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On the market for a new lawn mower blade and confused about which one to get? If you said yes, this article is for you! Getting the correct blade for your needs will make all the difference in the health and appearance of your lawn, but it can be quite daunting to figure out which one to get.
Keep reading to find out the difference between mulching blades vs regular blades!
Introducing The Contenders – Mulching Blades Vs Regular Blades
Mulching Blades
Mulching blades are capable of cutting, mulching and discharging grass clippings in one go. Also known as 3-in-1 blades, mulching blades are the winning choice for lawns that need to be cut every three to four days. This type of blade is very convenient for those who are looking for a way to get the job done quickly.
Equipped with a curved blade and an increased cutting edge, this type of lawn mower blade cuts grass and moves it back into the deck – the part that protects the user and the engine of the mower from the blades and any flying bits of debris.
When it reaches the deck, it’s cut some more before being discharged onto the lawn in tiny pieces or into your lawn mower’s removable bag.
The curved surface of the blade helps to move the grass clippings in a circular motion into the mower deck.
If you were looking for an environmentally-friendly way to get rid of your grass clippings, this is it! You can save your cash and use your grass cuttings as fertilizer because grass clippings store nutrients such as phosphates and nitrogen and will return them back into the soil to be used again by your plants. These fine clippings also decompose faster than larger grass blades.
Also, if you like this idea of using mulch grass clippings as a natural form of fertilizer, try shredding any fallen leaves in your yard with your lawn mower and adding them to the grass clippings to make more DIY nutrient-rich fertilizer!
With intense durability, mulching blades also distribute the grass clippings evenly throughout your lawn because some of the air generated by the blades goes onto the mower deck, while the rest works in pushing the clippings into the lawn.
If you do decide to get yourself a mulching blade, be careful not to use it on overgrown or wet grass. Using these blades on overgrown or wet grass puts you at risk of clogging under the deck and leaving lumps of grass sprawled over your lawn.
Mulching blades aren’t necessarily better than standard lawn mower blades, but it all depends on what you need to use them for. If you need to mow your lawn frequently (like once a week or even less than that), then the mulching blade is a good option. If you use your lawn mower just once in a while, then maybe check out standard blades because it might suit you better.
If you’re keen on getting a mulching blade but don’t want to buy a whole new lawn mower, fear not because these blades fit most mowers! To be sure you’re buying one that’s going to fit perfectly, measure the deck and the blade to check if it’ll match.
Keep in mind that if your existing lawn mower isn’t designed for mulching blades or if its engine isn’t powerful enough, you might have a problem because it won’t function optimally.
If you’re leaning towards mulching blades, please note that mulch creates the perfect environment for bugs and pests to reproduce. This could potentially be a problem if you already have bugs in your yard, but the mulch won’t attract them.
Some of the best mulching blades on the market include:
Check out this article for more information on mulching leaves into lawn!
Pros
- Gets the job done fast
- Environmentally-friendly
- Natural fertilization
- 3-in-1 tool
Cons
- Not efficient when used on tall grass
Regular Blades
Regular blades, which are the most common type of mower blade, cut grass using a one-swipe motion and discharge the grass clippings directly onto the lawn or into a garbage or mower bag. These blades are also known as 2-in-1, standard blades and high-lift blades.
Their straight and aerodynamic design aim to create a powerful lift effect to eject and distribute the grass cuttings.
Mulching isn’t a good option for everyone, especially professionals, because it can look a bit untidy. If you’re aiming to achieve a clean, well-manicured and precisely cut lawn, this blade is the one for you! It’s also a good option if you cut grass on a less frequent basis, such as once every 10 days or 2 weeks.
Standard blades have large wind wings that stand at a higher angle with this ground. This helps it cut tall grass efficiently. Its angular design allows for air and the grass clippings to be pushed upward, towards the discharge, until it’s all ejected or collected in your lawn mower’s removable bag.
The other features that allow for the efficient discharge of grass clippings when using standard blades are its higher power capacity and strong airflow, which provides a large amount of air into the cutting deck. This also helps reduce the number of grass clipping piles on your lawn.
If you’re keen on getting a standard blade, check out these highly recommended ones:
You can also check out this video by YouTube user Name It Build It for more recommendations for regular blades:
Pros
- Efficient method to discharge grass clippings
- Easy to use on tall grass
- Good for mowers that aren’t used often
- Easily removable and replaceable
Cons
Mulching Blades Vs Regular Blades: Face To Face Comparison
Multifunctional
Regular blades are known as 2-in-1s because they cut and discharge grass clippings, while mulching blades are known as 3-in-1s because they cut, mulch and discharge grass clippings.
Mulching blades are definitely the winner in this regard because it saves time and completes three different tasks all in one go.
Winner: Mulching blades
Neatness
Regular blades are usually for when you want to remove cut grass while the mulching blade is usually used in instances where the leftover organic material is intentionally left on the lawn and used as a natural fertilizer.
Even if the grass clippings are manually bagged, the organic material left over after using a mulching blade is tiny and difficult to rake and remove properly. On the other hand, standard blades leave bigger grass clippings behind, which are easier to clean up and make for a more cleaner and neat lawn.
Winner: Regular blade
Efficiency
Both mulching blades and regular blades are extremely efficient, but after taking into consideration the fact that mulching blades don’t work very well on overgrown grass, there’s a clear-cut winner here.
Standard mower blades are able to efficiently mow grass no matter the length, making it the better of the two in this category.
Winner: Regular blade
Mulching Blades Vs Regular Blades – Stand Out Features
Regular Blades: Regular lawn mower blades have large wind wings, which stand at a higher angle to the ground and help them to work more efficiently, especially when cutting big types of grass.
Mulching Blades: Mulching blades have a curved surface. This special design cuts the grass and then brings it onto the deck where it is cut again until it’s in small pieces.
If you’re not sure which blade suits you best, check out this in-depth comparison of mulching blades and standard blades by YouTube user Garden Tools & Instruments:
FAQs
Which Is Better Mulching Blade Or High Lift?
When figuring out what’s better – a mulching blade or a high-lift blade, it’s good to understand that they have different purposes. Choosing the better option depends on several factors. High-lift blades are best for taller, dense grass, while mulching blades are great for shorter grass that requires mowing frequently.
Can I Use Mulching Blades With Side Discharge?
You can use mulching blades with a side discharge to cut your mulch clippings into finer pieces. This makes it easier for the nutrients in the grass cuttings to seep into the soil.
Is It Better To Mulch Or Side Discharge?
It is better to mulch if you don’t require pristine cuts and if you’re not in a rush for time. Using a side discharge is better if you are using it on a large, open area where you can use the grass clippings as natural fertilizer. This improves lawn health.
The Verdict: Mulching Blades Vs Regular Blades
Now that we’ve gone through everything you need to know about these two types of lawn mower blades, I hope it’s easier for you to decide which one you need. But if you’re still on the fence, let’s do a little breakdown of which blade is best for which circumstance:
Use a mulching blade if:
- You don’t have time to be spending outside mowing the lawn and you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get it done.
- You don’t need to pick up grass cuttings and you’d prefer for them to be used as fertilizer.
Use a regular blade if:
- Your grass is overgrown.
- You prefer to collect your grass cuttings in a bag.
I hope you now have a better idea of which one works for you. If you found this helpful, please leave me a comment below and share this article with your friends!
Last update on 2022-03-31 at 16:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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