High lift vs Mulching Blades – What is the Difference?
Have you recently gone shopping for new blades and been overwhelmed by the variety of options? There are, in fact, many different blade options, like high lift blades, mulching blades and regular blades but try to always keep in mind that there are only two basic categories of mower blades: 2-in-1 blades and 3-in-one blades.
There are other variations within each of these groupings, but these are the two key divisions of mower blades that must be kept in mind. This article will discuss the difference between mulching blades and high lift Blades. I’ll go through each one’s advantages and disadvantages of High lift vs Mulching Blades , as well as the applications for which each of these blades is most suited.
Mulching Blade vs High Lift Blade – What Are They?
What Are High Lift Blades?
Blades with a high lift CAN NOT provide the mulching function. They are known as 2-in-1 blades since there are just two alternatives available to you: bagging or dumping clippings. However, they differ from other mower blades because they have a “high lift.”
The standard blades—which provide medium-lift—and the low lift and high lift blades are all included in the 2-in-1 category, as you can see. You can’t use high lift blades in any lawn mower, it is most suitable for lawn mowers like husqvarna YTH22V46, husqvarna YTA24V48 which are considered high lift blades.
Pros of High Lift Blades
- Extra Lift Aids Discharge: As the blade’s name implies, the big curve on that back edge (or the “wings,” as I frequently refer to them) provides a significant amount of lift. The mower can more effectively clear the clippings from the deck thanks to the increased airflow and force. This is particularly helpful when cutting longer or thicker grass since it allows for slightly better control over how much grass flows around the deck at any given time, reducing the likelihood of clogging.
- Perform well in any situation: High lift blades will often work well no matter what kind of grass you have whether it is warm season grass like centipede and bermuda grass or cold weather grass like tall fescue and bluegrass or what conditions you typically mow in. In that aspect, they are incredibly adaptable.
- An excellent option if you want lawn stripes: However, the extra lift serves other purposes besides clearing the deck of grass clippings. The suction produced below your mower is also useful for guaranteeing an equal cut (with the grass kept up straight due to the vacuum effect), and it also aids in creating more distinct lawn stripes. If you value it, you should choose a high lift blade over a mulching blade.
Cons of High Lift Blades
There are a few disadvantages to utilizing a high lift blade instead of a mulching blade, the first of which is quite obvious but still needs to be stated:
- Mulching Is Not Possible: I am aware of this. But as I just stated, it needed to be said. If you’re choosing between high lift blades and mulching blades, choosing the latter will prevent you from ever mulching your clippings. Therefore, you must be certain whether you want to mulch or not before making your decision. Some people believe that there are more drawbacks to mulching grass than positives. Which camp do you belong to?
- It would help if you had a stronger mower: High lift blades can be utilized on electric and gas mowers with lower horsepower, but you won’t get their full benefits in those applications. High lift blades does require more power to function. Therefore they might not be an option if you have a lawn mower with a relatively weak motor or engine, as not only will they not operate properly, but you’re putting a lot of extra pressure on that motor/engine too.
- Not the best for sandy soil: If your soil is sandy once more, you can use a high lift blade. Nothing is standing in your way, and everything will go according to plan. However, the additional suction will do more than make your grass stand up straight. It will circulate the dirt and sand about your deck after sucking up some of it. This will cause the blades to be dull much more quickly and may eventually cause damage to your deck.
What Are Mulching Blades?
Due to its ability to do three distinct cutting tasks, a mulching blade is called a 3-in-1 blade. Your clippings have three options: disposal, mulching, and bagging. And (unsurprisingly) that is the purpose for which its design is tailored. It has a curved blade to help the cutting deck circulate grass clippings and a longer blade edge to chop them into a fine mulch. Mulching blades are quite versatile as they can be used in any type of lawn mowers from self propelled to push mowers to electric and reel mowers too.
Pros of Mulching Blades
- More Choices: As I said previously, you may take advantage of the three distinct cutting possibilities with a mulching blade. You can bag and dispose of your clippings in addition to mulching them. Even though those last two possibilities won’t be as efficient as they would be with a high lift blade, it can still be done; in contrast, You cannot mulch at all with a high lift blade.
- Value for Money: Most of the time, individuals consider it to be a fairly good deal if they obtain three functions at the expense of one. That’s something you could include here. A mulching blade will work well on all 3 if you maintain your yard properly (which is always crucial, but much more so with a mulching blade). One price for everything in a single blade.
- The Green Option: The advantages of mulching are probably well known to you if you’re considering purchasing a mulching blade, but I want to stress that mulching can be advantageous to your grass if done properly. Additionally, you’re not throwing a ton of yard debris into landfills, which is fantastic for the environment!
Cons of Mulching Blades
It seems obvious at this point, right? It’s crucial to be aware of these disadvantages before spending your hard-earned money on this kind of blade.
- Lower Error Margin in Terms of Mowing Frequency: It’s crucial to prevent your grass from growing too long while mulching blades because doing so can lead to clogging problems. Longer grass or thicker grass often don’t work well with mulching blades. Accordingly, you’ll probably need to mow often your lawn or twice a week to keep it at a tolerable length in the summer.
- Lower Bagging Effectiveness with Less Lift: Lift decreases due to a mulching blade’s design based mostly on how well it can mulch. Because of this, they frequently aren’t as efficient at bagging clippings.
Comparison Between High Lift Blades And Mulching Blades
| Parameters | High Lift Blades | Mulching Blades |
|---|---|---|
| Mowing Quality | High lift blades are designed to lift the grass and discharge it out of the mower deck, resulting in a clean and even cut. | Mulching blades are designed to cut grass into very small pieces and redistribute them onto the lawn, resulting in a finely chopped and natural look. |
| Grass Discharge | High lift blades discharge grass clippings directly out of the mower deck, which is great for bagging or side discharge. | Mulching blades cut grass into small pieces and redistribute it onto the lawn, which is great for fertilizing the lawn and reducing yard waste. |
| Blade Shape | High lift blades have a straight blade edge with a higher angle on the back side, which increases air flow and creates a stronger lift. | Mulching blades have a curved blade edge with a lower angle on the back side, which creates a more continuous cutting action and promotes better distribution of the grass clippings. |
| Cutting Efficiency | High lift blades are ideal for mowing tall and thick grass, as they provide better lift and cut through grass more efficiently. | Mulching blades are best suited for mowing regular to moderately tall grass, as they cut grass into small pieces and help to fertilize the lawn. |
| Maintenance | High lift blades require more frequent sharpening due to the angle of the blade edge, which wears down faster. | Mulching blades require less frequent sharpening because they have a curved blade edge that is less prone to wear and tear. |
| Price | High lift blades are generally less expensive than mulching blades, as they are simpler in design and require less maintenance. | Mulching blades are typically more expensive than high lift blades, as they are designed for a more specific purpose and require more precision in manufacturing. |
Difference Between Mulching Blades And High Lift Blades
1. Blade Appearance
The typical mowing blade is essentially made for cutting grass and efficiently releasing the clippings onto the lawn from the deck. Standard blades are also referred to as “high-lift” or “2-in-1” (discharging & bagging) blades (because they are designed to create a higher-lifting airflow). On the other hand, blades used for mulching usually feature a more curved edge and extra cutting surfaces. Mulching blades are also sometimes known as “3-in-1” (mulching, discharging, and bagging) or “all-purpose” blades.
2. The Cutting Edge of Blades
Both have a similar shape, a cutting edge roughly the same length and relatively straight, though the exact length will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. They also both have an aerodynamic design that makes it easier to cut and remove clippings from the deck as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
We frequently search for “what’s best” while comparing two products, X and Y. even though some blade producers undoubtedly make superior blades than others, when two types of blades are compared, there is no clear victor. Which option you should select is determined by the situation and what you want the blade to accomplish.
