Do I actually need a blade balance?

Gord Baker said:
Do NOT engage your blades at idle. Belts are stretching.. Blades are NOT to be a knife edge but actually square, 0.050 vertical gives 2 cutting edges.
This Topic should be ended now.
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Why do you need "two cutting edges"? Every chef in the world would be slapping their forehead right about now.
 
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RevB said:
Tell ya what.....drive a big spike into that beam and hang a tire and wheel assembly from the lug nut/stud hole....betcha it "balances" every time.

Whoever "Terryl" is doesn't know crap about physics......and yes, lots of physics were used in the space shuttle.
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Terryldactyl: Small engines. Google him. You don't get the 'balance' thing.
 
I maintain the Kubota ZT my wife uses to cut our .75 acre lawn. When I sharpen and balance the blades she notices.
 
I have a X500 with 800 plus hour on it. You can buy a metal conical blade balancer for around $8.00 or use a nail in a vise.
 
Gord Baker said:
The Diagram for blade sharpening profile is in my J. D. Manual. I won't try to explain serrated edges to You.
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My edges aren't serrated. Doubt anyone else's are either...

So...why do JD tell you the "Blades are sharp" when they're not.

Sharp:
adapted to cutting or piercing: such as
: having a thin keen edge or fine point

Engineering sharp:

A) The thinness of the edge (sharpness) as quantified by the edge width at 3 microns from the apex.

B) The edge width or fineness of the edge (keenness) as measured at the very apex of the bevel.

JD....not sharp.


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I have one of those type balancers, bought years ago. They are by far the most accurate and best way to balance a blade.

Blade balance main purpose is to help the bearings in the spindle to last longer.

Interestingly, I've found brand new blades that come unbalanced.

Is it necessary? Not really, the blade will spin just as well balanced or unbalanced. But, an unbalanced blade does not cut as well, causes more vibration and puts a lot more stress on the spindles.

I balance mine simply because its fast and easy and is better for the mower deck.
 
BackyardBrian said:
Alright so a couple weeks in with the X350 and Im already down the rabbit hole of blade care lol. Cut looked a little uneven last mow and figured its time to pull em, sharpen, put em back.
Watched a bunch of vids and now Im more confused than when I started. Half the guys say just stick a screwdriver through the center hole, eyeball it, if one side dips down grind that side till it sits level. Other half swear you need an actual balancer or the vibration will kill your spindles over time.
Then I came across this blade balancer. Its magnetic, mounts on the wall, you set the blade on the cone and it tells you which side is heavy. Looks way more accurate than the screwdriver trick but part of me wonders if Im overthinkin it for a homeowner rig thats only cuttin 1.5 acres. Or should I just skip the whole sharpen and balance thing and drop a fresh set of blades on instead? Wanna hear what you guys actually do.
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This may sound crazy but if you noticed that your cut is uneven make sure to check your tire(s) air pressure.
 
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