Why is my lawn mower leaving uncut grass?
Some of us got frustrated when they realized that their mowers left some parts of the lawns uncut. I don’t want you to panic if you have such a situation.
What is the cause of your lawnmower leaving uncut grass? The most common cause is a dull blade, but it is not the only reason.
Other reasons include damaged blades, over tall or wet grass, low deck, low throttle, the engine’s poor performance, lawnmower being on high speed, over full grass bag, and clutch slip.
There are many reasons behind this, but the first suspect is a dull blade. Check your engine performance if the engine’s sound is not good or the engine is sluggish. Fix the engine problem if any.
Most times the reason behind uncut grass is a dull blade. If you are finding it difficult to sharpen your blade, here is what to consider:
Check For Blade Damage
When a blade is bad, it will result in many kinds of problems in your mowing and collection department. Check the blade to know if there are loose bolts, damaged, misaligned, bent, or broken blade tips.
Sometimes the mowing blades will hit stones, sprinklers stumps, and dog toys as they mow. It takes a second for a lawnmower blade to turn 50 times which is 200 mph at the tip.
Therefore, the hardened steel can get damaged when you hit an object. The mower will start giving you uneven cutting, and the machine vibrates when the blade bends or a part of it brakes out.
Your lawnmower blade may look good, but you will not know it has spoilt. The blade’s edge does the grass cutting, so you can easily notice it when it spoils. It is the trailing edge that stuffs the bag. The older the edge gets the less efficient the blade becomes. The only solution is to replace the blade with a new one.
Do not try repairing or bending your lawnmower blade. Special treatment was given to the metal; they may shatter if you do not handle them carefully.
As you replace the blade with a new one, ensure you replace the bolts and washers with new ones too. The bolts and washers should be the ones specifically made for lawnmowers. Buying anyone you see from a roadside shop is not advised.
Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Go to the user’s manual or the dealer’s website to get the specification.
Blade Orientation
You may make a mistake and fix your blade backward. If you recently fixed your mower blade, go and check to see if you fixed it in the right position. You may have fixed it wrongly, but do not worry.
You will see that the blade’s leading edge will turn clockwise when you look at it from up.
Bent- It is dangerous to mow with a bent blade. It will result in lawn scalping and vibration. It may spoil the engine if you do not pay attention to it.
Replace- Many issues will be over when you change the blade to a new one. Do not forget to replace the bolts and washers at the same time you are replacing the blade.
Dull Blade
Is your blade sharp? The main reason we have uncut grass is a dull blade. It will not take time before a blunt blade damages your lawn. It will only tear the grass and leaves. The grass will be left with a jagged edge that will turn its tips yellow.
The only way you will repair the yellow grass damage is to mow the lawn steadily with a sharp blade. Sharpen your lawnmower blade at least once every season.
The rate at which you sharpen it depends on how often you mow and the terrain you mow. The health, and beauty of your lawn depending on how sharp your blade is.
Sharpen- You need to sharpen your blade at least once a season. It will be very easy to sharpen your blade anytime if you sharpen it regularly.
Blade Types
The blade you have may not be the one you are supposed to use on your lawnmower. A blade may ordinarily look non-important when you look at it, but when you change it to a new one, you will notice the huge difference it will make on your lawn.
There are two types of blades, the lifting blade, and the mulching blade. Each is unique in its strength. The blade you will use depends on how you intend to handle your clippings and your climate.
Lift Blade
You can call the Lift blade the 2 in 1. It collects and discharges grass. Before it cuts the grass and moves it into the bag, it will vacuum it upright first. The blade is designed to collect grass. It comes in three levels: low, medium, and high lift.
Lift means sucking power. You need a more powerful engine to operate a higher lift blade. The trailing edge of the blade is curved upwards for the blade to be a lift. The power of the lift depends on how steep the curve is. It is very easy for these blades to bag grass whether wet or dry.
FAQs
How do I stop grass from clumping when I mow?
Mow only when the grass is dry. Set your cutting deck to be high. Clean your lawnmower very well every day you finish mowing. Be efficient in mowing your lawn. If you notice your lawnmower is struggling, slow it down. Get the cutting blade out and sharpen it. Buy a mower that has more capacity.
Why is my mower not cutting all the grass?
Some causes of a lawn mower cutting unevenly include a bent crankshaft, damaged wheels, a loose, bent, or dull mower blade, and a clogged or damaged cutting deck.
Why is my lawn mower leaving uncut grass?
Streaks of uncut grass in your lawn may cause cutting blades to be dull. Dull blades are the result of normal wear and tear from mowing.