Do You Actually Need to Balance Your Blades?

Most lawn pros sharpen their mower blades from time to time, yet very few think about balancing them. 

Blade balancing is one of the least discussed parts of lawn care, and this is a mistake. 

Having balanced blades on a mower has a direct impact on the health of your grass and the lifespan of your equipment. 

This page will cover all you need to know about this topic.

Wait, What Does it Mean to Balance Blades? 

A balanced blade has equal weight on both sides. This means that when it spins, the rotation is steady and controlled. 

Over time, sharpening, contact with the soil, and normal wear gradually remove metal from the blade. The metal is removed unevenly, causing one side to be lighter than the other. 

Even a slight difference in weight can throw off the rotation.

Signs Your Mower Blade is Out of Balance

Recognizing an unbalanced blade is easy. Here are some of the signs that your blades may be unbalanced:

• Vibration: A mower that vibrates roughly and becomes shaky typically has an unbalanced blade. When the blade wobbles, the entire body of the mower absorbs the movement. 

• Uneven Cuts: Your lawn should look clean and have a level finish every time. A lawn that appears patchy or streaked, that has high and low spots, or looks torn rather than sliced, is a sure sign that your blades are unbalanced.

• Premature Wear on Bearings and Spindle: If you hear whining, grinding, and unusual sounds coming from your mower, it could be that the blade is not rotating evenly. 

• Scalp Marks & Circular Cuts: If you notice strange scalp marks or circular cuts, you might be out of balance. 

If you start to see issues like this showing up in your work, it might be time to get your blades balanced! 

Why Unbalanced Blades Can Be Risky to Use

Unbalanced blades tear grass rather than cut it. This tearing can expose the grass to stress and lead to various issues. 

Here are some other specific grass issues caused by unbalanced blades.

1. Rough and frayed edges.

2. Slower recovery from mowing. 

3. Loss of moisture.

4. Loss of green color and vibrant look.

Balanced blades protect your grass by giving it a clean and even cut; unbalanced blades do not. 

Why Unbalanced Blades Hurt Mowers

Unbalanced blades not only hurt your grass, but they also hurt your mower. 

Mowing your lawn with unbalanced blades can cause ongoing stress that leads to more serious issues down the road. Here are a few other mower issues caused by unbalanced blades.

1. Excessive engine strain.

2. Damage to the bearings and spindle assembly.

3. Loose bolts and hardware.

4. Shortened lifespan.

Balancing the blade regularly helps prevent these issues before they lead to costly repairs. 

Not to mention, your mower may become unsafe to operate if these issues are left unaddressed.

How Do Local Pros Check for Blade Balance?

GreenPal Local Pros always check their blade balance to produce a clean, quality cut every time. 

After sharpening a blade, a Local Pro will typically use one of the following tools:

1. Cone-style blade balancer.

2. Magnetic wall balancer.

3. Nail-in-wall balance point.

The blade is then placed on the balancer to see which side is heavier. 

The heavier side is then touched up until the blade sits level on the balancer. 

Once balanced, the blade delivers a cleaner cut and reduces vibration. 

Remember, regular maintenance is what separates seasoned Local Pros on GreenPal from novice mowers who can cause more harm than good. 

Be Safe: Let a Local Pro from GreenPal Handle Everything

If you are uncomfortable removing the blade of your lawn mower or lack the sharpening equipment and knowledge that produces consistent results, hiring a Local Pro through GreenPal is the smart choice. 

Using GreenPal to hire a Local Pro is not only the smart choice, it is the safe choice. 

Remember that mowing your grass with an unbalanced blade is not only harmful to your lawn and equipment, but it can be unsafe, putting you and your family in harm’s way.

Hiring a Local Pro through GreenPal is easy. Here is how it works:

1. Get Quotes: Create an account, list your lawn on GreenPal, and start checking out Local Pros and getting quotes. 

2. Compare Local Pros: When you find a Local Pro that you may want to work with, check their prices, review photos of their past work, and ask them what services are included in their price.

3. Pay After: Pay only after the job is completed.

No contracts, no hidden fees, no games. Just quality service from Local Pros in your area!

Check out lawn care in Shreveport and landscaping in St Louis to learn more about GreenPal. 

FAQs

Is sharpening the same thing as balancing?

No. Sharpening blades makes the edge ready for cutting, whereas balancing ensures both sides of the blades weigh the same after sharpening. 

What happens if I never get my blades balanced?

Unbalanced blades can cause uneven cuts, lawn damage, increase mower vibration, and premature wear on equipment. 

Do new blades come balanced?

Yes. Most new blades come factory-balanced, but they should still be double-checked before installation.

How can I tell if my blade is bent instead of just unbalanced?

Bent blades will result in uneven cutting patterns and may appear twisted when viewed from the side. Bent blades should be replaced immediately. Some might even replace their entire mower if bad enough. 

Does blade balancing really affect lawn health?

Yes. Balanced blades cut cleaner, straight, and evenly. 

How often do Local Pros balance their blades?

Some pros balance their blades weekly, some monthly, while others do it daily. It also depends on how much you use the mower. 

Is it dangerous to use an unbalanced blade?

Yes. Unbalanced blades cause a ton of extra vibration that can loosen hardware, damage the mower, and make it not safe to work.