Last Updated on December 10, 2021 by Mark Brian
When it comes to machinery, the orientation of different parts of that machinery is a greater concern. Lack of knowledge about different machinery parts may lead you to serious problems in sensitive scenarios. But the topic is a lawn mower, there can not be so damaging effects if it is not treated properly. When it comes to a company launching its product, it is very important to test all the fine orientation of all the parts. It should be assured that all the parts are functioning accordingly or not. So, people come with a query about 3 blade mower orientation.
It is often told that the majority is authority. So looking into the dire needs of the people about the orientation of 3 blade mower orientation. Such blades help to mow tall grass with a riding mower. Most of the lawn mowers come with different nature of operabilities of their blades. Most often the mower offers you clockwise rotation of their blade. If this orientation of the mowers is considered, they are supposed to be emitting the residual grass from the right side. That is why their chute is located on the right side of the mower. There is a simple formula to know the spinning orientation of the blade. If the chute is on the right side then the blades spin clockwise and if it is on the left side, the blades spin on the left side. It is just for your ease as you can’t see the mower’s deck internally without opening the deck.
Why is it necessary to know the mower’s orientation?
The cutting deck is part of the machinery. So, it may go wrong anytime due to handling harsh circumstances or whatever? It is not our concern right now. Now, you have to open the deck for its recovery.
There is the possibility that you forget the original spinning of the blades like what direction they were spinning around. In this case, if you install the blades in the opposite spinning motion. The residue which is being cut by the respective blade will be thrown to that side where there is no way for the trash to come out. It will keep sticking in your machinery which will lead your mower to other mechanical problems. So, you are meant to keep the original orientation of the blades in mind otherwise it will cause problems.
Orientations of Different Mowers
Riding Mower blade orientation
The general orientation of most mowers is covered above in detail. As mentioned, most riding mowers have a clockwise direction with the cutting edge of blades on the right side. Again to be sure you must be focused on the chute discharge. If it is indeed on the right side then the blades run clockwise.
To be specific we have mentioned the orientation of renowned mowers below.
Husqvarna Blade Mower Orientation
When installing a new blade, make sure the blade’s cutting edge is pointing in the direction of rotation. “This way up” will be imprinted on the blade. Make sure the writing is facing the deck and that the mandrel’s star is exactly aligned with the mower blade’s center hole.
Cub Cadet Blade Orientation
Cub Cadet blades can be reversely threaded. The easiest way to determine the orientation is by keeping your eyes on the nut. This nut has a typical right handed thread in most Cub Cadet riding mowers (tighten clockwise, loosen counterclockwise) and should be torqued to between 70 and 90 foot pounds to secure it.
Exmark Blade Orientation
Most Exmark blades do not require an offset. They are versatile and can be aligned in any direction. as they are attached by a single belt we recommend you to be careful. if the grass discharge is on the left side then according to our experience you should change the orientation towards the anticlockwise direction.
Lawn Mower Blade Installation Direction
One thing that you must ensure for your blades to work properly is the right installation. Whether it is the new blades or you are replacing your old ones the direction should be right. Overlooking something like this results in stunted growth of the grass which is an eyesore.
Another thing is that repeated wrong positioning of the mower is not something your wallet can handle. A riding mower can only take so much before the blades disrupt the engine. That is why there are certain things you should be aware of.
Most blades already have words and directions stamped on them. You will find that the words “this side up” are written on the blade ends. If not, there is another way. We already know that the blades end on a sharp note. On one end of the blade, locate the cutting edge. With an opposing trailing edge, the cutting edge is sharpened to a point. The dull trailing edge of the blade is a curve in the blade that should face the mower deck. Hold on to the blade with one hand and screw properly in the direction towards the cute.
Besides all this, paying attention to how the old blade was mounted is one of the greatest ways to establish the right position of a mower blade.
Correct Lawn Mower Blade Position
You must have already seen a million videos involving the words clockwise and anticlockwise. Figuring that out with an already busy mind can be a hassle. That is why we have a simple trick up our sleeve.
Instead of directing your attention towards the blade, we will tackle this problem from another view. The discharge chute is the rightful placement for the 3 blade riding mower to keep the flow of grass away from the blades and out of the deck.
The cutting edge of most lawn mower blades is on the right side since they rotate clockwise. Check the position of the discharge chute if you’re not sure how your mower revolves; if it’s on the right side and angled back, the blade rotates clockwise. Place the blade on the mounting plate and secure it with the retention hardware once it is properly positioned.

Our Recommendations
Husqvarna 2 Pack Part #581
Husqvarna mowers usually have blades compatible with each of their models. However, we recommend that you check the manual before you make the final purchase. That is why we have narrowed it down to Husqvarna 2 Pack Part #581 69 61-01 blade suitable for large acre riding lawn mowers. They even surpass the best mulching blades for John Deere.These are also exceptionally easy to install and leave very few grass piles to be ignored.
CUB CADET 19B30005100
Cub Cadet has been a relief for operators because the blades compatible with the mowers pose fewer problems as compared to the competitors. Coupled with our durable CUB CADET 19B30005100 Mulch Kit that is suitable for LTX-1045, LTX-1046, LTX-1046VT, LTX-1050 KH, LTX-1050 VT, RZT-L 46 FAB, RZT-L46, RZT-L46 FAB, models, and more. You can find out further information in the manual.
Oregon 6 Pack 92 030
It is hard to ignore an Exmark mower that is climbing up the ropes in your yards. The blades are sturdy and easy to align because the directions are written along the blade ends. Not to mention our recommended Oregon 6 Pack 92 030 lift blade is manufactured by two exclusive companies.
Maxpower 561713XB
If you are tired of switching between blade models and have yet to settle for one then our Maxpower 561713XB Commercial Mulching 2-Blade Set is waiting for you. It is compatible with many Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, and Poulan models. The 5 point star center holes and 21” center blades hold to the deck with a steadfast grip.
3 Blade Mower Deck Timing
3 blade mowers are heavy mowers. As opposed to the 2 blade riding mower there is one extra blade. While the blade leaves no room for the avoided grass patches it also takes 33% more load on the mower and your budget. That makes it suitable for heavy duty work.
3 mower deck timing is a common question among the operators. It doesn’t make a difference. When a mowing deck has three blades, timing isn’t necessary. This is due to the fact that the blades have little probability of colliding.
When using a 2 blade deck, the blades might overlap to avoid leaving an uncut region. The third cutting deck on a 3 blade deck takes care of any overlap.
Exmark Blade Position
You will be delighted to know that there is no rocket science behind the installation of blades on Exmark riding mowers. Sure, the mowers are known for their signature durability, performance and stability but the mechanics stick to the basics.
As most Exmark mowers have a 5” cutting height so figuring out the blade position should not be a problem.
Replace your blade in the same manner as you removed the previous ones. Make sure the blade is facing the right way up and that the washer and bolt are both in place. For proper torque specs, you can consult your owner’s handbook. Before testing your mower, carefully lower it and reconnect your spark plug wires after the blades have been safely placed.
Problems with the Mower’s Blade Orientation
The main concern regarding the orientation of a mower is the spinning of the blades. Other than this there are many problems that can be faced due to the bad orientation of the blades.
Blades lose their original place
What does this mean? There is nothing technical like you must be having a skill set for knowing this. It is quite simple that the blades are no more at their original place. Due to heavy duty, if the blade loses its original place you can face the problems like the middle part of the cutting deck is not functional or one side of it is not functional. The problem is the same in both cases. Like what? One of the blades is misplaced due to which it does not come in contact with the ground. As a result, it won’t be giving a cut to the lawn.
In this regard, you are supposed to unlock the cutting deck and make the orientation of blades right. Now, enjoy mowing your large yards (3 to 5 acres), medium (1 to 2 acres), small lawns, or any sized lawn nicely.
Blades lose their potential
A blade or a set of blades does not come with the capability to mow the lawn. With the passage of time, everything loses its potential. The same is the case with the mower’s blade. In this case, the cutting deck wholly doesn’t give fine operations or some part in that one pass remains affected with that. The mower blades need to be balanced and sharpened to give fine operations. In this case, you are supposed to get your blades sharpened to enjoy fine operations.
Blades are vertically down
Due to coming in contact with some hard surface, the blades of a mower may get misshapen as well. Such blades start giving cut to the soil of your lawn ground. You should be aware of such problems. If the soil of the lawn is getting affected, blades or blades are misshapen. In this regard, you are required to open the cutting deck for making its shape well and good as it was before. Now, it will offer you fine operations in any kind of mowers such as Riding, electric, gas, lightweight, mulching, self propelled, and others.
Hope the orientation of the lawn mower with their most frequent problems has been described very openly. You are required to keep each scenario in your mind if you are a frequent lawn mower user. Your lawn mower may also face such kinds of problems. If you know it already, it would be far easier for you to get the problem fixed. Moreover, a good lawn mower lasts for a long if regular checkups and maintenance are done.
One of the best riding lawn mowers on our suggest list is Craftsman T110. In this mower you can you can change the deck to 3 mower blade orientation, mulching, and can even attach the bagger. We have given a proper guide and review of this Lawn mower in the provided link above.
Frequently Asked FAQsQuestions ()
Which direction does a 3 blade lawn mower spin?
Most if not all 3 blade orientation mower types have blades that rotate to the right, often known as the clockwise direction. The holding bolt should be rotated in the other direction if you wish to remove, sharpen, or replace the blades. This is the counterclockwise or left direction.
Which side of the lawn mower blade is up?
The biggest telltale is the “this side up” written on the blades. Additionally, the cutting edge of the instrument is the most dependable and practical approach to check if your mower blade is up. This edge will be sharpened significantly in comparison to the duller side. Because it will be chopping grass, the cutting edge should face the lawn.
What happens if you put lawn mower blades upside down?
It is very typical to install a blade backward. When this happens, the lawn mower may not cut properly or may even be damaged.
Which way do you turn the nut on a lawn mower blade?
Simply turn to the left. The blade’s retaining bolt must be turned to the left, or counterclockwise, to be removed. Tip the mower on its side with the engine air cleaner facing up and block the blade with a piece of wood so it can’t turn before undoing the blade.
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