Sharpen blades for kinder clips

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Question: Recently, you said it was important to keep blades sharp on a mulching mower. Why?

Mulching mowers, also called recycling mowers, differ from the traditional mower by having a double blade that cuts the grass instead of a single blade, and a deck surrounding the blade that has been redesigned to create more lift.

The mulching mower blade must cut the clippings several times before these clippings fall to the soil between the grass plants and decompose. When the mower blade makes the first cut, the clippings are elevated into the housing of the mower and suspended for a time. While these clippings are suspended, the blade spins numerous times, cutting the clippings over and over.

If the blade is sharp, it will have an easier time cutting the suspended clippings. Also, when the blade is sharp, it will cause less damage to the leaf tips of the growing grass blades.

Dull blades result in damage to the cut leaf blade by shredding. This results in giving the lawn a slight brown appearance. Sharp blades cut the lawn smoothly and cleanly.

Bob Morris is an associate professor with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. He can be reached at morrisr@UNCE.unr.edu.