Here are the main types of lawn mower blades you can choose from based on your lawn mowing needs.
Standard Blades
Standard blades offer a straight, basic design best suited for well-manicured lawns. They provide limited lifting and mulching capabilities and are not ideal for wet or tall grass. Today’s modern lawn mowers commonly utilize standard blades.
High-Lift Blades
High-lift blades have a steeper angle design that creates better suction and airflow. They are efficient at lifting and collecting grass clippings and are often utilized for bagging applications. A high-lift blade requires a powerful engine to reach peak performance, and they are not suitable for dusty or sandy terrain, which can cause significant blade wear.
Low-Lift Blades
Low-lift blades generate less suction and airflow and feature a lower lift angle. They provide an ideal solution for cutting dry and short lawns, especially in dusty or sandy conditions. Low-lift blades produce less dust, noise, and debris when compared to other types of lawn mower blades and are best suited for side discharge mowing.
Mulching Blades
Mulching blades have a unique design, featuring a distinct curvature and wider cutting edge. The blade helps lift and cut grass clippings into smaller pieces, resulting in natural lawn fertilization. Mulching blades do not work well on overgrown lawns because the excess grass clippings can clog the mower. In comparison to high-lift and standard lawn mower blades, mulching blades do not have as much discharge power or suction capabilities.
Shredding Blades (also called Gator)
Shredding blades, also referred to as Gator blades, combine features that include:
- Mulching
- Bagging
- Side discharge
The blade has a serrated edge that directs and pushes grass clippings, allowing for finer mulching. Shredding blades are versatile but can underperform in tall grass. They also produce significantly more noise than other types of lawn mower blades.
