What is a Mulching Lawn Mower and How Does It Work?
What is a Mulching Lawn Mower and How Does It Work?
A mulching lawn mower takes grass clippings and recycles them into nutrient-rich soil that your lawn can feed on.
This machine has two large blades that spin at high speeds, shredding grass and other plant material into tiny particles that quickly decompose.
Some machines even have something called a catcher, which collects the particles as they’re being shredded and ejects them when the catcher is full. The particles get blown back onto the ground as mulch.
By recycling grass and leaf clippings, a mulching lawn mower helps your lawn retain moisture and nutrients that it needs to thrive. It also eliminates the need for expensive fertilizers and pesticides.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Mulching Mowers.
Mulching lawn mowers are a popular alternative to a lawn mower because they can help you to maintain a beautiful lawn while conserving water. But, there are some advantages and disadvantages to mulching lawn mowers that you should remember before making your purchase.
Advantages of Mulching Mowers.
Reduced water waste. Mulching lawn mowers leave grass clippings on the lawn after the mowing process, which allows the grass to absorb moisture from the clippings, helping to fertilize the lawn.
Mulching lawn mowers also reduce the amount of grass that falls onto the ground, which also reduces water waste.
Easy maintenance. Mulching lawn mowers are fairly low maintenance because they do not require the same maintenance that a lawn mower does.
Plus, mulching lawn mowers generally last longer than other types of lawn mowers, reducing the frequency of repairs and replacement parts.
Disadvantages of Mulching Mowers.
Less efficient on aerating the lawn. While mulching lawn mowers do help to reduce the amount of water that your lawn uses, they also do not aerate the lawn. This can lead to compacted soil that makes it harder for water and nutrients to reach your grass.
Higher purchase prices. Mulching lawn mowers are not as cost-efficient as traditional mowers. If you want a high-quality mulching lawn mower, you should expect to pay a premium price.
How A Mulching Lawn Mower Works.
A mulching lawn mower cuts grass with a blade that shreds it into tiny pieces. The pieces are then blown or spread across the lawn, where they will provide nutrients to the lawn as they decompose.
Doing this is a process that’s similar to how a mulcher works. A mulching lawn mower can also function by chopping grass into tiny pieces. This can either be done manually with a handheld device, or automatically using mulching blades.
The difference between a mulching lawn mower and a regular lawn mower is that a mulching lawn mower can actually recycle grass clippings. Some models can even chop leaves, bark, and other debris into tiny pieces as well, so that the clippings can be used as fertilizer.
How To Care For Your Mulching Lawn Mower.
Mulching lawn mowers are easy to use and provide a beautiful, manicured lawn.
Unfortunately, they require proper maintenance to ensure they’re running properly. Luckily, this is pretty easy: just give your mulching mower a regular tuneup and it’ll continue running like a champ.
Caring for your mulching lawn mower is simple:
Start by thoroughly cleaning it. After every mowing session, use a vacuum to remove any debris from the mower deck and underside. Afterwards, remove any grass or leaves from the deck and underside using a brush.
Check the oil. The oil in your mower should be changed at least twice a year, or even more often if your mower is used frequently. Check the oil level after every use and add extra oil as needed.
Sharpen your blades. At most, your mower blades should be sharpened two to three times per year. Sharp mower blades are more efficient, last longer, and help keep your lawn healthy.
Check the air filter. To help keep the air clean, change out the air-filter media every six months. The filter should be cleaned once a month and blown out with air compressor.
What Features To Look For In A New Model Mulching Lawn Mower.
When shopping for a new model mulching lawn mower, you’ll want to pay close attention to its features.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re buying:
Engine power: The more powerful the engine, the faster it can shred grass. However, you’ll also want to pay attention to the size of the mower’s engine: Larger engines tend to be heavier and more difficult to maneuver, so if you’re planning on moving your mower around a lot, you’ll want to buy a model with smaller engine.
Mulching blade: A mulching blade will shred the grass that it’s cutting, and then deposit the mulched grass back onto the ground. This eliminates the need to rake up the grass clippings after you’re done mowing your lawn, which can save you money on fertilizer.
Rear bag: A rear bag will let you bag up the grass clippings automatically so that you don’t have to worry about collecting and disposing of them. This can also act as a safety measure, allowing you to lock the bag and carry it away while the engine is running.
Other features: Some mulching lawn mowers provide additional safety features, such as roll bars or headlights. Roll bars are bars that sit on top of the mower to protect it from damage in case of an accident. Headlights make it easier to mow your lawn at night or during other low-light conditions.
Conclusion
So, now you know a little more about how mulching lawn mowers work. If you’re looking for a new lawn mower, this review of the mulching lawn mowers we have tested might help you with your decision. If you have any questions or want more information about a specific product, please let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!
