A lawnmower blade balancer is basically a balance checker. But, how does a lawnmower blade balancer work?
It helps gardeners determine if a lawnmower blade is balanced or not. It shows if the blade needs to be balanced or not, and thus, it promotes the mower’s lifespan, decreases vibrations, and enables smoother operation of the machine.
Most blade balancers today have a cone shape and a circular blade pattern. They’re usually designed to accommodate all types of blades and optimize the process of balancing blades.
Even though you can use any nail you have in your garage or working shed to check if the blade is balanced or not, a blade balancer is a much better option because it’s designed for this and offers higher precision.
Thanks to it, you enhance the blade’s performance and ensure its longevity.
When a lawnmower operates with an unbalanced blade, there will be more vibrations and the blade won’t be able to trim optimally. If not properly balanced, it will tear up the bearings.
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How to Use a Lawn Mower Blade Balancer?
To use the cone blade balancer, you need to place it on a leveled surface first.
You put the middle hole of the blade into the center of the cone. When it’s in place, if the blade remains even on both sides, it means that it’s ideally balanced.
However, if it falls on one side more than on the other, it means that there’s more material that needs to be shaved off. Grind it slightly and then put the blade back onto the blade balancer to check it out again. If necessary (the blade is still uneven), repeat the grinding.
To take out the blade from the lawnmower, you need to disconnect the machine from the spark plug and tilt the mower on the side.
Always wear protective gear like gloves and goggles to decrease the risk of injuries from flying metal pieces. When you’re finished with the balancing, you reinstall the blade back to its place.
You’ll immediately notice when you turn on the lawnmower that the vibrations are reduced and that the grass is being trimmed evenly.
How Does a Lawn Mower Blade Balancer Work?
This cone-shaped tool is usually made of affordable, yet quality die-cast zinc. It’s cascading and triangular so that it can fit various blade hole sizes. It’s used to determine the balance of a lawnmower blade easily and fast.
The cone also features a pin in the center which ensures optimal correctness. It helps you find out, in just a couple of seconds, which side is heavier.
To ensure the blade balancer you’ve bought is a quality investment and that it will serve its purpose, choose one that’s constructed from a long-lasting material.
Some of the most common materials for the production of cone blade balancers are zinc, aluminum, or some other kind of metal and plastic.
No matter the material which the manufacturer chose, look for reviewed products with comments that focus on the cone’s performance and stability.
Avoid the very cheap options because they’re usually made of poor quality materials and won’t last as long as the more quality ones.
When working with a cone blade balancer, don’t forget to check the compatibility of the blade with the mounting holes. Blade holes have several shapes and the most common ones are rectangular, circular, 7-star, and a star.
This is why it’s best to pick a blade balancer with a universal fit that can accommodate different blade holes.
Why It’s Important to Balance Your Lawn Mower Blades?
Balanced blades help decrease the wear and tear of the lawnmower and prolong its lifespan.
Unfortunately, when the blade is left unbalanced for a prolonged period of time, there will be a lot of vibrations that aren’t just unpleasant for the user, but also damaging to the mower and to the trimming process. This may also affect the engine and result in costly repairs.
In addition to keeping your lawn mower blades balanced, there are several other maintenance aspects you have to check off of your to-do list. One of them is sharpening. A dull lawnmower blade is a no-go.
It’s recommended to sharpen the blades of your lawnmowers twice every season to ensure a healthy and green lawn and steady work throughout the season.
Thanks to a sharp and balanced blade, the grass cuts will be clean and the grass will recover fast and also lower the time spent on mowing.
Working with dull lawn mower blades will rip and pull the blades of the grass, resulting in weaker plants and a higher risk of fungal growth and other illnesses.
On the other hand, with a sharp lawnmower blade, there’s less stress on the grass and on the machine.
And, you’ll also be happier and more satisfied with the mowing.
Final Thoughts
In order to keep your lawnmower working optimally, you need to keep its blades sharp and balanced. Balanced blades are essential: it reduces any unpleasant vibrations and decreases the risk of poor trimming and engine damage.
Balanced blades have equally distributed weight on both sides.
The best method to determine their balance is to check it on a cone blade balancer. This small, but efficient tool, is designed to help you check if the blades are properly balanced.
It’s shaped like a cone and it can usually fit various blade hole sizes. When the blade is placed onto the tip, it helps you see if both sides are equal or if one is leaning more than the other.
If the blade is unbalanced, you need to balance it by grinding off the surplus metal on the side that’s heavier. You then reinstall the blade onto the lawnmower and continue with your gardening!