How to Install a Mulch Blade on a Deere Walk Behind

A mulching blade helps fertilize your lawn.

A mulching blade for a walk-behind lawn mower first cuts the grass blades, then traps the cuttings under the mower deck and repeatedly chops the cuttings into smaller and smaller pieces. As the mower is pushed, the tiny pieces of grass fall back down into the freshly cut grass, acting as mulch to fertilize the lawn. John Deere mowers can be fitted with a mulching mower blade as a replacement for the existing standard mowing blade on all John Deere walk-behind mowers. Replacing the blade takes just a few minute to complete.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Socket wrench set
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug. Empty the fuel tank at least half way. Tip the mower on either its left or right side, depending on the model you are working on.

2. Put on a pair of work gloves. Grasp the blade of the mower with one hand to stabilize the blade and a drive axle. Remove the blade retaining bolt in the center of the existing lawn mower blade with the socket wrench. Remove the lock washer and blade from the axle.

3. Position the new mulching blade on the axle with the side flanges on the blade toward the axle blade hub. Install the washer onto the blade retaining bolt. Thread the blade retaining bolt into the axle.

4. Tighten the bolt to 54 pound-feet with the torque wrench.

References

• John Deere Manuals: Walk-Behind Mower MowMentum JS25, JS35 Operator's Manual
• John Deere Manuals: Walk-Behind Mower MowMentum JS26, JS36, JS46 Operator's Manual