Can You Put a Mulching Blade on Any Mower. Mulcher lawn mower blade

US5501068A. Mulching rotary lawn mower blade. Google Patents

Publication number US5501068A US5501068A US08/308,785 US30878594A US5501068A US 5501068 A US5501068 A US 5501068A US 30878594 A US30878594 A US 30878594A US 5501068 A US5501068 A US 5501068A Authority US United States Prior art keywords blade sections section cutting mounting area Prior art date 1994-09-19 Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.) Expired. Lifetime Application number US08/308,785 Inventor William Martz Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.) FOLEY/PLP Co Stens Corp Original Assignee Foley PLP Co Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.) 1994-09-19 Filing date 1994-09-19 Publication date 1996-03-26 1994-09-19 Application filed by Foley PLP Co filed Critical Foley PLP Co 1994-09-19 Priority to US08/308,785 priority Critical patent/US5501068A/en 1994-09-19 Assigned to FOLEY/PLP CO. reassignment FOLEY/PLP CO. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MARTZ, WILLIAM 1995-09-22 Assigned to FOLEY-BELSAW COMPANY reassignment FOLEY-BELSAW COMPANY MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FOLEY/PLP COMPANY 1996-03-26 Application granted granted Critical 1996-03-26 Publication of US5501068A publication Critical patent/US5501068A/en 1998-06-19 Assigned to FOLEY-BELSAW COMPANY reassignment FOLEY-BELSAW COMPANY MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FOLEY-PLP COMPANY 1998-08-12 Assigned to STENS CORPORATION reassignment STENS CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FOLEY-BELSAW COMPANY 2009-09-01 Assigned to STENS LLC reassignment STENS LLC CONVERSION Assignors: STENS CORPORATION 2011-09-13 Assigned to BANK OF MONTREAL, AS AGENT reassignment BANK OF MONTREAL, AS AGENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: STENS LLC 2014-09-19 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical Status Expired. Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

• A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
• A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
• A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
• A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
• A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
• A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
• A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
• A01D34/73 — Cutting apparatus

• Y — GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
• Y10 — TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
• Y10S — TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
• Y10S56/00 — Harvesters
• Y10S56/17 — Cutter details

Abstract

A mulching blade for a gasoline- or electrically-powered rotary lawn mower having a housing, which blade is mounted on the shaft of the lawn mower motor below the deck of the housing. The blade has a central mounting area and inner and outer sections sharpened on their leading edges which extend radially from the mounting area. The outer section cuts the unmowed grass. All sections are pitched upwardly away from the direction of rotation of the blade to lift the clippings as they are cut by the outer section and to turbulently suspend the clippings within the housing while the inner sections re-cut them repeatedly, comminuting the clippings into a fine mulch which falls by gravity to the soil level under the grass. Preferably there are three inner sections which jointly form an arch between the mounting area and the outer section and act as a comminuting tubulator. The comminuting and cutting sections are twisted progressively from the mounting area to the outer tip of the blade so that the blade acts as a propeller. Aerodynamic drag is sufficiently reduced such that a mowing time of more than 90 minutes per charge is provided to a battery-powered electric mower equipped with the subject mulching blade.

Description

The present invention relates to lawn mower blades and particularly to mulching blades for rotary lawn mowers with closed deck.

The invention is suitable for use in a rotary mulching mower with a closed deck which repeatedly cuts and comminutes grass clippings and distributes them back into the lawn at soil level for forming a mulch.

The invention is especially suitable for use with battery-powered rotary lawn mowers designed for mulching, such as for example the mowing apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,414 issued to Long on Apr. 5, 1994 and assigned to Ryobi America Corp., Anderson, S.C.

Environmental concerns, particularly the lack of landfill capacity, have resulted in legislation in some communities precluding the disposal of lawn grass clippings in landfills. Mulching mowers have heretofore been proposed. However, they have been expensive, requiring specially designed lawn mower housings with baffles to avoid generation of clumps which tend to smother the remaining grass instead of a fine discharge of comminuted clippings suitable for mulching beneath the surface of the lawn. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,189,903 issued Feb. 26, 1980 to Jackson et al. and 4,205,512 issued Jun. 3, 1980 to Thorud. It is desirable that the finely distributed clippings be provided by the operation of the lawn mower blade alone without special baffles or vanes in the lawn mower housing. It has been proposed to provide special mulching blades with up-pumping sections which lift and cut grass at the outsides thereof and down-pumping sections which push recur grass downwardly towards the ground. See, for example, the blade disclosed by Long cited hereinabove, and also the blade disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,065 issued Mar. 10, 1992 to Azbell. Such blades, however, are subject to clogging and can produce undesired clumps. Because of their downward-pumping design, these blades tend to discharge re-cut grass before it has been adequately comminuted, especially when the grass being cut is high or wet.

Battery-powered electric mowers are becoming popular. However, a key performance issue is the mowing time sustainable on a single charge of the battery. Mowing time is strongly influenced by the aerodynamic drag of the mower blade within the mower housing. Previous mulching blades have permitted only relatively short mowing times because of non-optimized aerodynamic designs used to achieve an acceptable degree of comminution of grass clippings.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved mulching rotary lawn mower blade which produces a fine mulch of grass clippings and distributes them evenly into the uncut grass at soil level without clogging in the lawn mower housing and without producing clumps of clippings.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved mulching rotary lawn mower blade which is more effective in mulching clippings and distributing them back into the grass at soil level than are mulching blades which have heretofore been proposed.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved mulching rotary lawn mower blade by which a fine mulch of clippings and a wide distribution of mulch is obtained by virtue of the operation of the blade itself.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved mulching rotary lawn mower blade which can be produced with equipment which is used for producing conventional lawn mower blades by pressing the blades from strips of sheet steel stock.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved mulching rotary lawn mower blade which, when installed in a battery-powered electric rotary lawn mower, will allow for a longer time of mowing on a single battery charge than will previous mulching blades.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved mulching rotary lawn mower blade which will allow 90 minutes of mowing time when installed in a battery powered lawn mower such as a Ryobi Mulchinator battery-powered rotary lawn mower, sold by Ryobi America Corp., Anderson, S.C.

Briefly described, a mulching lawn mower blade embodying the invention is formed from, for example, strap steel stock sharpened along one edge, by bending the stock at chosen angles to provide a plurality of sections. The blade has a central mounting area, attachable to a lawn mower motor drive shaft, and a plurality of functional sections, preferably four, outward from the mounting area in at least one direction and preferably symmetrically in opposite directions. Each section has a continuous cutting edge on its rotationally forward side which encounters the grass as the blade is rotated. The first three sections comprise a re-cutting region of the blade, and the fourth section comprises a primary cutting region.

In all four sections, the trailing edge of the blade is higher than the leading or cutting edge, making the functional area a propeller forcing air upward over its entire length. The clippings within the mower housing are therefore repeatedly lofted as the blade rotates and chops the clippings into a fine mulch. Fine clippings eventually fall through the spinning blade which disperses them evenly over a wide area of lawn beneath the mower. It is an important feature of the invention that the blade has no areas in which the trailing edge is lower than the leading edge and therefore provides no downward thrust to drive the just-cut clippings immediately into the lawn but rather keeps them suspended within the housing long enough for the blade to re-cut them many times.

In profile, the blade has a first section inclined upwardly and outwardly from the mounting area. The second section is above and inclines outwardly toward the plane of the mounting area. The third section inclines downwardly and outwardly toward and through the plane of the mounting area. The fourth section also inclines downwardly and outwardly but at a lesser angle than does the third section. The bend angles of the sections are not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the blade but rather are chosen such that the first three cutting sections, referred to as the inner sections, constitute an arch-shaped comminuting turbulator which violently agitates the clippings within the housing by creating an updraft above all three sections while recutting the clippings. The fourth, and outer, section is the primary grass cutter.

In all cases, upward and downward are taken to mean as relative to the plane of the mounting area of the blade and to the ground upon which the mower operates, and inner and outer are taken to mean in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the blade from the axis of rotation.

The chosen bend angles provide a blade which can produce a fine, highly-comminuted mulch while also having sufficiently low aerodynamic drag to provide a continuous mowing time of at least 90 minutes for a battery-powered electric mulching law mower.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as a presently preferred embodiment thereof, will become more apparent from a reading of the following description wherein:

FIG. 5 is a partial and elevational view of the blade shown in FIG. 1 as seen from an end of the blade.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a mulching lawn mower blade 10 having a mounting area 12 with a center hole 14 of universal design which is adapted to be received in most lawn mowers for mounting the blade on the motor drive shaft within the housing of the lawn mower. The mower housing has a skirt along its sides (see, e.g. Long U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,414 cited above). Mounting area 12 may have gussets 16 for strengthening and stiffening purposes.

Extending sequentially from mounting area 12 and bent at chosen horizontal and vertical angles from the plane of the mounting area are first, second, and third inner sections, 18, 20, and 22, respectively. Collectively, the three inner sections form an aerodynamically efficient re-cutting turbulator which comminutes and distributes grass clippings as the blade rotates. Fourth, or outer, section 24 is the primary grass cutter and extends to the end of the blade. Each of the four sections may be up to several inches long. It is preferable that the blade be formed symmetrically about its axis of rotation, having cutting and re-cutting capability on both halves, although in principle only the part of the blade on one side of the axis of rotation need be designed for cutting purposes.

The blade is formed by pressing from a strip of steel (e.g., cold rolled steel); e.g., Type 10B38 steel, hardness Rockwell-C 35-40 which is 0.135 inches thick by 2 inches wide. The longitudinal center line 26 extends along the middle of the width of the blade and is perpendicular to the lateral center line 28 which extends between the opposite edges of the blade. The axis of rotation is at the intersection of the center lines 26 and 28.

Each of the four sections is provided with a continuous sharpened leading edge 30 made by milling a 35° bevel along the upper side of the leading edge of the blade preferably before bending the blade to form the blade sections.

The comminuting turbulator is formed by bending the strap stock at specific horizontal and vertical angles, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5. All horizontal angles are expressed from the trailing edge of the blade in the direction of rotation. All vertical angles are expressed from the plane which includes longitudinal center line 26 and is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. First bend 32 is at a first horizontal angle 34 away from lateral center line 28, preferably about 1°, and at a first upward vertical angle 36 of preferably about 26°. Second bend 38 is at a second horizontal angle 40 away from lateral center line 28, preferably about 4°, and a slight propeller twist is produced in second inner section 20 by differing the vertical downward angles 42 and 44 preferably about 3° at the trailing edge and 4° at the leading edge, respectively. Third bend 46 is at a third horizontal angle 48 preferably equal and opposite to first horizontal angle 34, and further propeller twist is produced in third inner section 22 by differing the vertical downward angles 50 and 52 preferably about 18° at the trailing edge and 26° at the leading edge, respectively. This combination of horizontal and vertical bend angles provides a three-section arch-shaped turbulator in which the trailing edge of each section is farther from the ground than is the leading or cutting edge. Second bend 38 tilts upward away from the direction of rotation by angle 62, preferably about 3°; third bend 46 tilts upward by angle 64, preferably about 4°; and fourth bend 54 tilts upward by angle 66, preferably about 4°.

The fourth bend 54 is at a fourth horizontal angle 56 preferably equal and opposite to second horizontal angle 40, and further propeller twist is produced in outer section 24 by differing the leading and trailing edge bend angles 58 and 60, respectively, such that the leading edge is bent at preferably about 20° from the horizontal and the trailing edge at preferably about 9° from the horizontal. Thus the trailing edge of the outer, or cutting, section is farther from the ground at all points than is the leading or cutting edge. The trailing corner of the blade is preferably about 10° higher than the leading corner (vertical angle 68). This combination of horizontal and vertical bend angles provides a cutting section which cuts grass cleanly and creates an air flow which deflects the clippings upward against the mower housing and thence into the region of the comminuting turbulator. Because the propeller twist in the blade is progressive through the inner and outer sections, and because the outer section rotates at the highest linear velocity, the outer section has the greatest propeller thrust and therefore clippings will flow toward the turbulator to be comminuted and dispersed. While the foregoing theory of operation of the blade in cutting grass to mulch is believed accurate, it is only a theory and the invention is not limited thereto.

An 18-inch mulching blade in accordance with the invention was installed in a fully-charged battery-powered Ryobi Mulchinator lawn mower, and satisfactory lawn mowing and clipping mulching was obtained for a period of time greater than 90 minutes.

Variations and modifications in the herein described blade, within the scope of the invention, will undoubtedly suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be taken as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims ( 14 )

A lawn mower blade adapted to be used in a rotary lawn mower, said blade having a longitudinal axis and leading and trailing edges wherein said leading edge is sharpened for cutting grass, comprising:

a) a mounting area which includes said longitudinal axis for mounting said blade on said rotary lawn mower; and

b) a plurality of cutting sections disposed along the length of said blade outward from said mounting area, wherein the leading edge of said each of said cutting sections is nearer to the ground than is the trailing edge of said each of said cutting sections.

The blade according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of cutting sections are in angled relationships to each other.

The blade according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of cutting sections comprise at least one outer section for cutting uncut grass and at least one inner section comprising a comminuting turbulator for comminuting and mulching grass clippings cut by said outer section.

The blade according to claim 3 wherein said comminuting turbulator comprises a plurality of sections.

a) said first section is inclined upward and outward from said mounting area in the direction of said longitudinal axis;

b) said second section is adjacent to said first section and is inclined downward from the horizontal and outward in the direction of said longitudinal axis; and

c) said third section is adjacent to said second section and is inclined further downward from the horizontal and outward in the direction of said longitudinal axis.

The blade according to claim 6 wherein said outer section is adjacent to said third section and is inclined downward from the horizontal and outward in the direction of said longitudinal axis.

The blade according to claim 7 wherein all adjacent sections meet at lines which are not perpendicular to the direction of said longitudinal axis.

The blade according to claim 7 wherein at least one of said sections has twist in its plane between its inner and outer edges.

The blade according to claim 9 wherein a plurality of said sections have twist in their planes between their inner and outer edges.

The blade according to claim 10 wherein said twist in each of said sections is greater than the twist in the next inward section and smaller than the twist in the next outward section.

b) the angle of said second section downward from the horizontal is about 3° along its leading edge and about 1° along its trailing edge;

c) the angle of said third section downward from the horizontal is about 26° along its leading edge and about 18° along its trailing edge; and

d) the angle of said outer section downward from the horizontal is about 20° along its leading edge and about 9° along its trailing edge.

A mulching rotary lawn mower blade having a central mounting area attachable to a lawn mower motor drive shaft, said blade comprising first, second, third, and fourth cutting sections, each respectively further outward from said mounting area, said blade having a cutting edge extending along said four sections thereof which cuts grass into clippings and repetitively re-cuts said grass clippings in said fourth and said first through third sections, respectively, all of said four sections being upwardly pitched away from the direction of rotation for lifting and turbulently suspending said grass clippings during said repetitive re-cutting to provide a fine comminuted mulch.

A mulching rotary lawn mower blade in accordance with claim 1 wherein the trailing edge of each of said plurality of cutting sections is upwardly pitched to a greater angle than is the trailing edge of the next inward of such sections, so that said blade is a progressive propeller.

US08/308,785 1994-09-19 1994-09-19 Mulching rotary lawn mower blade Expired. Lifetime US5501068A ( en )

Family

Cited By (28)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title

EP0829195A2 ( en )	1996-09-13	1998-03-18	Murray, Inc.	Reversible mower blade
US6145290A ( en )	1998-01-13	2000-11-14	Sullivan; Patrick D.	Combination mulching and discharging lawn mower blade
US6427341B1 ( en )	1992-12-10	2002-08-06	Anthony L. Lee	Cutting blade for vegetation trimming device
US6490850B1 ( en )	2001-07-19	2002-12-10	Deere Company	Mower blade
US20040083700A1 ( en )	2002-11-01	2004-05-06	Arfstrom Jack E.	Mowing blades having an impact energy absorbing structure
US20040112028A1 ( en )	2002-12-05	2004-06-17	Duncan C. Lee	Mulching lawn mower blade assembly with replaceable inserts
US6769236B2 ( en )	2000-11-14	2004-08-03	Mtd Products Inc	Thin lawn mower blade
US20050034587A1 ( en )	2001-11-09	2005-02-17	Gunther Weber	Cutting blade that can be rotationally driven
FR2865610A1 ( en )	2004-01-30	2005-08-05	Simcoo	Lawn mower cutting blade, has rectangular plate including trapezoidal segments having frontal edges forming angle with sharp segments, where trapezoidal segments have upper edges that are machined
US20050229573A1 ( en )	2004-01-30	2005-10-20	Murray, Inc.	Universal mower blade
WO2013040057A1 ( en )	2011-09-13	2013-03-21	Monsanto Technology Llc	Methods and compositions for weed control
US20130199148A1 ( en )	2012-02-08	2013-08-08	Felix A. Goudeau, JR.	Cutting Blade Method and Apparatus
CN103535153A ( en )	2013-10-31	2014-01-29	苏州安必瑟斯机电技术有限公司	Cutting blade
US20150359172A1 ( en )	2014-05-20	2015-12-17	David Nelson	Rotary Trimmer with Cutting Blade and Line and Blades for Use with Same
USD758456S1 ( en )	2015-01-02	2016-06-07	Husqvarna Ab	Mulching blade
USD766332S1 ( en )	2015-01-02	2016-09-13	Husqvarna Ab	Bagging blade
USD781927S1 ( en )	2015-11-06	2017-03-21	Husqvarna Ab	Mower blade
USD786310S1 ( en )	2015-11-06	2017-05-09	Husqvarna Ab	Mower blade
US9699964B2 ( en )	2011-09-29	2017-07-11	Husqvarna Ab	Quick-change blade system
US9888626B2 ( en )	2012-04-11	2018-02-13	Briggs Stratton Corporation	Noise-reducing mower blade
US10172281B2 ( en )	2015-01-12	2019-01-08	Husqvarna Ab	Cutting deck flow control assembly
US20190104678A1 ( en )	2017-10-06	2019-04-11	Mtd Products Inc	High-efficiency lawn maintenance tool and high-efficiency cutting blade
USD874891S1 ( en )	2017-08-04	2020-02-11	Husqvarna Ab	Guard shield for a trimmer
USD878172S1 ( en )	2017-08-04	2020-03-17	Husqvarna Ab	Leaf catcher for a trimmer
USD889219S1 ( en )	2017-08-04	2020-07-07	Husqvarna Ab	Air outlet for a trimmer
USD902262S1 ( en )	2019-05-14	2020-11-17	Delbert Hoover	Lawn mower blade with hooked edge
WO2021194554A1 ( en )	2020-03-26	2021-09-30	Husqvarna Ab	High efficiency lawn mower blade
US11641795B2 ( en )	2019-06-28	2023-05-09	Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd.	Lawn mower

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US6427341B1 ( en )	1992-12-10	2002-08-06	Anthony L. Lee	Cutting blade for vegetation trimming device
EP0829195A3 ( en )	1996-09-13	1998-06-24	Murray, Inc.	Reversible mower blade
EP0829195A2 ( en )	1996-09-13	1998-03-18	Murray, Inc.	Reversible mower blade
US6145290A ( en )	1998-01-13	2000-11-14	Sullivan; Patrick D.	Combination mulching and discharging lawn mower blade
US6769236B2 ( en )	2000-11-14	2004-08-03	Mtd Products Inc	Thin lawn mower blade
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US20050034587A1 ( en )	2001-11-09	2005-02-17	Gunther Weber	Cutting blade that can be rotationally driven
US6938402B2 ( en )	2002-11-01	2005-09-06	Deere Company	Mowing blades having an impact energy absorbing structure
US20040083700A1 ( en )	2002-11-01	2004-05-06	Arfstrom Jack E.	Mowing blades having an impact energy absorbing structure
US20040112028A1 ( en )	2002-12-05	2004-06-17	Duncan C. Lee	Mulching lawn mower blade assembly with replaceable inserts
US20050229573A1 ( en )	2004-01-30	2005-10-20	Murray, Inc.	Universal mower blade
US7127877B2 ( en )	2004-01-30	2006-10-31	Briggs Stratton Corporation	Universal mower blade
FR2865610A1 ( en )	2004-01-30	2005-08-05	Simcoo	Lawn mower cutting blade, has rectangular plate including trapezoidal segments having frontal edges forming angle with sharp segments, where trapezoidal segments have upper edges that are machined
WO2013040057A1 ( en )	2011-09-13	2013-03-21	Monsanto Technology Llc	Methods and compositions for weed control
US9699964B2 ( en )	2011-09-29	2017-07-11	Husqvarna Ab	Quick-change blade system
US9788483B2 ( en )	2011-09-29	2017-10-17	Husqvarna Ab	Quick-change blade system
US9736981B2 ( en )	2011-09-29	2017-08-22	Husqvarna Ab	Quick-change blade system
US20130199148A1 ( en )	2012-02-08	2013-08-08	Felix A. Goudeau, JR.	Cutting Blade Method and Apparatus
US9888626B2 ( en )	2012-04-11	2018-02-13	Briggs Stratton Corporation	Noise-reducing mower blade
CN103535153A ( en )	2013-10-31	2014-01-29	苏州安必瑟斯机电技术有限公司	Cutting blade
US20150359172A1 ( en )	2014-05-20	2015-12-17	David Nelson	Rotary Trimmer with Cutting Blade and Line and Blades for Use with Same
USD766332S1 ( en )	2015-01-02	2016-09-13	Husqvarna Ab	Bagging blade
USD758456S1 ( en )	2015-01-02	2016-06-07	Husqvarna Ab	Mulching blade
US10172281B2 ( en )	2015-01-12	2019-01-08	Husqvarna Ab	Cutting deck flow control assembly
USD786310S1 ( en )	2015-11-06	2017-05-09	Husqvarna Ab	Mower blade
USD801394S1 ( en )	2015-11-06	2017-10-31	Husqvarna Ab	Mower blade
USD781927S1 ( en )	2015-11-06	2017-03-21	Husqvarna Ab	Mower blade
USD889219S1 ( en )	2017-08-04	2020-07-07	Husqvarna Ab	Air outlet for a trimmer
USD874891S1 ( en )	2017-08-04	2020-02-11	Husqvarna Ab	Guard shield for a trimmer
USD878172S1 ( en )	2017-08-04	2020-03-17	Husqvarna Ab	Leaf catcher for a trimmer
US20190104678A1 ( en )	2017-10-06	2019-04-11	Mtd Products Inc	High-efficiency lawn maintenance tool and high-efficiency cutting blade
US10806076B2 ( en )	2017-10-06	2020-10-20	Mtd Products Inc	High-efficiency lawn maintenance tool and high-efficiency cutting blade
US11540441B2 ( en )	2017-10-06	2023-01-03	Mtd Products Inc	High-efficiency lawn maintenance tool and high-efficiency cutting blade
USD902262S1 ( en )	2019-05-14	2020-11-17	Delbert Hoover	Lawn mower blade with hooked edge
US11641795B2 ( en )	2019-06-28	2023-05-09	Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd.	Lawn mower
WO2021194554A1 ( en )	2020-03-26	2021-09-30	Husqvarna Ab	High efficiency lawn mower blade

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US3538692A ( en )	1970-11-10	Grass mowing and mulching device
US6487840B1 ( en )	2002-12-03	Combined mulching and shredding blade
US5515670A ( en )	1996-05-14	Rotary mower blade
US5327710A ( en )	1994-07-12	Multi-purpose mowing blade for discharge, bagging, and mulching
US5199251A ( en )	1993-04-06	Mulching blade including multiple cutting edges
CA1099114A ( en )	1981-04-14	Mulching lawn mower
US6427341B1 ( en )	2002-08-06	Cutting blade for vegetation trimming device
US4916887A ( en )	1990-04-17	Rotary mulching mower
US5473873A ( en )	1995-12-12	Combination mower blade
US7299612B2 ( en )	2007-11-27	Rotary mower blade
US4351144A ( en )	1982-09-28	Comminuting powered lawn mower
US5487511A ( en )	1996-01-30	Blender blades and system adapted for ice crushing
US4890446A ( en )	1990-01-02	Mulching attachment for lawn mowers
EP1277386B1 ( en )	2007-07-04	Mower blade
US3087298A ( en )	1963-04-30	Rotary mower blade
US20060162310A1 ( en )	2006-07-27	Mulcher blade
US20090223193A1 ( en )	2009-09-10	Mower Blades
US5899053A ( en )	1999-05-04	Lawn mower blade
JPH0678619A ( en )	1994-03-22	Stubble mulching type lawnmower and cutting edge therefor
AU4094793A ( en )	1993-12-30	A cutter
US7617664B1 ( en )	2009-11-17	Rotary cutting blade assembly
US4312174A ( en )	1982-01-26	Rotary lawn mower
US20110277438A1 ( en )	2011-11-17	Lawn Mower Blade

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Can You Put a Mulching Blade on Any Mower?

Mulching is a great and inexpensive way to return the much-needed nutrients back into the soil. Because of this, and a few other benefits, many people are turning to mulching mowers. But lawnmowers are not exactly cheap, so what should you do if you already have a standard lawnmower that is not designed for mulching? For most people in this situation, getting a mulching blade will be the best option. But can you put a mulching blade on any mower? Yes, you can put a mulching blade on almost any mower. To put a mulching blade on a mower, the blade needs to be able to fit the deck properly and be secured tightly. Not all mowers equipped with a mulching blade will do a good mulching job due to bad deck design, or low-powered engine. When changing the blade of a lawnmower however, some caveats need to be taken into consideration first, especially if this is the first time you will be changing your mower’s blade. Below I share everything I have learned about switching to mulching blades.

What Separates Standard Lawnmowers From Mulching Lawnmowers?

The standard mowers are often referred to as 2-in-1 mowers because they are suitable for bagging and side discharging. The majority of standard lawnmowers come with a standard blade, which is ideal for cutting short lawns. The standard blades are very basic, their cutting and suction capabilities are mediocre, and they are not suitable for mulching. In comparison, mulching lawnmowers are a bit more specialized. They come with a specialized mulching blade, which is designed in a unique way. The purpose of the mulching blade is to cut the individual grass pieces multiple times. This is achieved by creating a better airflow that keeps the grass clippings under the deck and around the blades for longer. As a result, the grass is gradually cut up into smaller pieces before falling down into the lawn. A good mulching mower also has a circular deck that should not have any edges or places where grass can get stuck. Often there is no discharge chute, so mulching mowers are rarely sold with a rear bag.

Can You Turn Any Lawnmower Into a Mulching Mower?

Conversely, if you block the chute, you can achieve some acceptable mulching levels even without a mulching blade.

This can happen if you have a plate or a cover that can be used to block off the discharge chute. But keep in mind that in this case, there will be a higher chance of grass getting stuck underneath the deck.

The problem is that the different models of lawnmowers do have different deck designs.

Because of that, effectively blocking off the discharge chute may be very tricky.

Additionally, a mulching blade on its own will not make for better mulching. Blocking off the discharge chute is necessary.

Failing to do so will result in poor mulching performance as grass clippings will end up being larger and side discharged or bagged (depending on the setup).

One of the usual ways to adapt a standard mower for mulching is by using a mulching kit.

What Is a Mulching Kit?

A mulching kit is a set of several accessories that, when installed on your lawnmower, will allow it to mulch.

The mulching kits can consist of a few different items like mulching blades, restriction plates, mulching baffles, deflectors, decals, the necessary tools needed for the installation, and instructions. However, not all of these may be included or even necessary.

To install a mulching blade, you need a blade that has the right dimensions.

This is why before buying a new lawnmower blade, you need to do several measurements and then decide on what blade you will need. I recently wrote an article about choosing the right mower blade, you can check it out here.

The restriction plate (also called restriction plug) is placed through the rear chute.

Its purpose is to block and deflect the grass clippings from being discharged through the chute. That way, the grass clippings will remain under the deck where the mulching blade will cut them and push them into the soil.

The bad news however, is that the restriction plates are not universal, and because of the design, different variants will not fit every lawnmower.

Before purchasing a mulching kit, make sure to check if it can be used with your lawnmower – mulching kits are usually designed for specific brands and models.

How Powerful Should the Lawnmower Be?

Not all standard lawnmowers are suitable for mulching.

Mulching can place a lot more strain on the engine. Thus, only mowers with at least five or more horsepower should be adapted for mulching.

Lawnmowers with less than four horsepower may not be able to produce enough torque to cut and mulch the grass clippings properly and therefore, should not be used for mulching.

Are There Different Types of Mulching Blades?

There are two different types of mulching blades.

Standard Mulching Blades

The standard mulching blades are easy to spot. They have a very distinct curved design.

The standard mulching blades create a relatively good level of suction and can cut the grass into tiny pieces.

However, mulching blades are not well suited for bagging or side discharging.

Gator (Toothed) Blades

The Gator blades are usually considered 3-in-1 blades.

They are a hybrid because they perform well in all three categories; mulching, side discharging, and bagging.

They are unique in that they have raised teeth behind the cutting edge of the blade. These teeth are designed to create superior air circulation and suction that will keep the grass cuttings under the deck and near the sharp edges of the blades.

Thus the Gator blades can produce extremely finely-cut grass clippings.

The Gator blades are frequently used on zero-turn mowers and mowers that have multiple blades.

How to Find out If the Mulching Blade Will Fit in Your Lawnmower?

Regardless if you have to get a new replacement blade or just a different type of lawnmower blade, you need to go through a few steps first.

These steps involve measuring and identifying certain characteristics of the blade.

• Measure the length of the blade (this is done diagonally from cutting edge to cutting edge);
• Measure the inner diameter of the center hole and identify the type of the center hole. Some center holes can come in different shapes and sizes (5, 6, or 7 point stars, H patterns, and more);
• Measure the inner diameter and the distance between the centers of the two side holes (if the blade has any); and
• Measure the thickness and width of the blade at its center.

All of these need to match the original blades your mower is designed to work with. Otherwise, you are risking getting a blade that will not fit correctly.

However, if you are unsure, one of the best ways to make sure that you will get a blade that will fit your lawnmower is always to take the user’s manual along with the blade itself to your local Home Depot store. That way, the people working there can quickly help you identify what mulching blade you need.

Is a Dedicated Mulching Mower Better?

A lawnmower that has been designed for mulching is almost always going to do a better job at mulching. Even a standard lawnmower equipped with a mulching kit will underperform compared to a mulching mower.

Although a mulching kit may be installed on many regular mowers, the problem will often be in the design of the deck itself.

Mulching mowers have closed off decks that are designed in such a way as to keep the grass clippings under the deck, improve airflow, and continuously push the grass clippings into the blades.

On the other hand, using a standard mower with a mulching kit has the added benefit of more versatility. You can install or remove the kit whenever you want.

Having two lawnmowers means spending more money on maintenance, and you will need more storage space as well. Also, a mulching kit is significantly cheaper compared to buying a second, dedicated mulching mower.

This is why homeowners that are looking for the best versatility can go with 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 lawnmowers. These multi-purpose lawnmowers are adapted for regular cutting and mulching of the grass.

For anyone who already has a lawnmower (preferably a very old one), and is tech-savvy, buying a replacement mulching deck in combination with a mulching blade may be a viable and cheaper alternative to purchasing a brand new mower.

What that means in practice is that you will be changing almost the entire mower and only keeping the engine.

What About the Warranty?

Before installing a new mulching blade on your mower, there are a few considerations you need to take into account.

Keep in mind that not all manufacturers allow for a different blade to be installed on their mowers.

For example, installing a mulching blade may result in the warranty being void by the manufacturer.

Check with the manufacturer’s warranty conditions before going that route.

Hi! I’m Peter, the owner of BackyardGadget. Working around the house has always been a big part of my life. I’ve created this site to share my experience, and to help people choose the right tools for the job. Thank you for stopping by!

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Have you ever pulled on the starter cord to get your mower started, but the rope snaps? Or perhaps it pulls all the way out and doesn’t rewind by itself. Either way, it’s clear the pull cord is.

One of the most common features of most gas-powered push mowers is the cord or rope that you use to get it started. But why do they have pull cords rather than some other starting mechanism? The.

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Hi! I’m Peter, the owner of BackyardGadget. Working around the house has always been a big part of my life. I’ve created this site to share my experience, and to help people choose the right tools for the job. Thank you for stopping by!

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Mulching Blade vs Regular Blade: The Most Concise Comparison

Comparing a mulching blade vs regular blade is very confusing when it comes to choosing the right mower for your lawn. Both of these fall in similar price ranges, so why should you go for one instead of the other?

Read this article where we clearly outline the major differences between these two blade types and their respective advantages. Read through this guide to learn which one is better for your lawn and grass in all aspects of lawn care.

• Mulching Blade vs Regular Blade Comparison Table
• What Are The Differences Between Mulching Blade and Regular Blade?
• What Are The Advantages of Mulching Blade?

• – Their Three-In-One Cutting Property
• – It Cuts Grass Into Much Smaller Pieces
• – Can Be Used To Fertilize The Lawn
• – Mulching Blades Works On Lower Power
• – Mulching Blades Make The Grass Lush
• – Mulching Blades Save Time and Are Eco Friendly

• – They Offer Two-In-One Service During Mowing
• – They Can Be Used On All Soil Types
• – They Can Be Low Lift or High Lift Blades
• – Less Frequent Mowing

• – Do You Have To Mow Slower When Mulching?
• – Are Mulching Blades With Teeth a Better Option?
• – Why Does My Mulching Mower Leave Clumps of Grass?
• – Why Does My Lawn Mower Leave a Strip of Grass in the Middle?

Mulching Blade vs Regular Blade Comparison Table

• The cutting edge is straight
• Some might have a small curvature at the end of the blade

What Are The Differences Between Mulching Blade and Regular Blade?

The main difference between a regular and a mulching blade is that the regular blade is shorter and has a curved edge. It can cut the grass into much finer clippings which can be used as mulch or fertilizer. The regular one is able to cut taller grass in comparison.

What Are The Advantages of Mulching Blade?

The many advantages of mulching blades include cutting, storing, and dispersing finely cut grass tip clippings over the lawn.

A mulching mower uses much less power which helps you to save up quite a bit on fuel and electricity bills. These toothed blade sets also tend to fertilize the lawn while mowing it.

– Their Three-In-One Cutting Property

When used in lawn mowers, Mulching blades can cut leaf blades. store them in a bag, or mulch them so you can put them to further use. So basically, these blades were created to give the standard blades a run for their money!

It cuts the grass tips into very small and fine pieces and then spreads them evenly on the surface of the grass. If you do not want this to happen, you can always go back to the option of simply bagging the cut grass ends and then using them for whatever purpose you wish.

The blade performs its three functions simultaneously: mulching, bagging, and discharging. The efficiency and speed of cutting are also more than the regular blade.

Best Lawn Mower Blade? Oregon vs Maxpower, Craftsman, 8TEN, Arnold Extreme

– It Cuts Grass Into Much Smaller Pieces

Mulching blades have the ability to cut grass into very small clippings. So that even if you lay these clippings on the surface of the mowed lawn, it gives a very neat appearance overall.

These small clippings decompose faster as compared to larger ones. Using them as mulch for the grass or plant pots will break down quickly and release their nutrients into the soil.

These small clippings can also be added to your compost pile. They will quickly break down and turn into compost without changing the overall texture of the pile, unlike larger grass blades and food scraps.

– Can Be Used To Fertilize The Lawn

Mulching blades are the only lawn mower blades that can help you fertilize your lawn while mowing it. It first cuts the grass blades into precise small pieces. These pieces are then sucked back into the mower deck, where it is cut further into even smaller-sized pieces.

You then can spread these finely chopped clippings over the entire lawn as a form of fertilizer. Compare this with a regular type of blade where you will have to collect the cut grass clippings, cut them into finer pieces, and manually spread them evenly over the lawn.

Because these clippings are very finely chopped. they will decompose faster, and your lawn will have quicker access to the nutrients released. This type of natural fertilizer works better for lawns instead of using chemical feeds.

– Mulching Blades Works On Lower Power

Surprisingly, a grass mulching lawn mower works on much lower power compared to other types. This goes for both electricity and gasoline-fueled riding mowers. You can save electricity and fuel bills while providing top lawn care.

– Mulching Blades Make The Grass Lush

Using a blade mulching mower you can spread the cut grass clippings as mulch over the lawn. Mulch prevents excessive water from evaporating from the surface of the soil. It helps a lot when it comes to retaining water during the hot summer months. Grass clipping mulch has been known to help retain as much as 80 percent of the water in the soil.

Combine this hydrating property with the Rapid release of nutrients by the finely cut grass. Your grass will grow thicker and lusher than ever before.

However, not all grass types do well when mulched. This trick works only in grass types with wide blades, such as tall fescue and crabgrass. Tall fescue is a popular cold-season grass that responds well to mulch spread by a mulching blade.

– Mulching Blades Save Time and Are Eco Friendly

Using a mower with this blade type will save up a lot of your time when it comes to collecting, storing, and later dispersing the clippings. Even if you do not want to spread the cut grass on the lawn as mulch, you still have the option of bagging them separately.

over, the ability to convert grass into much is good news for the environment. You will get the opportunity to recycle your organic waste, which also means much less fodder for landfills.

What Are The Advantages of a Regular Blade?

The advantage of a regular mower blade is that it cuts even tall grass finely and then bags the clippings away. Unlike bagging and gator blades, these blades can be used on all soil types.

– They Offer Two-In-One Service During Mowing

A regular mowing blade allows you to cut your overgrown lawn grass quickly and efficiently. It works by creating a vacuum. due to which the grass blades stand up. This blade then easily cuts through this upright grass in one swift motion.

Another in-built property of this blade is allowing the lawn mower to bag and store the cut grass clippings simultaneously. If you are someone who despises their lawn when it is covered with grass-clipping mulch, then this is the blade of choice for you.

Most older lawn grass mowers came built-in with this type of blade. You may purchase one separately and attach it with a modern mower if you want to use some of its properties. Many new designs of mowers allow users to attach and use different blades according to how they want the grass cut.

– They Can Be Used On All Soil Types

Regular blades can be used on all types of soil in which grass has been grown. Whether your lawn is composed of sandy or clay-like soil, either type can be mowed using these blades easily.

The only prerequisite to using these for lawn care is that the grass needs to be slightly taller. It cannot cut through the grass patches that are smaller in height. If your lawn is uneven or sloping, your grass will get cut quite unevenly.

– They Can Be Low Lift or High Lift Blades

Low lift blades are a modification of the standard blades that are useful on sandy soil types. They are less curly than normal ones and only three to four inches long. They do not suck the grass blades too high. so the sand or soil does not blow up around a lot. Because of their small size, these blades work for much longer periods.

High-lift blades are another modified type of regular mower blades. Their blade edges have vertical angles along their length. which creates a very high level of suction. This makes it perfect for smoothly cutting very tall grass blades by pulling them upright.

Naturally, you cannot use this high lift blade on sandy terrain because it will kick up a lot of dirt. It also uses a lot of fuel and energy, which might wear out the mower quickly over time. The good news is that it can bag the cut clippings safely.

– Less Frequent Mowing

Using regular or standard blades means you cut much less frequently for two main reasons. First, these lawn mower blades can get tall grass without getting their inner machinery choked up.

Secondly, these blades cut close to the ground. which naturally takes a long time for the grass to grow. So you get to rest before it is time for the next mowing. If you have little time for constant lawn maintenance or are someone naturally disinclined toward mowing, this should be an important consideration.

FAQs

– Do You Have To Mow Slower When Mulching?

Yes, you must mow your lawn slowly using a mulching blade. This blade works by cutting each blade of grass multiple times so that it gets chopped up into very fine pieces. This is important to turn grass into organic fertilizer or mulch for use in the lawn or garden plants.

That is why it is important to go slowly because if you rush the job, the grass will not be cut up properly. Instead, the mower will leave large and unsightly pieces of grass clumps over the lawn. This will not only be less efficient but will also put a strain on the engine.

– Are Mulching Blades With Teeth a Better Option?

Yes, toothed blades are better at mulching grass than non-toothed ones. Technically, any blade with teeth cannot be considered a true mulching blade.

Still, when you compare it to non-mulching blades like high or low-lift ones, it does a much neater job of turning grass into usable mulch.

The teeth do not cut the grass themselves. Instead, they propel them back toward the mower’s deck, where the actual cutting occurs.

– Why Does My Mulching Mower Leave Clumps of Grass?

A lawn that is wet is the number one reason your grass gets clumped together after being cut by a mulching type of mower. It is natural for grass blades to stick to each other when they are wet or even slightly moist with dew. That is why you must wait for the lawn to dry before mowing it.

The second reason might be that the grass has just grown too long. Mulching types of blades are just not very good at cutting longer blades. They become less efficient and start throwing out clippings in clumps instead. It is better to resort to a regular blade type if you have let the grass grow too long.

If the grass is dry and short and still this problem persists, then you need to check your mower. often than not, the blades will need sharpening at their edges. If you are still operating a very old type of mower, it may need to be replaced or upgraded.

– Why Does My Lawn Mower Leave a Strip of Grass in the Middle?

If your mower leaves a strip of grass uncut in the middle, its blades are not balanced properly or have been installed incorrectly.

All mowing blades are beveled and meant to be attached to the mower in a certain way. If both or even one of them is improperly attached, grass mowed will be cut unevenly and poorly.

Conclusion

We have discussed the differences and merits between mulch and regular blades used in mowers. Mulch-type blades not only cut the grass finely but also spread it over the grass as mulching material.

On the other hand, the regular type of blades has the advantage that they can cut much taller grass as compared to the mulching and other types. In our opinion, you should keep both these blade types because most latest versions of lawnmowers can use both interchangeably.

Mulching Blades vs Regular Blades: Which is Right for Your Yard?

Have you been contemplating a switch from one type of mower blade to another? Maybe you’ve been using standard blades, but you’ve heard good things about mulching blades and you’re intrigued. Mulching is a great way to naturally feed your lawn – but is there anything else you should know about before you make the change?!

I’m going to compare mulching blades and regular blades in this post, talking about some of the pros/cons/things to expect from each blade, as well as run through the best conditions for each type of blade.

An Overview of Mulching Blades

You might also hear mulching blades referred to a “3-in-1” blades, because you’re able to handle clippings in 3 ways with one fitted; you can bag them, discharge them or mulch them. And it’s obviously that last one that their design is specifically adapted for. Many people ask if mulching blades can be installed on any mower? The answer is “nearly”. Most modern mowers can accommodate a mulching blade, but not every one will. So you’ll need to research your specific mower model or reach out to the manufacturer and ask.

Introducing Regular Blades

Regular blades are the “less cool” younger sibling. They’re “only” 2-in-1. They’ve got you covered for bagging and discharging your clippings, but they can’t mulch for s! “Lift” is a term you’ll see commonly associated with this type of blade, as their design is geared towards creating a vacuum in the deck to make the grass stand up straight and is then discharged quickly once cut.

Mulching Blades vs Regular Blades: How Do They Differ?

Most mowers will come with a regular blade fitted as standard, until you went out and bought a mulching mower. Let’s discuss how mulching blades and regular blades differ.

The Shape of the Blade

This is one of the first big differences you’ll notice if you compare mulching blades vs regular blades. On a regular blade, the cutting edge is practically straight. The design is very aerodynamic and is effective in quickly cutting the grass and then removing it from the deck.

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. They are designed to create greater circulation in the deck to put clippings through the cutting cycle several times to ensure that they finish up as mulch (very fine clippings).

The Length of the Cutting Edge

The other noticeable difference you’ll see when you look at mulching blades vs regular blades is the length of the cutting edge. Not only do the curves on a mulching blade increase its surface area, but the cutting edge is typically longer too.

Again, this increases the amount of contact the sharp part of the blade has with clippings so that it is able to mulch them. A regular blade doesn’t need such a long cutting edge as the objective is to cut and discharge the clippings much more quickly.

Pros of Mulching Blades

Now you know what mulching blades are and how they are different vs regular blades, let’s quickly run through some of the main benefits of fitting your mower with a mulching blade.

3-in-1 Functionality

As we’ve already touched on, mulching blades are capable of mulching, bagging and discharging clippings, meaning you have a lot of versatility in a single blade.

Produces Natural Fertilizer

I won’t go into great depth on the advantages of mulching, but obviously a mulching blade is designed to produce this natural fertilizer, and is the only type of blade that can do so. When done right, mulching can greatly benefit the health of your lawn.

Environmentally Friendly Option

Any time you can get the job done and do right by the environment, it’s a great option, and that’s exactly what mulching blades offer. No more sending clippings to landfill!

Cons of Mulching Blades

Like everything, mulching blades are not without their drawbacks. Here are a few things to be aware of:

Reduced Lift

The design of a mulching blade is geared towards providing the ability to mulch. While you gain a greater cutting surface area and the airflow to circulate the clippings around the deck multiple times, you lose in terms of lift. As a result, mulching blades are not as effective at bagging or discharging the clippings vs regular blades. However, providing you keep your grass well maintained, they’ll do a good enough job for most.

Frequent Mowing Required

If you consider yourself to be a bit lazy like me or you hate mowing your lawn, this probably won’t be good news. 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.

Pros of Regular Blades

Now let’s do the same thing for regular blades. Here are a few of the main plus points of using one:

Generate Good Lift

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.

Not as Prone to Clogging

As regular blades generate more lift, they can discharge clippings from the deck more effectively, which reduces the likelihood of clogging. This means they’re typically a bit more forgiving should you miss one or two mowing sessions (it happens!) and the grass grows a little longer than it should.

A Level Cut (If Cutting Schedule is Irregular)

I wouldn’t say they produce a more level cut all the time, because if you mow regularly with a mulching blade, you can definitely achieve a very level cut. BUT, as with the point above, I think regular blades are a bit more forgiving if you happen to let your grass overgrow a bit. This is because the greater lift they generate creates a vacuum effect under the deck, helping the grass to stand up straight when it’s being cut, hence why it ends up being more level. Mulching blades don’t do such a good job of creating that suction.

Cons of Regular Blades

And now onto the shortcomings. Nothing is ever perfect, right?!

You Can’t Mulch Clippings

Well duh! I know that’s what you’re probably thinking, but it’s true. This is probably the biggest drawback of opting for a regular blade in this comparison. You won’t be able to mulch your clippings, period.

Not Great For Dusty/Sandy Conditions

The vacuum that a regular blade generates is great for getting a level cut, but if your lawn has fairly sandy soil, it’s also going to suck that up into the deck, which can really accelerate the wear and tear on your mower. Not only will the blade dull more quickly, but over time it could create holes in your deck too.

Mulching Blades vs Regular Blades: The Bottom Line

Mulching blades vs regular blades. Most people are looking for a winner, but the truth is that neither one of these blades is “better” than the other. They’re designed for different uses. If you want to mulch your clippings, use a mulching blade. Just don’t let your lawn get too overgrown. Manage to do that and it’ll do an adequate job of bagging and discharging too. But if you’ve got no interest in mulching and want to bag or discharge your clippings every time, go with a regular blade.

About Tom Greene

I’ve always had a keen interest in lawn care as long as I can remember. Friends used to call me the “lawn mower guru” (hence the site name), but I’m anything but. I just enjoy cutting my lawn and spending time outdoors. I also love the well-deserved doughnuts and coffee afterward!

Комментарии и мнения владельцев

I have a mulching lawn mower and my neighbor is trying to say that my lawn mower threw a rock 8 feet into the air and put a hole in their house

Woah! Sorry to hear that, Rhonda. I’m no J.D. but I can’t imagine you’re going to have a hard time defending yourself in this case. Launching a rock 8 feet high with a mulching lawn mower would be tricky, and punching a hole through vinyl siding (or whatever their house has) seems unlikely. If you ask me, it must’ve been the neighbor kid playing baseball with pebbles and a big stick again. Tom.

I was mowing my lawn and a small stone broke the door panel in my nice new conservatory, and from some 10meters away. My mower has a side discharge so I now watch this very closely when mowing. And not too short if stones are a problem. In my case, moles were the problem moving stones to the surface.

Hi John, I’ve broken a few Windows in my time with either my weed whacker or my lawn mower. Not a nice feeling. This is why I stay away from ever using a lawn mower with an open chute, and I always keep the guard on my weed whacker. Hopefully, you don’t hit any more rocks. Thanks for the comment. Tom.

On an acre that has had no care for 20 years and has been taken over by wild grape vines, would it need tilling or cultivating first before laying sod?

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Hi Aileen, Well, the wild grape (Amur Peppervine) can propagate in a number of ways, including seed, cuttings, and root regrowth, so cultivating and tilling will more than likely lead to future regrowth in the future. This is because just by leaving the tap root (main center root) in the ground, the plant will regrow. The last thing you want is wild grape shoots popping up through your new sod. Wild grape in many states is classified as invasive and needs killing with a specific herbicide or pulling the vines out, making sure that tap root is removed. If you are employing a contractor to lay the new sod, then I’d recommend talking to them to see if they provide this service. Alternatively, you could talk to your local pest control service to see what they can do. I hope this helps. Cheers, Tom.

My kikuyu lawn was established using instant lawn squares. My lawn has become very thick. Can I use a mulching blade to reduce the thickness of my lawn to my desired thickness? I always used to use a Scarify Blade is that the same thing?

Hi Phillip, Scarify blades seem to be the popular choice that most people use to keep Kikuyu grass under control. A mulching blade will not cut the grass any differently; they will just finely chop the grass once it’s up in the deck so that once the grass falls back to the ground, it can easily work its way back into the soil. Being that you want to reduce the thickness, a mulching blade isn’t going to help. I’d suggest cutting the lawn more often with a scarify blade and working the height down. Just try not to cut too much off in one go. Kikuyu is tough, but cutting off more than a third could cause too much shock and you’ll be filling dead gaps with seed. Hope this helps Tom

Hi Leo, If you have small mounds of dirt that look like they have been squeezed out of a tube of toothpaste, then you probably do have nightcrawlers or some other type of earthworm. These little mounds or bumps are called casts or casting. On the plus side, earthworms are great for aeration and allow water and nutrients to penetrate further into the ground. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for your comment, Tom.

Masterly article Tom. Just the information I was looking for. Would be great if you could include some pictures of a few sample blades showing the differences in shape. I just saw in Комментарии и мнения владельцев someone mention “scarifying blades” I can admit to being terrified at times, but what is this scary-fying in a mowing context? My (ZT) mower came with mulching blades and what they called a “mulching deck”. I don’t understand what differences there could (or should) be in a deck itself. I now want to start using a catcher. The mulching blades certainly throw to the side when the side chute is opened, but once a catcher is on the clippings will need some force behind them to carry them back to the rear mounted catcher. Any idea how much more efficient for doing that throwing blades are than mulching blades? I don’t mind changing blades if I have to, but changing the entire deck is a bridge too far.