What blades to use with a bagger?
High-lift Blade: Perfect for mowers with a bagger. Aerodynamically designed to cut the grass and lift the clippings, propelling them up and out the discharge chute.
Are mulching blades the same as bagging blades?
Mulching blades are better if your lawn needs frequent cuts. They nourish your lawn by acting as a natural fertilizer. Bagging blades are an ideal option if you mow less frequently. Also, if you prefer to bag your clippings, then these are your best bet.
Is it better to bag or mulch lawn clippings?
Most of the time, mulching your clippings is the best option. You should bag your clippings if the grass is tall, leaves are covering the lawn, or you need to prevent disease and weeds from spreading.
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.
What blade is best for bagging grass?
A high-lift blade produces relatively large clippings. Because a high-lift blade moves clippings out from under the deck efficiently, however, it is the best choice of blade when bagging grass clippings.
When should I use mulching blades?
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.
What is the disadvantage of mulching?
However, mulching may not always be your best option. The main disadvantages of mulching is that it can create a hiding place for harmful insects, and when applied too thickly can suffocate your plants by overheating the soil and starving them of light and water.
When should I stop bagging my lawn?
The only time it's better to bag grass clippings is when your grass is extremely overgrown, meaning the blades are several inches tall. It's best to still remove only one-third of the grass height per mowing session, gradually reducing the grass to the appropriate height.
Should you bag grass when mowing?
If your grass is on the taller side (clippings longer than 1 inch), you should probably bag it. Long grass clippings will not only provide shelter to pests but they will smother your grass, leading to fungal growth and diseases.
Do you have to mow slower when mulching?
This will not spray messy grass clippings all over your house, and it will allow your clippings to be ground up into a fine fertilizer for your lawn. Due to the need to go slower with a mulching setup, it is more suitable for smaller lawns.
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.
Are mulching blades better than regular 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.
Can you mulch with high lift blades?
High lift blades CANNOT offer you the mulching function. Your options are limited to either bagging clippings or discharging them, hence why they're known as 2-in-1 blades. But it's the “high lift” that differentiates them from other types of mower blades.
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 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.
Can you bag with Gator blades?
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. This high lift also makes using Gator Blades in bagging operations a great choice.
What happens if you let grass get too high?
But if you let the grass get too high you might bog down , in which case you'd need to take the bagger off.
Can I bag with mulching blades?
I have a mulching kit (OEM-190-118) that I'm about to install on my MTD YardMachines model 608 21HP 46" but I'm wondering if I can still use my grass catcher from time to time if I want to or if the mulching blades won't provide the air movement needed to blow grass up the chute. Can anyone advise me here? Thanks!
What is the disadvantage of mulching?
The only disadvantage of mulching comes when you wait too long between mowings. When the grass is too tall from this, then you produce substantially more mulch. This thick cover can keep sunlight from getting to the plants below and also provides a home for insects. This is easily avoided by regular lawn maintenance so that your grass isn’t too high when you cut it.
When should you use a mulching mower?
You should use a mulching mower is you want to fertilize your lawn every time that you are mowing it. There are times to avoid, such as a hot summer when it is too dry or winter and the very beginning of spring, when it is too cold.
How do I mow my lawn with a side discharge?
To do this, mow a strip, and then reverse your direction at the end of this strip and mow the next one so that your clippings are deposited in the area that you were mowing before. By doing this, all of the cuttings will be more evenly distributes in the lawn.
Should you sharpen mulching blades?
Yes. Mulching blades should be sharpened at the same frequency as standard blades. This means that you should sharpen them after every 20 – 25 hours of use. Mulching blades have a longer cutting edge than standard ones, since they do a lot of extra work, so it is vital that you maintain them if you want them to mulch properly.
What does a mulcher attachment do?
A mulching attachment, also known as a mulching kit, is a conversion kit for your push mower or riding mower that allows you to add mulching functionality if your model doesn’t support simply adding the blades. It generally comes with blades and a mulching plate that controls the flow of clippings so that the mulching blades can chop them finely.
What does mulching capability mean?
Mulching capability on a mower means that you can chop grasses up into a much finer form than you would with a standard mower. These smaller pieces of grass are not raked up, but rather left as they fall in the grass and as they decay they will supply nutrients to your lawn for fuller, healthier grass.
How do I know if my lawnmower is mulching?
When your mulching blades are working their magic, you should see very fine clippings being deposited on the ground as you go. If you are noticing uneven or ripped-looking cuttings being produced, then it is likely that your blades need to be sharpened.
Difference Depending Upon the Blade Type
There are two basic types of lawn mower blades which are standard and mulching. The standard blade has further types: hi-lift, low-lift, and medium-lift blades.
Difference by Shape
It’s another major difference that most landscapers understand when they get used to different blades.
Difference by Observing the Mower Vibration
Bagging blades consume more engine power, and your mower vibrates more when it comes to mowing. Where mulching blades consume less energy and result in less vibration as they don’t have to lift and push grass clipping inside the mower bag.
Three Common Questions
Here are some common questions which landscapers ask when it comes to using bagging or mulching blades
How often should you sharpen mulching blades?
The best sharpening frequency will be to sharpen your blades every 25 hours of use. Sharpen only the cutting edge on your mulching blades and make sure that the thinness is consistent with a butter knife – no thinner! Sharpening your blade more than this will make the metal too thin for efficient cutting and damage to the blade is likely.
What is the purpose of a mulching lawn mower?
A mulching mower allows you to mow the lawn and to simply leave the finely-cut clippings in the grass as you go. These clipping are cut finely enough that they do not interfere with the aesthetics of the yard – you’ll hardly notice them. These cuttings do not harm the grass all, but decay and act as fertilizer!
Is it better to mulch or side discharge grass?
By contrast, if you are simply looking to get the job done as fast as possible, side-discharge is the way to go.
Can I use any blade on my lawn mower?
The blades that you can use will vary based on the make and model of your mower. Replacement blades need to be compatible with the length and width of the mowing deck, hole shapes and sizes, and must match the operational specifications for your specific motor.
Can you bag with a mulching blade?
You can, although it will not be as efficient. Mulching blades tend to push the grass down, so the air circulation is not as efficient for bagging or side discharge as a standard blade – although specialized blades like Gator blades compensate for this in design and are a better fit if you will be mulching and occasionally bagging.
How do I convert a lawn mower to a mulcher?
This may be done with a mulching conversion kit. The kit contains a plate that helps to control the flow of the grass so that the mulching blade can effectively reduce the grass to finer clippings than you would get with a standard mower.
Can you use a mulching blade on a side discharge mower?
Yes, though if you do, Gator blades may be a better fit for you than a standard mulching blade. While either will work for side discharge, you’ll get better air circulation with blades like Gator as they are designed to lift, rather than to push down the grass.
What is a mulching blade?
Mulching blades, often known as 3-in-1 blades, have the ability to bag, release, and mulch grass clippings. The blade’s curved surface and improved cutting edge allow it to cut the grass and bring it to the deck, where it is sliced many times before being dropped back onto the grass in much smaller pieces.
How to Determine Whether a Mulching Blade Will Fit in Your Lawnmower?
You must first go through a few procedures regardless of whether you need a new replacement blade or a different type of lawnmower blade.
How Does a Mulching Kit Works?
Before buying a blade, always do the measurement of the deck. To install a right mulching blade, you need several measurements to choose the right blade.
How to know you are buying a Mulching Lawn Mower?
They come with a certain mulching blade that is manufactured in a specific way. The mulching blade’s duty is to repeatedly chop the individual grass pieces.
What is the difference between high lift and mulching blades?
Standard blades are also known as “2-in-1” (releasing and bagging) or “high-lift” blades (since they are designed to make a higher-lifting airflow ). Mulching blades often feature a bending sort surface and extra cutting surfaces along the blade edges.
What is mulch stopper?
The mulching stopper, Deflectors & Decals is required to close off the discharge aperture and keep the clippings beneath the deck contained.
What is a plus plan mulching?
The plus plan, which consists of two isolated blades arranged oppositely to advance forward mulching, is used on other blades.
What are mulching blades?
Mulching blades are made with three layers of blades. As a “+” design, these blades feature two blades arranged perpendicularly to make mulching easier. Older mowers typically use “+” blades; they come with blades that produce a more effective mulch.
How does Mulching Blades function?
Mulching blades are curved in shape and the curves are to increase the edges while you mow your grass with a lawn mower or grass cutter. Because of the curved surface grass is cut more than once before getting reapplied in much smaller amounts.
Pros and Cons of Mulching Blades
In spite of being environment friendly and having a few more advantages, mulching blades have some disadvantages as well. You should be aware of the pros and cons before you make up your mind to use this particular blade for mowing your lawn.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Mulching Blades
A gas power mower that has a high powered engine is not the only requirement for mulching blades. But before choosing mulching blades there are a few things to consider. And they are-
Final Words
Everything has its own pros and cons. Same goes for the mulching blades asa well. If the pros and cons match your lawns compatibility, then mulching blades can be a great choice for you. But careful about using it properly because misusing or installing the mulching blades incorrectly will not give you an effective result.
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 ...
How to contact USA mower blades?
For more information on USA Mower Blades please call Customer Service at: 734-863-0149.
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.
