A single blade on a lawn mower is sufficient enough. But, can you put two blades on a lawn mower? Yes, you can! There are a few details and nuances to take into consideration before you do it. But, in many cases it should be fine to do.
That said, you can’t do it with any old mower and you have to use blades that correspond with the brand of mower you have. This is the only way to do it in a safe and secure manner.
Will Two Blades Go onto a Regular Lawn Mower?
Yes, two blades will go onto a regular lawn mower. First, you must have a ⅝ bolt that secures the spindle with a nut on the top. This is because it has to be able to handle both blades. Even if it’s a screw, as long as it’s ⅝, it will work.
If the Bolt Size Is Appropriate, What Else Goes in Putting Two Blades on a Regular Mower?
The motor must have the power to be able to handle both blades operating at the same time. Older and more worn out motors may not be ideal to add a second blade. Most single blade mowers have a six horsepower motor. This will not be adequate enough for two blades.
If you have a single blade mower with 10 or more horsepower, you will be able to convert your single mower into a twin one. More horsepower is better, but if you have at least 10, you’ll be golden.
Which Single Blade Mowers have a ⅝ Bolt or Screw?
There are many brands of single blade mowers that come with a ⅝ bolt or screw. These are most ideal for converting a regular mower into a twin one. Consider the list below to see if any of these are what you have sitting in your garage or utility shed:
- Bad Boy Mowers
- Scag Genuine Mowers
- Husqvarna
- Spartan Mowers
- Cub Cadet
- Honda Lawn Mowers
Can You Interchange Different Blades with Varying Brands of Mowers?
Also, you have to get the blades of the same brand. For instance, if you have an Ego single-blade mower, you will need to get Ego’s double blade set for their twin-blade mowers. It’s just too risky to play mix-and-match with mowers and blades. Unless you’re certain sure it’ll work, avoid it at all costs.
What Kinds of Lawn Mowers Come with Two Blades?
Most lawn mowers that have 12 or 14 horsepower to them will often have two blades. However, there some brands and models to take into consideration. These may be better to use than converting your single blade into a twin.
- Honda 200cc Select Drive
- Ego Power+ 56-Volt Cordless
- Cub Cadet CC600 224cc Electric Start
- McLane 25 Reel Mower
- Craftsman M105 140cc Gas Power
- Toro TimeMaster
- Snapper HD 48V Max Cordless
Are Two Blades Better than One Blade? Why?
The beauty of having two blades is that the lower blade cuts while the upper blade chops and shreds. This helps your lawn reseed itself and reduces wetness when it rains. What’s also great is that there’s less of a need to sharpen and replace the blades as frequently as a single one.
However, if you end up converting your single into a dual blade mower, there is a little trade off. If you have a machine that has a nice, close cut to the grass, you will lose this if you convert the mower. This is because the blades will sit higher up in the deck. Ergo, the cut will not be as low as before.
Do You Have to Sharpen Double Bladed Mowers More or Less Frequently?
Dual bladed mowers have to undergo sharpening less frequently than single-blade ones. This is because the job of cutting and chopping disperses between two blades. When there’s only one blade, it’s the only thing responsible for cutting and shredding the grass.
This means there’s less pressure when there are two blades. Less pressure translates to less repairs, less wear and tear and less replacement of the blades. But, you will still have to clean off the blades regularly as you would a single blade.
What If I’m Unsure about Whether I Can Put Two Blades on My Mower or Not?
When in doubt about whether you can put two blades on your mower or not, don’t do it. This is especially true if you have an obscure brand. Of course, you could always take the mower to your local home improvement center or hardware store. Ask them about converting it into a dual blade mower.
But, failing that, bite the bullet and buy a dual blade mower. You may want to save money by converting your current single blade, but it may not be worth it in the end. Because of certain things that can happen if you aren’t careful, this might result in you having to buy a new one in any case.
Are There Any Risks Involved with Putting Two Blades onto a Mower?
As with anything, there are many risks involved with putting two blades onto a single-blade mower. If you’re not careful and don’t consider every aspect, you could ruin the mower altogether. First, if the blades don’t sit high enough into the deck, this will tear up your lawn to a nasty degree.
Also, the blades either have to be level with the deck or sit high up inside it. If you run over a rock, hit uneven terrain or knock into some other hard obstruction, you will not only destroy the blades but also the engine. Not to mention the potential danger and health hazard you pose to yourself and everyone else around you.
Then there’s the issue with blade balance in the deck. If they don’t create a perfect, flat cut, it will show and will look awkward. Some single-blade mowers might present a problem this way when you want to convert it into a double blade.
Hi, I’m John Stephens, chief editor and writer for Totalgardener.com. I’ve been gardening and raising animals for over 15 years starting with a small backyard plot in Northern Virginia where I grew corn, potatoes, squash, and using a high mulch technique called the Ruth Stout Method. I also raised ducks and small mammals for meat and eggs in a movable pen similar to the ones used by Joel Salatin. I later moved to Colorado where I experimented with growing greens using aquaponics inside. I eventually added a microgreens setup and home sprouting operation. I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned plus more from the other local gardening and animal raising experts I know.
