How To Remove An Echo Edger Blade [Step By Step Guide]

An Echo edger is an effective tool for separating grass from walkways providing premises with a neat, well-kept appearance.

However, the necessity to replace the blade will come at some point, and you will need to know how to do so. Want to know how to remove it? Well, we did some research, and here’s what we found.

Here are the steps for removing the Echo edger blade:

  1. Shut the engine off.
  2. Apply lubrication.
  3. Remove the pin.
  4. Insert a locking tool.
  5. Loosen the blade nut.
  6. Remove the blade.

In this article, we will detail each of the steps above. We'll also go over how to install a new blade, which blades work with an Echo edger and other things. So keep on reading!

How Do You Remove An Echo Edger Blade?

Damaged, bent, and dull are the frequent reasons for replacing the Echo edger blade. And so, learning how to remove the blade is necessary before you install a new replacement.

Garden maintenance worker uses an edge trimmer at the pathway

You can remove it quickly with just a few common tools and steps detailed below.

1. Shut The Engine Off

Cutting the edger's power will guarantee everyone's safety throughout the installation. To do this, allow the engine to return to idle by releasing the throttle trigger.

Then, slide the switch button backward to the STOP position.

2. Apply Lubrication

It creates a barrier between the nut and the washer, making removing it simpler. You may use a WD-40 to loosen the rusted blade fasteners.

Click here to see this WD-40 on Amazon.

3. Remove The Pin

There is a split pin in the hole in the front. It is a metal pin that secures the assembly. To remove it, use long nose pliers or any tool to strengthen as needed and pull it out of the hole.

See this pair of long-nose pliers on Amazon.

This pin blocks you from getting through the inner blade adapter. Also, this is the most challenging part because you need to exert effort to remove it. It is not an easy-peasy removing process.

4. Insert A Locking Tool

This will help stop the power take-off (PTO) shaft from turning because the blade can freely rotate, making it hard to remove the blade.

To do this, turn the edger on its side, then line up the hole in the inner blade adapter with the notch in the gear housing and insert the locking tool.

The locking tool was already included in the package when you bought the Echo edger, but if you lost it, you might use an Allen wrench as an alternative.

See this Allen wrench set on Amazon.

5. Loosen The Blade Nut

Use a ratchet with a ½" or ¾" socket to loosen the blade nut, specifically the left-handed (LH) thread. But it’s better to purchase a socket set so you can adjust and see what it fits.

Then, insert it into the spindle nut.

Click here to see this socket set on Amazon.

The blade washer underneath the nut indicates the tightening direction, which will help you determine which way to loosen the blade nut.

Because the way to tighten is counterclockwise, the loosening direction is clockwise. If necessary, reverse the ratchet's direction using its control lever.

6. Remove The Blade

Black grass trimmer cutting blade on hand

Once it is loosened, remove the nut, washer, and blade. Although the blade is typically dull, still proceed with caution.

It is possible to recycle or discard the blade. You will utilize the spindle nut and washer with the replacement blade, so save these and store them safely.

Below is a YouTube video that will help you understand how this happens:

How To Install New Echo Edger Blade

How to install new echo edger blade, How To Remove An Echo Edger Blade [Step By Step Guide]

 

It will be simple to install the new blade for your Echo edger once you know how to remove the old one. Reverse the procedure, and you're done. Details are provided below.

1. Prepare The New Blade

Usually, there are two blades in a pack. Slice the packaging material with the box cutter. You can keep the label of the blade so you can use this to choose the right blade the next time.

Click here to see this box cutter on Amazon.

2. Examine The Spindle's Surface

Make sure there isn't any debris or dirt in the way of the new blade sitting correctly over the hub. Brush out if you find some, and you may also apply it with lubricant for rust protection.

Click here to see this brush on Amazon.

See this rust prevention and lubricant on Amazon.

3. Insert The New Blade Over The Spindle Hub

Ensure that the entire blade fits snugly on the spindle. The blade is positioned correctly as long as it is over the hub and center.

4. Put Back The Fasteners

Put the washer first over the new blade, then the nut. Hand-tighten the nut counterclockwise until it is appropriately set and fastened. Use a ratchet to tighten the nut completely.

However, the washer shows you how to tighten the nut if you use a new set of fasteners.

5. Install New Pin

Put the replacement split pin in place, tighten the nut, and bend the pin's two legs counterclockwise around the PTO shaft. Never use an old split pin again.

6. Test Your Edger Blade

Verify that the edger blade is firmly attached to the spindle. Test your edger in a secure place.

Check the blade of your edger after each use to ensure the spindle nut is secure and that the blade has not suffered any significant damage.

What Blade Does An Echo Edger Take?

Brush cutter knife that is being held after sharpening

 

It is essential that the type of blade and the size of the material being cut match. Serious personal injuries might result from a dull or improperly sharpened blade.

Blade sharpness is a must. Injuries to you and bystanders are more likely when using dull blades.

The most compatible blade for the Echo edger has a standard thickness of 0.09” or a premium one of 0.18” thick. Moreover, having a length of 7.75” but 8” is also acceptable, and the most available replacement and arbor sizes are about 0.98”.

See this Echo edger blade on Amazon.

These sizes make it simple to edge around driveways, paths, and walkways. These tough blades are made of corrosion-resistant, high-strength steel.

Additionally, it delivers exceptional performance, durability, and cut quality while extending the equipment's lifespan by regularly swapping out worn-out and dull blades.

How Do You Sharpen Edger Blades?

Edger blades that are too dull start to tear and rip at the grass instead of cutting it cleanly. Luckily, there are simple solutions to the annoying issue of a dull edger blade.

There are a variety of ways to sharpen this tool which will be discussed below:

Consult The Edger's Manual

Always read first the owner's instructions for the lawn edger you have.

If you own an electric or gas lawn edger, the owner's manual can warn you not to try to sharpen the blade.

Bevel The Blade's Leading Edge

To ensure that soil is forced onto the blade, bevel the front edge with diamond dia-sharp stone. A narrow cutting edge on a sharp tool increases the pressure for each square inch of soil.

See this diamond dia-sharp stone on Amazon.

In general, it is advised to strive for a 20-degree angle at the bevel for lighter-duty tools and a higher angle for heavier-duty tools but for Echo; it's a 30-degree angle.

Please be aware that sharper is not necessarily better when it comes to edgers or other gardening tools. Try to keep the blade's bevel angle the same.

Making the angle too sharp can weaken the blade's edge and cause it to wear out after only a few uses.

Using An Angle Grinder To Sharpen

Angle grinder and safety glasses on yellow

Hold the angle grinder where the disk is perpendicular to the blade's thin edge to sharpen the blade. To level out any nicks, move the angle grinder back and forth along the blade's edge.

Click here to see this angle grinder on Amazon.

Keep the grinder constantly moving and only remove a little amount of metal at a time because the grinder swiftly eliminates metal. Observe the sharpening angle utilized in the manufacture.

To give an idea of how it is done, a video on YouTube is shown below:

Sharpening File

Metal and wood files aligned on wood

You can also polish the blade with a sharpening file. The techniques for using it are usually written in the manual. Just secure the edger blade in a vice.

Then use the file by moving it forward evenly, do not move it toward you.

Click here to see this vise on Amazon.

Click here to see this file set on Amazon.

Sharpen the blade until you feel a burr running the full length of the cutting edge. Making mild strokes around the backside can help you eliminate the burr. Finish by applying a few light strokes to the beveled side.

Clean The Blade

Remove any corrosion, dirt, and debris from the blade before you sharpen it. This is a smart maintenance approach, even if you don't intend to sharpen the blade. Use a scouring pad or a stiff brush to clean the blade.

See this scouring pad on Amazon.

To Finish

The operation of the Echo Edger depends on properly maintaining its components. Removing and replacing the old, dull, or damaged blade will make a more effective and efficient grass-cutting job for you. We sincerely hope this information was helpful to you.

Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related posts:

My Echo Edger Won’t Start – Why? What To Do?

Can I Use An Edger To Dig A Trench?

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