Can you put a mulching blade

At first glance, a mulching blade might not look very different from a standard mowing blade. But while standard blades are relatively flat, with very little angle, mulching blades are designed somewhat like an airplane propeller, with the rear of the blade angled upward known as the lift.

This pushes grass clippings into the bagger with more airflow than a standard blade. Many mulching blades also have teeth similar to a serrated knife cut into the lift. These teeth slice through grass clumps, dispersing individual blades of cut grass into the bagger if attached or onto the ground so they can make their way back into the soil. Adding mulching blades to an existing mower is a snap for any DIYer with a socket set. And while most are designed for gas-powered mowers, you can find mulching blades to suit an electric model, too.

So, to keep your lawn looking great after mowing and create rich mulch for it as well, learn what to look for in mulching blades and consider what makes these eight options superior.

While professional landscapers are familiar with these hopped-up grass-shredders, mulching blades will likely be a new concept for many homeowners. Here are some things to consider before buying a mulching blade for your push or riding mower. Long story short: Having the right length mulching blade for your mower is crucial. Mowers and all of their components are designed specifically for a certain length of the blade.

Installing a too-small blade will provide less than optimum results in three ways:. Blades that are too large will slow your mower down considerably if they even fit under the deck. Most lawnmowers display their cut size on the side of the mower inch, inch, etc. Mulching blades are considerably heavier than standard mower blades. Examine the mulching blade. The beveled portion must face away from the ground when installed.

The bend in mulching blades also must point away from the ground. Slip the washer over the blade, followed by the nut. Hand tighten the nut until it seats firmly. You should have a washer and nut from disassembly, or use the ones that came with the new mulching blade.

A mulching blade, on the other hand, creates a circulating air stream that directs the clippings back toward the blade after they're cut, in contrast to a regular blade's one-directional lift. Because mulching blades are designed to keep the clippings under the mower deck rather than send them out immediately, those blades are not as efficient in discharge or bagging mode as regular blades.

Conversely, regular blades do not chop clippings into small pieces the way mulching blades do, and so they don't work well on mulching mowers or on standard mowers with a mulching kit installed. The insufficiently chopped clippings tend to clog the regular blades and the underside of the mower deck.

Check this box if you wish to have a copy mailed to you. Find Ratings Lawn mowers. Find Ratings Lawn mowers rated. Lawn mowers Ratings View and compare all Lawn mowers ratings. Choose from cars, safety, health, and more! Already signed-up? Manage your newsletters here too.