Many people choose an electric lawn mower because of how reliable and convenient these tools are. Especially when you compare them to gas mowers which can have a whole range of problems. But that isn’t to say that electric mowers don’t have issues. One of the most common is that the Ryobi 40v lawn mower blade is not spinning. But why is this and what can you do to fix it?
There could be several reasons that your Ryobi 40v lawn mower blade won’t spin. It may be a power supply issue or it could be because the blade is too tight, among other things.
If you’ve been having trouble getting the blade to spin then don’t worry. This guide is filled with some tips and tricks on solving some of the most common Ryobi 40v blade issues. We’ll have you up and running in no time.
1. Check Your Power Supply
It might sound pretty obvious but most manufacturers will note in their manuals that checking the power supply should be your first port of all. Without power, the blades are not going to spin no matter how hard you try.
How To Fix It
For corded lawn mowers, you should check that the machine is properly plugged in. If it is then there could be an issue with the socket so plug another device in to see if that works. If it does then this tells you that the problem is likely with the lawn mower.
However, you may find that the new device also doesn’t work which tells you that the outlet is likely the issue. Check the breaker or perhaps try a new extension cable.
The problem may also be with the lawn mower cable. Most electric mowers require the user to purchase a separate cable so if possible, replace this to see if it makes a difference.
Battery powered lawn mowers should be fully charged before use so check the battery indicator to make sure there is enough juice to get those blades moving. If the indicator suggests there is enough power but the blades still won’t move, you might need to use a battery tester to confirm the reading.
2. Is The Mower Starting?
If you have identified that there aren’t any problems with the power source then it could be that there is an issue with the lawn mower. Most commonly this will be because of a fault with the motor.
How To Fix It
For corded lawn mowers, you will first need to establish whether the connection of the cord where it joins the mower is intact. If it is loose, this can affect how the mower performs; if at all. Also remember to take a look at the prongs to ensure that they are not damaged, bent or otherwise faulty.
If there aren’t any issues here then it’s time to check the lawn mower’s circuit breaker. There should be a reset button which you can press and this will hopefully solve the problem.
However, if it doesn’t then you could be looking at a faulty blade control switch or a bigger problem with the motor. In this case, you will need to get replacements and while it is possible for you to do this yourself, we would recommend getting it done by a pro to avoid voiding your warranty.
For those of you that are using a battery powered Ryobi 40v lawn mower, it’s time to double check the battery. Make sure that you have the correct number of batteries in the mower and that they are sufficiently charged. Over time, batteries lose their ability to hold charge so will eventually need to be replaced.
It’s also important to check whether there is some kind of safety switch on the battery. This usually comes in the form of a key and engages the battery prior to use. If this is not turned, the blades will not spin.
3. Safety Switch
Just like gas lawn mowers, electric models have safety features like switches, buttons, and keys. In a lot of cases, you are required to press the safety switch at the same time as starting the motor. If you do not do this then the lawn mower simply won’t get going.
A lot of models also have a key which needs to be inserted and turned otherwise the lawn mower cannot be started and the blades won’t turn.
For people that are moving over from a gas lawn mower, this is a new process that they have to get used to. Therefore, it is not uncommon for people to not even realize that they have to engage the safety switch in order for the blades to move.
How To Fix It
Make sure that any or all safety features are engaged and in use before trying to turn on your machine. In the event that the blades still do not move, it could mean that there is a fault within the safety system which will need to be looked at by a mower repair specialist.
4. Blade Assembly Blockage
Sometimes, you may notice that you power up the motor and the blades either don’t spin at all or they partially spin and then stop. In either case, it is essential to make sure that you stop what you’re doing and address the issue as it could be that there is blockage somewhere within the blade assembly.
When there is a foreign object in the blade, this stops it from being able to spin freely. However, this problem could also be caused as a result of damage to the drive system. If this is the case, you will notice that the blade will not move at all whereas when there is a blockage, it may move but could vibrate or make strange sounds.
How To Fix It
It is vital that you power off the machine and look for blockages as continuing to try and mow could cause further damage and may be dangerous. Once you have located the object, remove it and turn the power back on. Hopefully, the blade movement will return to normal.
5. Blades Have Been Overtightened
If the bolt holding the blade in place is too tight then this could prevent the lawn mower blade from moving as it should. But this is not the only issue that can come from over tightening your lawn mower blades so you need to be really careful.
Being too tight can wear out the bolt, which over time, will lose its thread and need replacing. Moreover, you stand a much higher chance of damaging the blade if you hit a solid object and in many cases, it will break entirely.
How To Fix It
Check the bolt to make sure that it is not too tight. If you notice that the bolt won’t tighten at all, this is likely because the threads have worn away and you’ll have to replace it with a new one. Fortunately, most manufacturers sell new blade bolts and they’re not the most expensive parts.
Should My Lawn Mower Blade Spin Freely?
No. Your lawn mower blade should not be loose nor should it be spinning freely when it is not in use. The blade should be tightly secured, enough that it doesn’t move around when the mower isn’t running. But it should not be so tight that the mower blade won’t spin when the power is turned on.
Final Thoughts
It’s so frustrating when you come to mow the lawn only to find that your Ryobi 40v lawn mower blade won’t spin. The good news is that this is usually a problem that can be easily fixed at home. You must make sure that the machine is connected to power and that there are no faults in the wiring or power outlets.
It’s also worth checking whether there is a blockage in the mower blade as well as making sure that the blade bolt isn’t so tight that it prevents the blade from turning.
If you have tried all of the tips in this guide and are still having problems then you will likely need to take your mower for professional repairs.
