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How to find the best blades for your grass type
Key takeaways in this article
- Blade selection matters: grass type, moisture, soil, and discharge method all determine which Grasshopper mower blade is right.
- High-Lift Notched blades are the default: Grasshopper recommends them for most side-discharge applications from early spring through fall.
- Mulching needs a dedicated blade: High-Low Mulching Blades recut clippings multiple times to make them disappear without a trace.
- Dry or sandy soil calls for Medium-Lift or Contour blades, both of which handle low-moisture conditions and dense turf well.
- GrassMax MARBAIN blades hold their edge longer than aftermarket alternatives, with minimal buildup and optimum airflow.
Last month we wrote about a few of North America’s most popular grass types and their identifiable traits. Now, it’s time to learn how your grass type can—and will—influence your mowing setup.
There are A LOT of factors that play into your mowing situation. From grass type and operator experience all the way down to moisture content and soil type—even the most granular of details may have an effect on your outcome. However, finding the right blade for the situation can make all the difference in the quality of your cut. To help find the perfect fit for you, we’ve broken things down into six different blade types:
High-Lift Notched Blades
From the moist grass conditions of early spring to final mowing in the fall, we recommend these blades for most normal side- discharging applications. With more pronounced angles on the corners of the blade, high-lifts are excellent at creating a fresh, manicured look.
Extreme High-Lift Notched Blades
If you’re getting ready to tackle overgrown conditions or any thick, lush grass, we recommend Extreme High-Lift Notched blades in any side-discharge application where you’ll need help fighting off thicker turf.
Medium-Lift Blades
Only slightly bent at the ends, Medium-Lift blades tend to be required on most mulching packages and work really well in dry, sandy conditions. These blades also do well with dense turf and we highly recommend them when paired with our PowerVac® Collection System.
Contour Blades
If you’re following the 1/3 rule (and we suggest you do), Contour blades are your premier choice for a top cut in most side-discharge applications—ideal for any high-profile areas that are mowed on a regular basis. Contour blades, much like Medium Lift, are also well suited for dry, sandy soils.
High-Low Mulching Blades
Designed for use in conjunction with Down Discharge™ mulching baffles, these blades recut clippings many times over thanks to an extended cutting edge and a carefully crafted airflow pattern helps clippings disappear into the turf without a trace.
Shredder Blades
If you’re in need of a toothy-edged blade to break apart leaves or clippings in dry conditions, Shredder™ blades were designed just for you. Used in Grasshopper 52-, 61-, and 72-inch DuraMax® decks, these serrated-wing blades will help cut up those clippings and leaves, reducing their overall volume.
What Brand Should I Use?
Of course, when it comes to brand our first choice is, without a doubt, our very own GrassMax™ MARBAIN® blades. With a proven cutting edge that lasts longer compared to aftermarket blades, GrassMax holds their edge longer with minimal build up and optimum airflow.
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Frequently asked questions
High-lift mower blades are side-discharge blades with pronounced corner angles that create strong airflow, lifting grass upright for a clean, manicured cut. Grasshopper recommends them for most normal side-discharge applications, from moist spring conditions through final fall mowing. For thicker or overgrown turf, Extreme High-Lift Notched blades provide extra airflow to fight through dense growth.
Mulching blades are designed to recut clippings multiple times so they disappear into the turf, while regular side-discharge blades are built to expel clippings outward. Grasshopper's High-Low Mulching Blades work with Down Discharge mulching baffles and use an extended cutting edge and a specific airflow pattern to eliminate clippings. Standard discharge blades — like High-Lift Notched — prioritize airflow for a clean, manicured finish.
Medium-Lift and Contour blades both perform well in dry, sandy conditions, making them the go-to choices when soil is loose or moisture is low. Medium-Lift blades are only slightly bent at the ends, reducing the aggressive airflow that can kick up dry soil. Contour blades are similarly well-suited and are also the top pick for high-profile areas that are mowed frequently.
Medium-Lift blades are the recommended choice when running a collection system, as Grasshopper highly recommends them when paired with the PowerVac Collection System. Medium-Lift blades are also required on most mulching packages and handle dense turf well. Their moderate airflow keeps clippings moving into the collection system without over-taxing it.
Grasshopper Shredder blades are serrated-wing blades designed to break apart leaves and clippings in dry conditions, reducing their overall volume. They fit Grasshopper 52-, 61-, and 72-inch DuraMax decks. The toothy edge makes them especially effective during fall cleanups when leaf volume is high.
