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Which way do mulching blades go on? The best way to know the right side and fitting of your mulching blade is to check the design/shape, metal flaps/teeth edges/bevels, letters/symbols, model and cutting edge.

For instance, mulching blades should have a bevel that faces toward the ground. This will enable your mulching blades to properly cut leaves and other debris into tiny pieces.

Here is a piece of well-detailed information on nine different methods that you can use to figure out which way mulching blades go on to ensure optimal cutting performance on your lawn:

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1. Check the Metal Flaps/ Teeth Edges/Bevels

It is best to check for the blades’ metal flaps. Metal flaps can also be called bevels, wings or edges. These parts feature serrated teeth and sharpened edges in several mulching mower blades.

The bevel/teeth edges/metal flaps should be in the upward position. In addition, ensure that the cutting edges should face the ground when you attach the mulching blade.

2. Check the Shape or Design

Ensure that the flat part should be mounted on your mowing machine while the curved components that have cutting edges should face down while your mowing machine is standing in a normal position.

3. Inspect the Cutting Edges

You need to take a look at the cutting edges to ensure a proper installation of the mulching blades.

To identify the cutting one, you may need to place your thumb against the edge. It should face down to enhance a superb grass-cutting performance.

Furthermore, the cutting edge may be shiny or dull in color. The shiny area gives you an indication that it is a sharp area.

Ensure that it should face the ground after the installation of the mulching mower blade.

4. Inspect by Wobble Test

This is also an important process to ensure a good installation of your mulching blade. If you notice that the blade is shaking or loosening instead of fitting properly, it indicates that you have fixed it to the wrong side or it is not well fitted.

To solve this, you need to reverse the side. Check the fitting of the blade by opting for a wobble test. Use the right bolts and reducing washers for a good fitting of your blades.

5. Get an Idea from the Old Lawn Mower Blade

It is best to take photographs or make videos when taking off your old mower blade. By using this process, you will comprehend how to mount the blade correctly step by step.

6. Check the Mower Type

This is another essential factor that can determine where the mulching blade could go on.

If you own a reel mower, check for the side of your mulching blade before installing it. This lawn equipment can rotate the blade on both sides and deliver even cuts.

Mulching mowing machines have clockwise assembly. The direction of rotation should be toward the cutting edges.

7. Read Your Manual

This is one of the best procedures for ensuring a proper mulching blade installation. It is important to read the manual to check the instructions on mounting or replacing your mulching blade.

8. Inspect the Moving Direction of the Crankshaft

Inspect the direction of rotation of the mower’s shaft. The blade is mounted on the crankshaft. The best approach to check it is to shut off your mowing machine and partially pull off your starter pull cord to look at the shaft’s movement.

The movement of this shaft is likely to be clockwise. Ensure that the cutting edge should be in the direction of the movement of the shaft.

You may also check the discharge chute to know the rotational movement.

The discharge chute is located on the right side of your cutting deck. If the shaft moves clockwise, the lawn blade should also move like that.

9. Check the Letters or Symbols

It is also important to check the letters or symbols that are embossed on your mulching blade. The side that is marked as “bottom” or has a product number should face the ground when your mowing machine is in use.

How To Install Mulching Blades

Here are some steps on how to install mulching blades on your lawn mower:

Drain or siphon the gas to prevent spillage.
Put the mowing machine in a high area where you can inspect the bottom area of the lawn mower
If your mower comes with a small cutting deck, make sure that the air filter is up before laying it down on a side. Putting the air filter in an upward position will prevent it from getting saturated with oil.
Disconnect your spark plug cable and keep the filter assembly and carburetor high to stop the oil from leaking into your carburetor.
Put the 2 x2 inch wooden block in your mower deck to prevent the old lawn mower blade from moving. Detach the old mower blade from your shaft by taking off the nuts and reducing washers.

Note: It is important to take pictures or make videos so that you can remember the procedures of fitting in a new blade.

Determine the right area of the blade from its sharp edges. These curved edges or flaps should always face the upward position or towards the cutting deck.
Place the hole of the blade on the mounting shaft. Use the wooden block to prevent the movement of the blade.
Place nuts, and washers and use a wrench to firmly tighten it to 80 ft pounds torque to prevent it from wobbling.
Take off your wooden block and plug in the cable.
Make sure that you clean the cutting deck. You can also make use of a silicon spray to stop an accumulation of clippings from preventing airflow.
Ensure that you close your discharge chute after fitting.
Run the mowing machine on a smooth lawn to know if it is functioning properly.

Tools that You May Need For The Job

Reducing Washers
Leather gloves
2 x 4 Wooden block
Wrench

Precautions To Take While Installing Mulching Blades

Make sure that you put on gloves to protect your hands from sharp blades.
Disconnect your spark cable and shut off the mowing machine. Homeowners that own a battery-powered mower should take off the battery for safety purposes.
Place your lawn mower in an area where it won’t shake when you try to tighten the mower blade.

How To Keep Mulch on a Slope

Here are some ways how to keep mulch on a slope:

Make Use of Terraces

It is important to use terraces when you want to perform gardening tasks on sloped terrain.

Some slopes might be so steep that it could be difficult to carry out gardening operations without using terraces.

Appropriate usage of the terrace can help in retaining the mulch. So if you are working on a steep slope, it is important to utilize terraces in your garden.

Furthermore, the use of terraces is considered the best option for homeowners with a modest slope.

This will also help you to prevent challenges while working on slopes. It will also make your work easier.

Make Use of an Ideal Mulch for your Sloppy Terrain

It is best to get a thicker option for slopes. In addition, using wood nuggets and hefty wood chips will also add weight when you are operating on a slope.

The ideal mulch to apply on sloped terrain is shredded bark. It performs well because it will prevent the fragments of bark to become twisted and it also enables them to stay in place.

You can also use straw mulch on your sloppy terrain. They can be used on slopes to prevent failure, and they can last for about 3 months which can stabilize vegetation to germinate properly. On the downside, straw mulch can be easily blown away because of its small weight.

Dig a Trench

If the mulch falls, it could be a good idea to dig a trench to collect it. While using terraces, mulch could still be blown away by the wind.

If you dig a trench, you will be confident that any mulch from the beds will fall into it and remain there.

This process is also a simple task because you can easily take off the mulch from the trench and put it in the appropriate place.

It is also a good option for sloppy terrain because it will prevent you from wasting mulch if things do not work out as you had hoped.

Do not use Plastic Lining As A Mulch Base

It is not a good idea to use your plastic lining as a mulch base. Although some homeowners use the plastic liner underneath the mulch it might be difficult for the mulch to stay in place.

Furthermore, using plastic beneath the mulch can also make you lose more mulch. Before laying down the second layer of mulch, you need to moisten the first layer.

Stop using plastic lining if you experience mulch loss.

Use Netting

This is also another good option for keeping mulch on a slope. Landscape netting helps your mulch from falling down the sloppy ground.

Ensure that the net is fixed to the ground and it shouldn’t be able to move. It is important to note that landscape netting isn’t ideal for homeowners with minor slopes.

One of their drawbacks is that the installation of nets may minimize your ability to take a look at the plants as you want.

Dig a Well Around the Plant’s Base

After spreading the mulch out of your garden bed, use a shovel or your hand to pull the mulch away from the plant’s base.

This is useful on slopes where your plants can be protected from decay, insects and mold.

Mulch on the Slope with Several Inches on the Slope

For you to put mulch on sloped terrain, you need to spread a 2-6-inch layer of mulch over your garden bed with a rake or shovel.