Are Lawn Mower Blades Universal (Don’t do it! ). Mower blades by size

What Size Of Lawn Mower And Blades Do You Need 2023

If you are a homeowner with a lawn, you know that maintaining it can be a task in itself. One of the most important tools you’ll need is a lawn mower, but with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. One of the key factors to consider is the size of the lawn mower and its blades, which can greatly affect the quality and efficiency of your lawn care.

When it comes to choosing the right size of lawn mower and blades, there are several factors to keep in mind, including the size and terrain of your lawn, as well as your personal preferences. With the right information, you can make an informed decision and ensure that your lawn looks its best all year round. So let’s dive in and explore what you need to know about lawn mower sizes and blades.

When choosing a lawn mower, the size of your lawn and type of terrain will determine the size of mower and blades you need. For small to medium-sized lawns with flat terrain, a push mower with a cutting width of 16-21 inches and a blade length of 18-22 inches is ideal. For larger lawns or uneven terrain, a riding mower with a cutting width of 30-50 inches and a blade length of 28-34 inches is recommended.

What Size of Lawn Mower and Blades Do You Need?

Are you planning to buy a lawn mower but unsure about the size and blades you need? Choosing the right lawn mower and blades is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn. A lawn mower that is too small can take longer to mow your lawn, while a lawn mower that is too big can be difficult to maneuver. In this article, we will guide you on the size of lawn mower and blades you need for your lawn.

Size of Lawn Mower

The size of your lawn mower should depend on the size of your lawn. There are three types of lawn mowers- walk-behind, riding, and zero-turn. Walk-behind lawn mowers are suitable for lawns up to half an acre in size. For larger lawns, you can opt for a riding lawn mower or zero-turn lawn mower. A riding lawn mower is suitable for lawns up to two acres in size, while a zero-turn lawn mower can handle lawns up to three acres in size.

When choosing a lawn mower, consider the terrain of your lawn. If your lawn has hills or slopes, you should opt for a self-propelled lawn mower or a riding lawn mower as they are easier to maneuver uphill. For flat lawns, a push lawn mower or a walk-behind lawn mower is suitable.

Walk-behind Lawn Mowers

Walk-behind lawn mowers come in three types- push reel, gas-powered, and electric. Push reel lawn mowers are suitable for small lawns up to a quarter of an acre in size. Gas-powered lawn mowers are suitable for larger lawns and are available in different sizes depending on the size of your lawn. Electric lawn mowers are suitable for small to medium-sized lawns and are available in corded or cordless options.

Riding Lawn Mowers

Riding lawn mowers come in two types- lawn tractors and zero-turn lawn mowers. Lawn tractors are suitable for lawns up to two acres in size and are available in different sizes depending on the size of your lawn. Zero-turn lawn mowers are suitable for larger lawns up to three acres in size and are easier to maneuver around obstacles and tight spaces.

Blades of Lawn Mower

Choosing the right blades for your lawn mower is essential for maintaining a healthy lawn. There are two types of lawn mower blades- rotary and reel. Rotary blades are suitable for cutting tall grass and weeds, while reel blades are suitable for cutting short grass.

Rotary Blades

Rotary blades are available in different sizes depending on the size of your lawn mower. The size of the blade should be proportional to the size of your lawn mower. For example, a 21-inch lawn mower should have a blade that is 21 inches in size. Rotary blades can be sharpened or replaced when they become dull.

Reel Blades

Reel blades are available in different sizes depending on the size of your lawn mower. The size of the blade should be proportional to the size of your lawn mower. For example, a 16-inch lawn mower should have a blade that is 16 inches in size. Reel blades should be sharpened regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

Benefits of Choosing the Right Size of Lawn Mower and Blades

Choosing the right size of lawn mower and blades has several benefits. It saves time and effort as you can mow your lawn quickly and efficiently. It also ensures that your lawn is healthy and well-maintained. A lawn mower that is too small or has the wrong blades can damage your lawn and cause it to become unhealthy.

Lawn Mower Size Vs. Blade Size

The size of your lawn mower and the size of your blades should be proportional to each other. A lawn mower that is too small with a large blade can cause the engine to overheat and damage the lawn mower. A lawn mower that is too large with a small blade can cause the lawn to become unevenly cut.

Conclusion

Choosing the right size of lawn mower and blades is essential for maintaining a healthy lawn. The size of your lawn mower should depend on the size of your lawn and the terrain. The size of your blades should be proportional to the size of your lawn mower. By choosing the right lawn mower and blades, you can save time and effort and ensure that your lawn is healthy and well-maintained.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors should I consider when selecting the size of my lawn mower?

When choosing the size of your lawn mower, you should consider the size of your lawn and the terrain. If you have a small lawn, a push mower with a deck size of 21 inches or less would be sufficient. For larger lawns, you can choose a riding mower with a deck size of up to 54 inches. Additionally, if you have a hilly or uneven terrain, you may want to choose a mower with larger wheels for better traction.

It’s important to note that the larger the deck size of your lawn mower, the quicker you will be able to mow your lawn. However, a larger deck size also means a heavier mower, which may be harder to maneuver in tight spaces or on uneven terrain.

What are the different types of lawn mower blades?

There are two main types of lawn mower blades: mulching blades and standard blades. Mulching blades are designed to finely chop grass clippings and disperse them back onto your lawn as a natural fertilizer. Standard blades, on the other hand, are designed to simply cut grass and discharge the clippings out of the side or rear of the mower.

Within these two types, there are also different blade designs, such as high-lift blades, low-lift blades, and gator blades, which are all designed for specific mowing conditions and grass types.

What size blade should I choose for my lawn mower?

The size of the blade you choose for your lawn mower depends on the size of your mower deck. Generally, the larger the deck size, the larger the blade you will need. For example, a 21-inch push mower will typically have a blade size of around 20 inches, while a riding mower with a 54-inch deck will have a blade size of around 22 inches.

It’s important to choose the correct blade size for your mower to ensure the best cutting performance and to prevent damage to your mower or lawn.

How often should I replace my lawn mower blades?

You should replace your lawn mower blades at least once a year, or more frequently if you mow your lawn frequently or if you have a large lawn. Over time, blades can become dull and damaged, which can result in an uneven cut and damage to your lawn.

You should also inspect your blades regularly for signs of damage, such as cracks or chips, and replace them immediately if you notice any issues.

What are some tips for maintaining lawn mower blades?

To maintain your lawn mower blades, you should regularly sharpen them using a file or grinder. You should also balance your blades to ensure that they spin evenly and do not cause damage to your mower or lawn.

Additionally, you should clean your blades after each use to remove any grass clippings or debris. This will prevent rust and other damage to your blades and ensure that they continue to perform at their best.

Are Lawn Mower Blades Universal (Don’t do it!)

A new blade can make a huge difference to the performance of your mower and the quality of the cut. I like to change my blade every three years. But the correct blade is critically important, a mower blade tip travels at more than 200 mph. I never take a chance with a poor-fitting or damaged blade.

So, are lawn mower blades universal? Lawnmower blades are not universal, they are mower specific. A mower blade must be an exact fit and torqued to the manufacturer’s specification.

I’m a mechanic for more than twenty years and in this post, I’ll share how to identify the correct blade for your mower. I’ll also cover costly and dangerous mistakes to avoid when choosing and fitting a mower blade.

If you need video help, check out “Replacing mower blade video” in the mower repair video library. It walks you through the whole process, inspecting blade and blade boss, removing the blade, sharpening, balancing, refitting, and torquing the blade bolt to spec.

Ordering The Correct Mower Blade

Ordering the correct blade is obviously the first important step. Getting this wrong can lead to an ill-fitting and dangerous blade. Luckily, Identifying your blade is easy, there are a few ways to go about this.

Mower Make Model

Order a new blade by make and model, you’ll usually find the badge or label on the mower chassis or deck. I know for some, the label will be missing or unreadable, but not to worry, we have other ways to ID the blade.

Make and model number label

If you do have a label, inputting the make and model numbers in Amazon will likely give you a list of suitable blades. I like to use genuine parts if possible, the fit and quality are usually best. A good seller will list the part number also, which brings us to the second way to identify the correct blade.

Blade Part Number

Every mower blade has a part number stamped into the body. The numbers are unique to that part and very often just typing said number in google will offer a list of sellers. However, I know blade part numbers can be difficult to spot, years of grass clippings and corrosion, etc.

Check out the Amazon lawnmower blade link below.

Blade Sizing

The third way to order a blade is by sizing it. I’ll often have no choice but to size a blade, as customers will just walk in with blade in hand and no other details. There’s no mystery to sizing a mower blade correctly, however just before we do we, need to identify the type of blade fitted.

There are two common types of lawnmower blades. The Lift blade is also known as the 2 in 1, and the Mulching blade, also known as the 3 in 1.

Mulching is a common feature on modern mowers, it allows the operator to drop the clippings back onto the lawn instead of collecting them. Modern mulching blades aren’t a true mulching blade, they are in fact a sort of hybrid, a cross between a lift and a mulcher. You can read more about both types here “Grass catcher troubleshooting”.

The type of blade is important, briefly, a Lift blade (2 in 1) is designed to collect grass, it does a really good job at leaving a clean lawn with no trailings. The Mulching blade (3 in 1), is designed to collect grass or mulch the grass, whichever the operator prefers.

So how do you tell a Lift from a Mulcher?

The Lift blade will characteristically have large wings, and a shorter cutting leading edge. Often referred to as the 2 in 1 because it cuts and collects.

The Mulching blade will have much smaller wings and a much longer cutting leading edge. Most importantly of all, to make a mulching blade a mulching blade, the leading edge must be curved. It’s often referred to as a 3 in 1, because it cuts, collects, and mulches.

And finally, we can get to the sizing. There are three important measurements to note:

1 The overall length measured in inches – The overall length is important, too short, and your mower isn’t cutting the correct swath, too long and, well, the blade just won’t fit.

2 The diameter of the center bolt hole – The center hole, now this is a critical measurement. The center hole of the blade isn’t just the bolt hole, it’s the balanced center of the blade.

3 The blade boss shear pin locating hole distance – The shear pin hole distance is basically the distance between the center bolt hole and the shear pin locating holes. These guys must be right or the blade won’t seat on the blade boss correctly.

Mistakes to Avoid

The following are real dangers and mistakes that I see customers make every season.

• Fitting the wrong blade type – causing the mower to under perform.
• Fitting a blade with a larger center bolt hole, causing the blade to be off balance and cause excessive vibration.
• Turning the mower over on the wrong side – mower should always be tilted with air filter side facing up, check out this post “Correct way to tilt your mower”.
• Fitting the blade upside down – the blade wing tips point away from the grass. Some blades may have grass side stamped into the blade.
• Over-tightening your blade bolt – when the blade is too tight, the engine may fail if the blade hits a solid object. Check out this post “Engine kickback”.
• Turning the blade bolt the wrong way and damaging the threads. Check out this post “Blade bolt stuck”.

Wingtips point away from the grass

Removal and fitting are all covered in this video “Fitting a mower blade”. You may also find “Setting a torque wrench video useful”.

Symptoms of Wrong / Damaged / Badly Fitted Mower Blade

The following symptoms are a sign of a possible problem with the blade assembly and should be investigated for loose or damaged components. Check out blade maintenance tools here, they make the sharpening and blade replacing process almost pleasurable.

• Excessive vibration
• Constantly loosening blade bolt
• Constantly loosening mower components
• Knocking noise
• Mower not bagging grass

Related Questions

Are lawn mower blades meant to be loose? Lawnmower blades are meant to be tight. Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade bolt to the manufacturer’s specification. Overtighten a mower blade is bad also, it may cause engine damage.

Hey, I’m John, and I’m a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience.

I’ve worked on all types of mechanical equipment, from cars to grass machinery, and this site is where I share fluff-free hacks, tips, and insider know-how.

And the best part. it’s free!

Best Commercial Lawn Mower Blades

There are only two things that can be used to characterize a good lawn mower, and these are its cutting ability and its motor power. The blade of a lawn mower ultimately determines the quality of cut you will have. Without a quality blade, it doesn’t really matter the design of the deck.

One of the most important parts of a commercial mower blade is its sharpness. The goal is to find the most durable blade that remains sharp for the longest period of time… even in rough conditions.

We tested tons of different blades to make this list. We have narrowed it down to the top 5 commercial mower blades.

The links in this article may be affiliate links. This means if you click and buy through these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. It is our way of “keeping the lights on.” Thank you for your support.

over, picking such a blade depends on three factors:

Blade’s length:

One of the first things to check is the length of your blade. Keep in mind that there is no strict procedure to follow, so longer blades do not guarantee anything. The blade has to fit within your lawnmower’s model. The majority of blades fall within the sizes of 16.75 inches and 22 inches long. Some mowers can even facilitate blades between 21 or 22 inches also. You can make your selection based on the model.

Type of material:

The type of material the blade is made of is a decision that can be made independently of the mower’s style. Lower metal will help you minimize prices, but not turf. Please bear in mind that your lawn mower blade is something of a maintenance investment and will affect the mower’s life. Strong stainless steel is mostly the safest choice. Often, look at the powder coat (or other protection coat) done on the blade, so it doesn’t end up rusting.

Size of Deck:

The final thing you should put into consideration is the size of the deck for the blade. Almost all push mowers have a deck size within the range of 16 – 30 inches. While riding mowers have larger deck sizes as well.

Aside from these factors, there are a whole lot of other factors for consideration. However, these are the most important things to consider before making up your mind to purchase a lawnmower blade:

Review of the Best Commercial Lawn Mower Blades

Below you will find some of the best commercial mower blades on the market. We have tested each of these in many different environments and they all have their pros/cons. At the end of the day, any of the blades below will do a great job.

Ballard Razor and Ripper Blades

Ballard Inc has introduced commercial mower blades recently and they seem to be great. There are two different types, the Ripper and Razor blades. These come in many different sizes for almost every commercial brand. There is also a matching X-blade kit for all of their blades.

The best way to use these blades is by installing an X-blade kit with ripper blades (mulching) on top and Razor blades (standard) on the bottom. This provides an incredible cut.

This setup even works great with a chute blocker. It is the ideal way to cut in nearly any mowing environment.

This is among the most common mulching mower blades on the market. These lawn mower blades are made with natural and authentic material to make them usable for a long time. So you’re not going to have any trouble using your lawn mower with this robust blade.

These blades provide an incredible mulching ability, with a circular center hole for mounting, and is constructed with a solid steel design. It would also ensure that the blades last a long time and give you high-quality performance at all times on your lawn. It makes cutting easier without the specific need to sharpen the blade before using it.

The Oregon Gator blades are trusted by many commercial lawn care companies. They are proven to last a long time and give a great cut quality.

Oregon also has high-lift blades that are great for side discharge and bagging. These blades do a great job of lifting grass and dispersing it evenly.

Pros

• Durable and robust
• Incredible mulching performance
• Strong and rust proof design
• Trusted by professionals

Rotary Copperhead Blades

Rotary is a lawn mower parts distributor and carries many different types/brands of commercial mower blades. While searching for the best commercial lawn mower blade with the best high lift blades, this product definitely stood out. They also have some great mulching blades available.

Rotary is a great place to get blades for most commercial users because they have universal blades and manufacture blades. You will be able to find out about any blades you need from them. The only problem is they don’t sell online at this time so you will have to buy through your local dealer.

The Copperhead mower blades are Rotary’s own branding and logo that they use for most of their blades. These are manufactured by Rotary and sold through their dealer base.

By offering outstanding efficiency, improved alignment, and a high degree of durability for day-to-day mowing, this may be the best potential choice for any user of this particular mower model. It provides a wide cutting area with a sharp blade that increases your mowing speed and performance.

The commercial blades made by Rotary are definitely premium blade that is trusted by many in the industry. They are a household name that has been around a long time.

Pros

• Excellent finishing material
• Premium, high carbon steel
• Treated with rust inhibitor
• Great lift
• Stay sharp

USA Mower Blades

The USA mower blades are pre-sharpened and provide a quick, smooth cut that requires no sharpening before usage. It helps you get back to mowing the lawn as easily and safely as possible to maximize grass trimming efficiency.

In contrast, the high lift blade configuration makes it possible to recycle grass seed for fast drainage into a lawnmower carry bag. These lawnmower blades have a strong transmission capacity that lets the lawn tractor span a wide grass area at a high rate and efficiency level.

The USA Mower blade has an extremely high average cutting area, a great choice for larger lawn tractors, helping you to cut wide grass fields easily at high speeds. Yet you can still get a high degree of versatility, allowing lawnmower blades a great choice for many users. The blade has a high cutting power and wide area; therefore, it would provide quick, high-speed cutting for bigger lawns.

Pros

• Good price
• High durability
• Stay sharp for a long time
• Grass disbursement is pretty good

Manufacture Blades

Most commercial mower manufacturers make their own blades. These are good replacements because they fit your mower perfectly. They match the recommended specs and usually have a little better warranty than aftermarket blades.

These lawn mower blades can vary greatly in size and specs. Almost all manufacturers will use some type of steel. Who has the best is a very difficult question.

If you are going to use a bagger or mulch kit that is many by the people who made your mower it may be a good idea to keep the factory blades. Not always, but most of the team this will do just as good, if not better than aftermarket blades.

Warranty may be another reason to keep the factory blades. Primarily if you use something like X-blade… this will most likely void your mower’s warranty if you still have one.

Pros

• Perfect fit and specs for mower
• Quality steel
• Good for bagging or mulch kits

Best Commercial Mower Blades

Top Pick

Our top pick for the best commercial mower blades at the best price is the new blades offered by Ballard Equipment. There Razor and Ripper blades come at a great price for very high-quality blades.

Be sure to use our code “CMR10″ for 10% off your entire order at Ballard Inc.

Premium Choice

Our premium choice is the Oregon G6 gator blades. These blades come at a pretty high price but they are incredibly durable and offer a great cut. They have been used and trusted in the industry for a long time.

Value Choice

If you are on a budget, then we recommend the USA Mower blades. However, you don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality for the price, because most users are pleased with their purchase.

X-Blade Adapters

What’s better than one blade? Two blades! The X-Blade adapter allows you to put two blades on each spindle. The adapter is key to doing this so you don’t over-torque the blade… which can cause the blades to become stuck.

Many people are skeptical of this setup but it works really great. The only thing you really need to do is make sure you engage/disengage the PTO at lower RPMs to ensure you don’t put extra stress on your clutch.

Use code CMR10 at Ballard Inc. for 10% off your entire order

Blade Assist

A blade assist is a nifty tool that helps sharpen your blades. It will ensure you get the perfect edge every time. If you are a lawn care professional and use a bench grinder this is a must-have.

Use code CMR10 at Ballard Inc. for 10% off your entire order

Blade Sharpening Tools

The best blade sharpening tool in my opinion is the bench grinder. DeWALT makes a great one of this. Their 8-inch grinder is perfect for sharpening blades quickly and efficiently. It is much easier to get a consistent edge and balanced blade with a bench grinder over a hand grinder.

FAQ

How often to sharpen commercial mower blades?

In most cases, you should sharpen your about every 20-25 hours. This usually comes out to about once per week for most full-time crews. If you aren’t full-time, it is best to just sharpen blades based on the hour meter.

This will sometimes vary depending on which type of terrain you are mowing. For example, if you are mowing sandy areas your blades will probably need to be sharpened a bit sooner.

It usually isn’t too hard to know when your blades need to be sharpened. If you begin to notice some uncut grass, it is probably time to sharpen your blades.

How often to replace mower blades on a commercial mower?

This will greatly vary based on terrain and application. There are too many variables to give an exact time frame. It is however very important to inspect your blades frequently. You should check for dents, worn areas, bent, or other damaged areas on your blades.

If any of these are present, it is a good idea to change your blades. If you hit a lot of rocks or other debris is it likely for some of these to be present. It is important to use good judgment and change your blades when you’re worn out. If you aren’t sure, you can always go to your local mower dealer and get their opinion.

How to sharpen commercial mower blades?

The best way to sharpen commercial mower blades is by removing them and sharpening them with a bench grinder, like the one shown above. This will give the most precise sharpening and accurate edge each time. It is very important to have balanced blades when you sharpen them.

If you want to go another route, you can check out our article on sharpening blades without removing them.

Where to buy commercial mower blades online?

The best place to buy blades online is either Ballard or Amazon. They will both have the best pricing and quality of blades. You will have to do some searching on Amazon for your blades. This is one of the things that makes Ballard equipment stand out. They make it easy to find the blades specific to your mower.

Wrapping it up

There you have it, the best commercial mower blades in 2021. A lot of times, for larger companies, it will come down to price and longevity. We have taken these into account and given our best recommendations based on that.

What do you think?

Do you use any of the blades above? Let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below which you’ve used and which is your favorite.

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Exmark Mower Blades

Low lift blades have a low physical profile compared to other mower blades. This flattened arch has several effects on mower performance.

A low profile blade will have less of an effect on the air circulating in the mower deck. This means a low lift blade creates less air resistance and is easier on the engine.

Because of their more compact profile, low lift blades have a narrower vertical cutting zone inside the deck, which means less re-cutting of clippings circulating inside. This reduced workload is easier on engine, so low lift blades require the least amount of horsepower to run.

Applications best suited for low lift blades include:

• Cutting heavy overgrown areas where a mower might struggle or where large clippings are less of a concern.
• Cutting in sandy turf, where the aerodynamics help prevent excess air pressure from sandblasting the deck.

Extreme Blade

Exmark extreme blades have a unique toothed design at the edges of the blade, and a moderately low physical profile compared to other mower blades. The slight angle of deflection in the blade and lateral teeth have several effects on mower performance.

As a lower profile blade, extreme blades will have less of an impact on the air circulating in the mower deck. This means less air drag and a mild to moderate draw on engine horsepower, making these blades easier on the engine than high lift or mulching blades, but harder on the engine than low lift blades.

Teeth in the blade have a specific angle that produce an effect on airflow. The tooth angle on the extreme blade assists in directing the airflow and clippings inside the deck from the blade’s cutting edge, improving performance where recutting is a concern. This blade design reduces clipping size even when side discharging.

Applications best suited for extreme blades include:

• Yard and groundswork where leaf mulching is involved. In these applications, extreme blades pair best with the Exmark Micro Mulch kit, designed to keep airflow circulating in the deck to allow recutting to occur alongside a downward clippings discharge.
• Mowing in typically arid conditions with dry grass, Southern grasses, and St. Augustine grass.

Extreme 2 / Medium Lift Blade

Exmark extreme 2 blades have a unique toothed design at the edges of the blade, and a medium physical profile that serves as a good middle option compared to other mower blades. The moderate angle of deflection in the blade and notched teeth will affect mower performance in several ways.

As a medium profile blade, extreme 2 blades will have a moderate impact on the air circulating in the mower deck. The air resistance offered by these blades create a moderate draw on engine horsepower. In other words, these blades create a neutral draw on engine horsepower, being easier on the engine than high lift or mulching blades, but harder on the engine than low lift blades.

Teeth in the blade have a specific angle that produce an effect on airflow. The tooth angle on the extreme 2 blade is slightly more pronounced than the tooth angle on the standard extreme blade, and assists in directing the airflow and clippings inside the deck, assisting in recutting. This design reduces clipping size without the horsepower tax mulching blades place on the engine.

Applications best suited for extreme 2 blades include:

• Leaf mulching jobs, pairing best with the Exmark Micro Mulch kit, baffles that keep airflow circulating in the deck to facilitate recutting, and a bagger.
• Mowing in in drought conditions with stiffer grasses and drought resistant turf.
• Great for when you desire extra horsepower for your mulching job while still maintaining a good quality of cut.

High Lift Solid Blade

High lift blades have a high physical profile compared to other mower blades. The pronounced arch in the blade has several effects on mower performance.

A high profile blade will have more of an effect on the air circulating in the mower deck. This means a high lift blade will create more air resistance and requires more horsepower to operate.

Because of their higher profile, high lift blades have a larger vertical cutting zone inside the deck, which means a greater effect on air circulating inside. This increased airflow makes for a higher workload on the engine, so high lift blades require greater horsepower to run.

The high lift design results in a stronger blade, with reduced flexing and bending after impacts on foreign material.

Applications best suited for high lift blades include:

• Commercial mow operations operated by states, parks and recreation centers, and groundskeeping of schools and municipalities.
• General turf maintenance, performing well on mixed grass and other green plant growth.

High Lift Notched Blade

High lift notched blades have a high physical profile and lateral notches in the blade. The pronounced arch and notch in the blade have several effects on mower performance.

A high profile blade will have a greater effect on the air circulating in the mower deck, meaning a high lift blade will create more air resistance and require more horsepower to operate.

Because of their higher profile, high lift blades have a larger vertical cutting zone inside the deck, which means a greater effect on air circulating inside. This high airflow increases workload on the engine, so high lift blades require greater horsepower to run.

Notches in the blade have a specific angle that produce an effect on airflow. The notch angle assists in directing clippings out of the deck, away from the blade’s cutting edge, improving performance in side discharge use.

Applications best suited for high lift notched blades include:

• A majority of grass conditions in general, being the factory standard blade installed on Exmark models.
• Creating great performance for healthy turf in 80% of turf grasses in landscaper applications.
• High lift notched blades are good for thin blade grasses like Bluegrass and Fine Fescue.

Mulch Blade

Mulching blades have a high physical profile with multiple distinct cutting heights along the blade. The curved, undulating cutting edge and the pronounced arch in the blade have several effects on cut quality.

A high profile, curved blade will have the greatest effect on air circulating in the mower deck, meaning mulching blades create the most air resistance of all mower blade options and require the highest horsepower to operate.

Because of their curved cutting edge, mulching blades have a large, varied cutting zone inside the deck, which makes cuts of various sizes simultaneously. This creates lots of turbulence inside the deck. This high airflow, coupled with a high incidence of recutting already cut grass, increases the workload on the engine.

• Situations where small clipping size is desired, creating small nutrient rich particles that are forced downward, feeding the turf.
• Jobs on lush, well maintained turf, good both Northern and Southern grasses.
• Jobs where appearance is key, with reduced clumping in side discharging, reduced unsightly streaking, and fewer visible clippings on the lawn.
• Mulching blades are best paired with the Micro Mulch Kit.