Can You Use Mulching Blades With a Side Discharge Mower?

Mulching blades are great for many lawnmowers because they slice the grass into much smaller pieces than traditional mowing blades. Side discharge mowers promote better mowing by preventing safety issues, so it’s understandable that people might want to combine them with mulching blades.

You can use mulching blades with a side discharge mower to cut the grass into finer bits, making it a better way to add nutrients to the soil. Collect the mulch with a lawn sweeper or leave it on the grass to help it grow. Mow the grass with the mower facing toward the inside of the lawn.

Throughout this article, we’ll explain what happens when you put mulching blades on a side discharge lawnmower, whether or not it’s a good idea, and a few comparisons of different blade types. We’ll also discuss which bagging systems can be used with mulching blades on side discharge mowers.

Can You Put a Mulching Blade on Any Mower?

You can put a mulching blade on almost any mower, but make sure the blade isn’t too big for the deck. Most lawnmower manufacturers will have a list of blade recommendations. Mulching blades offer plenty of benefits, but they’re especially useful on side discharge mowers.

However, if you choose a mulching blade that goes the opposite direction of your lawnmower, you might run into a few problems. Knowing which way the mower blade turns will help you choose the correct mulching blade and bagging system for your side discharge mower.

Mulching blades are often a great match for side discharge and rear discharge mowers, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect for everyone. If you want to know how they stack up against a regular mowing blade, read on for more lawnmowing info.

Mulching Blade vs. Regular Mower Blade

When it comes to a mulching blade vs. a regular blade, a mulching blade offers more precision, while a regular mowing blade has a bit more power. Regular blades are also better for tall grass since they can scoop the clippings into a bag or send them out of the side discharge area.

If you want to review the differences between a side discharge mower and mulching blades, watch Ryan Knorr’s video:

Mulching Blades on a Side Discharge Mower

The best part about using mulching blades on a side discharge mower is that the grass won’t clump as easily under the deck. Mulching blades slice the grass into ultra-fine pieces, sending them out of the side discharge without gathering in under a damp lawnmower. It also helps the grass absorb sunlight without being covered by thick, uneven grass clippings.

That being said, using mulching blades on a side discharge mower won’t be too useful if the grass is long. Tall grass requires regular lawnmower blades because it’s thicker and uneven. Regular blades have a lot of power that can cut through dense grass. When you’re done mowing the tall grass, use a lawn sweeper.

Regular Blades on a Side Discharge Mower

Regular blades are useful on a side discharge mower because you don’t have to switch them out. Your lawnmower likely already has a regular blade since they often come stock with them. If you have a 3-in-1 blade, you can mulch, discharge, and bag with the same blade.

These blades also have a lot of power for cutting thick grass and weeds. Make sure you spray your weeds before mowing, though.

The biggest issue associated with using regular blades on a side discharge mower is that the clippings will be a bit bigger and can clump. Regular blades don’t cut the grass fine enough to prevent the grass clippings from caking under the deck. They can also leave a trail of chunky grass behind the lawnmower.

Can You Use Mulching Blades With a Bagging System?

You can use mulching blades with a bagging system, but the bag won’t catch as many grass clippings. Mulching blades don’t scoop the grass as efficiently as regular blades, but there are 3-in-1 mulching blades that can send the cut grass to the bag, side discharge, or mulch.

Here’s what you should know about using mulching blades with a bag:

• Multipurpose mulching blades are better for bagging than single-purpose mulching blades. Morning to Bed claims 3-in-1 lawnmower blades cut the grass small enough to prevent the clippings from blowing away in the wind. However, bagging them also stops this common issue from happening.
• The grass bag might get heavier because there will be more grass clippings than usual. There’s less room taken up by pockets of air or moisture between the clippings. The bag can be quite heavy when using mulching blades, so make sure you empty it frequently.
• The blade’s material is very important, regardless of if you have a side discharge or rear discharge lawnmower. Most lawnmower blades are made of carbon steel, but some of them aren’t as durable. Check the material to know if the blades will flex when mowing uphill or through dense grass.
• Mulching through a side discharge bagging system can prevent clogs under the lawnmower’s deck. As the grass flows out the side discharge into the bag, it doesn’t have time to collect on the blades. This process helps the blades stay sharp while cutting new grass. Remember to avoid cutting the lawn when it’s wet.

Using a mulching blade is a great way to get a close, precise cut. If you want to mulch your grass, it’s important to cut it at least one to two times per week. Letting the grass get too tall and cutting it more than 1/3 of its overall length can weaken the grass blades and stop the soil from getting enough sunlight and oxygen.

Wrapping It Up

Using mulching blades with a side discharge is an excellent way to mow the lawn with ease. Make sure your lawnmower’s manufacturer allows you to attach mulching blades before attempting the modification. If they’re non-compatible, you can use a mulcher or simply mulch with the lawnmower’s stock blades.