In short, the mulching blade works by creating a vacuum that sucks up the grass. The curvature or curved edges of the blade affect the vacuum’s strength, enabling it to pull in air, securely hold the grass, and deliver a powerful cut.
Seeing how efficiently mulching blades cut, bag and discharge clippings makes you want to know the science behind how they work. Understanding the working principle of the 3-in-1 blade might sound technical. However, knowing the pros and cons of different blades will help you shop with confidence.
Also, the performance of the lawnmower greatly depends on the blades you use. Uncovering the science behind mulching blades would help you draw parallels to other mower blades and make a smart purchase. Without further adieu, let’s learn what mulching blades are, and how they work to help you achieve a lush lawn.
What are Mulching Blades?
Before understanding how mulching blades work, know what they do. These 3-in-1, or all-purpose, blades are used for mulching, bagging, and discharging. Mulching blades cut the clippings into tiny pieces and deposit them back into the lawn.
How Do Mulching Blades Work?
In comparison to traditional regular blades, mulching blades offer superior efficiency and handle grass clippings in three different ways. Simply put, these mower blades work by recutting grass clippings into tiny pieces and redistributing them back into the lawn. On the other hand, regular blades only cut grass and leave clippings on the ground.
In contrast, mulching blades chop clippings into tiny pieces on the cutting deck and discharge them into the turf.
This process of mowing grass is environmentally-friendly and is known as ‘grass cycling’. The working principle of these blades is simple to understand and provides three distinct methods of handling grass clippings.
Chopping
The unique design of the mulching blades creates a powerful vacuum effect to lift the grass up. Further, the unique curvature of these mower blades helps generate airflow to move grass clippings around the cutting deck. Consequently, the grass clippings are chopped into tiny pieces
Bagging
With regular blades, you have to bag the grass cuttings manually. It is labor-intensive to manually bag the clippings. Mulching blades save time and effort by automatically bagging the grass cuttings.
Discharging
Lastly, it discharges the chopped clippings onto the lawn. It evenly spreads the grass cuttings onto the ground for a lush-looking lawn. Undoubtedly, it makes mowing easier by eliminating the need to manually bag and discharge clippings.
With these blades, you can say goodbye to lawn blowers, rakes, and additional lawn equipment.
Mulching blades are super efficient and can handle multiple jobs at once. On top of that, it is an environmentally-friendly way of mowing the lawn, and you don’t have to deal with grass piles anymore.
Different Parts of Mulching Blades with Functions
Mulching blades have multiple components that serve different purposes. All of these parts contribute to producing, bagging, and discharging mulch.
- Cutting Edge – The cutting edge is curved and sharp, it directly controls all three main functions of the blade if installed properly. The powerful curvature creates a powerful vacuum effect on the cutting deck. It lifts, circulates, and cuts grass clippings into smaller pieces.
- Serrated teeth or Flat edges: Mulching blades either have serrated teeth or flat edges. Air flowing through serrated teeth increases RPM (Rotation per Minute) to give the mower more cutting power. Contrarily, flat edges are thick and produce finer mulch than serrated teeth. However, it requires more power to work as they obstruct airflow.
- Hole – Hole comes in multiple sizes and designs, which a buyer has to examine carefully to determine the correct fitting. Look at the shaft to know if the mulching blade would fit the mower. Some blades are designed with washers for correct fitting.
- Length & Thickness – The thicker the blade, the finer the mulch is. While it ensures intense mulching, it does not do a good job of lifting the grass. In contrast, the length of the blade has more to do with the lawnmower deck size.
Pros and Cons of Mulching Blades
Without a doubt, mulching blades are the best option to keep the lawn looking lush and beautiful. These blades cut the grass efficiently and make mowing less labor-intensive. Besides all the benefits, there are some drawbacks as well
Pros
- 3-in-1 functionality (clipping, bagging, and discharging capabilities)
- No need to use additional equipment or deal with grass piles
- Saves time and effort
- Produces natural fertilizer to increase soil fertility
- Environmentally-friendly option
Cons
- Incompatible with traditional mowers
- Reduced lift as the design is geared more towards mulching
Factors Controlling the Working of Mulching Blades
There are certain parts that control the working of mulching blades. These parts include
- The high setting of the mower deck
- The shape of the cutting deck
- Length and thickness of the blade
- Curved blade
Frequently Asked Questions
Do mulching power blades really work?
Yes, mulching power blades offer superior efficiency than traditional blades. These all-purpose blades can cut, bag, and discharge clippings without the use of additional lawn equipment.
Will mulching blades cut leaves?
Yes, mulching blades are not just restricted to cutting and recutting grass clippings. Mulch blades can also efficiently cut leaves and weeds. It is a perfect fit for larger lawns surrounded by trees.
Do mulching blades need sharpening?
Yes, mulching blades need sharpening from time to time. Sharpen the edges of the mulch blades when they get dull or give uneven cuts.
Conclusion
To sum up, mulch blades work by lifting grass with the powerful vacuum effects it creates. The grass lifted is then cut into smaller pieces and deposited back onto the lawn. Also, these blades are quite efficient than regular blades in various aspects. In short, it makes mowing easier and less time-consuming with its 3-in-1 functionality.