Guide · Walk-behind mower blades
Standard vs high-lift vs mulching blades
What makers sell high-lift, standard and mulching blades for, why the deck's mode matters, and what Cub Cadet, Toro, EGO and John Deere say about each.
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Short answer
Makers sell high-lift blades for bagging, standard or low-lift blades for side discharge, and mulching blades for mulching with the deck set up for it. Cub Cadet says mulching kits generally consist of mulching blades and a mulching plug. Choose by your deck's mode and by what the maker lists for your mower.
High-lift blades
High-lift blades have a taller raised back edge, the air lift, and makers name them for bagging.
- Craftsman calls its CMXGZAM110191 a 42-inch ultra high-lift bagging blade set.[1]
- EGO sells a high-lift bagging lower blade in its AB2102D set for Select Cut mowers, and says it is interchangeable with EGO's Mulching Blade and Extended Run Time Blade on those mowers.[2]
- EGO sells separate standard and high-lift blade sets for its 30-inch mower, AB3000D and AB3001D.[3]
- Toro lists 79016P as 17.5-inch high-lift TimeCutter blades for select 34 and 50-inch TimeCutters built in 2011 and later.[4]
See the EGO Select Cut 21-inch page for EGO's model list.
Standard and low-lift blades
A standard blade has a moderate lift for general cutting and side discharge. Oregon lists its 25-inch 91-544 as a low-lift blade.[5] Toro describes its 22-inch 59534P as a "Recycler straight edge, standard discharge blade" with wing-like accelerators.[6] That is Toro's own label for a recycler blade; it does not make the blade a promise about your lawn.
Mulching blades
Mulching blades are shaped to keep clippings under the deck longer. Oregon describes three things about its Gator range, each as Oregon's own claim:
- the teeth on Gator blades circulate cut grass back into the deck multiple times;[7]
- the Gator G3 has progressive edge geometry and an aggressive blade angle that Oregon says is meant to increase airflow for bagging or side discharge;[7]
- a wider, thicker Gator blade allows a longer lifting arch, which Oregon says is meant to improve bagging and mulching.[7]
None of these is an independent measurement. Our Gator G3, G5 and G6 guide covers the range.
The deck's mode matters as much as the blade
A blade does not turn a deck into a mulcher on its own. Cub Cadet says mulching kits generally consist of mulching blades and a mulching plug, and advises checking a particular kit's contents with a parts distributor.[8] Our mulch plug vs mulching kit guide explains the parts of a mulching kit.
Some mowers are set up for one mode from the factory:
- Toro says its 21465 Recycler comes ready to recycle clippings back into the lawn, with the grass bag used when collecting.[9] See the Toro Recycler 21465 page.
- John Deere says its MulchControl system still mulches about one third of the material in side-discharge mode.[10] That is Deere's claim.
- John Deere says special blades are not required for the S240's optional 6.5-bushel rear bagger, and also says high-lift bagging blades are included with the bagger chute.[11] See the John Deere S240 page.
So some bagger kits include or name blades and others say none are needed. Read the kit's own page.
Grasscycling without special parts
University of Georgia Extension says you do not need a special mower to grasscycle and advises keeping the blade sharp.[12] University of Illinois Extension says University of Missouri studies show clippings can supply 25 percent of a lawn's total fertilizer needs.[13] Both are those institutions' statements about grasscycling, not results from any blade or kit.
Types at a glance
| Type | The maker's stated purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| High-lift | Bagging | Craftsman CMXGZAM110191, EGO AB2102D lower blade, EGO AB3001D, Toro 79016P |
| Standard / low-lift | Discharge | Oregon 91-544 (low-lift), Toro 59534P ("standard discharge"), EGO AB3000D |
| Mulching | Mulching, with a plug or kit | Oregon Gator range |
Approved blades by type
Picks that fit4 products
EGO AB2102D for the Select Cut models EGO lists (LM2130, LM2133, LM2130SP, LM2135SP, LM2150SP, LM2156SP); EGO's page states the upper blade as included and no nuts or bolts.
More on choosing
Toro 79016P for select 34 and 50 in TimeCutters from 2011 on; confirm the pack quantity on the listing. Oregon 94-063, a standard-lift 17-1/2 in blade Oregon lists for the TimeCutter Z5000 series, for owners who want standard lift there; the 3-pack is the listing's. Toro 59534P, one 22 in blade, after Toro's lookup lists it for your model and serial. On Amazon, check that Ships from / Sold by is Amazon.com or the brand.
High-lift bagging set for 21-inch EGO Select Cut mowers
EGO AB2102D high-lift bagging blade set for 21 in Select Cut mowers
17.5-inch high-lift blades for select TimeCutters
Toro 79016P 17.5 in high-lift Hi-Flow blade set for TimeCutter, set of 3
Standard-lift blades for 50-inch Toro TimeCutters
Oregon 94‑063 17‑1/2 in standard-lift blades for 50 in Toro TimeCutter decks, pack of 3
Toro 22-inch Recycler blade by part number
Next
Questions
What is the difference between high-lift and mulching blades?
Makers name high-lift blades for bagging, such as EGO's high-lift bagging lower blade, and mulching blades for keeping clippings under the deck. Oregon says its Gator teeth circulate cut grass back into the deck; that is Oregon's claim.[2][7]
Do I need mulching blades to mulch?
University of Georgia Extension says you do not need a special mower to grasscycle. Cub Cadet says a mulching kit generally consists of mulching blades and a mulching plug, so follow your deck's manual.[12][8]
Can I use high-lift blades with a bagger?
Check the kit. John Deere says the S240's rear bagger needs no special blades, and also says high-lift bagging blades come with the bagger chute.[11]
Is a mulching blade enough to turn a mower into a mulcher?
Not by itself on most decks. Cub Cadet's mulching kits pair mulching blades with a mulching plug, and it advises confirming a kit's contents with a parts distributor.[8]