How Sharp?

[catflyer]

I just received 3 new blades for my Country Clipper ZTR. They were listed as "Gator Mulching Blades". I was surprised that the blades have some sort of coating, and are not sharp. I used to sharpen the blade on my old walk behind with a file, being sure it was balanced before re-installing. It was quite sharp when I put it back on the mower. Are these supposed to be this dull? Do I need to file/grind them before putting them on? Thanks, Brian

[betmr]

Shipped like that for safety, I would sharpen them, following the angle they have. don't take any off the bottom, just clean the burrs.

[catflyer]

Thanks! Maybe time to invest in a bench grinder.

[joshua]

not sure on what country clipper recommends but exmark says to sharpen blades every 10 hours of operation ( cutting ).

[catflyer]

Thanks Joshua. I was really surprised that the new blade are shipped unsharpened. Do I need to sharpen the edges on the tines of the mulching blades too, or just the regular few inches of cutting edge? Thanks, Brian

[betmr]

If you are talking about the the bent upwards parts, No you don't sharpen them. They are called Sails, and produce the lift to the grass, they are not for cutting, but for air flow.

I don't know if you have checked with you manufacturer, but there may be a dedicated mulching kit available for your machine. What this does is surround each blade in its own baffle so one blade doesn't send clippings over to the next. I got one for a 72" deck for a little over $200. No more side discharge, nice clean cut, and putting nutrients Back into the soil.

Mulching the clippings is the way to go. There's nutrients in those clippings

[joshua]

mulching is the way to go. when you bag you remove 1/3 of the lawns total requirements of N-P-K. thats over the course of the whole year if you just bag.

[STIHL GUY]

you dont need to sharpen them so they are sharp like a knife. if you do they will wear out quickly