lawn mower not cutting correctly

[greenskeeper]

Honda HRR216VYA self-propelled mower leaves approximately 3" strip on the right side of the mower un-cut. I have sharpened both sets of blade (upper and lower) which has made no difference. Neither blade is bent, good edge after sharpening. Bagging, discharge, or mulch setting makes no difference. Anything else to try before biting the bullet on new blades?

 

[itsDROCK]

Adjustable Wheel height the same all around ?

 

[Worsedog]

Are the wheels set the same on both sides?

 

[jenga70]

Any damage on the inside of the deck?

 

[Pen & Wrench]

Is there any built up grass or other obstructions under the deck, or anything that may have been installed improperly?

 

[kelpaso1]

Sure one or the other blade isn't upside down? Seen this on plenty mowers people bring me.

 

[SGKent]

go here. Section 11 covers the blades.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct...aw2p_eZPM3GN8FTO7BGooB_o&ust=1561408215716580

 

[greenskeeper]

All wheels set at the same height (all the way up ~ 4" cutting height)

Zero buildup underneath

blades correctly installed

 

[kelpaso1]

Can you post a pic of the lawn?

 

[The Cobbler]

is it a definite line where it's not cutting?

 

[greenskeeper]

Can you post a pic of the lawn?

no picture as I've overlapped where it was missing

 

[greenskeeper]

is it a definite line where it's not cutting?

yes. approximately 3" on the right side when operating the mower. Very odd as I've had nothing but good mowing with this mower for years.

 

[Blstr88]

Did it just happen on one particular pass? Or did it leave a 3" strip of uncut grass on every pass?

If its consistently every pass then either your wheel heights are not set the same on both sides or there must be some sort of damage/buildup to the underside of the deck on that side.

Theres no way if the wheels are set the same, the deck is straight, and theres no build up it could be happening on just one side.

Is the spindle the blade attaches to maybe bent? So the blade is swinging lower on the left side and higher on the right side? It wouldn't take a very big bend to make a big difference in the cutting heights.

 

[boostaholic1]

That blade isn't all the way tight.

 

[kbs2244]

How old are the blades?
The up lift bend in them wears down over time.
Sharpening them does nothing to help
They are just worn out.

 

[greenskeeper]

Did it just happen on one particular pass? Or did it leave a 3" strip of uncut grass on every pass?

If its consistently every pass then either your wheel heights are not set the same on both sides or there must be some sort of damage/buildup to the underside of the deck on that side.

Theres no way if the wheels are set the same, the deck is straight, and theres no build up it could be happening on just one side.

Is the spindle the blade attaches to maybe bent? So the blade is swinging lower on the left side and higher on the right side? It wouldn't take a very big bend to make a big difference in the cutting heights.

every pass, deck straight, clean as a whistle underneath

 

[greenskeeper]

That blade isn't all the way tight.

both blades tight

 

[greenskeeper]

How old are the blades?
The up lift bend in them wears down over time.
Sharpening them does nothing to help
They are just worn out.

4 years if I had to guess. Nothing seems amiss with the blades or mower. Guess I have to order another set?

 

[dfiler2]

So if you move over 3" does it cut everything or does it still leave the same 3"? Is it possible the grass is being flattened by something which is affecting the cut?

 

[NUTTSGT]

How about the air pressure in the tires ?

 

[JDGolden]

Most things have been mentioned to double check. Nuttsgt has made a great suggestion with the air pressure, it happened to me years ago. I checked all of the mechanicals until I stared at the mower and it dawned on me that I should check the tires.

If not air pressure, maybe a blade got bent after install. Or broken spindle.

 

[LB-1911]

yes. approximately 3" on the right side when operating the mower. Very odd as I've had nothing but good mowing with this mower for years.

every pass, deck straight, clean as a whistle underneath

both blades tight

4 years if I had to guess. Nothing seems amiss with the blades or mower. Guess I have to order another set?

Treat your mower to a new set of blades, remove the set that has been in service for four years and compare the profile.

I'll wager you'll notice a difference.

Good Luck

 

[greenskeeper]

So if you move over 3" does it cut everything or does it still leave the same 3"? Is it possible the grass is being flattened by something which is affecting the cut?

3" uncut on the right side of the mower every pass, unless I overlap by 3". 30 years cutting grass I've never had this problem.....although I've never had a "dual blade" mower before.....perhaps it's time for another blade....visual inspections shows little wear even after sharpening.

 

[taumac]

3 in strip on right side? Only thing I can think of is motor not centered in deck. Only thing I can think to do is flip mower up. Then pull spark plug wire and rotate the blade and measure distance side to edge of blade and side to shaft bolt. See if something is out of whack.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[The Cobbler]

weird situation for sure. taumac may be on to something !

 

[LB-1911]

Give this a look

https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=138142#p2048161

scroll down to a post by iceport » Sun May 04, 2014 1:14 am

Good Luck

 

[kelpaso1]

weird situation for sure. taumac may be on to something !

I'll say. Mowers are not rocket science and should be pretty straight forward to diagnose. As far as his avatar name and pic he should know this

 

[greenskeeper]

How about the air pressure in the tires ?

Solid wheels

 

[greenskeeper]

3 in strip on right side? Only thing I can think of is motor not centered in deck. Only thing I can think to do is flip mower up. Then pull spark plug wire and rotate the blade and measure distance side to edge of blade and side to shaft bolt. See if something is out of whack.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Motor centered, 1/2 in gap on each side between blades and deck

 

[greenskeeper]

I'll say. Mowers are not rocket science and should be pretty straight forward to diagnose. As far as his avatar name and pic he should know this

Agree. Just trying everything before purchasing new blades

 

[Samh]

Agree. Just trying everything before purchasing new blades

I would get new blades and try. If it fixes the issue, then you won't waste time(i.e. money) trying to solve the problem. If it doesn't, at least now you have some backup blades.

 

[taumac]

Agree. Just trying everything before purchasing new blades

Well I’m throwing in the towel on this fix. When you get new blades please post so we can compare new ones to old. I interested if this fixes the issue.

 

[Dave in Mass]

Is the 3" inside the cutting deck? I would classify my rider as being somewhat "offset" (although the deck is probably centered"" in that the blades under the deck reach the tip of the left side of the deck but the right side reaches the outer edge minus the discharge chute. So, if you are overlapping your wheels will get a full cut when the mower is going with the left side to the last line cut but you need to move over when cutting the opposite direction.

I hope that makes sense and I hope it doesn't mean my mower is broken

 

[bwringer]

Bent crank? Seems you would have noticed the weeble-wobble in the blade by now, though.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

https://powerequipment.honda.com/lawn-mowers/maintenance-and-support

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[Larryjones]

Seems to be a common problem.

I just bought a brand new Honda HHR2169 mulcher/bagger. It has the dual blades. I have been mowing for 50 years and had this one.. The mower on mulch setting leaves a strip of grass on the right side that isn't cut......

From here. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1513959/honda-hrr21-not-cutting-grass

 

[greenskeeper]

Seems to be a common problem.

I just bought a brand new Honda HHR2169 mulcher/bagger. It has the dual blades. I have been mowing for 50 years and had this one.. The mower on mulch setting leaves a strip of grass on the right side that isn't cut......

From here. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1513959/honda-hrr21-not-cutting-grass

Interesting....however my mower has cut flawlessly for 3-4 years now until just recently.

I do cut on the highest setting (4") to give the lawn a chance to hold up with 2 active boys playing on it.

Seems better on "rear discharge" but as I've said, for 3-4 years this mower has cut great in the mulching setting @ 4"

"old" blades look identical to a new set....very little wear.

 

[greenskeeper]

Is the 3" inside the cutting deck? I would classify my rider as being somewhat "offset" (although the deck is probably centered"" in that the blades under the deck reach the tip of the left side of the deck but the right side reaches the outer edge minus the discharge chute. So, if you are overlapping your wheels will get a full cut when the mower is going with the left side to the last line cut but you need to move over when cutting the opposite direction.

I hope that makes sense and I hope it doesn't mean my mower is broken

Without seeing your mower I can say that "most" walk or ride mowers will cut outside of the wheel width.

 

[Larryjones]

Is the motor centered on the deck? Hasn't gone a bit to the left maybe? Otherwise something is obstructing the blade on that side or flattening the grass before the blade gets to it.

 

[Tunar]

The OP mower appears to be a 21" single blade self propelled mower.

It's been suggested, but I'd first scrape off all the old grass that's accumulated under the deck. That could cause this. It's good practice to do this everytime you change or sharpen the blades.

I'm not sure on this mower, but all rotary mower decks are designed to create lift (suction). Some decks have baffles installed in the manufacturering process. Maybe check to see if something looks like it was broken off or rusted off under the deck

My Honda has dual blades. The large blade does most of the cutting. The upper blade cuts some, but appears to help with the lift. The upturned parts of the blades are the lifters. They wear from abrasion. The deck is shaped to work with the blades to pull the grass straight up and cut it off at a consistent height. Mower decks typically are asymmetrical to help direct the grass out. So worn blades and the shape of the deck could leave uncut grass in one place like described.

A side note. I bought a real type manual push mower, because I bought into the idea of being more environmentally friendly. It cuts ok, but has a tendency to push the grass down leaving an uneven cut. It has no way to pull the grass up to cut it off evenly.