Investing in a lawn mower may save money and have more control over your lawn and yard. However, unexpected care may be required, and you may need to occasionally deal with your grass-cutting blades.
You’ll need to know how to inspect the mower deck and ensure the blades are always sharp. Therefore, it could be you need to remove the blades to sharpen them, or you hit a rock, which has unfortunately broken the blade.
No matter on the power of your mower, they all need attention unless you use reel mowers, as these are usually manual and not powered. Questions arise because as you look down at your mower from the operator’s position, the lawn mower blade direction is one way, yet looking from underneath; they spin in another.
Here, you can wonder, which way does a lawn mower blade spin? In our guide, you can find out there is more to it than just the direction in which the blade spins. For example, blades are one-sided and angled to cut, so which way does mower blade go on?
In the end, you’ll see why it is vital which way the mower rotates, as the blade’s bolt would come loose if the nut weren’t reverse thread. (Learn How To Get Rid Of Goat Heads)
How Reverse Thread Nuts Work On A Lawn Mower Blade?
The vast majority of lawn mower blades turn in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the nut keeping the blade in place won’t loosen as the blade turns if it is tightened in a clockwise direction.
If the blades turn in the other direction, the nut would be tightened counterclockwise if you had a lawnmower. As a result, each blade revolution causes the nut to tighten rather than loosen.
Keep these things in mind if you need to remove the blade to replace it or sharpen it:
You must loosen the nut loose in a counterclockwise direction if your mower blade rotates in a clockwise direction. You should turn the nut loose in a clockwise direction if your mower blade rotates counterclockwise.
Pro Tip: Do you know in which direction your mower’s blades rotate? You can look at where the discharge chute is located. This chute will be on the right side and angled backward if your mower blade spins clockwise.
Why It Matters Which Side Of Your Mower Blade Is Up?
For anyone new to mowers, knowing which way does lawn mower blade go on can confuse them. Which side of the blade on your lawn mower is up matters for a variety of reasons.
One of the most important is that if the blade is upside down, it won’t cut properly and will be quickly shown if you fit a mulching blade.
This is because your lawn mowers blade’s cutting edges are made to only cut in one direction, and you’ll wind up with a shredded mess of uncut grass. The grass will still get caught on the blade’s dull side. It’s also crucial for the airflow under your lawn mower that the right side of the blade is up.
While you are mowing your lawn, the wind from the rotating blades lifts the grass upright, helping to give it an equal trim and uniform length. The lawn mowers blade won’t move air the same way if you put it on backward.
That inconsistent wind flow will prevent the grass from being pulled properly when combined with the dull side of the blade cutting the grass. It makes for very uneven mowing results.
You should know which way your blade fits for these reasons, as you could need new blades before you expect them. (Learn How To Get Rid Of Mushrooms In Yard)
How To Tell Which Is Up On Your Lawn Mower Blade?
There are a few techniques to determine which side of your lawn mower blade is up. It’s usually easy, but some lawn mower blades may vary.
Check the Label
Look at the label to see which side of your lawn mower blade is up. Most manufacturers print a direction label on the blade. These can state, “This Side Up,” “This Side Down,” or “This Side Toward the Grass.” Sometimes labels are pressed into metal; however, they’re usually stickers or labels on packages.
Check the Cutting Edge
The blade of walk-behind lawn mowers rotates to the right or clockwise. Therefore, the cutting edge should spin to the right as the blade rotates. However, while uncommon, some lawn mowers
rotate counterclockwise.
Make The Wings Face Upward
There will typically be a small portion of the blade that is angled up rather than flat on lawn mower blades. This tiny wing promotes air flow, pulling your grass up for an equal cut.
Lawn mower blades are always made with wings pointing upward toward the cutting deck. The larger wings on mulching blades function similarly. If your lawn mower blade has wings, it should point away from the grass and toward the lawn mower.
You should identify which side of the lawn mower blade is up using those three methods for just about any lawn mower blade. The most reliable approach is to know which way your lawnmower’s blades rotate; however, the other two methods are typically more straightforward and quicker.
What Lawn Mower Blade Do I Need?
Choosing the right lawnmower blade might improve its performance, and most lawnmowers can use both blade types.
Remember that not all blades are created equal, and just because a blade is a proper length doesn’t guarantee it’s compatible with your lawn mower. Again, check the user manual for complete details. (Learn How Long Does Roundup Take To Work Before Rain)
Regular Lawn Mower Blades
Regular lawn mower blades are the easiest option. These blades get the job done without bells and whistles.
- These blades leave long clippings but mow more evenly than more sophisticated blades.
- These blades need a good cutting edge to be effective.
- These blades are fitted to side-discharge lawnmowers.
High Lift Blades
High-lift blades are used on bagging lawn mowers because they increase airflow and transfer grass clippings into the bag. These blades have higher suction, so they cut grass more consistently by pulling it up straighter.
Mulching Blades or Gator
Mulching and gator blades increase both suction and cutting to shred grass. Mulching blades are gentler and chop clippings to spread over your lawn as a protective layer of mulch.
- Mulching blades aren’t useful when trying to bag grass clippings.
- Gator blades cut the grass shorter than mulching blades and shred grass clippings so they will decay faster on the soil’s surface.
How To Safely Change Lawn Mower Blades
Lawn mower problems are part and parcel of lawn care. Therefore you may need to repair or sharpen your mower blades.
Here’s the steps to remove gas-powered mower blades.
1. Empty Your Mower
Because you’ll be tipping the mower, ensure there’s no gas left. Again, this is unnecessary for electric or cordless mowers.
- Wear protective gloves when removing mower blades. Sharp mower blades and deck edges can easily cut you.
- Turn the mower—gas-powered mower engine air cleaner facing upward.
- If you flip the mower in the wrong direction, oil could spill into the filter, requiring more work.
2. Disconnect The Power Source
- When working on a gas-powered mower, detach the wire from the spark plug and move it out of the way so it won’t unintentionally hit the plug.
- You only need to take the battery pack out of cordless mowers.
- All that needs to be done is unplug electric mowers.
3. Stop The Blade From Turning
Once the mower has been turned over, you will need some retainer to prevent the blade from rotating as you remove the nut. The simplest solution would be to insert a block of wood between the blade and the side of the deck.
4. Loosen Nut With A Wrench And Socket
Most of the nuts keeping the mower blade in the direction will loosen counterclockwise.
- So, all that’s required is to remove the nut by simply loosening it. You might need to use a ratchet extension or a breaker bar to loosen the bolt if it’s too tight.
- It’s crucial to note in which direction the blade’s sharp edge goes onto the mower as you remove it so that you can replace it correctly.
- You must track which side of the blade is facing the mower deck and which is facing outward.
5. Fit Your New Blade
You may install the new blade securely after removing the old blade
- Make sure you push the blade on the shaft correctly.
- To fix the blade, tighten the nut by turning it clockwise. To find out what the torque value should be for your specific mower, consult the user handbook.
- Once you’re done changing the blade, don’t forget to reattach the ignition wire to the spark plug.
Mower Brands & Thread Direction
1. John Deere lawn mower blades?
John Deere lawn mower blades are reverse thread. As the blade spins, it spins opposite to the engine crankshaft to protect the engine from damage.
2. MTD lawn mower blades.
MTD lawn mower blades are also a reverse thread to protect your engine from damage.
3. Honda lawn mower blades reverse thread?
Honda lawn mower blades are a reverse thread to turn in the opposite direction to prevent engine damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do lawn mower blades rotate counterclockwise or spin clockwise?
Most lawn mower blades will turn clockwise.
How tight should you tighten a lawn mower blade?
The mower blade should be tight enough so it can’t move independently. However, you should be able to move it with your hand if you apply some pressure.
Should a lawn mower blade spin freely?
Generally, a lawn mower blade should not spin freely because it’s connected to the engine via a belt.
Why is my riding mower cutting lower on one side?
This is usually caused by an uneven deck where one side of the deck is lower than the other. You need to make some adjustments to level the deck again. Tires underinflated can also cause this.
Final Thoughts
The lawnmower blade on most rotary lawnmowers is held in place using a threaded hex-headed bolt, which screws into the blade adapter of the engine’s driveshaft. Lawnmower blades must be removed for replacement, sharpening, or other purposes. In addition, the lawnmower blade bolt should be twisted in a direction opposite from the blades, as was mentioned in the prior query.
Always be mindful of how the lawnmower blades fit into the blade adapter fitted on the engine’s shaft when removing the blade bolt. It may appear different when upside down. Note which side of the blade faces the deck and the precise order of the tension washers on the blade’s retaining bolt. (Read Bermuda Grass Vs Centipede Grass)
Be very careful to position the replacement blade so that the right side faces up and the sharp edge is in the correct position. After the replacement has been completed, the bolt can be tightened by rotating it clockwise, and you can replace your spark plug wire.
