How fast can you cut and get a good cut?

[Eric ELM]

It never fails that the subject of speed of mowing comes up on Lawnsite.com and then the quality of cut comes up. Some say you can't cut at high speeds except when it is thin grass. I knew this subject would come up again this winter, so I took a picture at the level of the cut of grass on a lawn that is very very thick and I was taking off about 3 or 4" and going at full speed (12 MPH)in this area that I took this picture. To do this, you have to keep sharp blades on the mowers, I'm talking every day, not once or twice a week. I'm sure some of you will find flaws in the below picture, but it is an exceptable cut for the conditions.
http://elms.bizland.com/cutquality.jpg

[geogunn]

nice look eric! what kind of grass? looks like KY-31 because of the thick blades. is this with the striping kit? keep up the beautiful work.

GEO

[Skookum]

Well this would not be a FORUM unless someone disagrees, somewhat. The grass type plays such a role in this issue of speed and end qaulity results.

The grass in your picture Eric is a very stiff yet sparse cultivar. When I say sparse, I do not mean thin qaulity of lawn. The lawn looks very healthy and very thick in trems of condition. But, the grass type itself gives a fuller look by the wider blades of the cultivar. The hybrid was engineered to be that way.

The result is LESS clippings during and after cutting. Less clippings to consume a deck and bog it down at higher speeds. Less clippings to discharge for that final qaulity look. The added distance between blades also allows clippings to fall further into the canopy where it is not seen as easily after discharge. Add the stiffness of the blades as well and you have not only a speed demons lawn you also have a mulching maniacs paradise.

You would not get the same results on another lawn that has a higher blade count per sq ft due to a thinner blade type cultivar. The resulting thinner blade also means it is not as stiff at higher heights which requires more use of the decks lift for a quality final result, which means slowing down to achieve the proper lift. The thinner blade grass types, also of course, mean more clippings to bog down the deck and more clippings to throw on top of the lawn.

We have all seen it posted here before, no two properties are alike. The qaulity of your work on that lawn is great! There is no denying that aspect of your post. But, 12 mph on another totally diferent lawn, in another part of the country, with a totally different grass hybrid or worse OLD cultivar, is another story indeed.

[SpringValley]

Point well made Scott. I have similar situations where I can really fly on one lawn and slow way down on another. I even have one yard that is both in one shot.

Matt

[65hoss]

I can run my exmark lazer hp over bermuda cutting 3" off at full speed (9.5) and it cuts great also. With the high horsepower and the high blade speed I bet it could cut almost anything at full speed.

[Eric ELM]

I'm not saying I cut at full speed on all lawns, I'm just saying that it is possible to get a good cut at high speeds. There are so many that have said it is impossible to get a good enough cut at full speed, mostly guys that have slower mowers. I was just posting a picture to prove that it can be done and not leave uncut grass. When it is growing an inch a day like it does at times in the spring and when it should be cut twice a week, sure I slow down too and even double cut some areas or the whole lawn to chop up the excessive clippings, but the second time over, I let her rip. Man, that was a long sentence, I almost ran out of breath. :) ;)

I agree it depends on the type of grass, how tall it is, the smoothness of the lawn and how wet it is.

[bob]

That photo looks like a scene from "Honey I Shrunk the Kids". I also agree that very sharp blades equals higher speeds. I have some areas that are cut every other week. The lawn isn't real thick, still I can cut most of it at full speed.

[Superior Lawn Care]

I mow 30 lawns a week and have been sharpening my blade like once every week or so. How often do you guys suggest I sharpen the blades. If it helps there are 26 residential and 4 commercial. Thanks

[Mark]

Nice looking cut Eirc at 13mph. I agree i always keep 5 or6 sets of blades sharp for the week. As for speed goes it also depends on the surface, i mow some yds that are very bumpy,and i don't go real fast,but the ones that are level i run about 8-9mph.Superior you need to sharpen those blades everyday,youll be suprised how much better you cut will be.Plus thats not good on the grass.You don't want to tear the grass,this could result in disease. So keep umm sharp Good Luck on your upcomming season. Marks Mowing Service

[TJLC]

I sharpen blades every 4-6 average cuts depending on size of yards. Sometimes more or less. I'm always checking them while they are on the mower for sharpness. I don't think you can over sharpen blades. Sharp blades are key to a good cut.

[tgrebis]

Eric can I use this picture in an ad. Do you have any others. I would be willing to buy.

[John DiMartino]

Scott said it best,the type fo grass,and thickness dictate how fast you can go.I know i can see a difference on my jobs,that is all that matters to me,and i have the same exact mower deck as Eric does,and fresh sharp blades,spinning at the same speed.If The grass was a Rye,or blend like we have here, it wouldnt bounce back so fast and you would see the left front tire track in the cut like I do if I go to fast,when its wet or tall.Eric ,next time I want to see one of those radar trailer (the ones the police use)set up in the background-how do we know your going 12mph,and not 3 or 4 mph (just kidding)LOL

[Eric ELM]

John,
I could probably do that. :) The police like to sit and watch us and we know one by name now since we have talked a few times.

tgrebis,
I can probably help you out, so email me and let me know what you are looking for. I have all these pictures in the orginal much higher resolution which will print out much better in an advertisement. I do have the one above and another one from a bit higher up plus all the pictures on my site in the original higher resolution and some on 35mm. Click on my email below and let me know. Here is the one where I had the camera up a bit higher when I took it.
http://elms.bizland.com/cutquality2.jpg

[lee b]

Beautiful work Eric, but you need to cut some dry-weather southern grass. I don't believe you can cut week-old bahia at 13 miles a hour, no matter how sharp your blades are. Your blessed to be in a cooler climate with much better types of grass to mow. What can be done in your neck of the woods may not work everywhere else. Besides that, on the rough industrial sites I mow, you couldn't control the mower going that fast. The extra speed of the chopper would not really be useful in my situation. But I'm glad that it works for you.

[Nathan]

Just thought I would throw in a little reality. It seems like most of you guys are in the easy or mid east. When the grass is bone dry and you are mulching it is probably very easy to mow fast with a great result. But try that in the heavy dew, or pouring rain when bagging and you will see grandma passing you. Even then I still get some 'mohawks' where the grass didn't cut totally even.

[landscaper3]

Up here in Northern Maine you can mow at high speed but looks terrible do the the wet and fast growing grass. 75% of all lawns up here are bagged rather than discharged. We and alot of companies have tried many options but until July mulching or discharging grass does not look 1/10 of the look as bagged so I guess its all up to your location and type of grass being cut. I do love July and August for then we put our 52" and 62" decks on our Walkers and then let the grass fly!!!!!!!!! Once agian Eric you do a nice job mowing it says alot about your company.

[awm]

Me thinks July and august in Maine must be a lot
different than in Carolina if you loveum.
That far north would be cooler i guess

[Acute Cut]

Nathan:
Eric has said that this may not work on other lawn types. I live just north of you about an hour and a half in Bellingham. I have mowed in both Southern and Northern lawns. Dramatically different. In the south, "Moss" is a scary story that they tell their employees about to get them to work harder. (JK)

But, dont give them too much slack down there either. Any of you southern lawn guys ever step into and stand in a large fire ant hill? I have. OUCH! Try discharging a hill of them little buggers straight into a brisk wind! The old saying "Dont spit into the wind" comes to mind. OUCH AGAIN!

Thier grass is "thick" for thier regions. Our area is thicker still with more moisture retained in the blades. I dont even remember having to hardly ever clean the decks down south. I almost have to do it hourly up here in the rainy season.

SKOOKUM:
BULLSEYE! Now there is a guy who really knows his lawn. Perhaps with his continued posts we can all be "Lawn Geeks" too. (Meant in a good way SKOOKUM)

Great job as always eric.