Does your lawn sometimes look ragged after you mow, even with a brand-new mower? You might think your machine is the problem, but often, the real culprit hiding in plain sight is the blade.
Choosing the perfect lawn mower blade feels like a maze. Should you pick a standard blade, a mulching blade, or a high-lift option? Picking the wrong one means uneven cuts, wasted fuel, and a lawn that looks stressed instead of stunning. It’s frustrating when your yard doesn’t look its best!
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will explain what each blade type does best, helping you match the blade to your grass type and mowing goals. By the end, you will know exactly which blade will give you that crisp, professional finish every single time.
Let’s dive into the sharp details and transform your mowing routine from a chore into a triumph.
Top Lawn Mower Blade Recommendations
- Includes 1 mulching blade for many 21 in. cut MTD, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, and Craftsman mowers. Must Match Current Blade OEM Number to insure exact fit.
- Replaces OEM #'s: 742-0741, 742-0741A ,742-04276, 742-04276S, 942-0641, 942-0741, 942-0741A 942-04276, 942-04276S, CC-742-0741; Craftsman CMXGZAM100067
- Fits Cub Cadet Models: CC Series- CC 46M, CC 46MZ, CC 46ES, CC 439, CC 469, CC 949, CC 94M, CC 98M, CC 98H, CC 98K, CC 99M, CC 989, CC 997ES, CC 999ES; SC Series- SC 100, SC 100 H, SC 100 HW, SC 300, SC 300 E, SC 300e, SC 300 HW, SC 500 EZ, SC 500 EQ, SC 500 HW, SC 500 Z, SC 700E, and SC 700 H; S/SR/SRC/SRE Series: S 621, S 621 SS, SR 621, SRC 621, SRE 621, SC 621, SC 621 E; and other models- MTD 214 IP, 214 KW, and PR 521.
- Fits Troy-Bilt Models: TB 105, TB 110, TB 115, TB 120, TB 125, TB 130, TB 130 XP, TB 140, TB 160, TB 160 XP, TB 200, TB 210, TB 220, TB 230, TB 240, TB 270 ES, TB 270 XP, TB 280 ES, TB 290 ES, TB 320, TB 330, TB 360, TB 360 ES, TB 370, TB 370 XP, TB 380 ES, TB 380 XP, TB 400 XP, TB 430 XP, TB 450 XP, TB449E, TB 490 XP; Tru-Cut- 100, 110; Tuff Cut- 200, 210, 220, 230; Pro-Cut- 300, 310, 320.
- CENTER HOLE: Bow Tie Center Hole Pattern. Diameter of Outside Hole is 5/16". Center to Center of outside Hole is 2.5"
- 21 Inch Troy Bilt Mower Blade Replace number Troy Bilt MTD 942-0741A 942-0741 742-0741 742-0741A 742-04100 490-100-C089 742-04276 742-04276S 942-04276 942-04276S CC-742-0741 OEM-742-0741
- 942-0741A Mulching Blade Compatible with Troy-Bilt TB110 TB240 TB230 TB130 TB200 TB160 TB210 TB280ES TB320 TB115 TB220 TB360 TB105 TB120 TB125 TB130XP TB140 TB160XP TB270ES TB270XP TB290ES TB330 TB360ES TB370 21" Deck Walk Behind Push Mower
- BLADE SPECIFICATION: Length: 21"(533mm), Width: 2-1/4"(57mm), Thickness: 9/64"(3.4mm), Center Hole Shape: Bow Tie, For Deck Size: 21", Lift: 1-1/8"(28mm), Mower Blade Type: Mulching Blade.
- FIT TOUGH MOWING TASKS: The blade is very suitable for cutting overgrown weeds or clearing rugged terrain. You can sharpen the blade if you want to maintain a neat, even cut for normal lawns. The cutting edges are painted to prevent rust and protect your hands during installation. The paint will wear off as you mow the grass.
- 3-IN-1 BLADE: Serves 3 purposes (mulching, bagging, and side discharging) at the same time. Featuring numerous curves that cuts and re-cuts grass to smaller pieces, and recycles them back into the soil as nutrients to promote healthy lawn growth. Additionally, its high-lift increases the bagging capacity by 50%.
- Compatibility: Fits lawn mower model ME1218X.
- Specifications: 18-inch length, 0.025-inch thickness, with a 0.46-inch center hole.
- Material: Constructed from high-carbon steel.
- Installation: For installation steps, refer to your mower's operator manual.
- Design: Replacement blade for lawn maintenance.
- Includes 2 blades that fit many 46 in. cut Craftsman, Husqvarna and Poulan mowers. Must Match Current Blade OEM Number
- Replaces OEM #'s 405380, 594892801, 532405380, PP21011, CMXGZAM110147
- 5 point star center hole
- Each blade measures 23 in. L and 2-3/4 in. W
- MATCH OEM NUMBER OF CURRENT BLADE: Check your owner's manual to verify that the OEM number of the blade being replaced matches one of the OEM numbers provided for this item
- Includes 2 blades that fits many 42-in cut Poulan, Husqvarna, and Craftsman mowers - Please Match Current Blade OEM Number to Confirm it fits your Mower
- Replaces OEM numbers 127843, 138498, 138971, 138971X431, 532138971, 532127843, 532138498, CMXGZAM110136
- BLADE SIZE: Each blade measures 21 in. L and 2-1/4 in. W
- 5 point star center hole.
- PROUDLY MADE IN USA
- Stop the guesswork! Cub Cadet XT1-42 XT2-42 ZT1-42 model uses two different blade types.Before ordering our blades,identify your current blade's center hole.Our blade's center hole is 6 Star Shaped.If your blade's center hole is S-shaped,use MPN 742-05177 742P05177 to order your correct blades elsewhere.
- Stop the guesswork! CRAFTSMAN T110 LT1000 LT2000 model uses two different blade types.Before ordering our blades,identify your current blade's center hole.Our blade's center hole is 6 Point Star Center Hole.If your blade's center hole is 5 Point Star Center Hole,Use MPN 138971 532138971 to order your correct blades elsewhere
- 942-04308 Mower Blades Replace Number Cub Cade MTD Troy-Bilt 742-04308 742-04308A 942-04308A 942-04308 742-0656 942-0656 490-110-M108, 742-04312, 942-04312,490-110-M108, OCC-742-04312, OEM-742-04308
- 942-04308 Mower Blades Compatible with Troy-Bilt 42 inch Deck Mower,model# Super Bronco 42 Hydro, TB42, Pony 42X, Pony 42T, Pony 42, Bronco 42 Auto, TB1942, Pony, Bronco, TB42 Hydro, TB2142, Colt XP, Mustang XP 42, Range Rider, RZT 42,Mustang Z42, Mustang 42 Lawn Mower
- 942-04308 Mower Blades Compatible with Cub Cadet 42 inch Deck Mower,model# XT1 LT42 C, LT42 EFI, LT42 KH and XT2 LX42 EFI, LX42 KH and LX42 KW;RZT42, RZT-L42 KH, RZT-L 42, RZTS 42 and RZT-SX 42 KH, ZT-1 42KH
- Adaption Model: Wusuker replacement blade is specially designed for Manscaped The Lawn Mower 4.0 3.0 2.0 models for your convenience.
- Premium Professional Clipper Blade: The replacement blade is made of high-quality materials and exquisite craftsmanship,precision-engineered for maximum confidence while trimming below-the-waist.
- Easy To Install & Clean: Our replacement blades for Manscaped The Lawn Mower are easy to replace and clean, Just remove the old dull blade, then side up the new one and snap it into place.
- Why Replace The Blade: You can keep your razor-sharp and don't have to worry about the sluggish blade anymore. Regular blade replacement is more hygienic and brings you the ultimate experience. We recommend replacing your blade every 2-3 months to keep it sharp and efficient.
- Customer Support：If you have any problem to replace the blades, please contact customer service and we will reply within 24 hours.
- Toro tooth mulcher blade
- Replaces 108-9764-03
- Tooth mulcher blade
- WIDTH: 2-1/4" , C. H. DIA: 7/16" , THICKNESS: 0.1500" , LENGTH: 21-11/16", DIAMETER OF OUTSIDE HOLES: 0.3820"
Choosing the Right Blade for Your Lawn Mower: A Buyer’s Guide
Your lawn mower blade is the heart of your machine. A sharp, strong blade cuts grass cleanly. A dull or weak blade tears the grass. This guide helps you select the best blade for a healthy, beautiful lawn.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a new blade, check these important features.
1. Blade Type
Different mowers need different blades. Look at your owner’s manual first.
- Standard/High-Lift Blades: These are common. They lift the grass up before cutting. They work well in normal conditions.
- Mulching Blades: These blades have curved edges. They cut grass many times. This chops the clippings small so they fall back into the lawn as natural fertilizer.
- Bagging Blades: These create a strong airflow to push cut grass directly into the attached bag.
2. Length and Center Hole Shape
The blade must fit your mower exactly. Measure the old blade’s length. Also, check the center hole shape. It might be round, star-shaped, or have a specific keyhole pattern. A wrong fit means the blade will not attach safely or work correctly.
3. Blade Thickness
Thicker blades last longer. They resist bending when they hit rocks or hard ground. Thinner blades might be cheaper but break or bend easily.
Important Materials and Construction
The material determines how long your blade stays sharp and how tough it is.
Most good blades use **High Carbon Steel**. This metal is strong and holds a sharp edge well. Cheaper blades might use softer metal. This metal dulls very fast.
Look for blades that are **Heat-Treated**. This process makes the steel much harder. A heat-treated blade can handle tough cutting jobs better.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality matters a lot for the final look of your lawn and for safety.
What Makes a Blade Better?
- Sharpness Out of the Box: A factory-sharpened blade starts cutting perfectly right away.
- Balanced Weight: A well-balanced blade spins smoothly. If a blade is unbalanced, it causes strong vibrations. These vibrations wear out your mower’s engine and bearings quickly.
- Durable Coating: Some blades have a protective coating (like paint or powder coat). This coating prevents rust, especially if you store your mower outside sometimes.
What Lowers Blade Quality?
Avoid blades that feel too light. If the metal feels flimsy, it will likely bend when you hit a stick. Blades made with recycled or low-grade steel wear down quickly. You will spend more time sharpening or replacing them.
User Experience and Use Cases
Consider how and where you mow when making your choice.
If you have a **large, open yard with few obstacles**, a standard high-lift blade works fine. You focus on speed and coverage.
If your lawn has **lots of trees, toys, or small rocks**, you need a heavy-duty blade. A thicker, high-carbon steel blade handles impacts better. You might prefer a mulching blade here so small debris gets chopped up instead of thrown far.
If you want a **very manicured look** (like a golf course), you need a very sharp, precision-ground blade. These blades give a clean slice rather than a tear, which helps the grass heal faster and look greener.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Mower Blades
Q: How often should I sharpen my lawn mower blade?
A: You should sharpen your blade at least once per mowing season, or every 25 hours of use. If your grass looks ragged after cutting, sharpen it sooner.
Q: Can I use a mulching blade if I want to bag my clippings?
A: Yes, you can usually use a mulching blade for bagging. However, a dedicated bagging blade will move the clippings into the bag more efficiently.
Q: How do I know if my blade is unbalanced?
A: If your mower shakes violently while running, the blade is likely unbalanced. Always check the balance after sharpening.
Q: What is the danger of using the wrong size blade?
A: Using the wrong size can cause serious damage. Too short, and it won’t cut evenly. Too long, and it can hit the mower deck or housing, which can break the blade or the engine shaft.
Q: Should I replace or sharpen my blade?
A: If the blade has large nicks, bends, or is worn down by more than 10%, you must replace it for safety. Small dull spots can be sharpened.
Q: What is “lift” on a blade?
A: Lift refers to the upturned wing or curve at the end of the blade. This wing creates suction, pulling the grass blades upright for a cleaner cut.
Q: Are Gator blades better than standard blades?
A: Gator blades are a type of mulching blade known for having three cutting surfaces. They often provide better mulching power than standard blades.
Q: Does blade thickness affect cutting height?
A: No. Blade thickness does not change the height your mower cuts. The cutting height is set by the mower deck wheels.
Q: Can I use a blade meant for a gas mower on an electric mower?
A: Only if the replacement blade matches the exact specifications (length and center hole) listed for your electric mower. Never guess.
Q: How do I safely remove the old blade?
A: Always disconnect the spark plug wire first for safety. Tip the mower on its side (with the air filter and carburetor facing up). Use a wrench to remove the bolt holding the blade in place.