Quick Answer: How To Put Mulching Blades On A Riding Mower

Which way do mulching blades go on a riding mower?

If it has the word “Bottom,” or a model number printed on it, that side of the blade faces the ground when the mower is upright If there are no markings, check the blade’s bevel The beveled portion must face away from the ground when installed The bend in mulching blades also must point away from the ground

Do mulching blades face up or down?

The Wings Face Up The wings on lawn mower blades are always designed to point up toward the lawn mower’s cutting deck The same is true for the more extensive wings on mulching blades If your lawn mower blade has wings, those wings should point toward the lawn mower and away from the grass

Which side goes down on mulching blade?

Look at both sides of the mulching blade Most blades have the word “bottom” stamped on them, or they have a model number imprinted onto the underside Whether a word or a number, that side of the mulching blade must face the ground after it is installed and the mower is standing upright

Can I use mulching blades with side discharge?

Mulching mowers aren’t different from other mowers in most ways Mulching blades are sometimes called “all purpose” or “3-in-1” blades because you can use them to mulch, bag, or side discharge Standard blades are called 2-in-1 blades because you can use them to either bag or side discharge the grass

Can I put a mulching blade on my mower?

Over-grown grass can clog under the mower deck and leave unsightly clumps of grass on the freshly mowed lawn Mulching blades, also known as 3-in-1 blades, can be used to bag, discharge, or mulch grass clippings Mulching blades feature more curves and an increased cutting edge

Are mulching blades supposed to be sharp?

Mulching blades are supposed to be sharp so they can cut through grass, leaves, and other debris Sharpen the mulching blades with a file until they easily cut through the grass, then tighten the blades onto the lawnmower’s deck The blades should be sharpened twice per season

What happens if mower blades are upside down?

Mower blades have a cutting edge at each end It is common to install a blade upside down When this happens, the lawn mower will not cut correctly, or it could damage the mower

Which side of lawn mower blade goes up?

The wings of the lawn mower blade will be oriented up toward the mower deck and any writing on the blade will likely be facing away from the deck If the blade bolt comes with a washer, its concave side will be facing the blade

Why does my mower leave a strip of grass in the middle?

A strip of uncut grass left in the middle of mowing rows could signal that your lawnmower’s blades are unbalanced or that one or both of them was installed the wrong way Ensure that your mower’s blades are on correctly, that both are secured tightly to the mower deck and that both are balanced

Do you sharpen both sides of a lawn mower blade?

Always sharpen from the top side of the cutting edge; this will give you the longest-lasting edge on the blade Note: The file cuts in one direction only, on the push stroke; you’ll feel it bite into the steel on the blade

What angle do you sharpen lawn mower blades?

Sharpen the edge of the blade using a 10-inch file or grindstone, keeping the file at roughly a 45-degree angle Sharpen from the top side of the cutting edge Push the file in one direction along the blade

What is the trailing edge of a lawn mower blade?

The trailing edge, or fin, is the edge opposite the cutting edge In this photo you can see the blade has become thin When it’s thin, it’s time to replace the blade

Can you use high lift blades for mulching?

Lifting blades come in three types: High-Lift, Medium-Lift, and Low-Lift Essentially, the greater the lift, the more horsepower that’s required You would use High-Lift blades when tackling taller, more dense grass (High-lift = higher-lifting airflow) You should not use Lifting blades for mulching

Can mulching blades be used year round?

You can use your mulching blade year-round Most homeowners that install mulching blades don’t bother changing them until they become too dull to cut effectively, in which case they’ll have them sharpened

Which is better mulching or side discharge?

If you are simply looking for a quick cut, the side discharge method is likely the way to go It won’t look as neat and clean as bagging, but it will take substantially less effort If you’re looking to really give your lawn a new life and get more vibrance out of your grass, mulching may be the way to go

How do you mulch grass with a riding lawn mower?

First, insert the mulch plug in the mower and close the side-discharge port Then mow as you would normally and make a second pass at a right angle to the first to thoroughly mulch the clippings back into the grass Or bag your clippings This works well when the grass is of normal height and the leaves are dry

What is a mulching attachment?

A mulching kit is basically a way to convert your tractor or push lawn mower into a mulcher This eliminates the need to rake, collect and bag your leftover lawn clippings Mulch kits are available in models that are suitable for both riding or tractor-style mowers as well as standard push mowers