Knowing how to adjust the height of a blade in a lawn mower is crucial for a neat cut. A walk-behind lawn mower comes with levers that allow you to adjust the height. Hence, the mower blade should be at the correct height for a well-trimmed lawn.
However, you may need to reduce the height when the blade can not reach the grass; in the same way that you would need to increase the height when the edge is touching the soil.
In this article, we will give you a thorough guideline on how to lower lawn mower blades. The adjustment will come in handy if you are dealing with an uneven lawn. Also, you can achieve different grass heights according to the grass type on your lawn.
Let’s get inside the height adjustment guidance-
In this content you’ll learn:
How to Lower a Lawn Mower Blade?
Generally, you will find levers on walk-behind mower wheels that allow for the height to be adjusted. In addition, the lever has forward and backward moving paths and some notches to adjust different deck heights.
Here Is Our Step-by-step Guide On Lowering A Mower Blade:
Step 1: Park your mower in a flat area and turn the engine off. If you are using a corded electric mower, unplug the cord. Remove the spark plug for a gasoline-powered mower. Allow the mower to idle so that the engine can cool down.
Step 2: Now, you need to locate the wheel adjustment levers. Often the lever placement is in between the wheel and the mower deck. The gasoline-powered model has levers on each wheel; while most electric models have a single adjusting lever.
Step 3: Before adjusting the height, take a measuring tape or a ruler to measure the height of the blade from the ground.
Step 4: After the measurement, you can lower or raise the blade according to the type of grass you will cut. We will cover the standard height for different grass later in this article. A gasoline mower needs to be adjusted in all 4 wheels, while in most electric ones you only need to adjust a single lever. The levers lie between the 2 wheels and the deck on a push mower.
Pull the lever forward to increase the mowing height. For decreasing the elevation, move the lever backward. There will be several presets engraved beside the height adjustment levers. Those numbers may represent different cutting heights or distances in inches. See your respective mowers manual to be sure.
Step 5: To validate that the process worked correctly, mow a small grass area and check the height with measuring tape.
Mowing is an essential part of your lawn maintenance. To do the job well, you need to know the grass type on your lawn and their standard sizes.
Now, let’s see the standard sizes for different sorts of grass.
The Recommended Height For Various Types Of Grass
It’s important to mow the lawn at the right height. To achieve that, you need to know the recommended height for each grass. The details are as follows:
- Tall Fescue: 2 ½” – 3 ½” (6.35cm – 9cm)
- Kentucky Bluegrass: 2’’-3″ (5cm – 7.62cm)
- Bermuda Grass: 1″-2″ (2.54cm – 5cm)
- Zoysiagrass: 1’’-2″ (2.54cm – 5cm)
- Buffalograss: 2’’-3″ (5cm – 7.62cm)
Adjust the height of the blade in between these parameters. You should know your grass type, and if you don’t, ask someone who knows. It is recommended to adjust the blade height based on the standard parameter.
Tips For A Good Cut And Lawn Mower Maintenance
To get a good cut, you need to make sure that the blade is healthy. A blade gets damaged after prolonged use. Check your blade if you see any uneven cuts or if the mower vibrates during cutting. If it’s dull, replacing it with a new one will revert the machine to its proper state. Also, you can sharpen the blade to get the appropriate cut.
Avoid areas with pebbles and hard soil while cutting grass, as this will immediately damage the blade. Keep the blade clean and dry to avoid damage due to corrosion.
Warning
Whenever performing any maintenance on the mower, make sure you follow the proper safety procedures. For example, the blade has very sharp edges, so do not touch it with bare hands.
It is better to brainstorm the necessary steps before starting any maintenance procedures. This will allow you to avoid any accidental injury.
Final Words
The height adjustment is quite a simple process when you know the machine well. Try to measure the height after every adjustment to validate it’s okay.
How to lower a lawn mower blade? Now you have the answer!
Knowledge of lowering lawn mower blades will surely help you in the future. Just try to follow the steps properly when you attempt to lower the blade.