How to Lower the Blade on a Push Mower
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How to lower the blade on a push mower: find the height adjustment on the mower, move it one setting down, and mow a test strip before you change it again. The method depends on the model: some mowers use a single lever, some use a knob on the rear wheels, and reel mowers often use a knob or a gear-equipped wheel. The listing or owner’s manual for your model shows which one you have. Lower the cut in small steps, and never remove more than one-third of the grass height in a single mow.
Quick answer
- Turn off or disconnect the mower before you touch the blade or the height control.
- Find the height control: a lever, a knob on the rear wheel, or a gear wheel, depending on the model.
- Lower the setting one notch at a time, and mow a small test area.
- Do not remove more than one-third of the grass height at once. Mow more often instead.
Find the height control first
Push mowers use different systems to set the cutting height, and the listings in this group describe several of them. The American Lawn Mower 14-inch listing describes a blade height adjustment that runs from 0.5 to 1.75 inches with three positions. The Scotts 20-inch listing describes a quick-snap adjustment from 1 to 3 inches. The LawnMaster 20-inch listing says the height is changed by a control with nine positions. The Walensee listing says the height is changed by pulling an adjustment handle, with no tools. The Lawnworld listing says it has five height positions. These are all different controls, so read the one on your mower before you start.
Before you begin, park the mower on a flat surface and make sure the blade cannot turn. On a reel mower, the blades turn when the wheels turn, so keep your hands away from the blades and lock the wheels if the model has a way to do that. On a motor mower, disconnect the spark plug wire or remove the battery so the engine cannot start while you work.
Step by step
- Check the current height. Measure the current cut from the ground to the blade or to the mower’s own scale. Note the number so you know how far you are moving.
- Find the adjustment control. Look for a single lever on the side or front of the deck, a knob on the rear wheel, or a set of gear positions printed near the wheel. The LawnMaster 20-inch listing describes nine cutting positions set with a single control.
- Move the control one notch down. Lower it one setting, not several. If the control has labeled positions, use the lowest label you need rather than the lowest one possible.
- Lock the setting. Make sure the lever or knob is fully seated in its new position. A setting that is only partly engaged can slip while you mow.
- Mow a test strip. Cut a short strip and look at the result. The cut should be even across the whole width. If one side is cut shorter, check that the adjustment is the same on both wheels.
- Repeat only if needed. If the cut is still too high, lower the setting one more notch and mow again. Stop when the grass is cut evenly at the height you want.
How far to lower it
The main limit is the one-third rule. The American Lawn Mower 14-inch listing says that for best results with a reel push mower, mow no more than one-third of the grass blade, so the roots stay intact. That is the most useful rule for lowering a blade. If your grass is 4 inches tall, do not drop the cut to 1.3 inches in one step. Raise the blade, cut the grass down in one pass, and then lower it in a second pass a day or two later.
The same listing says to increase the overlap of your passes when the lawn reaches 4 inches or more, because it is better to mow smaller amounts more often than to let the grass get long. Several reel mower listings in this group repeat that advice and say to mow weekly on grass shorter than 4 inches for the cleanest cut.
What a lower cut does to the lawn
The extension source explains that cutting height is set for each grass type, and that each type has its own range. It describes mowing above about 3 inches as the point where grass starts to thin, and it says that mowing lower and more often, within the range, gives a denser turf. It also says shaded grass needs a higher cut, because it has less light for growth. Use the source for the general rule, and use your grass type and your lawn’s light conditions to choose the setting.
In practice, lower the blade gradually over a few weeks rather than in one change. A large drop in height at once removes a lot of leaf, which is the reason for the one-third rule.
Products with a height adjustment
If you are buying a mower and want to be able to lower the blade easily, look for a model whose listing describes the adjustment clearly. The listings below each describe a height control in their own bullets, so you can compare the range and the number of settings. The listing does not say how easy each control is to use, so the range and the setting count are the facts to compare.
American Lawn Mower 14-inch Reel Mower, 4-Blade
The listing describes a 14-inch cutting width with four blades and an adjustable blade height from 0.5 to 1.75 inches. It says it can cut grass up to 4 inches tall, and that it is less effective on taller grass. Its bullets include the one-third rule and the advice to increase overlap when grass reaches 4 inches or more. The listing states the mower weighs 19 pounds.
Scotts 20-inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower
This listing describes a 20-inch cutting width with five blades and 10-inch dual tracking wheels. Its height control is described as a quick-snap adjustment from 1 to 3 inches, with nine positions in the specifications. The listing says the mower is lightweight and needs no gas or oil. The listing states a weight of 26.9 pounds.
LawnMaster 20-inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The LawnMaster 20-inch listing gives nine cutting positions between 1.3 and 2.6 inches. It describes a 20-inch cutting width, 10-inch front wheels, and a motorless design that needs no gas or batteries. The listing says the blades are steel and the mower is built for small lawns. Because the range is narrower at the low end than the Scotts model, choose it if your lawn does not need a cut below about 1.3 inches.
Great States 14-inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
The listing gives a quick, adjustable cutting height from 0.5 to 1.75 inches with three positions in its specifications. It describes a 14-inch cutting width, a 5-blade ball bearing reel, and 8.5-inch composite wheels. The listing says the blades are heat-treated alloy steel and that assembly is tool-less. The listing states a weight of 9.3 pounds and a 90 day limited warranty.
Walensee 16-inch 5-Blade Cordless Manual Reel Mower
The Walensee listing describes four cutting height settings from 0.6 to 1.5 inches, and says the adjustment handle is pulled to change height, with no tools. The listing describes 16-inch cutting width and 8.5-inch drive wheels, and it gives a weight of 15.4 pounds. Its bullets also say to trim taller grass in stages, which matches the one-third rule.
Lawnworld 14-inch Reel Lawn Mower with Tool-Free Blade Adjustment
This listing describes five height positions and a 14-inch cutting width with five blades. It says the mower has adjustment knobs on both sides for blade tension, which can be set by hand without tools. The listing does not give the height range in inches, so check the mower’s scale or the manual before you rely on any number.
Mistakes to avoid
- Dropping the cut in one step. A large drop removes more than one-third of the grass, which stresses the plant. Lower it in two or more passes.
- Mowing wet grass after a change. A new setting on wet grass can leave the cut uneven and push the grass down.
- Setting one side lower than the other. A test strip shows this quickly. Check both sides before you mow the whole lawn.
- Working near the blade with the engine or power on. Turn off the motor or disconnect the power before you reach under the deck.
- Using the wrong height for the grass type. Each grass type has its own range, so the setting that works for one lawn may cut too low for another.
When the adjustment does not move
If the lever or knob will not move to the lower setting, do not force it. Check that the control is not locked, that nothing is caught under the deck, and that the lever is fully released. If the control still does not move, the owner’s manual for your model describes the adjustment mechanism and any lock. The listings in this article do not describe a repair procedure, so do not rely on a generic fix.
FAQ
How much can I lower a push mower blade in one mow?
Remove no more than one-third of the grass height. The American Lawn Mower listing gives this rule for reel mowers, and it is a safe limit for most lawns.
Do I need tools to lower the blade?
It depends on the model. Several listings in this group describe tool-free height controls, such as a lever, a knob, or a gear wheel. Other models may need the manual’s procedure. Check the owner’s manual before you use a tool.
What height should I set for a fresh lawn?
Set the height to the middle of the range your grass type and light conditions suggest. The source says mowing above about 3 inches thins grass, and that shaded grass needs a higher cut than sunny grass.
Why does my cut look uneven after I lower the blade?
Check that both sides are set to the same position and that the blades are not dull. Lower the setting one notch at a time and mow a test strip before you commit to the whole lawn.
How often should I mow after lowering the blade?
Mow more often rather than letting the grass grow long. The reel mower listings in this group say to mow weekly on grass shorter than 4 inches, and to increase the overlap when grass reaches 4 inches or more.
Bottom line
Lower the blade one notch at a time, mow a test strip, and never take off more than one-third of the grass height in a single pass. The exact control depends on your mower, so read the listing or the owner’s manual before you adjust it. For more on mower blades, see How to Sharpen a Mower Blade Safely and How to Check a Mower Blade for Balance.
