How Come My Mulching Mower Gets Clogged?

Mulching is a great way to keep your lawn healthy. But if you mulch with your mower, how come it gets clogged?

There are a few reasons your mower might get clogged. Luckily for you, it is pretty easy to get them fixed. In this article, we will teach you how to troubleshoot and fix common issues that can cause your mulching mower to get clogged.

Mulching Mowers Are Great For Your Lawn

Mulching mowers are great for your lawn because they chop up the grass clippings and spread them around as fertilizer. This is a great way to keep your lawn healthy and green! However, mulching mowers can get clogged if you’re not careful. Here are some tips to prevent your mulching mower from getting clogged:

1. Be sure to clean the underside of your mower deck after each use. Mulching mowers depend on airflow to chop up grass clippings and leaves. Clippings and debris can build up and restrict the flow of air, causing the mower to become clogged.

2. Be sure to sharpen the blades on your mulching mower regularly. Dull blades will cause the grass clippings to be shredded rather than chopped, which can lead to a clogged deck.

3. Avoid mowing wet grass. Wet grass clippings are more likely to stick together and cause a clog. If you must mow wet grass, be sure to clean the underside of your mower deck afterwards.

4. Don’t try to mulch grass that is too tall. Too much grass prevents the mulching blade from chopping the grass clippings into smaller pieces.

How to Clean Under the Mowing Deck Safely

1. Turn off the mower and disconnect it from the power source before beginning any cleaning. For gas mowers, disconnect the spark plug wire. Remove the battery from battery powered mowers and unplug corded mowers.

2. Use a putty knife or similar tool to scrape away built-up grass and debris from underneath the mowing deck. Avoid scratching the paint while scraping. This can cause the mowing deck to deteriorate.

3. Use a garden hose to spray down the area beneath the deck, removing any remaining dirt or grime. Don’t use a pressure washer to clean under the deck. It could cause significant damage to the machine.

4. Allow the area to dry completely before reconnecting the mower and starting it up again.

5. Repeat this cleaning process on a monthly basis, or as needed, to keep your mower running smoothly.

NOTE: Some mowers come with a garden hose port on top of the mowing deck. This port allows you to clean under the mowing deck without getting your hands near the blade. The process is fast and easy.

1. Turn off the mower and park on an area you don’t mind getting grass clippings and green water deposited.
2. Connect garden hose to the port on the mower.
3. Turn on the garden hose.
4. Start the mower and let it run for a couple of minutes.
5. Turn off the mower and then the garden hose.
6. Start the mower again to dry under the deck.
7. Done.

How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades Safely

It’s important to keep your lawn mower blades in good condition so that you mower will cut the grass, not tear it. Over time, the blades on your lawn mower will become dull and will need to be sharpened. You can easily sharpen the blades yourself using a file or a grinder. Here’s how to do it safely:

First, remove the power source from the mower. This could be a gas-powered engine or an electric cord. Once the power is off, you can remove the blade. Be careful when handling the blade, as it could be very sharp.

Next, use a file or grinder to sharpen the blade. Be sure to sharpen both sides of the blade evenly. You may also need to balance the blade after sharpening it.

Finally, reinstall the blade onto the mower. Make sure it is securely in place before turning on the power source again.

If you don’t think you can sharpen and balance your blade correctly, take it to a lawn mower shop and have them do it.

Avoid mowing wet grass

Sometimes you feel that time isn’t on your side and you try to mow while the grass is wet. This will create problems because wet grass is heavy and the mulching blade cannot lift it properly. Then, the wet grass blades will stick together and clog the mower. If you can, mow before the rain or wait until the grass dries before mowing.

Don’t Try to Mulch Grass that is Too High

A mulching mower cannot do a good job of mulching the grass if there is too much of it. A good rule of thumb is to mow your grass when it is a third higher than the height you normally mow. So, if you set your mower at 2 inches, you will want to mow the grass when it reaches 3 inches. If you set your mower at 3 inches, you will want to mow your grass when it gets to 4 ½ inches.

It will be obvious if your mower is clogging because the grass is too tall. Your options are to go ahead and mulch it and then remow the clumps. Or you can also bag the clippings if you have a place to dump them.

Slow Down – Don’t Mow at High Speed

Your mulching mower needs air flow, a sharp blade and the right height of grass. You can improve the results of your mower by giving it time to do the work of chopping grass clippings and leaves into small pieces. All you have to do is slow down. By going slower, you are actually letting the mower do its job better. It might take a little longer, but you will be happier with the results.

The Wrong Blade – Make Sure You’re Using a Mulching Blade

Mulching blades are specifically designed for mulching. If you put the wrong blade on your mower, it will not perform properly. Make sure you have installed a mulching blade that was made for your mower.

Conclusion

While mulching mowers save you time and return nutrients to your lawn, they can also get clogged. If you are having this problem, make sure you are not missing some obvious issues.

• Be sure there is no buildup of grass clippings under the deck
• Make sure you properly sharpen and balance your mower blades
• Avoid mowing wet grass
• Avoid mowing grass that is too tall
• Do mow too fast
• Be sure you are using a blade that is made for mulching.

Once you have addressed these items, your mulching mower should perform like it was designed.