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Commercial Replacement Mower Blades

Commercial Replacement Mower Blades

Serving 2,500 commercial lawns since 1998, we bring proven experience to every product we offer.

When Should You Replace or Sharpen Your Mower Blades?

As a general rule, lawn mower blades should be sharpened after about 25 hours of normal usage and will normally have to be replaced after 200 hours of usage. However, it all depends on the terrain being mowed. Terrain with rocks and heavy tree roots can easily damage the blades, and once damaged, mower blades need to be replaced. There are two things to look for to figure out whether you need to sharpen or change your blades.

  • Brown or ragged grass tips after mowing

  • Uneven cuts, with one side higher than the other

  • Needing to go over areas more than once to achieve evenness

  1. Look at your lawn after mowing. Dull or damaged blades won’t cut grass well. Dull blades tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly. Ragged grass tips lose moisture, turning brown. Less moisture also makes grass more likely to get diseases and die. Uneven cuts mean blades are damaged and need replacing. One side will be higher, and you’ll often need to mow the same area twice.

  2. You can assess your blade condition through a visual inspection. If they are dented or bent out of shape, they need to be replaced. If the edge of the blade is rounded, but there aren't any visible signs of physical damage, you can usually get away with just sharpening them for now. However, if the edge of the blades has been thinned out from too much sharpening, it's time to replace your mower blades.

How Should You Measure Your Lawn Mower Blades?

Here's how to get accurate measurements for your blades:

  1. Measuring the Length. A blade is measured from the tip on one side of the blade to the tip on the other diagonal side. The measuring tape should cross the blade and not run along the side of it. Measuring along just one side will give you an inaccurate reading.

  2. width. The width should be measured across the middle of the blade where the center hole is located. This is also where the widest and flattest part of the blade is.

  3. Center hole. Only two types of center holes have to be measured: round and rounded rectangle. You'll need to measure the inner diameter of rounded holes and the inner length and height of rounded rectangle holes. Other types of center holes, such as 5, 6, and 7-point star holes and H-styled holes, don't need to be measured since they come in a standard design. Most mower blades have rounded center holes.

  4. Multiple holes. Some blades have two extra holes — one on each side of the center hole. The diameter of each hole and the space between them should be measured.

  • Measuring the length. A blade is measured from the tip on one side of the blade to the tip on the other diagonal side. The measuring tape should cross the blade and not run along the side of it. If you measure the length just along one side, you will get a faulty measurement.

  • Width. The width should be measured across the middle of the blade where the center hole is located. This is also where the widest and flattest part of the blade is.

  • Center Hole. Only two types of center holes have to be measured: round and rounded rectangle. You'll need to measure the inner diameter of rounded holes and the inner length and height of rounded rectangle holes. Other types of center holes, such as 5, 6, and 7-point star holes and H-styled holes, don't need to be measured since they come in a standard design. Most mower blades have rounded center holes.

  • Multiple Holes. Some blades have two extra holes — one on each side of the center hole. The diameter of each hole and the space between them should be measured.

Which Type of Lawn Mower Blade Do You Have?

You will have to do a visual inspection to learn what type you have. There are five different types of mower blades: Straight/Flat, Low-Lift, High-Lift, Mulching, and Gator.

Straight or Flat Blades

This is the most popular type of blade found on mowers. A straight/flat blade (a mower blade with a flat cutting edge and a slight curve on the non-cutting side for airflow) has a flat cutting edge, but there is a curve on the non-cutting side to help give it an aerodynamic design. The design creates suction to lift the blades of grass up to be cut and then to direct the cut grass to a side discharge point. These blades are good for cutting dry or wet thick grass in any kind of soil.

Low Lift Blades

These blades are less curvy than standard ones and don't create the same amount of suction because they are designed to work in sandy soils. The lower amount of suction helps to keep the grass anchored in the sandy soil. It also helps stop dust and sand from filling the air as you mow. These blades are smaller, typically 3 to 4 inches long, and need less power while cutting. This can help extend the life of your mower, saving you money in the long run.

High Lift Blades

A high-lift blade (a mower blade with tall vertical wings or curves that generate strong upward airflow) is made to create suction to lift the blades of grass straight so they can be cut. High-lift blades range in length from one to 21 inches. The high amount of suction helps to keep the discharge chute clean by preventing the grass from clogging it up. These blades should be used in thick soils since they can pull the grass out of sandy soils.

Mulching Blades

Mulching blades have a curved surface that does two jobs. The suction raises the grass up straight and then cuts it into pieces with its segmented and ragged cutting edge. These blades are good for mulching up the grass enough to make it suitable to use as a fertilizer to enrich the soil. These blades shouldn't be used to cut thick and long grass.

Gator Blades

Gator blades look and act like mulching blades, except they create a higher amount of suction to raise the grass up so it can be sliced into pieces with the ragged edge of the blade. These blades can cut through tall grass and work well when you're mulching leaves.

What’s New in Mower Blade Technology for 2024–2025?

What Are Self-Sharpening Mower Blades?

What Features Make a Mower Blade More Durable?

The toughest blades share three traits:

  • Premium steel – Heat-treated alloys stay hard without becoming brittle.

  • Thicker metal – Commercial blades 0.203–0.250 inches thick resist bending on impact.

  • Edge technology – Hard-facing or specialty coatings slow wear and reveal a new sharp edge over time.

Keeping the blade clean and balanced after each sharpening helps those features last even longer.

When Should I Use High-Lift Blades?

Choose high-lift blades when you:

  • bag or rear-discharge clippings, and need strong airflow,

  • mow tall, wet, or very thick grass,

  • want sharper striping on finished lawns.

Skip high-lift blades on sandy or dusty turf, where the extra suction stirs up debris and strains the engine.

Self-sharpening blades don't actually self-sharpen. Instead, extremely hard material is applied to the bottom of the blade's cutting edge. The material is harder than the metal used on a standard blade and wears at a much slower pace. As the edge of the blade wears down, the hardened material underneath is exposed, giving the blade a new sharp edge.

Last updated: June 10, 2024. We annually review and update the 'Last updated' date, even if content remains unchanged.

Please feel free to call or fill out our online form with any questions or concerns you may have.

You can also visit our About page to learn more about Bradley Mowers, including our years in business and industry certifications like OPEI membership.

How Do I Choose the Right Replacement Blade for My Mower?

Follow four quick steps:

  1. Confirm size – Match length, width, thickness, and center-hole style to your current blade.

  2. Check the OEM part number – It’s stamped on the blade or listed in your mower’s manual.

  3. Pick a lift style – Low for sandy soil, standard for everyday mowing, high for bagging or tall grass, and mulching or gator for fine clippings.

  4. Buy a balanced set – Replace all blades on multi-blade decks at the same time to keep the cut even.

Taking these steps ensures the new blade fits safely and delivers the cut quality you expect.

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right mower blades and keeping them sharp will help you get a healthier, more even lawn. Regularly check blade condition, follow recommended sharpening and replacement schedules, and always measure carefully to find the best fit for your equipment. Using the right blade type for your mowing conditions—whether you need high-lift, low-lift, mulching, or gator blades—can boost performance and extend the life of your mower. For questions or blade recommendations, our team at Bradley Mowers is always here to help.

Key Takeaways

  • Sharpen mower blades after about 25 hours of use; replace them after 200 hours or if damaged.

  • Check your lawn’s appearance and blade condition to decide if blades need sharpening or replacement.

  • Measure blade length diagonally, width at the center hole, and note any multiple holes for accurate replacement.

  • Types of blades include straight/flat, low-lift, high-lift, mulching, and gator—each suits different mowing needs.

  • Self-sharpening blades use a hardened edge for longer-lasting sharpness but don’t actually sharpen themselves.