If your grass is not looking quite right, you may need to learn how to increase lawn mower height. To get the best cut and healthiest grass, your mower needs to be set right first.
In order to increase your lawn mower height, adjust the lever next to each wheel one notch towards the rear of the mower. Move the lever as many notches to the correct cutting height you desire. If you move the lever towards the front of the mower, you will lower the lawn mower height.
To get a healthy and green lawn all year round, you need to have a proper mowing routine. This includes mowing your lawn at a correct height. One of the first things you need to do is check your lawn mower height. If too high or too low, you will not get the grass you were hoping for.
Following our guide and instructions, you can successfully adjust the height of your lawn mower. And it can be done with ease.
No matter what type of mower you have, we will help you get the right height for optimal mowing. If you want the greenest and healthiest grass on the block, then get your mower to the right height.
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How Do You Raise The Height Of A Lawn Mower
A mowing routine and proper techniques are essential for healthy and green lawns. As the weather heats up, you want to get in the habit of taking care of your lawn, so it looks great through the seasons.
Having the correct mowing heights on your mower is a critical part of proper lawn maintenance.
Because lawn mower height is so important, we want you to know how to raise the height of a lawn mower if you need to. Below is a step-by-step procedure to change your lawn mower height easily.
Different mowers will vary slightly, but in general, changing the height will follow the same pattern of steps.
Using our guide below will have you mowing at the correct height. We want your lawn to look its best, so also have additional information in this guide to help you get there.
How To Increase Lawn Mower Height Step By Step
All mowers can have their height adjusted. For push-mowers, you have levers that you can raise or lower, moving the blades to a higher or lower position.
You may need to adjust the blades when you have not mowed for a while and the grass is longer than you intended. This is common at the beginning of the spring season, after colder months have passed.
Step 1: Make sure your mower is on a flat surface and the engine is off or if electric, the mower is unplugged. If it has been running, let the engine cool completely before adjusting the height. If you have a gas mower, remove the spark plug boot.
Step 2: Use a towel to clean the mower deck and locate the wheel adjustment lever. For gasoline mowers, this will be between the deck and each tire. For electric mowers, the lever will be between the rear tire and the deck.
Step 3: You will need a measurement of the length of grass you are starting with. It is important so that you do not mow too much. You can get this using a ruler and we have outlined this measuring method later in the guide.
Step 4: Once you have your measurement, remember that you should never mow more than ⅓ of the total length of the grass. Move the adjustment lever on the mower forward to increase the height or backwards to reduce the height.
Depending on the model of mower you have, the lever will have readings in numbers or inches. Make sure all four of the wheels are set to the same height.
For electric mowers, the lever needs to be moved towards the wheel. It moves towards the rear of the deck for a higher number and to the front of the deck for a lower one.
Electric mowers only have one lever and all four wheels will be adjusted the same. Some newer models may have a dial to turn instead of a lever, but it will work in the same way as a lever.
Step 5: Finally, if you have a reel lawn mower, there is a different way to adjust the height. You will need additional tools for this. Taking an adjustable wrench, open mower’s roller assembly. There will be a bracket on each side of this assembly that needs to be loosened and removed.
Pull the roller bolt out of the bracket and place it back in a higher hole. Do the same for both sides of the mower. Replace the nuts/brackets on both sides and make sure they are tightened. Your reel mower will now mow at a taller height.
How To Measure Lawn Mower Cutting Height
The cutting height is an important number when it comes to mowing. To measure this correctly, these are the steps to follow. Make sure our mower is on a flat surface before you begin. You can use a ruler for this measurement, no need for any fancy devices.
Holding the ruler next to the blade housing, measure from the bottom of the housing to the ground. The blades will not hit anything that is below the housing. For example, if the housing is sitting at 2 inches, then you will cut between 2 ¼ and 2 ½ inches of grass.
You want to adjust the height to get a height that is best for the grass you have. Mow a small patch of grass. Place the ruler in the grass you just cut to see how tall the grass is from the soil. Compare this to the uncut grass. This will give you the measurement of the grass you want to cut.
- Adjust the height of the mower until you get to the best approximate height needed for your particular grass type.
- Mark this measurement on your ruler.
- Mow a sample patch of grass in an inconspicuous area, such as the back corner of your yard.
- Place the ruler in the grass until it hits the soil. Measure how tall the blades go up the ruler and compare it to uncut grass. Remember to only cut 1/3 of the total blade height.
- Adjust the height of the lawn mower until you get the desired cutting height.
Lawn Mower Height Numbers
You only want to cut ⅓ of the total blade height of the grass. The actual height will vary depending on the type of grass you have. The weather will also play a role in the number you want to mow.
In colder seasons, grass needs to be mowed with 3 inches in height, and in warmer weather, mow with 2 inches left.
Never remove more than ⅓ of the total height. Mowing at a correct height stimulates root growth for healthier grass. When lawns are cut too short, the growth of weeds are encouraged because more light can reach through to the soil.
What Is The Best Height To Mow a Lawn
Successful lawn maintenance involves mowing at the right height. The important numbers to keep in mind were discussed above, but there are some additional tips to remember.
Every grass will have a recommended height, so know the type of grass you have. The most common types of lawn grass are:
- Kentucky Bluegrass which should be mowed between 2 and 3 inches
- Bermuda Grass which should be mowed between 1 and 2 inches
- Tall Fescue likes to be mowed between 2 and 3 ½ inches
- Buffalo Grass needs to be mowed between 2 and 3 inches
- Zoysia Grass likes to be kept between 1 and 2 inches
Mowers will have different settings on their adjustment levers. Some will have letters, and some will have numbers. The numbers will not necessarily correspond to inches.
Make sure you check the manual to identify what the settings represent. Whichever mower you have, make sure you follow all safety precautions first, before adjusting the height.
How To Lower A Lawn Mower
In the same way that you need to increase the height of your mower, you may need to lower the blades too. If you are currently cutting too high, the grass can get dry as water will not reach the tips of the blades from the roots.
The same levers you use to increase the height of your mower will be used to lower the blades too. You just need to adjust them in a different direction.
How To Lower A Riding Lawn Mower
Many people today use riding mowers instead of push mowers. These are more commonly used for larger lands and estates. It makes it easier to mow large areas of grass. A riding mower can also be adjusted in height to correctly mow the lawn.
As with any mower, you want to be sure that you are not taking away too much grass. Otherwise you will be left with weeds and faded green grass.
The same as with other mowers, make sure you know the type of grass you are mowing. Make sure you are adjusting the height to mow the grass within its specified limits.
Riding mowers will have a lever or knob to adjust the height of the blades. In most models, this will be located to the left side of the seat.
The knob will be turned clockwise to increase the height of the blades and counterclockwise to lower them. If there is a lever, pull it inwards or push it out from the seat to adjust the height. Lock the lever in place once it is at the desired height.
Remember that you should never adjust the height of mower blades when the riding mower is running. Always wear gloves to protect your hands in case there is any resistance when you try and move the lever around.
How Low Should I Cut My Grass
The length of grass will depend on the weather and on the type of grass you have. See previous sections of our guide to identify the ideal length for different grass types. A lawn needs to be mowed anytime that it has a height of 3 inches or taller.
The wheels of your mower (push mower) may not be the same height to ensure you get an even mower. Typically, the wheels at the front of the mower will be lower by about ¾ of an inch.
You should notice this difference when you have correctly adjusted the mower to get your desired height.
Popular Lawn Mower Height Adjustments
There are many mower models and styles out there. The methods for changing height for most mowers will be the same. Two of the most popular mower brands are Toro and Troy-Bilt.
Chances are you will have one of these mowers, so we have the instructions for adjusting the height for these brands. Our step-by-step guide for how to increase lawn mower height for these two name brands will keep the process super easy for you.
Troy-Bilt Push Mower Height Adjustment
Make sure you Tory-Bilt mower is on a flat surface. The height adjustment lever will be located to the side of one of the back wheels. Pull the lever towards the wheel it is closest to. It will move left or right to adjust the mowing height.
Once you have the lever set to the desired height, release it and lock it securely into place. There will be tabs along the adjustment plate to secure the lever. Set each wheel on your Troy-Bilt mower to the same height.
Toro Lawn Mower Height Settings
Turn the engine of the Toro mower off and wait until all moving parts are not moving if you had the mower on. Do not touch anything until the mower has cooled down as the parts can be hot and burn you. To increase cutting length:
- Move the levers at the front towards the rear of the mower
- Move the levers at the back towards the front of the mower
There are two height levers situated inside each of the front and back wheels. They all need to be set to the same lever to get an even cut of grass. Toro mowers generally have a minimum cutting height of 1 inch and their maximum height is 4 inches.
Helpful Tips On How To Increase Lawn Mower Height
The height of mower blades has a big impact on the quality and appearance of your lawn. In addition to the steps we have provided to adjust your mower height quickly and easily, there are a few extra tips to help you as you learn how to increase lawn mower height.
- If your lawn is looking white in color, raise the blades
- Raise the blades in cool seasons and late in the summer for healthier root growth
- If you want short grass, mow more often rather than lowering the blades
- Never remove more than ⅓ of the blade length
- Change your mowing patterns to avoid damage by the wheels (west for one week, then east the next)
Final Thoughts
The length of your grass has a big impact on its health and how green it will be. When you want a lush looking lawn, you need to keep it at the proper length.
To do this, you need to know how to increase lawn mower height. If you are mowing your grass too short, you will be damaging it and will end up with weeds.
We have the instructions and guide you need to adjust your mower height, so this will not be a problem you have to worry about. With our help you will have the greenest and healthiest lawn.
If you are mowing too short, increase the height of your mower with ease, and bring life back to your lawn.