The Complete Guide to Type and Purpose
of Lawn Mower Blades for Commercial Landscapers
Types of Lawn Mower Blades for Commercial Landscaping
Choosing the right blade type depends on a number of factors including mowing conditions, weather conditions, ground speed, grass type, cut height, and client needs. Different blade types can serve multiple conditions and often selection is based on what suits you and your mower best. Check your owner’s manual for recommendations and suggestions. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular commercial mower blade types:
The most common blade type, best for well-manicured lawns with shorter grass and sandy conditions. Offer basic cutting capabilities and are not ideal for wet, tall, or thick grass.
- Features: Zero lift, completely flat design with sharpened edge on one or both sides.
- Best For: Extremely sandy soils, rigid grass types.
- Why Use: Delivers a clean, even cut for healthy grass. Affordable, widely available.
- Drawbacks: Not ideal for tall, thick grass or heavy mulching tasks.
Low lift blades have a subtle upward curve generating less suction and airflow than high lift blades. Best for dry, short lawns, especially dusty or sandy environments where dust control is a priority. They require less power and are suitable for cutting tall, overgrown grass or weeds.
- Features: Minimal lift reduces airflow, deck blowout and dust.
- Best For: Short grass (under 3”), rigid grasses (e.g. Bermudagrass), sandy or dusty conditions, in arid regions or on properties near roads to minimize mess.
- Why Use: Less strain on mower engine, less dust kickup.
- Drawbacks: Not good for tall grass (over 3.5”) or bagging tall or thick grass.
High-lift blades have a more angled design that creates more airflow, making them effective at lifting and collecting grass clippings for bagging or discharging. They require more horsepower and aren't the best choice for dusty or sandy conditions.
- Features: Strong airflow to push clippings into a bag or out the chute.
- Best For: Commercial properties requiring clipping removal
- Why Use: Excellent for bagging or side-discharge, prevents clogging in wet or dense grass. Good for powerful commercial mowers on large-scale bagging jobs.
- Drawbacks: Requires more engine power increasing fuel consumption.
Mulching blades have a unique curved shape and extra cutting surfaces that chop grass into small pieces that fall back into the lawn, acting as a natural fertilizer. For mulching the mower deck should be equipped with mulch baffle kit or a chute blocker. There are wide opinions on both.
A mulching blade is often called a "3-in-1" blade because it can be used for three different mowing functions: mulching with the discharge chute closed, discharging with discharge chute open, and bagging with bag attachment.
- Features: A curved edge chops grass into tiny pieces that fall back onto the lawn.
- Best For: Eco-friendly landscaping, residential complexes, yard cleanup.
- Why Use: Returns nutrients to the soil, reducing the need for fertilizer. Eliminates the need to collect clippings, saving time. Creates a clean-looking finish.
- Drawbacks: Less effective in wet conditions or with overgrown lawns.
Gator blades, also known as 3-in-1 or shredding blades, are designed to chop and shred grass and leaves, making them ideal for fall cleanup or overgrown lawns. Gator is a brand name but other manufacturers such as Rotary produce similar products under their Copperhead brand. The teeth do not cut but angle toward the center of the blade to redirect the airflow and push the grass clippings back over the cutting edge of the mower blade again and again creating finer clippings than standard mulching blades.
- Features: Feature a series of fins or teeth along the blade's edge.
- Best For: Eco-friendly landscaping, residential complexes, fall leaf cleanup.
- Why Use: Returns nutrients to soil, reduces need for fertilizer. Eliminates bagging and clipping collection, saving time. Sustainable lawn care.
- Drawbacks: Can cause deck clogging in very wet or long grass, may not work as well in thick or overgrown grass. Heavier load on mower engine.
What to Look for in a Quality Commercial Lawn Mower Blade?
Commercial lawn mower blades must be made for the heavy, frequent use required by landscapers using heavy duty commercial-grade lawn mowers.
Generally, OEM blades are designed to work optimally with your specific mower model. While they are often a good compatible choice, many aftermarket blades offer superior performance, cut quality, durability, and a wider range of options. You don’t need high priced OEM mower blades! Quality brands like Rotary, Stens, and Oregon are great choices for commercial usage. Look for:
· Premium-grade, high-carbon steel for better performance and extended life
· Tempered for optimal hardness and durability to withstand repeated use.
· Treated with rust inhibitors, painted, and baked for durable finish.
· Precision manufacturing for sharpened edges and balanced blades.
Where to Buy Lawn Mower Blades and Blade Sharpening Tools?
Commercial landscapers go to MOWMORE.com for all the quality lawn mower blades and lawn mower blade sharpening equipment they need. Mowmore offers over 1000 lawn mower blades from high quality manufacturers such as Rotary and Stens plus all the sharpening and maintenance tools required by professional landscapers. Great prices, quality parts, and bulk discounts of up to 20%.
Optimize Your Lawn Mowers with the Right Blades
For commercial landscapers, the right lawn mower blades can make or break your operation. Focus on these key takeaways:
- Measure accurately: blade length (diagonal), center hole diameter, and outer holes (if applicable).
- Match the blade type to your needs: high-lift for tall grass, low-lift for sandy soils, mulching for eco-friendly landscaping, and gator for leaves and fall cleanup.
- Have the tools and spare blades you need for sharpening and swap outs.
- Shop smart with bulk discounts at MOWMORE.com
Ready to upgrade your blades? Visit us today and keep your mowers cutting like new!
With this guide, you’re equipped to choose the best lawn mower blades for your commercial landscaping business in 2025 and beyond! Happy mowing!