If you see signs of wear and tear on your old blades, then it’s time to invest in a new one. Many people interested in lawnmower repair start their search by looking at mulching blades.
However, if your lawnmower needs a new blade, don’t run to the store to pick up some off-brand. You’ll be disappointed when the blade breaks in half halfway through the first yard.
One size does not fit all, and several mulching blades are available on the market. Here are some of the best mulching blades you can buy this 2022.
Best Mulching Blades
Maxpower Blade Set
The Maxpower replacement lawnmower blades are a sturdy choice for all your heavy-duty mowing needs.
Specially designed to fit 42″ John Deere tractors, these blades are made of hardened steel and feature a 7-point star center hole so they can take anything you throw at them.
These blades are made to fit a 7-point star center hole, which is more significant than other engines and mowers and offers a broader range of compatibility.
It is high-quality manufacturing and produces optimal airflow for a precise, even, and smooth cut on your lawn.
This blade set comes in two blades, measuring 21-3/8 inches long by 2-3/4 inches wide. The extra-large size will ensure your lawnmower works long into the season.
While the rugged construction will withstand prolonged usage and endure repeated use.
These mulching blades for lawn mowers can be used for mowers with OEM numbers GX22151 and GY20850. You can also use these to replace Windsor 50-3231.
The only difference between these Maxpower blade sets and the OEM blades is that the Maxpower blades are slightly thinner.
Except for that, they look and perform neck-on-neck with each other, with the Maxpower blades costing only a fraction of the OEM versions.
Ballard Inc X-Blade Dual Mulching Blade Adapters
With the Ballard Inc X-Blade Dual Mulching Blade Adapters, you can use your lawnmower mulching blade to mow and mulch simultaneously.
It holds your original spindle and an additional mulching blade at a perfect 90-degree angle creating a high-performing cutting path.
This way, your original blade will give the clean height of the cut while the mulching blade pulverizes the cut grass as it cycles through the deck chamber, thereby dramatically reducing grass clipping size.
These blade adapters enable you to replace the factory blade on your lawnmower with a multi-purpose attachment that allows you to mulch, bag, or side-discharge with one simple extension.
By using this kit, you are ensuring a perfect balance to your lawnmower’s blade spindles and, in turn, will not allow blade slippage that is nearly impossible to remove.
The X-Blade Dual Mulching Blade Adapter Kits come in two options, the XB2 and the XB3. The XB2 kit fits most dual-blade commercial mowers, and the XB3 kit fits most 3 bladed commercial mowers. It fits all standard commercial mower blades that are 2 ½ inches wide, 3/16-inch thick, and have a 5/8-inch center hole.
However, some mentioned that although this helps in pulverizing the grass, it can get quite messy to use as the grass tends to blow everywhere.
Rotary Copperhead Mulching Mower Blades
Each of the Rotary Copperhead Mulching Mower blades is made of premium-grade high carbon steel that is austempered for optimal hardness and durability, so it stays sharp longer.
It has vertical blade-tip teeth that bite into the turf like a file to improve cutting efficiency with less scatter and loss, leaving you with a precise cut every time. Each tooth is also individually set at an offset angle.
This design helps improve cutting efficiency by widening the surface area of turf that is cut every time the blade turns.
Simply put, these blades are super sharp and even sharper than other standard blades.
This gives you an edge that cuts better, wears less, and lasts longer than any other mulching blade on the market. That means lower sharpening costs year after year and better fuel consumption.
The blades also deliver a clean cut by leaving no mulch or chopped debris on your lawn. Reducing this debris recirculates more nutrients back into the soil, improving your lawn’s appearance and health.
Furthermore, the blades have a centrifugal airlift design that provides fast and uniform distribution of clippings and inhibits 50% more airflow at discharge for less mess and a smoother mowing experience.
However, a few pointed out that these blades tend to produce more vibration than their average OEM blades.
MTD Genuine Parts Replacement Mulching Blade
If your mower is equipped with a mulch plug, you may want to replace the blade at the start of each mowing season.
However, if you do not want to make a lot of passes over the lawn or you have an area that must be mulched, you may want to consider using the MTD Genuine Parts Replacement Mulching Blade.
It fits most gas and electric walk-behind, push, and self-propelled mowers with a 21-inch deck.
It is 21 inches long and will cut a 21-inch wide path.
The center hole design features a bow tie pattern which provides a broader path than conventional blades.
This mulching blade is made to be tough and is designed to mulch tall grass. It is durable enough to mulch thick grass and legumes and leaves or twigs from shrubs and bushes.
However, one key difference that sets this blade apart from other OEM blades is the thickness.
The blade is sharp enough, allowing you to have an even and precise cut every time, but they are a bit thinner, so be careful when mulching as others experienced that the blade bent after mulching too tough and thick grass.
MTD Genuine Parts 30-Inch Mulching Blade
Another great product from MTD Genuine Parts is their 30-Inch Mulching Blade, perfect for various mowing needs, from trimming different types of grasses to cutting down leafy shrubs.
Featuring a 21.23-inch blade length, this mulching blade is 30 inches in deck cutting width with a star center hole pattern. The 21.23-inch blade length offers enough cutting power for a lawnmower to handle medium to large-sized lawns.
While the 30-inch deck cutting width gives you plenty of room to maneuver over uneven terrain, the star center hole pattern works with your factory deck to ensure proper fit and easy operations.
It is constructed of durable steel and has a hardened cutting edge to provide maximum productivity.
The 3-in-1 mulching blade cuts grass into a fine mulch for rapid decomposition and reduces clumping, which allows your lawn to receive more excellent water absorption, thus reducing the need for watering.
The MTD Genuine Parts 30-Inch Mulching Blade fits Rear-Engine Mini Riding Mowers, Troy-Bilt, Yard Machines, Murray, Craftsman and Cub Cadet, Cub Cadet CC30 and CC30 H, Troy-Bilt TB30 and TB30R, and Craftsman R1000, RER1000, R1500, R140, R105, and R110.
Again, this MTD Genuine Parts 30-Inch Mulching Blade is slightly thin in construction, making it prone to dents and bends.
Choosing the Right Mulching Blades for Your Lawn Mower
Blade Length
Blade length is a critical factor that you must consider when choosing suitable mulching blades for your lawnmower.
The blade length should be compatible with your lawnmower; otherwise, it can’t be installed on the machine.
You should avoid two things when taking the blade length into account.
The first and the most obvious one is to not buy a mulching blade that is too long nor too large for your lawnmower.
Too long blades will most certainly not fit your machine, and if it does, the blades will just end up hitting each other and will likely clump together.
You should also not choose too small blades. The reason is that it will not give you the optimal result.
Using too small blades will cause you and your lawnmower to work harder and longer as more passes will be required when mowing.
Manufacturers of mulching blades typically provide a list of the mowers or lawn tractors compatible with the blades.
Before buying, make sure to check the list out and ensure that your lawnmower model is on the list. You can alternatively check your lawnmower’s manual under the replacement section if there is not.
Mounting Hole
There are different center hole patterns for different types of lawnmowers. These include 5-point star, 6-point star, 7-point star bowtie, and universal fit, to name a few.
Before starting, make sure the center hole is the same size as the one you are replacing. It’s crucial to double-check the spacing between pilot holes and ensure that you can completely tighten the bolts.
You don’t want the blades to fly off due to loose fitment– not to mention the expensive repair bill.
Please do not attempt to install the mulching blade unless you are certain that it matches your mower and the bolt holes line up correctly when mounting.
Again, it is recommended to check with the lawnmower manufacturer to make sure that the center hole pattern will fit on your lawnmower.
Blade Thickness
One way to ensure the durability of the mulching blades is to examine the thickness of the product.
A thick mulching blade lets you mow thick and tough grass and even small stones and twigs without risking the blade to any damage or bends. As a result, they tend to last longer compared to standard blades.
However, the thickness still depends on your lawnmower’s model and capacity. Once more, check the compatibility of the mulching blade with your lawnmower.
If you have a small lawnmower, a too-thick mulching blade might not be the best choice as the added weight will slow your machine down and overwork it.
On the other hand, if your chosen lawnmower can take the extra weight from the thickness of the mulching blade, then definitely go for it for a more efficient and longer-lasting product.
Final Words
Mulching is definitely a big part of growing and maintaining your yard and garden. That’s why you don’t want to go at it without the best tools and equipment.
Choosing the right mulching blade should not be an intimidating task. However, there are tons of blades out there, and it can get confusing when trying to pick one.
Considering the things we have discussed above, I hope it can help you choose the right mulching blade for your lawnmower and make this season’s mowing experience more fun and efficient.
Please also check out the products mentioned if you’re still lost as to which product you should buy this 2022.
