here is how I sharpen my mower blades!

[scsmith42]

Doc, I'd say that your method will g'itter done!  I have to do something similar with my Scag this morning.  When my lift is free I'll just run the mower up in the air and sharpen right on it.  

Since the lift isn't free today I'll remove the blades and sharpen them on the bench.

BTW, nice slab bench there!

I would like to see how you do them on the machine. I tried it but wasn't at all satisfied with the results. doc, from the look of the sail on that blade I would say it's on the last season.

I'll see if I can take some pix next time I do them this way.  I need to wrap up a trailer project that's occupying the bay first though.

[Hilltop366]

You can call me a wimp but you would not catch me under a mower held up by a tractor or cables, winch or come along. I will remove the deck first and flip it over to remove the blades.

Sometimes I spin the blade really fast on a rock out in the yard to "sharpen" them.

[sawguy21]

I have been known to "sharpen" blades that way too. ;D

[Raider Bill]

I put mine on the motorcycle lift so I don't have to bend over then floor jack one side up to get to the blades.

[Sedgehammer]

We will either use a cherry picker then block it up or use car ramps on the front and then take them off with a mini 1/2" impact. We don't sharpen, just replace when needed. Use to mow 800+ yards a week. Sharpened blades only lasted a half a day at best and  the differences were undetectable, so stopped. 

[farmfromkansas]

I have a 20" block of firewood I set under my mower when I jack it up, so if the jack fails, the block will catch the mower.  That yellow mower deck of Doc's, is that a Hustler?  Will a Hustler pivot up so you don't have to get under  it? I have an old Country clipper, it has a deck that pivots up, but you have to unhook everything and it is kind of heavy to pivot.  My neighbor said he made a tool to pivot it, he is almost my age, too old to lift a lot.

[doc henderson]

it is a Walker.  52 inch deck, gas engine.  2 pins that pivot up and slide out to release.  a handle on the front to lift, and a latch to secure.  designed to be easy to clean the deck and chute to the blower, and change and sharpen blades.  I can see the difference at the cut edge of the grass.  when the blades are dull, the tip of the grass is brown and it makes the yard look less healthy/green.  I consider it routine maintenance to sharpen blades.  I at least raise the deck with each refueling (5 gallons)  and sharpen as needed.  If I only mow the nice grass, the blades last longer.  If I go "off road" to knock down some weeds and or get into sand or dirt,  not so much

[farmfromkansas]

I sharpened one of my blades on a rock last time I mowed at the farm, took the Country Clipper to Durham to get it worked on, as the hydrostat oil is leaking.  It only has 1500 hours. 

[Sedgehammer]

it is a Walker.  52 inch deck, gas engine.  2 pins that pivot up and slide out to release.  a handle on the front to lift, and a latch to secure.  designed to be easy to clean the deck and chute to the blower, and change and sharpen blades.  I can see the difference at the cut edge of the grass.  when the blades are dull, the tip of the grass is brown and it makes the yard look less healthy/green.  I consider it routine maintenance to sharpen blades.  I at least raise the deck with each refueling (5 gallons)  and sharpen as needed.  If I only mow the nice grass, the blades last longer.  If I go "off road" to knock down some weeds and or get into sand or dirt,  not so much

You're cuttin fescue I'd wager. This was bermuda, so that might be the difference. Walker sure does a nice cut. Good machines. 

[Tom King]

Was sharpening 7' rotary cutter blades today, and remembered to take some pictures.  The blades are past due for replacement, but will still cut fine when sharp.  I would have fabricated the door a little bigger, but was limited by the reinforcement structure under the deck of the cutter.

Also snapped one of the regular blade sharpener, and balancer on the door.

I like cutting anything better with sharp blades.

edited to add:  I remembered that I forgot to clarify on the "getting under anything held up by a chain hoist" comment.  I don't get under the mower.  I pull it straight up in the air, and swap out the blades with a sharp set, and an air wrench.  Don't even have to bend over.