Exactly how OFTEN should mower blades be sharpened?

[Vibe Ray]

Exactly how OFTEN should mower blades be sharpened? Is once a day the norm? I have heard some of you guys even say that you sharpen or change the blades twice a day! Does it really make a difference by doing it twice a day or is once a day enough? Or what about even less than that? And after many hours do you sharpen or change your blade (for those days that aren't full days)?

[dmk395]

I mow 35 lawns a week, mostly medium to small size, and sharpen about 2-3 times a week, so nearly every day.

[Nathan]

We clean and lube the mowers every day. So we just check the blades when we have the decks flipped up for scraping. If they are dull sharpen them.

[John DiMartino]

I do mine every 8-12 hrs mowing time,but if its real thick in the spring,Ill throw a new set on as soon as 5-6 hrs if needed.

[TLS]

I am real particular about my blades and their sharpness, however I seem to be able to go about 15 hrs or so before a blade change. Just watch the terrain and dont mow driveways, thats what blowers are for! Sandy or dusty conditions will dull them quicker. Sticks and stones will break your bones (blades) real quick.

[GreenQuest Lawn]

usually 10 - 15 hrs 2-3 times a week

[DMC300]

Fresh blades 1-2 times per day.

[1MajorTom]

Fresh blades every morning.
Jodi

[Randy Scott]

I have to figure this computer stuff out, you people have some cool stuff!

[Island Lawn]

I just bought a 48" eXmark wb. My dealer is one (if not the)of the most reputable around.
I told them to order me a few extra blades because I wanted to sharpen them daily.
The looks I got!
I'm sure they just saw a naive newbie.

I also asked them about a blade sharpening machine (I couldn't come up w/ "RBG")
They said, "blades don't have to be that sharp."
They use a 4" angle grinder.
I told them that it was my belief that sharp blades are better for the grass. They agreed, but felt that anything more than what they were doing would be overkill!

I may have to break down and buy me a RBG. It sounds like the easiest way to go for regular sharpening routine.

In the meantime, I'll try to keep them sharp w/ a flat bastard. It's work. But, it's less work if I never let the blades get dull. I don't think my dealer would do a better job (definately faster!) w/ their 4"!

It's a good dealership w/ a good service dept. I was tempted to tell them where I get my radical ideas, but I decided I would just ride the "naive newbie" title for a while. The ONLY reason I don't fit that description exactly is LS.
(I probably fit it more than I realize, so I try to do more listening than talking)

Anyway, I try to keep my blades SHARP. I check them often and take into consideration all the sand here on the coast.
Usually, a daily workout w/ the bastard produces satisfactory results.

[TJLC]

My dealer told me to sharpen about every 4-6 yards. Seems to keep them good and sharp. I also feel if your going to go to the trouble of removing and reinstalling blades,you should take the time to get them REALLY sharp. Also,BALANCE,BALANCE,BALANCE. Did I mention the importance of balancing?LOL

[TGCummings]

Depending on conditions, I change blades every 1-3 days. Since I usually use two different mowers in a day, and put about equal time on each, I don't have to change them daily under normal conditions.

I sharpen all my blades once a week. I keep several sets sharp so I can switch quickly, and I always keep spares in the truck for the occasional rock, etc. that I might miss in my walk-through.

-TGC

[Eric ELM]

We change them every day and twice a day on long days.

[Richard Martin]

What do you all think of this idea? I am already sharpening my blades with a 4" angle grinder with a 24 grit hard wheel. It leaves the blade with a hollow grind. Today I went out and bought a die grinder and got a great deal on it. Sears was closing out their $75 grinder for $60. Since all they had left was the floor model I got it for $29. But I digress. What if I were to just hit the blades with the die grinder once a day to put the edge back on them. Do you think this may work? Since the blades have a hollow grind on them I think I could save a lot of time over changing them and sharpening 5 sets of blades a week. I would still remove the blades on the weekend and sharpen them with the 4" angle grinder to put the hollow grind back in them.

[Eric ELM]

I feel if this was the best way of doing it, all Lawnsite members would already be doing this. I think it is a bad way to do it, but you may want to try it to see for yourself.

[awm]

Not being a smart aleck but sharpen when it looses edge.
I check at each yd.If its not carrying a fairly good edge
I change.That can vary from 2 hrs to couple days.
This may change w ztr and doubles.

[John DiMartino]

When i change mine-it because the outside corner is dull,the first inch of the blade is doing 95% of the cutting anyway,as soon as the corner is rounded,they are basically junk,unless you weld up the corners,for what they cost-ill buy new ones.Ive sharpened blades for friends that were worn out,with no corner left-they thought they were good yet,put new on and they couldnt believe the difference.So make sure your corner is square ans sharp,once its gone throw em in the scrap metal pile