Oregon gator blade installation

Hold the blade at the angle of the cutting edge bevel, pressing it into the grinder in short intervals as you move the cutting edge to the side. Continue this over the course of several passes until the blade is sharp, then repeat it with the cutting edge on the other side. Yes, you can put a mulching blade on almost any mower. To put a mulching blade on a mower , the blade needs to be able to fit the deck properly and be secured tightly. Not all mowers equipped with a mulching blade will do a good mulching job due to bad deck design, or low-powered engine.

For most rotary motorized mowers , I recommend sharpening the blades every hours. For a lawn that takes about 45 minutes to mow , that means you should sharpen your mower blades every mowing sessions.

Side - discharge mowers allow the grass clippings to shoot out the side but can leave unsightly piles of clippings. Instead, mulching mowers chop the grass clippings fine and insert them back into the lawn.

You can convert many side - discharge and bag mowers into mulching mowers. Instead of cutting grass like scissors cut paper as a reel mower does , the rotary mower spins a horizontal blade around fast enough to cut the grass as it hits it.

The blade sits within a casing called a deck, which keeps the grass and other objects from flying in all directions when struck. A good mulching blade is worth it's weight in money. Look at the higher dollar Honda's. When they mulch , it's almost like dust.

To take full advantage of using mulch is you want those clippings to be cut up as small as possible so they decompose faster. Low- lift mower blades perform well on dry, shorter grasses, while high lift blades work better in ALL conditions. High - lift blades have deeper curves on the ends, which create enough suction to circulate and expel the clippings.

The higher air flow also helps prevent clogging when mowing tall or wet grass. Mulching blades are the best option to furnish your lawn with a clean and well-maintained look. It can also be referred to as the all-purpose blades. Oregon G3 Gator Blades. Clippings are a valuable source of nutrients and you can use less nitrogen fertilizer if you recycle clippings to the lawn. Adding organic matter from clippings may help improve your soil if it is sandy, heavy clay or low in organic matter.

Regular mowing will greatly reduce the need to collect clippings. You can skip raking completely by mowing over leaves and chopping them into small pieces. If you plan to compost leaves , chopping them first speeds up decomposition.

Up to twice the cutting length for increased cutting efficiency with each revolution. Tungsten carbide is fused into the blade — creating an ultra-hard layer at the cutting edge and increasing the time between sharpening.

Greater width and thickness extends blade life and allows for longer lifting arch to improve bagging and mulching. Find a full selection of blades specifically made to fit your mower. Learn how to determine common blade measurements and hole types to ensure proper fit-up of your replacement blade. Find out when to replace your mower blade and the answers to other frequently asked questions about lawn mower blades.

Sign up to receive exclusive access to product launches, seasonal tool tips and tricks, industry news and more! Install the Gator blade on the spindle, taking care to be sure the beveled edge and upturned, serrated "ears" of the blade are pointing up, towards the deck of the mower.

The flat, smooth side of the blade should be facing down toward the grass. Gator blades have the words "Grass Side" imprinted on that side. Install washers and start the nut on the threads of the spindle. Tighten the nut clockwise by hand. Place the 2x4 into position again to jam the blade so it will not turn. Finish tightening the blade with the socket wrench. Turn the mower upright. Reconnect the spark plug wire and refill the fuel tank.