Many lawn care enthusiasts are eager to switch to mulching instead of bagging since the latter is throwing everything (the good stuff) away. Using the best mulching blades instead of discarding the grass clippings has many benefits, such as increasing nutrient supply to the soil. It's also a way to save time and energy by using a well-fitted mulching mower. In addition, the clever lawn care trick will allow you to fertilize your yard quickly and with no hassles naturally.
Mulching blades can shred the grass into finer parts, eliminating grass clumps on the lawn. Also, mulching blades can do three jobs of mulching, discharging and bagging. Are you interested in figuring out how you can save money off expensive nutrient supplements while still getting a professional-looking garden? Check out our detailed guide on how to go about finding the best fit for your lawnmower, or pick from some of the best mulching blades covered below.
5 Best Mulching Blades
1. Maxpower 561713XB Commercial Mulching Blade
- Includes 2 commercial mulching blades for a 42" cut
- Replaces Poulan, Husqvarna, Craftsman 134149, 138971, 138498, 127843, PP24003, AYP7143A79, AYP7158A49,...
- Each measures 21" long by 2-1/2" wide
- Has a 5 Point Star Center Hole
- Manufactured to meet or exceed all OEM specifications
If you use a riding mower to cut grass on your lawn, going with the Maxpower Mulching Blade is the best option if you want to remain within your budget without compromising quality. This product is versatile and securely fits on most lawnmowers while ensuring it does not overexert the motor. Plus, this mulching blade will give you finely cut grass regardless of its toughness or when your yard is wet.
This blade set comes with 5-point star mounting holes that are one of the easiest ones to replace. However, you may need some technical expertise to put these mulching blades on. Finally, this blade model will fit exceptionally well on decks that are about 42 inches in diameter.
2. Rotary Copperhead Mulching Mower Blades
- Rotary replacement lawn mower blades.
- Fits certain John Deere lawn mowers.
- Fits OEM: AM137328, AM141033, GX22151, GY20850.
- Two (2) blades required for 42-inch decks.
- Quantity: 2 Pack
The two-pack mulching kit of the Rotary Copperhead Mower Blades is a reliable and affordable option for people with some John Deere mowers. Although the sharp edges are not impressive immediately out of the box, the performance of this product is comparable to the best alternatives on the market. Still, you can remove the paint on the cutting edge to ensure you get fine clippings.
You can rely on the impressive effectiveness of this mulching kit as the blades cut grass even when it is wet. Also, it is durable and will survive knocking on hard things when working in your yard. Finally, these mulching blades offer a simple installation process to ensure you get going quickly.
3. Husqvarna 954636867 Lawn Mower Mulching Blade Kit
- Fits Models: Lt18542, Lth18542, Lth2042 And Yth1542Xp
- Includes Two Blades
- For 42-Inch Decks
- Country Of Origin: United States
The Husqvarna Lawn Mower Mulching Blade Kit is an original piece of equipment that fits excellently on Husqvarna mowers, some of the most popular lawn care brands. Since it comes from the manufacturer, you can rest assured that this product will deliver finely chopped grass clippings efficiently for a long time. Plus, the sharp edges are durable and can withstand heavy-duty operating conditions.
If you are looking to simplify the mulching process, these standard mulching blades are easy to install as they come with a 5-point star mounting hole. Although they lack serrated teeth, the increased cutting surface guarantees grass clippings will be neatly distributed on the lawn instead of looking like a compost pile. Plus, it will be difficult to spot a grass clipping as they will be thoroughly cut.
4. Oregon 596-354 Gator G5 Mulch Blades
- Set of 3 Blades, Quality Gator 596-354 "Fusion G5" Mulching Blades
- Replaces John Deere Blades Part Number M127500, M127673, Or M145476
- 16-15/16" Long, 3" Wide, .203" Thick, 13/16" Mounting Hole
- Fusion Blades have Tungsten Carbide "fused" to the edge (see photo) for longer life
- Extended cutting length, blade is sharpened longer up the blade
If you want to ease your lawn mowing chores, the Oregon Gator G5 Mulch Blades have the innovative features you need. For starters, they have vertical teeth that improve the generation of airflow to enhance mulching. Plus, the teeth are angled to help boost the speed of cutting.
Secondly, the sharp edges on this Gator blade offer one of the most impressive slicing abilities on our list. The rigid and rugged design, along with the use of steel as the main material, ensure you will get a long lifespan for all your lawn care needs. Finally, these mulching blades will fit some John Deere mowers and allow for easy and quick replacement.
5. John Deere Original Equipment Mower Blade Kit
- John Deere Original Equipment Mower Blade Kit - AM141033
- Fits: 102, 115, 125, 135, D100, D105, D110, D120, D125, D130, E100, E110, E120, E130, LA105, LA115, LA120,...
- This is a genuine John Deere part. Thanks for looking!
If you want to get the best and most reliable replacement for your John Deere lawnmower, going straight to the manufacturer is a terrific place to start. The John Deere Mulching Blades deliver three functions in the same product. First, it starts by cutting the grass; then, it puts it in the deck. Afterward, it mulches the grass into tiny pieces to make the process of fertilizing your lawn easy.
Although the design of these mulching blades might be considered outdated, they still do a wonderful job of fitting into many different John Deere models. In addition, they are made from durable stainless steel that ensures the sharp edges continue to deliver after prolonged use. After all, you can expect the same quality from the original manufacturer that surpasses standard blades.
Things to Consider When Buying Mulching Blades
a). Blade Length
Whether you are using push mowers or riding mowers, you need to figure out the optimal length of mulching blades to install. Missing this mark by either exceeding or falling short of the required length can be detrimental to your efforts in maintaining a healthy lawn.
For starters, a short mulching blade means putting in more time and energy to cutting grass since the replacements will not be able to cover the same area as your original mowing blade. Additionally, if the push or riding mowers use multiple normal blades for the mower deck, you will reduce the effectiveness of your equipment. As a result, you will find numerous areas of your lawn left with small grass strips when you are done working on it.
Finally, if you use a bagger with shorter mulching blades, you may find that you do not capture all the grass clippings. Typically, a riding and push mower designed for bagging must generate sufficient airflow to whip the cut pieces into a bag while you mow your lawn. However, using a shorter replacement blade reduces the amount of air current generated, leading to a messy yard that requires more work.
On the other hand, getting mulching blades that are much longer than what your mower can handle comes with disadvantages. First, the new attachments may not fit under your mower deck. Secondly, you will see significant clumping when mowing the lawn since the speed of the replacement blades will be dramatically lower as the space in the deck reduces. Finally, you can damage your push or riding mower, or the blades may interfere with each other if you have a multiple-blade set-up.
Since going with shorter or longer blades means taking some risks, it is best to stick with the manufacturer's recommendations when getting a replacement blade. The right size is often indicated on the lawnmower or the instructions that came with it. If you are still in doubt, it would be best to visit the company's website to find out the range of leeway you have.
b). Weight and Required Blade Set
Mulching blades have more weight than standard blades since their build caters to a thicker piece emphasizing the lift angle. As a result, putting a heavier blade set may lead to your lawnmower having difficulties engaging the deck. In addition, a reduction in the speed and risks of engine stalls due to more inertial resistance can be tricky to overcome. Thus, it would help if you considered how much strain your riding or push mower engine can handle to avoid bogging or sputter.
The weight problem also shows up when dealing with mowers that use a blade set of either two or three cutters. Since many mulching blades are much heavier than their normal counterparts, replacing multiple ones increases the strain on your mower engine.
Some people think of buying a mulching kit only to replace one of them. As a result, you will neither experience the perks of mulching nor get effective airflow, and you will observe grass clumps on your lawn. On the other hand, mixing old blades and a differently weighted one will affect the output of the mower's motor, causing it to produce turbulence and run more slowly.
Consequently, it pays to avoid cutting corners when it comes to keeping your lawn healthy. Look for mulching kits that fit the specifications of your push or riding mower. After all, not using the right equipment can damage the machine.
c). Mounting and Fittings
It would be impossible to install mulching blades on a lawnmower when the two have differences in their mounting fixtures. The attachments come with distinct mounting holes like the universal fit, bow-tie, 6-point star and 5-point star styles. Underneath the lawnmower, the spindle must match the shape for the mulching blades to fit.
5-point and 6-point star variations are among the easiest to install, as unscrewing a single bolt will allow you to make the replacement. If you are not sure about your handyman skills, you can go with the universal fit option. Although this option is not the best, mulching blades with this mounting hole might save the day if you do not know the right one.
d). Lifespan
As mentioned above, a mulching blade is heavier than standard mower blades as it features holes that necessitate a thicker design. More materials translate to a durable product that can withstand knicks and scratches better than its counterpart. Still, there are some concerns about mowers that use drive shafts to drive their spindles directly.
Most push mowers use a direct-drive shaft which, as the name suggests, connects the motor to the blades without a medium such as a belt or a pulley. On the upside, a tiny motor can deliver impressive speeds. But, unfortunately, this kind of system lacks a safety mechanism if the mulching blades happen to hit something hard while rapidly rotating since the sturdy attachments transfer shock through the machine. Thus, you are likely to ruin the drive shaft, which will put your lawnmower out of commission.
On the other hand, a belt-driven spindle uses a pulley system to rotate the mulching blades from the motor. If the motion suddenly stops, the fail-safe in these lawnmowers will cause the belt to slip and disconnect from the spindle. Thus, the shock from the collision will not transfer to other components of the machine.
Although some lawnmowers have safety features, it is always advisable to check your outdoor space for hard objects before working on the yard. Alternatively, you can lift the deck to increase the clearance of the sturdy blades to avoid objects. However, you may need to work on your lawn more often to maintain your desired grass height.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Mulching Blades
1. What is the best mulching blade?
The best mulching blade is the Maxpower Blade Set that comes at an affordable price while still maintaining the quality and durability required by lawn care enthusiast. Its 5-point star center hole makes installation simple, while the secure fit ensures you do not decrease the efficiency of your lawnmower motor. Plus, this mulching blade is built for taking on heavy-duty tasks.
2. Can you use mulching blades without a mulching kit?
If you lack a mulching mower, you may need a mulching kit to help you ensure the grass clippings are as fine as possible. A normal lawnmower has a chute that expells the clippings, and you can attach a bag to help you collect them. However, merely using mulching blades does not address the discharge that lowers the effectiveness of the mulching process. Therefore, you need to find mulching kits that come with the accessories required to stop the discharge for long enough to produce fine clippings.
