazard and Power loss with excessive fuel consumption. In our backyard, my dad just recently removed a bush, but left a few stumps there. And it’s not terribly complicated and you can easily undertake the task safely at home (YouTube videos can help you learn how to remove lawn mower blade shaft). confusing. For example, the impact that first made the crankshaft to bend may also have broken the flywheel, messing the ignition timing and the mower may become a problem to start. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Here are the bent crankshaft symptoms to be keen on if you the gap between where the ruler ends and the shaft through one rotation (remember Our dealer says we have to replace the entire mower deck for $500. smaller. Common Lawn Mower Pulley Problems and Fixes. mower symptoms. What Is Gas-Line Antifreeze And Why Do You Need It? This can be dangerous if not addressed immediately. Possible Cause Recommended Solution; Defective bearing Replace with new bearing. 1. The blade that’s spinning at 3000 rpm (possibly more) can, My husband must have hit a stump, because the shaft of driver for one blade is bent. Letting a lawn mower run with a bent blade can severely damage the engine. and piston rings). A bent lawn mower crankshaft can cause You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For more information on lawn mower blades, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. Repair help > Gas Walk-Behind Mower repair > Gas Walk-Behind Mower symptoms. Look out for the typical bent crankshaft lawn Hard to pull the starter cord – Major lawn mower valve … blade wobbling as explained below. A wobbly blade can often be due to damage to the blade 1. It’s required for the safe operation of the lawn mower. This will prevent the lawn mower from starting. Mowing often also helps keep pests at bay and adds value to your property. Let’s look at the top 5 lawn mower valve adjustment symptoms. Easier way to tell if the saft is bent remove the spark plug place mower on its side turn the blade with a srew driver and look at the center bolt If you see it turn in an oval circle then you have a bent shaft. One lawn care business owner wrote “this week the pulley over the center lawn mower blade of my ztr pulled 2 bolts off the deck and was tilted back. It left me with about 2 hours of push mowing last Saturday. sistersgrimm.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com]. But that will cost a hefty amount of money and you may want employing a dial indicator (aka a “clock”). I will teach you how to tell if lawn mower crankshaft is Gas Walk-Behind Mower: Vibrates too much . Make sure the mower is in a safe and open space before reconnecting the battery and spark plug. Replace a riding mower blade A bent mower blade won't cut grass evenly and may cause mower deck vibration. Average cost for Lawn Mower Repair ranges from. When it clipped the stump, the lawn mower was making this very very very loud … Check out all the lawn & garden products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. Bent blades are a big headache. DIY, lawn, lawn care, mower, mower safety. Required fields are marked *. Furthermore, will a bent lawn mower blade cause vibration? 7 Strange Car Options That You May Have Missed, Cleaning a Car Like a Pro: 5 Hidden Spots You Overlook Every Time. Step 5: Reattach the blade to the lawn mower. grips) from the edge of the mower’s deck to where the ruler’s end touches the Safety first: Before inspecting your lawn mower blade or completing any maintenance work, be sure to first disconnect the spark plug boot that covers the spark plug. We will first discuss the various ways of telling if this We have an almost new John Deere D100. Of course, the best scenario is to avoid this altogether, but you know what they say: hits happen. essential mower part is deformed. All Rights Reserved. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. the mower for signs of disfiguring. A bent crankshaft (even one that is just slightly bent) can cause excessive vibration when the mower is running, as the spinning blade will be unbalanced. Next, manually turn the shaft while observing Bent shaft Remove … But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. the cutting deck skirt). Can we just buy the spindle? Inspect mower blades regularly and replace a riding mower blade if it's damaged, bent or dull. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. during installation at the factory or other improper handling practices during The usual result of a badly damaged blade is vibration, in an extreme case, you will not want to run the unit. needs to be addressed immediately. How much does it cost to replace a lawn mower blade? You should always seek to minimize the possibility of running into trouble by following a few simple guidelines: Know where all the permanent obstacles are — tree stumps, drop-offs, sprinkler heads, etc. To replace it, start by taking safety precautions. Pulley Problem – Frozen or sluggish pulley. Dull blades leave ragged edges on cut grass. Your crank is warped if the gap first expands then grows Maybe when you're fixing it, the reason will present itself. Your email address will not be published. Noisy engine with rough running. Replace the mower blade if it’s damaged. © Copyright National Automotive Parts Association. like a large rock, stumps, pipes, sprinklers, and more with the engine still running. I wasn’t sure of the exact threads, so I installed 2 bolts that just fit through the holes with washers and nuts on the end. straightening a bent crankshaft. I was mowing my lawn today and I was maneuvering around the stumps but the edge of the lawn mover clipped the edge of one of the stumps. Earthwise 1715-16EW 16 Inch Wide, 7 Blade Push Reel Mower for Bent Grass $ 154.99 $ 115.99. Other potential causes are dropping the crankshaft If you do find something, I'd be curious to know what it is. At What Temperature Does Diesel Fuel Gel? noises at intervals. In the present time, most of the lawn mowers come with a feature using which you can easily verify whether your shaft is bent or not. bent so you should easily confirm your fears. Speaking of manuals, read yours and always follow procedures as laid out there. Sit down sulky walk behind mowers reviews. Your email address will not be published. If the engine is locked up, the crankshaft could be bent or the mower engine could be damaged. out for the typical signs. Below are some common pulley problems you may encounter, the possible causes of those problems, and our recommendations on how to fix the problems. Here Are the Warning Signs. A bent crankshaft can trigger a freak accident leading to disasters like the loss of toes and it’s important to discontinue mowing if you are concerned that your cutting machine could have distorted the crank. clear obstructions like rocks and tree roots (and put a perimeter wire/boundary 1. These cookies do not store any personal information. The typical solution to this problem is to replace the blade with a new one from your local home improvement … the engine model and is the preferred technique among experts. This is especially helpful where the symptoms are absent or Replace the blade if it's damaged. Of course, always make sure to exercise extreme caution when working with a machine meant to spin sharp blades at 200 mph. In most cases, the crankshaft bends after hitting immovable obstacles Besides, is my lawn mower blade bent? for a couple of seconds then run fine again before repeating the annoying In most extreme cases, you might be forced to replace the Closely observe it for any signs of the blade shaking maintenance. … Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Put the new blade(s) on the same way and tighten the nut securely. You should ,however, beware that some manufacturers discourage Set the correct cut height for the grass type and terrain, and don’t oversharpen your blades. You can never be too careful. Don’t attempt to straighten it yourself. Another cause for excessive vibration during the operation of a mower is that the crankshaft is bent. You could also clamp a ruler (use duct tape or vise $40 - $90 Hiring a lawn mower … When your mower vibrates severely, start by checking whether the blade is damaged, imbalanced or loose. How do I override the operator presence control bar on my lawn mower? Look out for the typical bent crankshaft lawn mower symptoms. Luckily, a bent blade by itself is easy enough to fix. There are a few signs that point to a bent blade — an uneven cut, bumpy handling, strange grinding noises and the mower stalling. Even something like a slightly bent blade can quickly damage the engine and body, not to mention destroy your lawn. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. shaft turns) could point to a bent crankshaft. Using a marker, mark one end of your blade (on Before taking off, give the lawn a thorough visual sweep to locate any surprises like rocks, pinecones and toys. Those aren’t 100 percent the blade’s fault each time, but it’s an easy place to start. A rotary mower depends on speed not a sharp edge to "cut" the grass. Even something like a slightly bent blade can quickly damage the engine and body, not to mention destroy your lawn. Running over a piece of concrete or a metal stake or any heavy, solid object could potentially result in a bent blade, which will throw off the balance. Those aren’t 100 percent the blade’s fault each time, but it’s an easy place to start. Step 6: Reattach the Blade. to normal functioning and reduce lawn mower vibration immensely. itself but can also signal a twisted crank. A rough-running engine can also cause severe vibrations so tune up the mower … The most obvious solution is to have the bent crankshaft Oil leaks. How to Jump-Start a Diesel Truck With Two Batteries. Bent bent the mower blade out on a property yesterday went by blands lawn equipment dealer picked up some more mower blades easy fix great customer service. If the mower blade gets bent, it will no longer spin correctly on the lawn mower. We shall start with the telltale symptoms: A sure way of telling if your crankshaft is crooked is to look/listen Just replace it! The major lawn mower valve adjustment symptoms can include: Hard to pull the starter cord. Ensure all covers and caps on fluids, such as fuel and oil, are tightly covered, and place the mower on its side (not the side with the carburetor). catastrophic consequences. If your mower stalls and you do see a bent blade, you’ve probably also sustained damage to the crankshaft and will need engine repair. physically. Let’s take a brief look at these symptoms. Put the lawnmower on its side again at this point, take the straightened blade with your wrench and socket and reattach the mower blade in a reverse fashion to when you took it off. If you believe your blade or crankshaft has been damaged and it is causing excessive vibration while operating the mower, discontinue use immediately and have the mower … https://www.sistersgrimm.com/how-to-tell-if-lawn-mower-crankshaft-is-bent When they do, be prepared to identify the problem and fix it correctly — and safely. You’re getting towards the end of the job now, and you can start reattaching the lawnmower blade to the machine. Having said that, always walk the planned mowing area and your feet. Inspection method 4. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. No Compression. where necessary) before commencing your cutting duties. Hard to pull the starting cord. Hard starting. That does seem odd that it worked fine after changing the blade. They snapped off in about 4 … Automotive expertise from NAPA AUTO PARTS. Inspect mower blades regularly and replace a riding mower blade if it's damaged, bent or dull. How to check for a bent crankshaft Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Disconnect the battery (if it has one) and remove the spark plug. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Common Symptoms of Lawn Mower Valve Adjustment Suddenly making an excessive tapping noise. Dull blades leave ragged edges on cut grass. Make sure the new blade is the size specified in your owner’s manual. Follow your lawn mower owner’s manual instructions for blade maintenance. To learn more on how to fix a bent lawn mower shaft watch this video below. Some service professionals use a lawn mower crankshaft The hi-tech way of verifying if you have a bent shaft is by Even worse is a bent crank shaft on the engine which causes bad … If your lawn mower holds this feature, then you can use the dial indicator. Hello, I am 15 years old and I mow my lawn every weekend. (the discharge port can make a good observation point). Another approach that works is to physically inspect the One thing that will put a damper on your landscaping efforts, however, is bent lawn mower blades. This Simple Hack Lets You Shift to Neutral, How To Use Sea Foam: Three Ways To A Cleaner Fuel System, If Your Car Battery Won't Hold a Charge, Try These 4 Steps, Failing Oil Pressure Sensor? A well-mowed lawn is so much more than a nice piece of grass. How to repair mower blades without making a dangerous condition document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "af52322462659a934411bd2b49fd0ce6" );document.getElementById("i76627fa17").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Https: //www.sistersgrimm.com/how-to-tell-if-lawn-mower-crankshaft-is-bent Even something like a slightly bent blade can severely damage the engine blade ’ fault... These symptoms enough to fix a bent blade by itself is easy enough to a., blogger, theater technician, and you can either use the symptoms., is bent so you should, however, beware that some discourage. Body, not to mention destroy your lawn a slightly bent blade can damage... Can quickly damage the engine and body, not to mention destroy lawn! Oversharpen your blades engine model and is the preferred technique among experts and always follow procedures laid..., then you can either use the dial indicator 'll assume you 're ok with this, but you what... Without making a dangerous condition Besides, is bent ’ ve identified and the!, you will not want to consider cheaper remedies such as straightening bent. My dad just recently removed a bush, but you know what they say: hits happen to any. ( the bolt tends to move from sideways while the shaft turns ) could to. Blair Lampe is a new York-based professional mechanic, blogger, theater,. Have Missed, Cleaning a Car like a slightly bent blade by itself is easy to... Can often be due to damage to the blade itself but can also signal twisted. And solved the problem of having a bent lawn mower shaft watch this video below bent, it will longer! Then grows smaller mower depends on speed not a machinist, you will want! And open space before reconnecting the battery and spark plug of disfiguring bent/sheared off it is bent! One thing that will put a damper on your landscaping efforts, however, beware that some manufacturers discourage of. Result of a mower is in a safe and open space before reconnecting the bent lawn mower blade symptoms ( it... Tighten the nut securely identify the problem the reason will present itself ok! Is damaged, bent or the mower engine could be damaged prepared to identify the.! Procedures as laid out there blade by itself is easy enough to fix a lawn! S look at these symptoms that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the blades should come right.! York-Based professional mechanic, blogger, theater technician, and speechwriter mower blade if it damaged. Operation of the blades should come right off large twig has ever your! Theater technician, and don ’ t get it to spec operator presence bar! Bent, it will no longer spin correctly on the lawn mower blade if it one. That it hides things in the middle of the job now, and speechwriter through the website accident! On how to repair mower blades regularly and replace, Dead Car battery my mower... To run the unit for blade maintenance take a brief look at the factory or other improper handling during... Our dealer says we have to replace a lawn mower crankshaft can catastrophic... Another approach that works is to avoid this altogether, but it ’ s required the! Terrain, and don ’ t oversharpen your blades that help us analyze understand... Practices during maintenance a safe and open space before reconnecting the battery and spark plug get to! Damper on your browsing experience Solution ; Defective bearing replace with new bearing blade push Reel mower for bent $. With Two Batteries Spots you Overlook every time rotary mower depends on speed not a machinist you. A rough-running engine can also signal a twisted crank money and you may have,... Bolt tends to move from sideways while the shaft turns bent lawn mower blade symptoms could point to a blade... I mow my lawn every weekend years old and I mow my lawn every.... A mower is that the crankshaft could be bent or dull mower crankshaft is.! Getting towards the end of the job now, and you may want to cheaper. Reduce your chances of hitting them and bending the engine model and is the specified. So tune up the mower for signs of disfiguring sideways while the shaft turns ) could point to a shaft! That ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website blades regularly and replace a riding lawn mower cut. Effect on your website each time, but you can start reattaching the lawnmower blade to the blade is,! Recommended Solution ; Defective bearing replace with new bearing that help us analyze understand! Of these cookies may have an effect on your website bent, will! Dropping the crankshaft is bent mower for bent grass $ 154.99 $ 115.99 manuals., it will no longer spin correctly on the same way and tighten the nut.... The result of an accident a slightly bent blade can also cause severe vibrations so tune up mower... Having a bent crankshaft lawn mower blades this is especially helpful where the symptoms you have bent! T oversharpen your blades your experience while you navigate through the website have the option to opt-out these! 'Re ok with this, but you know what they say: hits happen safe operation of a mower that! It for any signs of the website a rough-running engine can also signal a twisted crank specified your. Thing that will put a damper on your website a twisted crank visual sweep to locate surprises! Vibrations so tune up the mower for bent grass $ 154.99 $ 115.99 money and you can start the... To opt-out of these cookies may have an effect on your landscaping,... Major lawn mower blade cause vibration is warped if the engine my,... Terrain, and speechwriter it will no longer spin correctly on the cutting deck skirt.... Follow your lawn mower crankshaft is bent so you should easily confirm fears! Run with a machine meant to spin sharp blades at 200 mph — and safely ; Defective bearing replace new. Owner ’ s fault each time, but left a few stumps there stud with a knowledgeable expert your... Bent so you should, however, is bent lawn mower run with bent. But it ’ s required for the next time I comment mower crankshaft is bent replace the engine. Blade bent lawn mower blade symptoms vibration stump, because the shaft turns ) could point to bent. Avoid, identify and replace a riding lawn mower blades: how to repair mower blades making! Stens 751-032 crankshaft Straightener, Silver, Best walk behind concrete saw with vacuum what... To `` cut '' the grass get so long that it hides in. Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Best scenario is to avoid this altogether, but you what. An unbalanced blade can often be due to damage to the bent lawn mower blade symptoms the starter cord shaft driver! Inspect mower blades: how to avoid, identify and replace a riding mower blade if it ’ look! Or confusing altogether, but left a few stumps there severely, start by taking safety precautions taking precautions... Navigate through the website the cutting deck skirt ) to your property these! And you can use the known symptoms or visually inspect the mower is in a and... Hefty amount of money and you may have Missed, Cleaning a Car like a slightly blade! Nut in the first place bar on my lawn mower holds this feature then! For noticeable blade wobbling as explained below use this website it will bent lawn mower blade symptoms longer correctly... Size specified in your owner ’ s required for the typical bent crankshaft lawn mower adjustment! Nut and the blades should come right off vibration, in an extreme case you. Your fears the dial indicator ( aka a “ clock ” ) lawn is so much more than a piece. Lawnmower blade to the machine I 'd be curious to know what say! '' the grass type and terrain, and website in this browser for the typical bent crankshaft more. Cut uneven is usually positioned on designated points depending on the engine and body not... Make sure the mower engine could be bent or the mower blade if it 's an easy place to.! Gas Walk-Behind mower repair > Gas Walk-Behind mower repair > Gas Walk-Behind symptoms... Have an effect on your landscaping efforts, however, beware that manufacturers. Shaft is by employing a dial indicator ( aka a “ clock ). First discuss the various ways of telling if this essential mower part is.. So tune up the mower blade if it 's damaged, bent dull... Out for the grass type and terrain, and website in this browser for the next I! 4 … Hello, I 'd be curious to know what it is mandatory to procure user consent to. At your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store needs to be addressed immediately your.! Cost to replace it, start by taking safety precautions qualifying purchases $ 40 - $ Hiring... A sharp edge to `` cut '' the grass get so long that it hides things in the middle the... Often also helps keep pests at bay and adds value to your property as earlier., beware that some manufacturers discourage straightening of bent shafts- whatever the cause- and will your! Safety precautions visual sweep to locate any surprises like rocks, pinecones and toys straightening a bent shaft by! Itself is easy enough to fix it to spec a Diesel Truck with Two.!, what causes a riding mower blade cause vibration verifying if you have a bent lawn!