The vast majority of mowers will accept mulching blades, but not all of them. In order for a mulching blade to work with your current mower, it must be able to fit under the deck comfortably and be tightened securely. With many makes and models, this is easy to do. With some, it can be done, but the fit is a bit awkward and the results are middle-of-the-road. And a few mowers just won’t accommodate a mulching blade at all.
So, can you put a mulching blade on any mower? No. It will depend on the mower.
The Difference Between Regular Blades and Mulching Blades
The difference between regular blades and mulching blades is the shape. Mulching blades have a longer, more varied cutting surface that is specifically designed to chop clippings into smaller and smaller pieces as they circulate under the deck. The clippings are able to keep circulating under the deck because, with a mulching mower, there is no discharge chute. This blade/chute connection is something we’ll look at next.
Related Article: Are Lawn Mower Blades Reverse Thread
The Blade/Chute Connection
In order to convert a standard mower into a mulching mower, you need more than just a mulching blade that fits. You also need to block the discharge chute so that the clippings stay under the mower where they can be repeatedly chopped. The thing is, depending on the mower and its deck design, blocking the discharge chute can be tricky.
Some folks believe that they don’t need to block the chute; that all they need is a mulching blade. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. A mulching blade on its own won’t do much if the clippings are still being removed via the discharge chute.
Still, others may think the opposite is true. That if they can just block the chute they don’t need a mulching blade. Sorry to say, this too will only produce middling results at best. To produce a beneficial mulch you really need the combination of the mulching blade and the blocked chute. The good news is that there are mulching conversion kits on the market that provide everything needed to turn some standard mowers into mulching mowers.
Can You Put a Mulching Blade on Any Mower with a Mulching Conversion Kit?
Conversion kits can’t be used to convert any mower into a universal mower. Instead, different kits are designed to work with different makes and models, but there are not kits for all makes and models of lawnmowers.
That said, these kits provide mulching blades and the chute cover – also called a “restriction plate” – that prevents the grass clippings from escaping through the rear or side chute.
Some (not all) will also include mulching baffles and deflectors that help keep the clippings in the blade’s sights so they can be repeatedly chopped until they’re little more than a fine dust.
As long as you get a kit designed specifically for your make and model of lawn mower, the components of the kit should install with little fuss.
Be Aware of Different Mulching Blades
There are actually 2 different kinds of mulching blades, so you need to be sure you’re getting the one you want. The standard mulching blade looks a bit like a standard lawn mower blade, except the cutting edge is about 50% longer and the blade is more convoluted in shape in order to promote chopping of the lawn clippings.
And then there are what’s called “gator toothed” mulching blades. These are very easy to spot because they have both the standard cutting edge and very prominent teeth carved into the blade opposite the cutting edge.
The job of these teeth has less to do with actual cutting than it does with promoting greater suction under the deck to keep clippings suspended in the air so the cutting blades can chop them repeatedly. This kind of mulching blade typically produces the finest mulch and is often used on zero-turn mowers and those mowers that employ multiple blades.
Measuring Your Mower for a Mulching Blade
If you don’t want to buy a conversion kit it might still be possible to put a mulching blade on your mower, but you’ll need to be sure the blade you buy will fit. To do that you’ll have to take a couple of key measurements.
The first thing to measure is the length of the blade, but not just the length from end to end. Instead, the length as measured diagonally from the pointed end of one cutting edge to the pointed end of the opposite cutting edge.
Then measure the diameter of the center hole. Also, make note of the shape of the center hole, i.e. is it 5, 6 or 7 points, or a different shape.
Finally, measure the thickness of the blade and how wide it is across its mid-point. Make sure your mulching blade adheres to all these measurements.
Keep in mind too, that if you are unsure whether you obtained the correct measurements you can always take your current blade with you to the home or garden center and match it up against any prospective mulching blade.
Why Not Just Get a Mulching Mower?
Of course, you always have that option, but a mulching mower is a one-trick pony. Whereas if you get a standard mower and a mulching conversion kit you’ll have a much more versatile mower, one that can be used for a variety of purposes.
Other Things to Consider
Mulching is generally a good idea but it’s not necessarily appropriate in every situation. For instance, if it’s been some time since you mowed the lawn and the grass is pretty long, mulching may clog up the mower and cause it to break down. It may also leave too much mulch on the lawn, creating a soggy mess when the lawn is watered.
In general, it’s recommended you mow with a standard mower during the spring and hold off on mulching until you’ve mowed the lawn a few times. After that, you may want to alternate.
Another thing to keep very much in mind is that, while you may be able to put a mulching blade on your mower, doing so may void the warranty. So if your mower is still under warranty be sure to read the fine print before buying and installing a mulching blade.
Leave a Reply