How to Safely Replace Your Lawnmower Blade
1. Before You Begin ?
Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug and place the wire where it cannot come into contact with the plug.
[Illustration: Lawnmower engine with spark plug wire disconnected and moved away.]
Completely drain fuel from the tank. Wipe off any spilled fuel from the lawn mower or the side of engine.
[Illustration: Draining fuel from a lawnmower tank into a container.]
Always keep the air filter and carburetor facing up whenever it is necessary to tip the machine onto its side.
[Illustration: Lawnmower tipped on its side, highlighting the air filter and carburetor positioned upwards.]
2. Remove the Blade ⚙️
Wedge a block of wood between the mower blade and the deck to prevent rotation.
[Illustration: Top-down view of a mower deck with a block of wood inserted between the blade and the deck.]
Loosen the blade bolt using a wrench.
[Illustration: Close-up of the blade bolt with a wrench being used to loosen it.]
Remove the blade, saving all mounting hardware (washers, bolt).
[Illustration: Exploded view showing the blade, bolt, and washers.]
3. Install New Blade ⚙️
Put all mounting hardware and the new blade back into position. Wedge a block of wood between the mower blade and the deck.
[Illustration: Top-down view of a mower deck with a block of wood inserted, and new blade hardware being positioned.]
Tighten the blade bolt to 33.3-36.9 ft.-lb. (45-50 Nm) using a torque wrench ?.
Recommended torque: 33.3-36.9 ft.-lb.
[Illustration: Close-up of the blade bolt being tightened with a torque wrench, showing the torque range.]
Remove the wood block. Turn the mower back to its upright position. Refill the fuel tank. Re-attach the spark plug wire to the spark plug.
[Illustration: Mower being returned to upright position, with notes on refilling fuel and reconnecting spark plug.]
