As you know, not all lawn mowers are made the same. They’re all different and contain different parts that offer different options when it comes to the quality and look of your lawn. The most important function of your lawn mower is to, of course, cut your grass. The biggest factor in getting the best mowing results is the type of lawn mower blade you choose to use.
Here’s a breakdown of the options available to you.
High lift lawn mower blades
High lift lawn mower blades create a lot of lift due to the exaggerated fin on the non-cutting edge side of the blade.
When to use high lift lawn mower blades:
- During the cool season
- When cutting wet/tall grass (Grass over 3″ tall)
- When bagging your clippings
- When cutting flimsy grass such as turf-type tall fescue
- Healthy Turf
- Landscaper preferred
When not to use high lift lawn mower blades:
- In sandy soil conditions
Low lift lawn mower blades
Low lift lawn mower blades create little lift due to the exaggerated fin on the non-cutting edge side of the blade.
When to use low lift lawn mower blades:
- Warm season
- When cutting dry/short grass (Grass under 3″ tall)
- When cutting rigid grass such as Bermudagrass
- In sandy soil conditions (see flat blades too)
When not to use low lift lawn mower blades:
- When cutting grass over 3.5″
Gator blades
Gator blades are also referred to as 3-in-1. Gator blades are often used by professional mowing companies in the fall to shred leaves as they mow. Some companies run gator blades all year long.
Gator blades also shred longer grass blades before being discharged from the mower’s deck. Gator blades do create some lift.
When to use gator blades:
- In the fall
- When mowing overgrown grass
When not to use gator blades:
- Possible issues in sandy soil conditions
Mulching blades
Mulching blades mulch the grass clippings to allow for returning the grass clippings to the soil as natural nutrients. They reduce clumping and help with streaking.
It is important to note, you can certainly discharge the clippings from the mower’s deck back into the lawn without mulching blades as long as you are cutting your grass on a frequent enough basis.
When to use mulching blades:
- When mowing every 3 to 4 days
- When discharging the clippings or bagging
- When following the 1/3 rule(only remove 1/3 or less of the grass blade each time you mow)
When not to use mulching blades:
- When cutting overgrown grass
- When cutting wet grass
Flat lawn mower blades
Flat lawn mower blades create zero lift due to the blade being completely flat.
When to use flat lawn mower blades:
- In extremely sandy soil conditions or when cutting a rigid grass type
When not to use flat lawn mower blades:
- Most of the time! Only use flat lawn mower blades when in extremely sandy soil conditions and cutting a rigid grass type
You can search our free illustrated diagrams to purchase your Lawn Mower Blades. All you will need is your lawn mower model number or a lawn mower blade part number. If you want to search for your lawn mower blade click here.
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Why Weingartz?
Weingartz, family owned and operated, began in 1945 as a farm supply store for local Michigan families. In the 1970s, we began to focus exclusively on outdoor power equipment. Over time, we morphed into the “power equipment superstore” that now defines all of our locations. The staff and experts at Weingartz work diligently to provide the best service possible and give honest and helpful advice to each and every customer.
Weingartz also sells parts for all outdoor power equipment at https://weingartz.com/parts-lookup.
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6585 Dixie Hwy.
Clarkston, MI 48346-3421
(248) 620-5258
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