What is the difference between mulching and cutting blades?
It’s almost the opposite with mulching blades. The blade edge is much more curved, making the surface area of the blade much greater. The purpose of a mulching blade isn’t to cut and get the clippings out as quickly as possible.
What does a mulching mower blade look like?
Once your look at the shape of a mulching mower blade, part of it is slightly curved upward. Some models might not be bent enough, but it has a sort of metal flaps cut at its back and curved upward. These flaps must directly face the inside of the mower deck after the blades have been put in.
How often should you Mow Your Lawn with a mulching blade?
In peak growth periods you’ll likely need to mow twice a week, because mulching blades will often experience clogging if used on longer grass. Now let’s do the same thing for regular blades. Here are a few of the main plus points of using one: The main thing that a regular blade can do better than a mulching blade is in generating lift.
Should I use bagging or mulching blades on my riding mower?
Your mower will produce more vibration, mulch (finer grass clippings), consume more horsepower, less bag filling, and leave more grass on the soil if you use a bagging blade. Having said that, you can easily tell if your riding mower is using bagging or mulching blades.
Which is better mulching blade or regular?
The main thing that a regular blade can do better than a mulching blade is in generating lift. Regular blades typically provide “medium lift” (it's possible to buy high lift blades if you need more), and this is the reason why they're considered the better option if you're going to bag your clippings every time.
Can you use regular blades for mulching?
Standard blades are the ideal choice when mulching the grass clippings may not be an option.
What is the benefit of mulching blades?
Mulching blades are designed to cut finer grass clippings that can fall back into the grass to decompose. Mulching offers many benefits to the mower operator as well as the area being mowed. Making a simple switch can save users time and improve the areas appearance.
Can a mulching blade be put on any mower?
Can You Put a Mulching Blade on Any Mower? You can put a mulching blade on almost any mower, but make sure the blade isn't too big for the deck. Most lawnmower manufacturers will have a list of blade recommendations. Mulching blades offer plenty of benefits, but they're especially useful on side discharge mowers.
Can I side discharge with a mulching blade?
Mulching blades are sometimes called “all purpose” or “3-in-1” blades because you can use them to mulch, bag, or side discharge. Standard blades are called 2-in-1 blades because you can use them to either bag or side discharge the grass.
Are mulching blades with teeth better?
Toothed blades, while not always true mulching blades, are better for mulching than standard high-lift blades. The blade teeth do not have a cutting edge but are used to create extra lift, propelling clippings high into the mower deck.
Can you bag grass with a mulching blade?
Depending on whether you're using a walk-behind mower or a lawn tractor, using a mulching blade for bagging is not the best idea. A bagging blade has a bend or wing at the back to create more airflow to send the grass to the bag.
Why does my mulching mower leave clumps of grass?
1 – It's too wet Heavy mowers will start to sink into the grass and whip up moisture as they cut your grass, which causes grass to clump in matted wet wads that clog the deck of your mower and its catcher.
Can you sharpen mulching blades?
Mulching blades are supposed to be sharp so they can cut through grass, leaves, and other debris. Sharpen the mulching blades with a file until they easily cut through the grass, then tighten the blades onto the lawnmower's deck. The blades should be sharpened twice per season.
Do you need a mulching kit to use mulching blades?
To produce a beneficial mulch you really need the combination of the mulching blade and the blocked chute. The good news is that there are mulching conversion kits on the market that provide everything needed to turn some standard mowers into mulching mowers.
How do you turn a lawnmower into a mulcher?
0:001:16Lawn Help : How to Use a Push Mower as a Mulcher - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're going to be talking about how to use a push. More as a mulcher. Here is what's important firstMoreWe're going to be talking about how to use a push. More as a mulcher. Here is what's important first we want to engage the clutch. Then we want to pull the rope.
Is side discharge better than mulching?
Mulching vs Side Discharge Mower If you're mowing large, open areas, where you can direct cut grass back onto your lawn as fertilizer, side discharge is the best choice for lawn health. Mulching mowers are more specialized and typically work more slowly and yield less pristine cuts than side discharge.
What is a mulching blade?
Mulching blades, also known as 3-in-1 blades, can be used to bag, discharge, or mulch grass clippings.
What are the different types of lawn mower blades?
There are two basic types of lawn mower blades – standard blades and mulching blades. Telling them apart is easy when you know how the blades work and what to look for. Standard blades, sometimes referred to as 2-in-1 blades, are designed to cut grass and then either discharge or bag the clippings. Standard and high-lift blades are straight ...
Can you mulch grass with a blade?
Standard blades are the ideal choice when mulching the grass clippings may not be an option. Many professionals prefer to bag the clippings for a cleaner looking lawn. Bagging clippings will also remove leaves and debris from the lawn, leaving behind a well-manicured cut.
Can you mulch under a deck?
Using mulching blades on overgrown grass can result in clogging under the deck and piles of grass on the cut lawn. Mulching is also an environmentally friendly way to deal with grass clippings. Mulched grass clipping and leaves act as a natural fertilizer.
Types of Lawnmower Blades
Before we jump into finding the difference between regular and mulching blades, it won’t be a bad idea to discuss the common lawnmower blade types briefly. It will help you decide better and faster. So, let’s jump into it.
Mulching Blade Vs. Regular Blade: The Key Difference
Mulching blades and regular blades both come with unique benefits. Also, they differ in their shape, design, working procedure, durability, and performance. When deciding between the two lawnmower blade types, you should thoroughly understand their key distinctions.
The Comparison Table
We have talked about the top differences between the standard blade and the mulching blade of a lawnmower. So, it’s time to highlight them in a nutshell for your better understanding.
Pros and Cons of Regular Lawnmower Blades
Before we wrap up the discussion between mulching blades and regular blades, you must consider their benefits and disadvantages. Following its importance, we will present the pros and cons of regular blades at first.
Pros and Cons of Mulching Blades
Now, it’s the turn of the mulching blade to look at its top benefits and disadvantages. It will help you know the usability of this machine better.
Frequently Asked Questions
The enhanced cutting surface and curved edges will cut the grass repeatedly for finer clippings. SO, mulching blades are suitable for providing improved nutrients to the topsoil and grass. So, yes, it makes a difference in your lawn’s health.
Final Words
The comprehensive discussion on mulching blade vs. regular blade suggests no clear winner in this debate. Both blades for lawnmowers are incredibly performance-centric, efficient, and reliable for landscaping tasks. Thus, the decision will depend on your lawn requirements and preference mostly.
What do John Deere mulching blades look like?
John Deere mulching blades are proprietary and look a little different from the average mulching blades. They are rectangular, with one side being smaller, with a star-shaped attachment hole and an upward curve present in the middle of the blade.
How do you tell the top and bottom of a mulching blade?
Mulching blades will typically be marked with their model number or the word ‘bottom’ and when you install it, you should install the side with writing so that it faces the ground. If there is not writing, install it with the bevel of the blade facing away from the ground.
Can you use mulching blades with a bagger for leaves?
Yes, but depending on the mulching blade, this is not always efficient. Many mulching blades do not circulate the air as efficiently, so your bag may only end up filling to 2/3 full. Brands such as Gator blades have a modified design to compensate for this issue, should you encounter this problem with your mulching blades.
Can you use a mulching blade on a side discharge mower?
Yes. Your mulching blade may be used for bagging, side-discharge, or for mulching, so upgrading your mower with a mulching kit will not reduce its functionality. While they aren’t generally as efficient at circulating air, with side-discharge this should not be a problem.
Do you sharpen mulching blades?
Yes, mulching blades should be sharpened from time to time, with a general rule being that you should sharpen them after 25 hours of mowing use. You may need an assortment of files to do it properly, as mulching blades have more edges than standard blades.
Can you sharpen lawn mower blades with angle grinder?
An angle grinder is an excellent way to sharpen your mower blades efficiently with the least amount of effort. Just don’t overdo it – your blade should be about as sharp as your average butter knife – and anything more than this will make the blade sharper, but weaker and more prone to damage during normal use.
Do you have to balance mower blades?
Yes. After you sharpen your blades, it is important to balance them so that your mower will be less susceptible to wear and tear. After all, those blades spin at speeds of up to 4000 rpm, and so imbalanced blades are a very bad idea. Each time you sharpen, balance the blade for best performance.
What blades are best for cutting grass?
Mulching blades are the best blades for cutting grass, as you will find out once you test it out. Here is the best way to use it in a particular mowing task: First, you must decide where the mulch should go. Place the lawnmower on the particular area on the lawn that needs to be cut.
What is a straight mower blade?
Standard or medium-lift blade. If you are looking for high-performance mower blades, this might be what you’re looking for. Sometimes they are called straight mower blades, even though they each are slightly curved at the end. If you see the grass cuttings expelled sideways, you will know it’s this kind.
Why are mower blades not effective in bagging clippings?
Discharge problems. Since these blade types are made to keep the cuttings beneath the mower deck instead of immediately expelling them , they are not as effective in bagging the clippings as regular ones. In turn, the clippings might clog underneath the mower deck and the blades themselves.
What are the different types of lawn mowers?
Each lawnmower type are designed for specific terrain and land, whose features are designed adapt to them. Here are the different mowers: Wheeled lawn mower. Rear roller lawn mower. Hover lawn mower.
How do grass cuttings work?
Its teeth are situated in a way so that they can direct the cuttings inward , away from the blade tip and back to the edges. The airflow that goes inward functions together with the circular flow of air, which results in more opportunities to cut grass.
How to check mower blades after they're installed?
If you want to check on the blades after they’re already installed in the mower, pull out the spark plug wire and let out the gasoline in the tank into a container.
What are the nutrients in grass clippings?
Once they’re distributed and land on the grass, they give the necessary nutritional elements of phosphate and nitrogen.
Mulching Blade Vs. Regular Blade
The process of mulching is described as using plant material as a soil cover, primarily to add and conserve soil moisture.
Mulch Kit
As we can deduct from the above comparison, mulching blades seem like a very good option for homeowners dipping their toes in lawn maintenance. But what if someone has already committed to buying a lawnmower and does not want to expend any extra budget on purchasing a mulching mower? This is where the mulch kit comes in.
