No, it is not a good idea to use Gator blades with your mulching kit. This is because the plate that comes with the kit which is designed to trap the grass for finer cutting will get too much air because Gator blades are designed with improved air circulation.
This can result in a buildup of trapped grass, so it is better to simply use the blades if your mower is compatible.
In this guide we’ll tell you a little more about mulching kits and the kind of performance that you can expect if you add Gator blades to your mower. Read on to find the answers to the question that everyone is asking about Gator blades!
What’s a mulching kit?
A mulching kit comes with mulching blades, as well as a mulching plate which is designed so that it traps grass as you mow until the blades can reduce them into small pieces which are then dropped to fertilize your lawn.
Not all mowers need a mulching kit, as some will allow you to simply attach the necessary blades, but for other mowers a kit lets you add this functionality.
Are Gator blades good for mulching leaves?
The ‘toothy’ design of Gator blades actually makes them perfect for mulching leaves – they are definitely better than most standard variety blades in this regard. The edges of the blade are designed to ‘lean’ into the cut, chopping up leaves and grass with close to equal efficiency.
Are Gator blades the same as mulching blades?
Gator blades fall into the category of mulching blades, but they have some perks that are not available with standard blades. They lift up grasses, rather than pushing them down like standard mulching blades, which means you won’t have decreased performance when it comes to bagging and side discharge. They also offer some high-end blades that can last up to 400 hours of use before needing replacement.
Are Gator blades better than regular mulching blades?
It really depends on the specific models being compared, but for the most part Gators are going to be the superior blade. Their design incorporates more curvature, increased edges, and ‘teeth’ that not only provide excellent mowing and mulching, but which circulate the air better than standard blades so that your mower is less likely to ‘choke’.
How do you sharpen Gator mulching blades?
When you are sharpening Gator blades there is not much difference than when you are sharpening standard blades (although it helps to have different sizes of files). Focus on the edges, sharpening in only one direction (you can feel the file biting the steel), and leave the teeth alone. The teeth don’t need sharpening, only the edges.
Afterwards, don’t forget to balance the blade and you’re done!
Are Gator blades worth the money?
For the added air circulation and improved design, Gator blades are definitely worth the investment. If you do commercial mowing work, there are even Gator blades that incorporate stronger metals in their design so that you won’t have to replace them for up to 400 work hours. They are quality blades and definitely worth the money.
Do you need different blades for mulching?
That really depends on your mower. With a Zero turn mower, for instance, the tips of the blade will be rotated fast enough that the mower will mulch as you mow without the need for extra blades. With most mowers, however, mulching blades or a mulching conversion kit will be required if you want to add mulching capability to your mower.
What blades are best for mulching?
Gator and Copperhead are two examples of some of the best mulching blades that you can buy. They combine innovative designs with tough metals for a long-lasting product that will do the work nicely – provided that you maintain them. Gator is produced by Oregon Tool, established in 1947, while Copperheads come from Rotary Corporation, established in 1957.
Given the long-lived success of both businesses, it’s easy to say that they’re both top of the line.
Do you sharpen mulching blades?
Yes. Mulching blades, like any other blades, are going to dull eventually through standard use. As a general rule, you should sharpen your mulching blades every 20 to 25 hours of use and it’s usually a good idea to replace them every year or 100 – 200 hours of use. This will help to ensure that you are always getting the best out of your mulching blades.
Can you use high lift blades for mulching?
No. High lift blades are not suitable for mulching. Typically, these are set higher above the ground than a standard or mulching mower and the blades include improved circulation to serve their primary function – mowing down tall, dense, and difficult patches of grass and weed. As this is what they are designed for, they cannot be used for mulching function.
What is the difference between high lift and mulching blades?
High lift blades are designed for taking down tall, overgrown weeds and grasses. The blades circulate the air more efficiently, reducing the chance of your mower choking, so that you can basically plow right into these growths with confidence that they’ll be effectively cut.
Mulching blades sit lower to the ground and are most efficient when grass is being regularly maintained. They are designed to cut the grass and then to further cut the clippings into small, useful pieces, which then drop into the lawn and are left there as a free, natural fertilizer.
Can you put mulching blades on a zero turn mower?
Yes, you could, but there wouldn’t be much of a reason to do this. A Zero turn mower rotates it’s blades quite quickly, so much so that the tips of the blades are going to chop the grass finely enough that special mulching blades will not be required. Simply put, your Zero turn mower already cuts well enough that it mulches the grass for you.
Can you side discharge with mulching blades?
Yes, although it is recommended that you go with a circulation-friendly design such as Gator. Standard mulching blades don’t circulate the air as efficiently, so side discharge will still work but it will have less power and if you try bagging, the bag may only fill 2/3 of the way.
Gators are designed for better air circulation when they rotate, so you won’t experience any loss of air-power.
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.
