Mulching blades are needed when talking about keeping your lawn clean and nice looking. Nowadays, the market is full of offers, but it can be a big adventure to find the best mulching blades. I believe that my article will be useful and help you find the best lawn mower mulching blades for everyday use.
With the mulching mower blades, the grass is cut into many small pieces, so the decomposing process takes less time. Moreover, there is no need to gather the grass in one pile, it’s enough to leave it the way it was cut to decompose, so, it saves you much time.
It should be noted that mulching blades differ from standard ones because they are capable of doing three types of work at once: mulching, discharging, and bagging. That’s why sometimes they are called “3 in 1” or “all-purpose” models.
I suggest you look at the list of the most popular mulching blades presented on the market, check out pros and cons of each model, and find the best one for yourself.
Mulching Blade Reviews
Maxpower 561713XB — Our Top Pick
This American brand manufactures really versatile blades. Just imagine, this 2-blade set can be used for the 42-inch Poulan, Husqvarna, Craftsman, and many other mowing machines. Each blade has a 5-point star center hole. Special teeth will help you mulch the lawn. Blades are sharpened and completely ready to use. So, you just need to install them into your lawn mower and start working.
The one key advantage of mowing blades over regular ones is their ideal combativeness with the chute because it doesn’t clog up (that’s a common problem while regular ones using). The Maxpower blades are quite big in size (22.8 x 2.5 x 0.8 inches) and weigh 5.2 pounds. Due to these parameters, the mulching blades can cope with higher and thicker grass than the ones of lighter weight.
Pros
- Due to its ability to mince the grass, it will be an ideal substitute for raking.
- The right model for regions with a wet climate.
Cons
- The blades vibrate while cutting.
- The product is good at mulching but doesn’t fit well for cutting.
Oregon G3 Gator Blades
The Gator mulching blades are of American origin. The described blade set of 3 pieces is suitable for using in Craftsman, Poulan Pro, and Husqvarna lawn mowers. The Oregon blades are made of 20%-harder steel. They are much thicker than standard ones. This composition elongates the life term of the product and makes it more enduring.
Giving a short Gator blades review, one should be mentioned that they provide smooth cutting at once. It means that you don’t need to cut twice, even after the first passing, the grass is evenly cut. Moreover, they work very quietly if comparing with ordinary ones.
The Oregon mulching blades’ dimensions are 18 x 4 x 4 inches, though pay attention to its weights (6.63 pounds). Somebody may find it heavy to use, so consider this issue before buying the blades.
Pros
- Can be mounted and tightened by hand, no additional tool is needed.
- Blades are easy to sharpen.
Cons
- Sometimes they leave strips uncut.
- Don’t grab wet leaves and pine needles.
Maxpower 561714B — Best Mulching Blades for Leaves
The Maxpower mulching blades of 2 pieces will perfectly fit Craftsman, Husqvarna, and Poulan mowing machines. With a 5-point star center hole, they cut the grass well so there is no need to rake it up after mowing.
This set is the right variant if talking about rural land mowing because they have the resilience of a higher level and can easily deal with stones and other peculiarities typical for that area.
The described blades have medium dimensions (21.5 x 2.2 x 0.5 inches) and weight (3.39 pounds). So, being heavy enough they deal well with shredding little beams up to 4 inches thick. The model comes with a 1-year warranty, however, it doesn’t cover all the issues happened with the blades.
Pros
- Smooth cutting with no ridges left.
- Good at chopping up the leaves.
Cons
- The blades are thinner than the OEM ones, so you will need something to tighten the gap.
- They are hard to sharpen.
Rotary
If you have an intention to find the best mower blades for your lawn, I recommend you to consider this American model because it has a big potential to be among the leaders.
These Copperhead mower blades will be durable and time-proof due to a cooper base used in manufacturing. They can easily replace the OEM blades and will become an ideal solution for your lawn. They perfectly fit Toro TimeCutter. So, if you are an owner of this mower, don’t hesitate to try the Rotary blades. You don’t need to sharpen your blades every time you cut the grass like other ones presented on the market. You can perform your lawn up to five times and the blade sharpness remains at the same high level. It works well for the grass of different height and easily deals with lawn clippings.
The Rotary blades have medium dimensions (18 x 5 x 4 inches) and weigh 5.75 pounds. So, they are a little bit heavier and thicker than standard ones. However, it results in less speed while grass cutting.
Pros
- Cheap price compared to other models on the market.
- No chute overloading.
Cons
- No warranty period.
- The blades work less efficiently in wet conditions.
Greenworks 29172
The 20-inch Greenworks model represents a mulching blade made of heat-treated steel. Such a composition gives them additional strength and allows working in a variety of weather conditions. The mower blades cut the grass on fine pieces, so the clippings will return back to the soil and become healthy nutrients much faster than with other blades. The product fits well with the 25022 and the 25222 mower models. Due to the half-moon cutout, you won’t feel difficulties with finding the right side as well as avoid issues with upside-down installation (that can be a crucial problem for some lawnmowers). However, don’t forget to use gloves while blade changing to prevent a hand injury.
These blades are produced in China. The dimensions are just 2 x 2 x 19.2 inches and the weight is only 1 pound. That’s literally tiny ones comparing with other models. However, it doesn’t influence productivity. They are accurate and precise in cutting and mulching.
Pros
- Quiet while working.
- High quality for an affordable price.
- Small blades make less strain on the motor.
Cons
- The blades need to be tightened from time to time.
- Not enough resilience when roots and stones are on the mower way.
Mishon Inc 8TEN Set
This blade set is one more American versatile model because it fits most of the mower machines. For example, it will be compatible with the Ariens, AYP, Craftsman, Poulan, Husqvarna 42-inch cut lawn mowers. So, due to its versatility, these blades will be a great option for different users.
The described set consists of two pieces; each one is 21 inches in length with a total cutting area of 42 inches. The stainless steel used for the manufacturing extends the life term of the product. So, the blades can serve many seasons and just need to be sharpened from time to time. Moreover, due to high-quality material, these Husqvarna mulching blades and others can cut even the tallest wet grass.
The item weight is comparatively big (5.25 pounds) and the dimensions exceed the medium size (24 x 4 x 4 inches). So, the cutting edge of the blades is higher comparing with other models presented of the market. Besides, the blades are bright-green in color.
Pros
- Thick and well-balanced blades.
- Efficient and clean mulching.
Cons
- The blades have to be sharpened before using.
Stens 330-441 — Best Mulching Blades for John Deere
The John Deere mulching blades can be considered versatile as they fit almost all the John Deere lawn mowers (for example, the John Deere 102, 105, 107S, and so on). However, I would recommend asking the seller about your mower model compatibility before buying them. The product is made of high strength alloy steel in combination with carbon. This fact guarantees an extended life term of the blades. The pack is used for a 42-inch cut.
One important advantage is that the manufacturer gives a 6-month warranty period. In my opinion, this period is sufficient enough for such a product. The John Deere blades are 24 x 3 x 3 inches in size and 2.6 pounds in weight. So, they are not too heavy and can be installed by everyone.
Pros
- Smooth grass cutting, the blades accurately lift the leaves.
- These mulching blades for John Deere are well balanced.
Cons
- Can’t be considered as the best mulching blades because of teeth absence on the backside.
- A short cutting edge.
Craftsman 134149 — Best Mulching Blades for Riding Mower
The Craftsman 42-inch riding mower mulching blades represent a famous American brand specialized in tool manufacturing. This lawn mulching set will be suitable for Husqvarna, Poulan, Craftsman mowers with a 42-inch cut. Top-quality steel allows using them for cutting under different weather conditions. The carbon used for the product performing elongates the life-term significantly. These blades will be the right choice for both cutting and further lawn mulching (including leaves and grass chopping to fertilize your soil).
Please, pay attention that Craftsman mulching blades weigh just 1.65 pounds and have small dimensions (2.1 x 0.8 x 20.7 inches), so they can be too small for most mower machines. It’s better to make sure that this model will fit your equipment before buying because the manufacturer gives neither return policy nor warranty period.
Pros
- The blades are very easy to install.
- They are ready to use, no need to sharpen before installation.
Cons
- Metal can be easily bent.
- A small cutting edge.
Buyer’s Guide
Lawn Mower Blades: Classification
There are many types of lawn mower blades on the market. They are of different dimensions and designs providing a big choice of cutting and mulching options.
Standard/discharging blades are commonly used in most lawn mowers. Usually, they are curved-up to provide constant airflow while blade rotating. Such a design allows cutting the grass efficiently. This type can also be called lifting blades.
Lifting ones are subdivided into high-lift, medium-lift, and low-lift ones. In practice, the high-lifting blades require more horsepower to rotate and the low-lifting blades need less HP correspondingly. Usually, your choice depends on grass height and density. If your lawn is well-cleaned and needs mulching, low-lifting blades will be enough to succeed.
Mulching ones are often called “all-purpose” or “3 in 1” blades because they do three actions at once. First of all, they cut the grass on the lawn, then they suck it into the deck, chopping on small pieces and pushing small clippings back on the lawn to enrich your soil. Due to multitasking, the mulching blades have a more curved surface and extra cutting along the blade edges.
How to Sharpen Mulching Blades
Please note that even dull pieces can be quite sharp, so don’t neglect using working gloves while sharpening mulching blades.
First of all, you need to remove the spark plug wire when you start working with the blades. It helps prevent it from accidental working and save your hand from unexpected injuries.
The blades usually have a bolt or nut holding them. Don’t try to loosen it with your hand or feet, it’s better to use a breaker bar or long-handled wrench that will fit your blade. It is quite handy to paint or mark one edge so it will be simple to identify the bottom from the top when you reinstall the blade.
The sharpening process doesn’t take much time because blades are usually made of soft steel, so 50 strokes will be more than enough. Use a narrower file to sharpen the curved edges and a wider file for the rest blade surface. Don’t make them very sharp. In this case, they will become dull much quicker. The “Butter knife” sharpness will be enough for lawn mulching.
It is important to balance the blade before reinstalling it as the unbalanced blade can cause big damage to the shaft and bearings. Reinstall the blade and tighten the bolt/nut with a breaker bar or long-handled wrench. Your blades are ready to use!
How do Mulching Blades Work?
The mulching blades are designed to chop the leaves on small pieces and blowing them out of the mower machine to nourish the soil. These blades differ from regular ones as they have extra teeth to destroy the leaves on every rotation. However, the mulching blades are not as good at mowing as regular ones. So, for a nice-looking lawn, it is recommended to use two sets: one for mowing and another one for mulching.
Before using the mulching blades for leaves destroying, it’s better to mow your grass with regular ones to cut the tallest areas and make the mulching process more productive. Then install the deck a little bit higher than it usually works. Run over the leaves and repeat this action until no leaf is left.
How to Install Mulching Blades
The mulching blades are commonly used in lawn mowers, so let’s figure out how to install mulching blades for the most efficient functioning.
First of all, you need to disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug before mulching blades installation. Then turn the mower on its side so that the carburetor is on the high side. This position will prevent oil leaking.
Look at the mulching blades and find the “Bottom” part. That will be the side that faces the ground when the mower is upright. Place the mulching blades over the blade spindle. Put the washer over the blade and follow it with a nut. Then tighten the nut with your hand. Please note that for safety work you should use a pair of work gloves. They will protect your hand from injuries. Use a breaker bar or long-handled wrench for more solid tightening. Turn the lawn mower in its original position. Reconnect the spark plug wire.