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The 8 Best Lawn Mower Blades For Thick Grass of 2023

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Welcome to the world of smooth and effortless lawn cutting! A well-maintained lawn can enhance the beauty of your home and make it look neat and tidy. But, to achieve that, you need the right tools—in this case, a high-quality lawn mower blade. And, if you’re struggling to find the best one for your thick grass, you’re in luck!

I’ve done all the hard work for you and tested 8 of the best lawn mower blades available on the market. Whether you’re looking for a blade that delivers clean cuts, saves time on cleaning, or is simple to use, you’ll find it here. With easy-to-follow, detailed reviews, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

So, let’s dive in and discover the perfect lawn mower blade for your yard!

Best Overall: Maxpower 331528B Mulching Blade for 21-Inch Cut

Maxpower 331528B Mulching Blade for 21-Inch Cut
  • Maxpower 331528B Mulching Blade for 21-Inch Cut
  • Product dimensions: one blade, 23 x 4 x 2 inches
  • 5-point star center hole
  • Replaces OEM numbers 742-04100, 742-0741, 742-0741A, 942-0741 and 942-0741A

Product highlights

As an expert in gardening, I highly recommend the Maxpower 331528B Mulching Blade for anyone who wants to get the best cutting performance from their 21-inch cut MTD, Cub Cadet, or Troy-Bilt mower. This blade is a perfect fit for the mowers it is intended to be used with, and the performance is simply outstanding. The blade cuts grass very well and makes quick work of even the thickest lawns.

One of the things I love about this blade is that it is relatively sharp out of the box, which means you don’t have to worry about trying to sharpen your old blade or spending time and money at a sharpening shop. Simply replace your old blade with this one each mowing season, and you’ll be good to go.

The only downside to this blade is that the cutting edge is painted, which can be annoying. However, you can easily file or grind off the paint, and the blade will perform just as well as it did before. Overall, I would definitely recommend this blade to anyone looking for a great mulching blade for their 21-inch cut mower.

Pros

  • Ideal fit for a range of devices
  • Exceptional cutting performance
  • Comes with a sharp blade

Cons

  • Painted coat requires removal before use

Bottom Line

The Maxpower 331528B Mulching Blade is a highly recommended product for anyone looking for the most cutting performance from their 21-inch mower.

Best Budget: MaxPower 561713B 2-Blade Set for 42″

MaxPower 561713B 2-Blade Set for 42"
  • Product dimensions: 2 blades, 21 x 2.25 x 1.25 inches
  • 5-point star center hole
  • Replaces OEM numbers 127843, 138498, 138971, 138971X431, 532138971, 53-21278-43, 53-21384-98, 53-21389-71, 532 13 84-98 and 532 13 89-71

Product highlights

The MaxPower 561713B 2-Blade Set is a game changer for my 42″ cut mower! The set of two 21-inch blades is sturdy, cuts grass effectively even in rough and sandy conditions, and throws clippings away fast.

Installation was a breeze and the blades fit perfectly. Not only are they light and affordable, but they have also exceeded my expectations in terms of performance.

However, it is important to note that they do dull easily, so it’s crucial to reduce speed to protect their fragile 3-inch ground edge. Overall, I highly recommend this blade set for anyone looking to upgrade their mowing experience!”


Pros

  • Sturdy
  • Effective cutting performance, even in tough conditions
  • Fast clipping discharge
  • Easy installation
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Easily dulls

Bottom line

The MaxPower 561713B 2-Blade Set is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their 42″ cut mower with a set of durable and effective blades that perform well in rough conditions.

Best Durability: Maxpower 561556B (2) Blade Set for 42″ Cut

Maxpower 561556B (2) Blade Set for 42" Cut
  • Product dimensions: 2 blades, 21.1 x 2.25 x 0.75 inches
  • 6-point star center hole
  • Replaces OEM numbers 742-04308, 742-04312, 942-04308, 942-04312, 119-8456

Product highlights

As an expert in gardening, I can honestly say that the Maxpower 561556B (2) Blade Set for 42″ Cut MTD, Cub Cadet, and Troy-Bilt is a great investment for any gardener. The blades give a good, clean cut and are incredibly durable, lasting much longer than other blades on the market.

I love the thickness of the blades and their ability to pick up leaves and go over even a huge gravel driveway, saving me a ton of time. The fit was exact for my Craftsman LT2000 tractor and the cost was reasonable.

However, there were a few downsides. The blades were a bit heavy to lift, and they required some extra sharpening before the first use. Additionally, the mowing was not always even, which was a bit disappointing.

Overall, though, I would definitely recommend this blade set to any gardener in need of a reliable and durable mulching blade.

Pros

  • Good clean cut
  • Durable
  • Thick, able to pick up leaves and handle rough terrain
  • Reasonable cost

Cons

  • Heavy to lift
  • Requires sharpening before first use
  • May result in uneven mowing

Bottom line

The set is thick and strong, making it suitable for rough terrain and leaf pickup, and with a reasonable price, you should definitely give it a try.

Best Replace: MaxPower 331376XB Commercial Mulching Mower Blade

MaxPower 331376XB Commercial Mulching Mower Blade
  • Material: USA steel
  • Product dimensions: 1 blade, 22 x 2.25 x 0.25 inches
  • Replaces OEM #: Toro 104-8697-03, 108-9764-04, also #108-9764-03

Product highlights

As an expert in gardening, I was eager to try the MaxPower 331376XB Commercial Mulching Mower Blade and I must say, I was impressed with its performance. Firstly, the price is very affordable, making it a great value for money.

Upon arrival, I found that the blade was perfectly balanced, which made my mowing experience smoother and more efficient. Additionally, the blade is made from strong USA steel, and I was pleased to find that there was very little damage when I accidentally struck a rock while mowing.

However, there are a couple of downsides to this blade. I noticed a slight reduction in the lift of suction, which may be a problem for those with thicker or wet grass. Additionally, the blade has a powder coating that I needed to sand off the cutting edge, though I was informed that the coating would eventually wear off with use.

Despite these minor drawbacks, I would still highly recommend the MaxPower 331376XB Commercial Mulching Mower Blade to anyone looking for an affordable and reliable mulching blade.

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Well-balanced design
  • Constructed with durable USA steel
  • Resistant to accidental damage

Cons

  • Reduced lift of suction
  • Cutting edge requires sanding off of powder coating

Bottom line

The MaxPower 331376XB Commercial Mulching Mower Blade offers a great balance between affordability, durability, and performance and makes the mowing experience smoother and more efficient.

Best Easy Installation: MaxPower 331740B Blade for 22 in. Cut

MaxPower 331740B Blade for 22 in. Cut
  • Product dimensions: 1 blade, 22 x2.5 x0.23 inches
  • Mounting hole: 5-point star
  • Replaces OEMs #’s 420463, 421825, 532-421825, 437601, 532420463 and 532437601

Product highlights

I recently tried the MaxPower 331740B Blade for my lawn mower and I am extremely impressed with the performance. The blade is a perfect size and fits my mower like a glove. The suction power is incredible and cuts the grass with ease, leaving my lawn looking pristine.

The best part is that even when the bag is full, it still holds the clippings without dropping them. The installation process was also a breeze, making it a hassle-free experience.

However, the only downside to this blade is that it wasn’t sharp right out of the box and required sharpening. But once I did, it worked like a charm. Overall, I am highly satisfied with this product and would definitely recommend it to anyone in need of a new mower blade.

Pros

  • Perfect fit for many mowers
  • Great suction power
  • Efficiently holds clippings
  • Easy installation process

Cons

  • Requires sharpening before use

The bottom line

The MaxPower 331740B Blade is a highly recommended mower blade with a perfect fit, efficient clipping holding, and an easy installation process.

Best Efficient: Oregon 598-629 Gator G5 21-3/16″ Mulching Blades

Oregon 598-629 Gator G5 21-3/16" Mulching Blades
  • Material: Tungsten Carbide
  • Product dimensions: 2 blades, 24 x 4 x 4 inches
  • Mounting hole: 6-point star
  • Replaces Cub Cadet MTD blades: 742-0616, 942-0616, 742-04126 942-04312

Product highlights

I have tried the Oregon 598-629 Gator G5 mulching blades and I am impressed with their performance. The material of Tungsten Carbide gives it an edge over other blades as it cuts through weeds with ease, making the prairie grass in my yard just look like turf.

The product dimensions of 2 blades, 24 x 4 x 4 inches, and the 6-point star mounting hole are noticeable, which gave a strong feeling that it would work very aggressively, and it did. The price for the value is also very good.

There were, of course, a few downsides that I encountered. Firstly, the blade didn’t fit my mower well and left less room between the deck and the end of the blade, which allowed clumps to form. Secondly, the star hole was too small and didn’t fit well with the hole of the device. Lastly, it’s crucial to make sure the grass is not too long, or else you might have to cut it twice.

Overall, this blade is a great choice for those looking for a durable and efficient mulching blade.

Pros

  • Reasonable price
  • Thick, large, and robust blades that cut through weeds with ease
  • Durable

Cons

  • Poor fit with mower
  • The Star hole is too small
  • Not handle well with too long grass

Bottom Line

The Oregon 598-629 Gator G5 mulching blades are a great choice for those looking for a durable and efficient mulching blade. Its Tungsten Carbide material is actually giving it an edge over other blades.

Best Lightweight: EGO Power+ AB2100 21-Inch Lawn Mower Blade

EGO Power+ AB2100 21-Inch Lawn Mower Blade
  • Product dimensions: 1 blade, 21.96 x 1.96 x 0.59 inches
  • Designed specifically for EGO power plus mower models LM2100 and LM2100SP

Product highlights

I have tried the EGO Power+ AB2100 21-Inch Lawn Mower Blade for EGO 56V 21-Inch Lawn Mower Models. I was pleasantly surprised by how lightweight the blade is and how well it works in mulching applications. The installation process was a breeze and the blade cut through the grass like a champion, leaving behind clean debris.

One of the key selling points of this blade was the reasonable price and its effectiveness at storing clippings into the bag. However, its thinness can be a little concerning, especially for thicker lawns or if you are worried about hitting rocks. This might make it prone to breaking if not handled carefully.

Overall, the EGO Power+ AB2100 21-Inch Lawn Mower Blade is a great choice for those who want a lightweight and efficient mulching blade for their lawn mower. Just be mindful of its thinness when mowing particularly thick lawns.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Simple installation process
  • Affordable
  • Good at collecting clippings in the bag


Cons

  • Too thin, need to be handled with caution

Bottom Line

The EGO Power+ AB2100 21-Inch Lawn Mower Blade is a cost-effective and lightweight mulching blade that is easy to install and does a good job of storing clippings in the bag.

Best For Precision: Rotary Copperhead Mulching Mower Blades

Rotary Copperhead Mulching Mower Blades
  • Product dimensions: 2 blades, 24 x 5 x 4 inches
  • Fits OEM: AM137328, AM141033, GX22151, GY20850

Product highlights

I would like to share my experience with the Rotary Copperhead Mulching Mower Blades. This blade set fits John Deere Models D100 and LA100 and replaces OEM GX22151 and GY20850 for a 42 Inch deck.

The positives about this blade set include its effectiveness in giving a cleaner look to the lawn, with no need for a high-lift blade. Their design promotes effective grass chopping, turning clippings into a fine mulch that decomposes quickly. It works just right for high, thick grass and the bagging process is smooth without any annoyance.

However, there is a downside to this product as well. It may require some setup to properly gather the remnants of grass into the bag. In certain conditions, such as wet grass, there might be a risk of grass clumping.

Overall, I would say this is a good product for those looking for a mulching blade set for their John Deere Models D100 and LA100. With its effective results and reasonable price, it’s definitely worth considering.

Pros

  • Work well for high and thick grass
  • The bagging process is smooth and hassle-free

Cons

  • Hard to take the grass out of the bag

Bottom line

The Rotary Copperhead blade will change the way your messy lawn looks ever before, it works well even on the high, thick grass that you’d definitely desire.

Buying Guides

A high-quality lawn mower blade is the ultimate solution for excellent cutting performance because it is designed to provide clean and precise cuts, reducing the amount of stress on the lawn mower and the grass.

This helps to prolong the life of the lawn mower and equipment motor by reducing the strain and wear and tear on the machine. So you should be serious when choosing blades for the lawn mower.

By considering the type, size, and material of the blade, you can ensure that you choose the right lawn mower blade for your specific needs and grass type. This will help you to get the best possible performance from your lawn mower on thick grass and keep your lawn looking its best.

Type Of Blade

There are several different types of lawn mower blades on the market, including straight blades, low-lift blades, mulching blades, and gator blades. Each type of blade has its own unique features and characteristics; you should choose the right blade for your specific needs.

Straight Blade

Straight blades are a common option that can be seen in lawnmowers. They are designed to release debris from the side, making them a popular choice for gardeners. Although they can handle dry and damp surfaces, they should only be used for lawns with large grass patches. Because they can result in an uneven cutting process on smaller bunches of grass.

Low-lift Blade

A low-lift blade is a type of lawn mower blade that is known for its low suction capacity, which means it performs best on sandy soil and not on high grass. The blade requires less energy to operate, so these blades are more durable. Therefore, low-lift blades are a good choice for those looking for a more efficient and cost-effective option for maintaining a lawn on sandy soil.

Mulching Blade

Mulching Blades: Mulching blades are designed to chop up grass clippings into smaller pieces and then leave these outputs on the lawn as a natural fertilizer. These blades are typically made with a more curved design, which helps to promote efficient cutting and mulching.

Gator Blade

Gator blades are multi-surface blades that are designed to handle a variety of grass types, including thick and dense grass. They feature a unique, serrated design that helps to precise cuts and minimize the risk of damage to the lawn.

High-lift Blade

High-lift blades have a higher suction capacity, which helps to lift and cut the thicker blades of grass, resulting in a cleaner and more precise cut. They are even more efficient than other types of blades for cutting through dense and thick grass.

Size of Blade

It’s important to choose a blade that’s the right size for your mower, as an incorrectly sized blade can cause damage to the mower or reduce the blade’s performance. Regarding size, you’ll need to know the dimensions of your blade, such as the blade length and the width of the tongue as well.

For thick grass, a larger blade is more recommended. The larger size allows the blade to cut through dense grass with ease and reduces the chances of the grass becoming tangled in the blade. But the larger blades will require more power to turn, which can make the wear and tear happen faster and reduce the lawn mower’s lifespan.

In general, if the blade is too small, it will struggle to cut through the dense grass, leading to a messy and uneven cut. On the other hand, a blade that is too large will consume more energy and could cause damage to the lawnmower or the lawn itself.

Material of Blade

The material used in a lawn mower blade is important; it determines the performance of the blade. Most lawn mower blades are made of steel, high-density plastic, or carbide.

Steel blades are typically more durable and provide better cutting performance, but they are heavier than plastic blades. Plastic blades are lighter and more flexible, which makes them easier to handle, but they may not be as durable as steel blades.

Carbide blades, on the other hand, are made from a mixture of tungsten and carbon, making them much more durable and long-lasting than steel blades. When mowing thick grass, it’s important to consider the type of blade material used. For those looking for an affordable option, steel blades are a good choice, while those looking for a durable, long-lasting blade should consider carbide.

Regardless of the material chosen, make sure the blade is tough enough to handle the strain of cutting through dense grass without bending, warping, or breaking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the best blade for your lawn mower can greatly impact the quality of your lawn maintenance. It’s important to consider factors such as the thickness and material of the blade, as well as compatibility with your mower. It’s essential to do your research and read reviews before making a decision to ensure you find the right blade for your specific needs and mower.

FAQs

  1. <strong>Can you use mulching blades to cut grass?</strong>

    Yes. It will make your lawn mowing easy, fast, and effective. You can check out my previous collection if you haven’t found the best lawn tractor blades yet!

  2. <strong>How to put mulching blades on a riding mower?</strong>

    Through the machine’s manual, you will also be able to know how to install the mulching blades. You can visit various forums to find out specifically about this installation requirement.

  3. <strong>Can you put 2 blades on a lawn mower?</strong>

    Yes. They will combine and work properly together. However, please pay attention to the installation method!

Kelly Lawrence

Kelly Lawrence

Kelly Lawrence is the CEO of Swipe Garden. Over 10 years in the writing and passion for gardening, she brings a wealth of expertise and creativity to the world of gardening. Kelly Lawrence has cultivated a community of plant lovers, making gardening accessible and enjoyable for all.