Table of Contents
Mulching blades, also known as 3-in-1 blades, can be used to bag, discharge, or mulch grass clippings. The curved surface and increased cutting edge allows the blade to cut the grass and bring it into the deck where it is cut several more times before falling back onto the lawn in much smaller pieces.
What does a mulching blade do on a lawn mower?
Mulching mowers not only create a stream of air that directs the grass up into the mower blades, but once the grass is cut, the clippings hit the blade multiple times before they go back onto the lawn. This is in contrast to other mowers which direct the clippings out the side or into a bag.
Do mulching blades really work for leaves?
Mulching mower blades and 3-in-1 blades from USA Mower blades will make quick work of fallen leaves and eliminate the need to collect the leaves. When the grass clippings and leaves fall back down, they are cut again before being lifted back into the deck or falling onto the lawn.
What’s the difference between high lift blades and mulching blades?
Standard blades are also referred to as “2-in-1” (discharging & bagging) or “high-lift” blades (because they are designed to create a higher-lifting airflow). Mulching blades generally have a more curved style surface and frequently include extra cutting surfaces along the blade edges.
Can you bag grass with mulching blades?
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. Using mulching blades for bagging will result in reduced bag filling.
How do you mow with mulching blades?
How to Cut a Lawn With a Mulch Blade Start at the top left corner of the lawn, and move down toward the bottom left corner. Mow the second row of lawn the same way as the first, mowing another outline inside the outer ring. Continue mowing in concentric circles or rectangles until you reach the center of the lawn.
Can you sharpen mulching blades?
Note: Sharpening mulching blades is sometimes more difficult. Mulching blades may have longer or curved cutting edges, and you may need several types of files to sharpen them.
When should I use mulching blades?
Mulching blades are an excellent choice for use on lawns that receive a mowing every three to four days. 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.
Is it OK to mow leaves instead of raking?
You can skip raking completely by mowing over leaves and chopping them into small pieces. If you plan to compost leaves, chopping them first speeds up decomposition. You also can allow leaf pieces to decompose in place on the lawn. To do this, chop leaves into dime-size pieces.
Will mulched leaves decompose over winter?
Yes, leaves will decompose over winter, because they biodegrade, but, whole leaves left over winter can kill your grass. If you don’t break them down into small pieces by mowing them with a good lawn mower, they will interfere with photosynthesis and can damage your grass horribly.
Can you put mulching blades on any mower?
Q: Can you install mulching blades on any lawn mower? There are mulching blades available for most mowers, but not all mowers should have mulching blades installed. Underpowered models may not have the horsepower to spin a heavy mulching blade at an effective speed, providing mixed results when cutting and mulching.
Do high lift blades cut better?
High lift blades are known for bagging and discharging clippings more effectively due to the extra airflow they create, and they also help you to get a more level cut a lot of the time. High lift blades are also popular among folks that want to try to produce the best lawn stripes possible.
Is a mulching kit worth it?
A mulching kit will only do good when it is dry or when the grass hasn’t grown a lot. If you are expecting for the clippings to just go away then you need to rethink a mulching kit. They work on a smaller mower like a push mower because you aren’t covering as much ground as fast and the grass gets chopped up much more.
Is it better to mulch or side discharge?
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.
How often should mower blades be sharpened?
This keeps your mower in good shape and helps to maintain a healthy lawn. However, if you mow more often, the blades will need more attention. On average, a mower blade should be sharpened after every 20 to 25 hours of use time.
Why does my mulching mower leave clumps of grass?
If your mower leaves clumps of clippings all over, it means two things. First, you’re mowing when the grass is wet. Second, you’re letting the grass get too tall between mowings. Mow frequently enough so that you never remove more than one-third of a the grass blades is a single cutting.
Why does my lawn mower cut better backwards?
When a gas powered lawn mower runs in reverse, its blade continues to spin in the same direction as it would if the mower were operated in the forward gear. Blade sharpness issues, therefore, can be discounted in powered mowers.
How long do mulching blades last?
Depending on your usage lawnmower blades can last at least 200 hours or longer. If the grass is unevenly cut, or a hard object is hit check the condition of the blade. Mower blades normally need to be sharpened every 25 hours, but when the blade is damaged it needs to be replaced.
