Lawn Mower Sharpened Efficiently with Simple Rigging
The Lawn Mower is Sharpened Quickly by the Use of This Rigging
With this device, one can quickly sharpen the lawn mower, or perhaps earn money sharpening the neighbors’ machines. Because several knives in a lawn mower work against the cutting blade, it is difficult to sharpen a mower satisfactorily with a file or stone. A usual method is to reverse the cutting-wheel cogs, turn the mower upside down, and run it backward over the ground. By the use of grinding paste on the cutting blade the cutting wheel tends to sharpen itself. This process can be improved by supporting the mower, as shown at A, the blocks permitting the mower’s driving wheels to rest outside them. A block, B, supports the wooden roller. Remove the driving wheels, and the gears which turn the cutting wheel. Take the gear from one end and put it in the other end, replacing the driving wheel. By revolving the latter backward, the cutting wheel will also turn backward. Apply a paste of emery powder and lubricating oil to the cutting blade, and adjust the blade so that it comes fairly into contact with the cutting wheel. Turn the driving wheel backward, and gradually tighten the adjustment until a good edge on the cutting blade and the knives is produced.
A handle fixed on the driving wheel, as shown at C, makes turning it easier. After sharpening, replace the gears, clean the bearings thoroughly, and replace the driving wheels.—Ed. M. Hawes, Everett, Wash.