how to change a Rio Piedras blade edger blades can last for months or just a few weeks depending on the amount of use they receive in the type of terrain eerie edging a worn blade will be a quarter of an inch shorter on each end then a new blade it will also have severely rounded edges if you re still unsure whether or not you need to replace the blade simply use the edger on a sidewalk when you re done look over the job clusters of grass from that area still attached to the sod indicate the need for a new blade Ryobi has made blade replacement to quick and easy job things you will need Rio Piedras blade wrench included with your edger locking pin included with your edger needlenose pliers tip the blade end of the edger up to easily access the blade or lay the edger down on a workbench remove the cotter pin at the end of the blade shaft by pinching the ends together using needlenose pliers then grasping a looped end of the pin and pulling outward spin the blade slowly until the holes in the inner blade adapter in the gearbox align you ll find the blade adapter on the inner side of the blade insert the locking pin that came with your edger into both these holes the locking pin is a cylindrical piece of solid steel about four inches long with a diameter of 1/8 of an inch use the wrench that came with your edger to remove the blade nut turning clockwise the nut is on a backwards threaded shaft remove the outer blade adapter than the blade replace the worn blade with a new one then slip the outer blade adapter into place keep the locking pin in place screw the nut back onto the shaft being certain to rotate a counterclockwise and tighten snugly thread to cotter pin back through the hole in the shaft and use the needle nose pliers display the ends tips warnings if you hit the ryobi manual for your edger read the section about replacing the plate never work on the edger when the engine is hot you