How to Replace a Blade on a Ryobi Mower and Edger

Is It Time to Replace Your Outdoor Tool Blades?

3/26/2025

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Now that it is spring, it's time to inspect your outdoor tools to see if the blades need to be replaced or other maintenance is needed.

Since we are in Florida, it's already time to mow, edge and to take care of other outdoor cleanup so we need the outdoor tools to be in good working order.

Steph had never replaced the blades on her Ryobi edger or mower. In this video, she walks you through the process.

Product:

RYOBI 8 in. Replacement Edger Blade (Home Depot)

RYOBI Expand-It 8 in. Universal Straight Shaft Edger Attachment (Home Depot)

RYOBI 40V Expand-It Cordless Battery Attachment Capable Powerhead Kit (Home Depot)

RYOBI 20 in. Replacement Blade for 40V 20 in. Brushless Lawn Mower (Home Depot)

RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 20 in. Cordless Battery Walk Behind Push Lawn Mower (Home Depot)

Xena Steel-toe Boots (Xena Workwear)

How to Replace Ryobi Edger Blade

This is a photo of the 8 inch edger blade for the Expand It edger.

Steph's neighbor had an extra one of these blades and he brought it over to her. This is what actually made her start thinking about the need to periodically change the blades in these cutting tools.

How to replace the blade on a Ryobi Expand it system edger.

As you can see, this blade was well worn and could stand to be replaced. But it does not truly have to be replaced till it is down to the two holes on either side of the blade.

Here are all the Ryobi Expand it tools we own.

These are all the tools we have in the Ryobi Expand-It system. We started with a few and have added to the collection over the years.

The first step is to remove the nut using a 3/4 inch socket wrench.

To remove the nut, turn it clockwise to loosen.

Notice the long metal rod. That's a locking pin that comes with the original tool. It is used prior to removing the nut to keep the blade from moving. If you refer back to the storage system, you can see the pin in the jar near the top right of the photo. It is stored here so it doesn't get lost!

Here is the old and new Ryobi edger blades.

Old and new! The old one is worn, but the little circle in the center bottom is the indicator as to when the blade should be replaced. In theory, the blade still has life left. Here you can see that pin rod in place.

How to replace the blade in a Ryobi edger.

Add the new blade and reverse the process. Keep that locking pin rod in place.

Tighten the nut in a clockwise manner.

If you have a torque wrench use it. We didn't, so we just hand tightened it.

Here's a better look at where we store that locking pin as well as extra line for the string trimmer.

How to Replace Ryobi 40v 20in Mower Blade

New blade for the Ryobi mower.

You're supposed to wedge a piece of wood under the blade to keep it from spinning while you loosen the nut. This proved to be a challenge!

Steph is wearing steel-toe boots, so she finally held the piece of wood in place with her toe to keep the blade from spinning. Use a 15mm socket wench to remove the nut.

How to change the blade on a Ryobi 40 volt lawn mower.

Turn the nut counterclockwise to loosen.

Remove the blade. After the blade is removed, this is a good time to clean the underside of the mower.

Here's how to change the blade on a ryobi battery powered mower.

Line up the new blade at these two points before securing.

Putting the new blade on the ryobi battery powered mower.

Add back the pieces in the reverse order they were removed.

Finally, secure the blade from spinning with a piece of wood and tighten the nut clockwise with the same 15mm socket wrench.

With a torque wrench, torque the nut to 350-400 inch pounds. We don't have a torque wrench so Steph hand-tightened the nut.

Trying out the Ryobi battery powered lawnmower with the new blade.

Everything worked as it should when she tried it out. There's not much grass, but the weeds are pretty tall!

Trying out the new blade on the Ryobi expand it system edger.

And the edger works so much better now. It cuts effortlessly!

A little maintenance will go a long way to help your outdoor tools continue to perform as they should.

When was the last time you inspected the blades on your outdoor cutting tools? Does anything need to be replaced?

Please note: This is not a sponsored post.

FYI: We are not professionals, and we don't claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

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