What's the difference between a high lift blade and a mulching blade?

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). 2) Mulching blades generally have a more curved style surface and frequently include extra cutting surfaces along the blade edges.

People also ask, are high lift blades better?

Low-lift mower blades perform well on dry, shorter grasses, while high lift blades work better in ALL conditions. High-lift blades have deeper curves on the ends, which create enough suction to circulate and expel the clippings. The higher air flow also helps prevent clogging when mowing tall or wet grass.

Subsequently, question is, are mulching blades worth it? A good mulching blade is worth it's weight in money. Look at the higher dollar Honda's. When they mulch, it's almost like dust. To take full advantage of using mulch is you want those clippings to be cut up as small as possible so they decompose faster.

Likewise, are high lift blades good for mulching?

Standard and high-lift blades are straight and aerodynamic as possible to create a powerful lift that will expel the grass clippings from under the deck. Standard blades are the ideal choice when mulching the grass clippings may not be an option. Mulching blades feature more curves and an increased cutting edge.

What is the difference between high lift and medium lift mower blades?

Blades with a higher lift require more power. Mowers that are not equipped with enough horsepower may have a hard time cutting grass with high lift blades. Sand and dust sucked into the deck can prematurely wear the blades and equipment. Medium Lift – 3/4 in. to 15/16 in.

32 Related Question Answers Found

What is a 3 in 1 mower blade?

In order to emphasize their greater versatility, mulching blades often are called 3-in-1 blades because they can perform three jobs instead of just two. They are able to discharge or bag clippings, and they can chop them into a fine mulch and leave them on the lawn.

What are toothed mower blades for?

The blade teeth do not have a cutting edge but are used to create extra lift, propelling grass clippings high into the mower deck. The angle of the teeth is designed to force the grass clipping back toward the cutting edge. For a lawn care professional looking to cover all the bases, toothed blades are the way to go.

What type of lawn mower blade is the best?

Need Help Finding The Right Lawn Mower Blade?

High-lift blades, also known as a basic blade, regular blade, or a 2-in-1 blade, are perfect for mowers with a bagger.
A low-lift blade is a popular choice for those with dry, shorter grasses or those with sandy soils.

Can you use high lift blades without bagger?

High lift blades have deeper curves on the ends, which create enough suction to circulate and send grass clippings into a bagger. Without a bagger, these blades cause excess engine load and don't expel grass clippings as efficiently as low lift blades.

Can you mulch with regular blades?

Regular blades can mulch just fine as long as you can close off your chute and keep the leaves under the deck.

What are Gator mower blades?

Gator Blades. Gator Blades are one of the highest-quality, best-performing, and longest-lasting mulching blades on the market today. The high air lift of each blade pulls the grass up to be cut. Then the angled teeth redirect the clippings back toward the cutting edge over and over again.

Can you put a smaller blade on a lawn mower?

The mower will need to use the size blade that is called for (in this case, 21 inches). A shorter blade is going to spin much faster and can allow the unit to vibrate excessively or for the engine to over speed.

How long do lawn mower blades last?

Well as indicated earlier, most mower blades will last about 20-25 hours until they should be sharpened. But in terms of overall lifetime, most blades last at least 100-200 hours total, and some higher quality ones can last even longer, as much as 400 hours.

Why does my mulching mower leave clumps of grass?

When your push mower leaves clumps of grass clippings on the lawn as you mow, the likely causes are wet grass or allowing the grass to get too tall before you mow. You can't control the weather, but you can maintain a healthy, clump-free lawn by making a few changes in the way you mow the lawn.

Is it better to bag grass or mulch?

The Case For Bagging

If you tend to mow less frequently and your clippings are long, it's best to bag them. Large clumps of grass left sitting on your lawn can rot, killing the live grass underneath it. Successful mulching requires that the grass is chopped into little pieces.

Is mulching better than side discharge?

Some contractors feel that bagging systems provide a higher quality of cut than either side-discharge or mulching systems and are able to handle even the lengthiest of grass blades. When mulching, disposal is instantaneous, as the shreds of grass are thrown back onto the turf as soon as they're mowed.

Can I use mulching blades with side discharge?

Side-discharge mowers allow the grass clippings to shoot out the side but can leave unsightly piles of clippings. Instead, mulching mowers chop the grass clippings fine and insert them back into the lawn. You can convert many side-discharge and bag mowers into mulching mowers.

Do Gator blades cut better?

Unlike other mulching blades that push the grass down, the high lift on a gator blade draws the grass up which in turn gives you a clean, even cut. We do recommend a mulching kit for a single blade deck however, you will still see a much better mulching result with a Gator Blade with out the attachment.

Which way to install mulching blades?

Look at both sides of the mulching blade. Most blades have the word “bottom” stamped on them, or they have a model number imprinted onto the underside. Whether a word or a number, that side of the mulching blade must face the ground after it is installed and the mower is standing upright.

Which side of lawn mower blade goes down?

The crankshaft that the mower blade is attached to can only rotate in one direction, so the blade must be installed correctly so that the sharpened cutting edge of the blade is facing the right way. Most blades will have a stamp or some sort of wording on them to indicate which side should face up or down.

How often should you sharpen your mower blades?

It depends on a lot of factors but for rotary mowers, every 20 to 25 hours is a good interval to sharpen your blades. For some people that means once a year, for others twice a year. For commercial landscapers it's once or more a week. You can also just look at the blades of grass the next day or so after mowing.

Should you collect grass cuttings?

Many of you said, yes, you leave your grass clippings on your lawn most or all of the time. By leaving your grass clippings on your lawn, you are returning much needed moisture and nutrients to the soil in your yard. And contrary to popular belief, grass clippings do not contribute to excess thatch build-up.