I feel frustrated, when I see thick grass on my lawn.
It is difficult to manage thick grass, especially when you are using electric mower. It will struggle with dense or overgrown lawns.
But…, if you follow the right preparation and mowing techniques, you can cut thick weeds efficiently without damaging the mower or your yard using your electric lawn mower.
You may use a corded mower or cordless model, first you should understand how to handle thick grass properly, because it will improve the cutting performance and extend the life of your mower.
In this guide, I will show you how to cut thick grass with electric mower step by step.
And also, I will provide you useful tips to prevent clogging, overheating and uneven cutting for a healthier looking lawn.
I have written a post about which are the best electric mowers to cut thick weeds and grass, you can read it and take your decision.
How to Cut Thick Grass With an Electric Mower Without Clogging
Why Thick Grass Can Be Challenging for Electric Mowers
Do you know why thick grass can be challenging for electric mowers?
Because while mowing thick grass, it creates extra resistance against the mower’s motor and cutting blade.
When you compare an electric mower with the gas-powered model, electric mowers have lower torque which makes it harder to cut dense grass smoothly in a single pass.
While cutting thick grass, it will clog the mower deck, reduce airflow, and cause uneven cutting results.
If you use battery-powered mower, the battery may drain faster when handling heavy grass.
And, when you use corded models, it will overheat if pushed too hard.
Apart from thickgrass, if the grass is wet or tangled grass, it makes the problem worse by sticking underneath the deck.
If you follow my mowing techniques, you can handle the thick grass more effectively.
Can an Electric Mower Handle Tall and Thick Grass?
Yes, of course, an electric mower can handle tall and thick grass.
But it depends on the mower’s power, blade sharpness, and cutting technique.
If you use high-powered corded electric mower or advanced battery-powered models, you can cut overgrown lawns easily.
You should cut thick grass in multiple sessions instead of cutting in one pass.
It is better to mow gradually by raising the deck height first and lowering it in later passes.
If you want to improve the cutting efficiency, make your blades sharp. It will reduce the strain on the motor.
However, wet grass or extremely dense grass may still slow down your electric mower and may cause clogging or drain the batteries quickly.
Best Type of Electric Mower for Overgrown Lawns
If you are mowing an overgrown lawn, choose the electric mower with a high powered corded or cordless model.
It should have,
Strong torque,
Adjustable cutting height and
Sharp durable blades.
If you are choosing corded electric mower, you may expect continuous power because you don’t rely on battery life while cutting thick grass.
If you are using cordless model, go for 40 volt, 60 volt or 80 volt batteries which are more effective for handling dense lawn and provide greater mobility.
You can make mowing easier and faster by selecting the features like brush-less motors, self-propelled system and larger cutting deck.
I also recommend to choose a mower with multiple height settings so that you can gradually trim tall grass instead of cutting too much at once.
How to Prepare Thick Grass Before Mowing
Always, you should protect your electric mower to achieve cleaner results. For that, you should first prepare your lawn properly if you are mowing thick grass.
First, start by removing sticks, rocks, toys, and other debris hidden in the grass, which could damage the blade or motor.
Second, check whether the blade is sharp and the battery is full if you are using a cordless model.
Third, set the cutting height to the highest position for the first pass to reduce the strain on the mower.
Check whether the grass is wet. If it is wet, allow it to dry before mowing because damp grass can clog the deck easily.
Take a walk through the lawn first before mowing. It will help you to identify uneven or hazardous areas.
Step-by-Step Guide to Mowing Thick Grass With an Electric Mower
While mowing thick grass, to avoid damaging the mower or leaving an uneven lawn, you should follow two main things.
One is patience and
the other is the right technique.
First, start by inspecting the yard and remove debris such as rocks, branches, or hidden objects which can interfere with the blade while mowing.
Second, check whether the mower blade is sharp and set the cutting height to the highest setting before beginning.
During the first pass, mow slowly and cut only the top portion of the grass.
If you try to remove too much height at once, it will overload the motor, clog the deck, and reduce cutting performance.
Check whether the grass is tall or extremely tall. If it is extremely tall, mow in narrow rows which can reduce the resistance on the mower.
After completing your first pass, wait for a short time. This time makes the clippings to settle
And then again lower the cutting height slightly and start your second pass.
You should continue lowering the deck gradually until the lawn reaches the desired height.
Check whether the grass is wet. If it is wet and you mow, it will cause clumping and increase the chance of clogging underneath the mower deck.
While using cordless mower, you should keep an extra battery available because thick grass can drain the power of the battery faster.
After completing the mowing, finally clean the mower deck and blades to maintain good airflow, and to improve the cutting efficiency.
Tips to Prevent Clogging and Overheating While Mowing
You must prevent clogging and overheating while mowing the tall grass.
For that, you should always cut dry grass instead of wet grass because this moisture causes clippings to stick underneath the mower deck.
To reduce the strain on the mower motor, use a sharp blade for a cleaner cut.
You should avoid removing too much grass at once. For that, you should set the mower to a higher cutting height during the first pass.
While dealing with the thick or dense grass, you should mow slowly and in a smaller section.
You should regularly stop the mower and clean the grass buildup from the deck. It will maintain the proper airflow.
If you are using cordless mower, monitor the battery temperature and charge level to avoid overheating during extended mowing session.
How to Maintain Your Lawn After Cutting Thick Grass
After cutting thick grass, you should properly maintain your lawn.
It will keep the yard healthy and it will prevent the future overgrowth.
You should avoid cutting the grass too short immediately after mowing because this can stress the lawn and weaken the root growth.
Check for weather. If it is hot, water the lawn deeply to help the grass recover.
Check for excessive clippings on the lawn and remove. Or else it will form thick layers which may block sunlight and airflow.
Apply some fertilizer to keep your lawn healthy regrowth and to improve the lawn color.
You should continue mowing regularly. It will keep the grass at a manageable height for your electric mower.
I also recommend to sharpen your mower blades regularly to maintain clean cut and to reduce the damage to the grass.