How to Properly Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades
Disable the mower, restore the factory bevel on both ends, balance the blade, and reinstall it correctly, or replace it if it is bent, cracked, or worn thin.
Riding Lawn Mowers & Tractors
Browse 798 expert reviews and buying guides covering riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors of every type. Whether you are comparing John Deere models, shopping for the smallest riding mower for a compact yard, exploring zero-turn options, or weighing new versus used machines, this category brings together detailed, hands-on guidance to help you choose with confidence. Each guide breaks down performance, cutting width, engine power, and value so you can match the right machine to your lawn size and budget.
How to Remove Blades from Riding Mower
Park, immobilize, and isolate spark before you go near a riding-mower deck. Then support the machine, lock each blade, and loosen the spindle fastener, checking for reverse-thread bolts and following the owner’s manual when hardware or access differs.
How to Remove Head from STIHL Weed Eater
Stop a Stihl string trimmer, lock the drive shaft, and unscrew the cutting head only after you confirm thread direction and fastener style for your model.
Do Riding Lawn Mowers Have Alternators?
Yes, most modern riding lawn mowers equipped with gasoline engines have alternators. They generate electricity to recharge the battery while the engine runs, powering the starter motor, ignition system, and lights. However, some older models use generators instead, and battery-only electric mowers don't require alternators.
How to Tune Up Lawn Mower
Tuning up a lawn mower involves six core maintenance tasks: changing the oil, replacing or cleaning the spark plug, sharpening the blade, cleaning or replacing the air filter, servicing the fuel system, and cleaning the deck. Perform these steps at the start of each season or every 50 hours of use to extend mower lifespan and ensure reliable performance.
How Does Lawn Mower Work?
A lawn mower converts fuel combustion into mechanical power to spin a blade at high speed, cutting grass as the mower moves forward. Learn how the engine, crankshaft, transmission, and cutting deck work together to trim your lawn.
How to Replace Lawn Mower Blade
Lock out power, match a compatible blade, and install it in the same orientation. A safety-first walk-behind sequence, plus when to stop and use the manual.
How to Remove Riding Lawn Mower Blade
Lock out a riding mower, support it so it cannot tip or drop, then hold the blade and loosen the spindle fastener. Hardware and access vary, use the owner’s manual.
How Late Can You Mow Lawn Fall?
Stop mowing when grass enters dormancy or soil freezes, typically late October to early November in temperate zones. The timing depends on your grass type, climate zone, and observable growth signals rather than fixed calendar dates.
How to Sharpen a Mower Blade with a File
Disable the mower, file both cutting edges along the existing bevel, check balance, and reinstall the blade, or replace it if it is bent, cracked, or worn too thin.