Edger: Motor Spins But Blades Don't
If your edger blades do not spin, but your motor does, check the blades, gears, shaft, clutch, belt, and springs. Then you should follow our repair and symptom guide to help you identify your problem and find the most appropriate part to replace. Check the manual related to your model for more specific repair instructions. Our instructions are a general guide.
Belts
Your edger has a belt that transfers power from the engine to the drive shaft and finally to the blades. Because these belts are made of rubber, over time they can wear out and fray. This can lead to the belt becoming out of round, and therefore it can slip on its pulleys. This will not allow it to transfer power, and you will experience this symptom. The belt can also end up so badly frayed that it snaps, and this will cause your motor to spin while the blades remain stationary. Broken or badly worn belts will need to be replaced.
Your edger has a belt that transfers power from the engine to the drive shaft and finally to the blades. Because these belts are made of rubber, over time they can wear out and fray. This can lead to the belt becoming out of round, and therefore it can slip on its pulleys. This will not allow it to transfer power, and you will experience this symptom. The belt can also end up so badly frayed that it snaps, and this will cause your motor to spin while the blades remain stationary. Broken or badly worn belts will need to be replaced.
Find your Belts here
Blades
The blade for your edger is attached to the shaft, and spins with it during operation. The blade is normally secured by a nut, which can be tightened to keep it in place. If the nut has become worn, it may not be able to keep the blade in place, and therefore the blade may not spin. The blade itself may also become loose and or disconnected, which will result in a motor that spins and blades that do not.
The blade for your edger is attached to the shaft, and spins with it during operation. The blade is normally secured by a nut, which can be tightened to keep it in place. If the nut has become worn, it may not be able to keep the blade in place, and therefore the blade may not spin. The blade itself may also become loose and or disconnected, which will result in a motor that spins and blades that do not.
Find your Blades here
Gears
The gears of your edger have teeth that allow them to connect to one another and spin. This allows them to transfer power from the engine to the blades. Sometimes, particularly after extended use, the gears’ teeth will wear down and occasionally even break. This will not keep them from transferring power to the blades, as intended. Therefore, you will notice your edger’s motor spinning, but the blade will not, making it impossible for your edger to do its job. A replacement gear will usually fix the issue, as long as it is the gear that is damaged, and not some other factor.
The gears of your edger have teeth that allow them to connect to one another and spin. This allows them to transfer power from the engine to the blades. Sometimes, particularly after extended use, the gears’ teeth will wear down and occasionally even break. This will not keep them from transferring power to the blades, as intended. Therefore, you will notice your edger’s motor spinning, but the blade will not, making it impossible for your edger to do its job. A replacement gear will usually fix the issue, as long as it is the gear that is damaged, and not some other factor.
Find your Gears here
Pulleys
Your edger’s drive belts run on pulleys that allow them to run smoothly. Occasionally, these pulleys can become misaligned or loose, causing the belt to jump off the pulleys and keeping them from transferring power. The pulleys can eventually wear down and become broken, which will cause this symptom as well. If the pulley is simply loose or misaligned, you may be able to tighten and realign it to fix the issue. However, sometimes problems with the pulleys in your edger can end up damaging the belt, so be sure to determine that the belt is still in the correct shape and not worn or frayed. A broken pulley will need to be repaired or replaced.
Your edger’s drive belts run on pulleys that allow them to run smoothly. Occasionally, these pulleys can become misaligned or loose, causing the belt to jump off the pulleys and keeping them from transferring power. The pulleys can eventually wear down and become broken, which will cause this symptom as well. If the pulley is simply loose or misaligned, you may be able to tighten and realign it to fix the issue. However, sometimes problems with the pulleys in your edger can end up damaging the belt, so be sure to determine that the belt is still in the correct shape and not worn or frayed. A broken pulley will need to be repaired or replaced.
Find your Pulleys here
Shafts
When your edger’s motor is spinning but the blades are not, it can be an indication that one or more part has been worn down or disconnected inside the machine. The drive shaft is one of these parts, and is a good place to look if your motor is spinning but the edger blade will not. A broken or unattached shaft will not transfer power from the engine to the blades, meaning they won’t spin. A shaft that doesn’t spin could be a result of damage to the shaft itself, however it could also indicate damage in another part such as the bearings or gears. Before you replace the shaft, be sure it is the offending part.
When your edger’s motor is spinning but the blades are not, it can be an indication that one or more part has been worn down or disconnected inside the machine. The drive shaft is one of these parts, and is a good place to look if your motor is spinning but the edger blade will not. A broken or unattached shaft will not transfer power from the engine to the blades, meaning they won’t spin. A shaft that doesn’t spin could be a result of damage to the shaft itself, however it could also indicate damage in another part such as the bearings or gears. Before you replace the shaft, be sure it is the offending part.
Find your Shafts here
Springs
Your belt-powered edger has springs that keep tension on the belt which allows it to stay on its pulleys. Over time, these springs can become weak, and can eventually break. If the spring is weak, it may not provide enough tension to keep the belt working properly, and it may even slip or jump off the pulley. A broken spring will not provide the required tension, and therefore the belt can slip as well. When the belt doesn’t run properly, it will not be able to transfer power to the blades. As a result, the motor will spin but the blades will not.
Your belt-powered edger has springs that keep tension on the belt which allows it to stay on its pulleys. Over time, these springs can become weak, and can eventually break. If the spring is weak, it may not provide enough tension to keep the belt working properly, and it may even slip or jump off the pulley. A broken spring will not provide the required tension, and therefore the belt can slip as well. When the belt doesn’t run properly, it will not be able to transfer power to the blades. As a result, the motor will spin but the blades will not.
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Clutches
For your edger’s clutch to engage and transfer power from the engine to the belt, it must be able to lock into place. A worn-out clutch will not be able to lock into place properly, and therefore will not be able to transfer power from the motor to the belt. When this occurs your motor will spin, but the blades will not, and your edger will not operate.
For your edger’s clutch to engage and transfer power from the engine to the belt, it must be able to lock into place. A worn-out clutch will not be able to lock into place properly, and therefore will not be able to transfer power from the motor to the belt. When this occurs your motor will spin, but the blades will not, and your edger will not operate.
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