I was told that I don't have to sharpen my mulching blade

7 years ago

Okay, I'm confused. I ordered a mulching kit for my mower. When I got the kit, the blades were not sharp, at all. I contacted the distributor, asking if the blades should be sharpened before installing and using them
.
The reply, "There is never a sharp edge like a kitchen knife on our blades. The speed they travel (19000 ft per minute) ensures they cut just fine.
Hope that helps.."
I did cut the lawn with the dull blades, and it seems to work fine.
I guess my question is, should I remove the blades and sharpen them, or, keep them on and use as suggested by the manufacturer?

Featured Answer

tinkerer200

7 years ago

To each his own, I prefer "reasonably" sharp blades but not knife sharp as they will soon dull. In reading grass people comments, while either will shorten your grass, examination will reveal a clean cut or, in the case of dull blades, torn, jagged grass blade ends resulting in damage to the grass and perhaps even browning of the grass.

Walt Conner.

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Comments (9)

yt125
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Leave them how they are
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ssewalk1
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
My Toro Recycler came with a Sharpened Mulching Blade I keep it as sharp as any other Mower Blade . The angle of grind is important to maintain sharpness and don't over heat the blade while resurfacing . I tend to agree with Walts Logic !
1saxman
7 years ago
A sharp blade gives an exquisite cut. I always sharpen mine when I rotate them out. Manufacturers no longer sharpen them really sharp because of morons cutting themselves. Even a mower blade has to be dumbed down like everything else.

As for, 'dulling quicker', its true you will lose the razor edge fairly soon, but while you have it, its nice. Then, you're back to where you were with the new blade, which still cuts great. That edge will last awhile depending on how much you use it and whether or not you hit gravel/rocks with it.

I do not sharpen new blades before using them, but like I said, I always do later. When a blade gets dull, I take it off and put on another one I prepared earlier. Then when I have a chance, I'll clean the blade I took off, sharpen it with a file (or grinder if its bad), balance, paint and put away for future use. When the tilted-up fan part on the back gets thin, the blade is no longer serviceable. That always happens in my yard before sharpening removes too much material.
ssewalk1
7 years ago
Same here with the Air Foil , most likely due to the abrasive nature of my soil (sandy) . I think 4 yrs service has been the best with OEM Blades for my Recycler . Good point on the balancing for the beginner Sax , I hang blade on a Nail for Balancing . Usual 2-3 sharpening a season , shorter season up North lol .
tomplum
7 years ago
Jeese Ewalk-I don't even remember who was president last time I sharpened mine! Though when I do, I shoot for a .015- .020 onna walk behind. :)
ssewalk1
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Tom Roflmao , I know , I have approx. 3.5 acres to cut (upgraded) farmers field with Dense Clover , Wheat , Rye Barley mix . Sometimes I think I should distill it rather than cut it , that and the gravel sand base makes it very abrasive on the Recycler mulcher blade . Upside , don't have much grass to clean out underneath the pan lol .
totalgeekamateur1776
2 years ago
Going back 45 yrs of lawnmowing, i remember blades were always sharpened, but do we have new mowing technology now? I ordered new JD 42" blades for my Z335e tractor. The seem to cut my lawn fine, even down to 1" setting. But, they specifically stated "DO NOT SHARPEN THESE BLADES. THEY DO NOT MOW WITH A CUTTING ACTION, BUT WITH A WHIPPING ACTION". THE BLADES ARE ABOUT 20 TIMES DULLER THAN A BUTTER KNIFE SO IT IS TEMPTING TO WANT A CUTTING EDGE. MAYBE THIS IS WHY THEY DULL SO FAST? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE STATE THE TRUTH?
Manorscape Gardening
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
You want a sharp edge, period. The edge should feel like a steakhouse knife...slightly more sharp than a butter knife. Overall profile angle at or slightly less than 30°. You don't need to sharpen the Pseudo edges, of any, the create lift...only the cutting edge. Those types of mulch blades do not try on those teeth to cut. They merely direct clippings inward with hangtime so the cutting edge will hit it again.

I was told that I don't have to sharpen my mulching blade

tinkerer200

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yt125

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