Yes to all. The angled part of the blade requiring sharpening will be on the top of the blade.

 

Thanks for the reply. Since I don’t have a secure way to jack the mower I think I’ll call the dealer/repair shop and have them sharpen for me so I’ll be ready for spring!

 

You want 30 degrees on that edge. Get a guide or something. I use a cheap ryobi grinder and I just replaced it the last one lasted 10 years with me sharpening around 12 blades a week when we were at max running. I wouldn’t spend a fortune on one. A good harbor freight would do well too.

 

I know this might be more than you want to go but we have used the and forgive me if I don’t get the name completely correct a “jingle Jim” mower lift. It’s a jack that works by way of a fulcrum, and your body weight to lift it up. At 180 # I lift my 48 and 36 stander with ease. And it locks down to where unless the laws of physics change it won’t come down on you. I literally have. O clue what I paid for it as I bought mine almost 8 years ago or more. Maybe $200. But there is no jack no hydraulic stuff and it fits in the smallest corner. Just a hint. If I was ever just a homeowner doing this this is exactly what I’d buy if I wanted to sharpen my own blades and feel comfortable about getting under the unit. Just MO.

 

Thanks!

 

By all means I to this day do not feel comfortable under the front end of my couple of duallys other than changing a tire. The front rotors are absolutely massive, the transmissions are absolutely massive. I pass on things that I do normally fix on my wife and kids cars. If you aren’t comfortable that’s the worst position you could be in and imo don’t put yourself in that. Have the dealer do it. Maybe $60? A year and you don’t have to worry about it.

 

I think they charged $75 last year with pick up and drop off. I don’t have a truck and trailer to take to them.

 

IMO that’s a good deal. But I’d ask what’s the difference in price in that and just slapping new blades on. They can do the latter in a quarter of the time. They are making their money obviously on the pick up but also labor. My commercial shop is over $100 an hour labor no matter what they do with 1/2 hour min. If I were you I’d ask what’s cannot hurt. Blades really aren’t that badly expensive they are much more than they used to be but I’d ask. Then you know you get good flat non bent blades each time. Even if it’s a few buck more I’d do it. Again just my humble opinion.

 

This is what I do to my John Deere Z trak

Raise the front of the mower using a MoJack Pro( I bought mine through Home Depot), remove blades using a impact wrench and 18mm impact socket. Take the blades off and sharpen using an angle grinder using 60 grit flap disc and the All American mower blade sharpening jig( it is very helpful puts the blade at the correct angle) just a few passes and your done. I do mine 1x a month during the mowing season. There are plenty of YouTube videos on the subject if you need more information

 

There's no need for a jig if you are steady with your hand. I freehand mine with a flap disk and they cut just fine. I follow the same angle and just clean up the edge.

 

You don’t have to but it is easier for a newbie which the OP is

 

Don't forget to balance the blades.
Spindles are expensive to replace on a Z-turn.
I've found even new blades can be out of balance.

 

Thanks for all the help. Think I’ll keep letting the John Deere dealer sharpen/replace as needed.