Different Types of Mower Blades and their Uses
Mower blades are the cutting elements of mowers. The blades are primarily made of strong metals to enable them to tolerate speed-contact with various components while mowing. The size, design, thickness as well as the material used varies by manufacturer. Ideally, a blade should satisfy three primary functions i.e., mulching, discharging, and bagging. Some can deliver all the three tasks, while others serve only one function.
There is a common misconception that all mower blades are the same when, in fact, they employ different designs that provide a variety of cutting options. Also, although a mower is configured to use blades that correspond to its measurements and holes configurations, there are still several compatible options to choose from.
Knowledge of different types of mower blades is helpful to both landscapers and homeowners, and learning how to identify them will help you achieve the desired results. Selecting the wrong mower blade will affect the look of the lawn and might damage your mower in the long run.
Types of Lawn Mower Blades
1. Mulching blades
A mulching blade is an all-purpose kind of blade with a curved surface which enables it to function in three major ways i.e.
The blades can be used to mulch, discharge, or bag grass clippings, and they are specially designed for tall grass setting. Also, mulching blades have more curves which increase the surface area of the cutting edge. This allows the grass to be chopped several times before it is bagged or discharged back onto the lawn.
Benefits of Mulching blades
2. Lifting blades
Lifting blades are equipped with a rather curved surface which enables them to generate a vertical airflow that lifts the grass upwards. This upward movement is believed to provide a polished outcome than other blades. Lifting blades are available in three forms: High-Lift, Medium-Lift, and Low-Lift and the greater the lift, the higher the amount of horsepower as described below.
i. Low-lift blades
As the name suggests, this blade offers the lowest low suction power, with side discharge mowing making them perfect for mowing sandy terrains. The low-lift blades include a less-drastic swoop design which makes the grass clippings to stay low for easy ejection.
ii. Medium-lift blades
Medium-lift blades provide more suction power than low-lift blade but require less horsepower than the high-lift ones. These blades are primarily to pluck out thicker grasses and weeds. They are ideal for both small and larger garden, and usually, they are the easiest to find.
iii. High-lift blades
These blades offer the highest suction power of the lifting blades. It also requires more horsepower and features a more vertical swoop shape. This shape provides a fan-like suction which makes these blades perfect for bagging purposes and cutting long, compact grass. Also, this shape reduces the chances of clogging up the mower's cutting area. You'll find high-lift blades useful in tackling taller and denser grass.
Benefits of lifting blades
3. Reel/ Cylinder blades
Reel blades feature between three to seven screw-like blades, and they are used in reel or cylinder lawnmowers. The blades are welded in a horizontally rotating cylinder enabling them to generate a scissor-like action while mowing.
With these blades, you will require to replace the entire mower in case of a broken blade unlike other types of blades that can be easily replaced. However, sharpening and cleaning kits are available for rusty or dull blades.
Benefits of Reel/Cylinder blades
4. Deck/Standard blades
Deck blades are also commonly referred to as straight blades and they are usually used on horizontal rotary mowers. These blades come with somewhat curved edges, allowing them to offer a continuous flow of air during rotation, thus generating the cutting action. Deck blades are used in cutting of manicured lawns and discharging clippings effectively from the deck back onto the lawn.
Benefits of Deck blades
5. 3-in-1 or “Gator” Blades
Gator blades provide an all-around solution by covering all the bases with the 3-in-1 blades. Gator blade combines low, medium and high lifts and a mulching feature into one grass cutting technique. These types of blade feature a serrated segment at either end of the blade for all-around cutting. Gators blades perform exceptionally well in a sandy setting while giving you that high-quality mulch.
Benefits of Gator blades
Final thought…
No matter how beautiful your lawns are, you will never have a great garden without mowing your grass frequently. Grass overgrows quickly and to keep it in check you're going to need a lawnmower and the best lawn mower blades installed. The blades come in different shapes and different benefit, and you will need to consider this while choosing the right one. There is no definite best blade, but instead, you should find a blade which is suited to your mower and your lawn mowing needs.