What mower blades are the best to use in your Troy-Bilt mower? It depends on the type of mowing you need to do. There are several names used for mower blades depending on their purpose, but when it comes down to it, there are only two designs you should consider for the best performance.
Standard Blades
A standard blade is designed to cut grass cleanly and push the clippings into a grass collection system or out of a chute to be deposited on the ground. To do this, the blades are angled in such a way that clippings are flung almost horizontally after being cut, sending them directly at the chute or bag opening.
Mulching Blades
To make mulch, the grass is trimmed, then the resulting clipping is cut several more times by the blades. Older mulching systems used a pair of blades in a cross pattern to cut the clippings at least twice before they hit the ground. Modern mulching blades use a curved surface that flings the clippings upward. Clippings cycle through the mowing chamber, bouncing up into the deck and falling back down into the blades several times. At some point, the clippings become small enough that they can pass between the blades and fall to the ground.
Every Troy-Bilt mower currently available is built for mulching. While the blade is part of the equation, the mowing chamber has to be taller than on a standard discharge or bagging mower to give the clippings time to circulate.
A mulching kit will include a set of mulching blades and a cover for the discharge chute. This cover ensures the clippings stay inside the mowing chamber long enough to be broken down into mulch.
3-in-1, 2-in-1 and High Lift Blades
What about other types of blades? The labeling on these can be confusing, since some are actually standard blades, some are mulching blades, and some are somewhere in the middle.
Standard blades are sometimes referred to as “2-in-1” because they work well for bagging and discharge.
Mulching blades are sometimes called “high lift” blades because of the clipping lifting action they create to cut down clippings.
“3-in-1” blades have a shape that’s in between standard and mulching blades. While this may seem like a convenient option when you want to be able to switch between discharging, bagging and mulching as needed, this compromise in shape means they don’t perform as well as a purpose-built blade: they’re more likely to clog when cutting wet grass because they don’t discharge as quickly, and they can’t cut finely enough to make good mulch. Troy-Bilt doesn’t sell or approve the use of 3-in-1 blades because of their poor performance.
Where to Buy Blades for Your Troy-Bilt Mower or Lawn Tractor
Shank’s Lawn Equipment is a certified Troy-Bilt dealer carrying everything you need including OEM replacement blades designed to get the best performance from your mower. Our shop is at 4900 Molly Pitcher Highway in Chambersburg, PA. That’s just off route 11, or if you’re driving in from I-81, take Exit 10 to Marion.
Don’t live in South Central Pennsylvania? You can still order parts from us online at www.shankslawn.com. We can ship whatever you need across the U.S. and Canada.