You will need the best tools when doing a task, which will ensure you achieve the best output – even in a regular task such as mowing.
The blade type you choose goes a long way to dictate your experiences when mowing, and makes a major difference between an eyesore or a lush result. When choosing between standard and high lift blades, it gets even harder to narrow down your choice, but knowing what to go for involves knowing the pros and cons of each option.
Standard Blade vs High Lift Mower Blade – Comparison table
| Standard Blade | High Lift Mower Blade | |
|---|---|---|
| Lift angle | Low, medium | High, Extra-High |
| Work best for | Discharge | Bagging, discharge |
| Can they cut tall grass | No | Yes |
Standard Blade vs High Lift Mower Blade – How they compare
The only contrast between the two blades is in their design – specifically, the curve degrees on their edges, also referred to as their ‘lift’.
The ‘lift’ is a term that means the ability of the mower blade to pull the grass clippings in and later push them to the mower’s bag or discharge area. The main influence behind the lift is the airflow – the stronger it is, the stronger the lift will be. You can change the airflow strength by making tweaks on the blade, through curving the surface slightly; so this should tell you the difference between a standard blade and a high lift blade.
High lift blades have a ‘lifting’ angle, so their blades are more curved, while a standard blade is ‘lift-less’. The blade lift can range from low to medium in a standard blade, while the high lift blades have a high or extra-high curve. Standard blades are more common in the market, so you have higher chances of getting them compared to a high lift blade.
Standard Blade vs High Lift Mower Blade – A comparison review
Standard Blade
Pros
- Since they do not have high power demands, they will not stress the engine
- They are ideal if your lawnmower does not have much horsepower
- They produce minimal noise and dust
Cons
- They tend to clog easily when you use them on compact or tall grasses due to lack of airflow
High Lift Mower Blade
Pros
- They are excellent choices for bagging, which creates a neater lawn
- Very good for wet and tall grasses, as the greater airflow prevents clogging from happening
Cons
- They are inefficient when handling mulching
- They have high horsepower demands, so they can cause engine strain
Verdict: So, which is better? Standard Blade or High Lift Mower Blade?
Your blade choice largely depends on the conditions you want to use the blade in, with standard blades working better for non-mulching applications, if the mower has average horsepower, or if you mow short grass. High lift blades are the best option though, as they can handle both short and taller grasses, and work very well when you want to bag the clippings.
FAQs
Is it better to choose a thicker mower blade?
Yes, it is better than a thinner type, since it will not dull as quickly and will not need frequent sharpening.