Blade tip speed is the velocity at which the tips of the mower blade travel during rotation, and it significantly affects the mower’s cutting performance, grass lift, and discharge quality.
Understanding the optimal blade tip speed for your mower can help improve cut quality, efficiency, and even lawn health.
In this guide, we’ll dive into what blade tip speed is, how it’s calculated, and provide a detailed Lawn Mower Blade Tip Speed Chart comparing popular mower types and models.
Lawn Mower Blade Tip Speed Chart
| Model | Mower Type | Blade Length (in) | Blade RPM | Blade Tip Speed (ft/min) | Blade Tip Speed (m/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Deere | |||||
| S120 | Riding Lawn Tractor | 21.5 | 3,200 | 18,063 | 91.7 |
| Z530R | Zero-Turn | 22 | 3,300 | 18,986 | 96.5 |
| X350 | Lawn Tractor | 21 | 3,100 | 17,090 | 86.9 |
| Z735M | Commercial ZTR | 24 | 3,200 | 20,106 | 101.9 |
| X738 | Lawn Tractor | 17.1 (x3) | 3,600 | 16,115 | 81.8 |
| Z915E | Commercial ZTR | 24 | 3,250 | 20,420 | 103.7 |
| 717A | Commercial ZTR | 21 | 3,000 | 16,493 | 83.8 |
| Toro | |||||
| Recycler 21378 | Push Mower | 22 | 3,100 | 17,885 | 90.7 |
| TimeMaster 21199 | Walk-Behind | 30 (dual blades) | 2,900 | 22,799 | 115.8 |
| TimeCutter 75755 | Zero-Turn | 22 | 3,300 | 18,986 | 96.5 |
| Titan MAX 76601 | Commercial ZTR | 24 | 3,200 | 20,106 | 101.9 |
| 23267 | Commercial Walk-Behind | 25 | 3,200 | 18,850 | 95.8 |
| Super Recycler 60V | Electric Push | 21 | 3,080 | 16,949 | 86.1 |
| Husqvarna | |||||
| Z254 | Zero-Turn | 22 | 3,250 | 18,791 | 95.6 |
| YTH18542 | Lawn Tractor | 21 | 3,000 | 16,493 | 83.8 |
| MZ61 | Commercial ZTR | 24 | 3,300 | 20,734 | 105.3 |
| LC221RH | Walk-Behind | 21 | 3,050 | 16,790 | 85.3 |
| TS 354XD | Lawn Tractor | 21 (x2) | 3,100 | 17,090 | 86.9 |
| Z248F | Zero-Turn | 24 | 3,200 | 20,106 | 101.9 |
| Cub Cadet | |||||
| XT1 LT42 | Riding Lawn Tractor | 21 | 3,100 | 17,090 | 86.9 |
| Ultima ZT1 50 | Zero-Turn | 25 (twin blades) | 2,800 | 18,321 | 93.3 |
| SC500Z | Walk-Behind | 21 | 2,900 | 15,967 | 81.0 |
| ZTXS4 60 | Commercial ZTR | 30 | 2,700 | 21,205 | 107.8 |
| RZT SX 46 | Zero-Turn | 23 | 3,000 | 18,064 | 91.8 |
| XT2 LX46 | Lawn Tractor | 23 | 3,100 | 18,661 | 94.8 |
| EGO Power+ | |||||
| LM2135SP | Electric Push | 21 | 2,800 | 15,405 | 78.3 |
| LM2156SP | Electric Push | 21 | 3,000 | 16,493 | 83.8 |
| ZT4204L | Electric ZTR | 22 | 3,100 | 17,885 | 90.7 |
| LM2102SP | Electric Push | 21 | 2,900 | 15,967 | 81.0 |
| ZT5200L | Electric ZTR | 26 | 2,900 | 19,792 | 100.5 |
| Exmark | |||||
| Lazer Z X-Series | Commercial ZTR | 24 | 3,200 | 20,106 | 101.9 |
| Radius E-Series | Zero-Turn | 22 | 3,200 | 18,460 | 93.9 |
| Metro 36 | Walk-Behind | 18 | 3,600 | 16,964 | 86.2 |
| Quest S-Series | Zero-Turn | 22 | 3,150 | 18,172 | 92.3 |
| Turf Tracer S | Commercial Walk-Behind | 20 | 3,300 | 17,278 | 87.8 |
| Scag | |||||
| Turf Tiger II | Commercial ZTR | 24 | 3,300 | 20,734 | 105.3 |
| V-Ride II 52 | Stand-On Mower | 26 | 3,100 | 21,150 | 107.4 |
| Liberty Z | Residential ZTR | 22 | 3,200 | 18,460 | 93.9 |
| Cheetah II | Commercial ZTR | 24 | 3,250 | 20,420 | 103.7 |
| Patriot | Zero-Turn | 22 | 3,150 | 18,172 | 92.3 |
| Honda | |||||
| HRX217VKA | Push Mower | 21 | 3,050 | 16,790 | 85.3 |
| HRC216HXA | Commercial Walk-Behind | 21 | 3,050 | 16,790 | 85.3 |
| HRN216VKA | Residential Push | 21 | 2,900 | 15,969 | 81.0 |
| HRS216PKA | Push Mower | 21 | 3,000 | 16,493 | 83.8 |
| HRX217HYA | Push Mower | 21 | 3,100 | 17,090 | 86.9 |
| Craftsman | |||||
| 38321 | Push Mower | 20 | 3,200 | 16,755 | 85.1 |
| 38761 | Walk-Behind | 22 | 3,050 | 17,567 | 89.2 |
| CMXGMAM1125506 | Lawn Tractor | 21 (x2) | 3,100 | 17,090 | 86.9 |
| M215 | Push Mower | 21 | 3,000 | 16,493 | 83.8 |
| M105 | Push Mower | 21 | 2,900 | 15,967 | 81.0 |
| Ariens | |||||
| Edge 52 | Zero-Turn | 26 | 2,900 | 19,792 | 100.5 |
| IKON XD 42 | Zero-Turn | 21 | 3,200 | 17,642 | 89.6 |
| Apex 60 | Zero-Turn | 24 | 3,250 | 20,420 | 103.7 |
| 915279 | Walk-Behind | 21 | 3,000 | 16,493 | 83.8 |
| Zoom 34 | Zero-Turn | 17 | 3,400 | 15,199 | 77.2 |
| Bad Boy | |||||
| Maverick | Zero-Turn | 24 | 3,300 | 20,734 | 105.3 |
| ZT Elite | Zero-Turn | 22 | 3,250 | 18,791 | 95.6 |
| Rogue | Commercial ZTR | 26 | 3,200 | 21,834 | 110.9 |
| MZ Magnum | Residential ZTR | 22 | 3,100 | 17,885 | 90.7 |
| Rebel | Commercial ZTR | 24 | 3,300 | 20,734 | 105.3 |
| Milwaukee | |||||
| M18 FUEL 21″ | Electric Push | 21 | 3,300 | 17,593 | 89.4 |
| M18 FUEL 18″ | Electric Walk-Behind | 18 | 3,400 | 16,022 | 81.4 |
| M18 FUEL 20″ | Electric Push | 20 | 3,300 | 17,278 | 87.8 |
| Snapper | |||||
| SPX 42 | Lawn Tractor | 21 (x2) | 3,100 | 17,090 | 86.9 |
| 360Z | Zero-Turn | 23 | 3,200 | 19,258 | 97.8 |
| Ninja 190cc | Push Mower | 21 | 3,000 | 16,493 | 83.8 |
| ZTX350 | Zero-Turn | 24 | 3,250 | 20,420 | 103.7 |
| MTD | |||||
| 123-478C084 | Walk-Behind | 21 | 3,200 | 17,593 | 89.4 |
| Yard-Man 42″ | Lawn Tractor | 21 (x2) | 3,100 | 17,090 | 86.9 |
| Troy-Bilt TB30 | Lawn Tractor | 21 | 3,050 | 16,790 | 85.3 |
| White Outdoor ZT50 | Zero-Turn | 25 | 3,000 | 19,635 | 99.7 |
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Key Takeaways from the Chart
- Commercial zero-turn mowers often push tip speeds close to or beyond 19,000 ft/min, offering high performance for dense or tall grass but must adhere to safety standards.
- Residential mowers typically range from 15,000 to 18,000 ft/min, which is sufficient for most lawn conditions and safer for untrained users.
- Electric mowers have slightly lower RPMs to reduce power draw but still achieve decent cutting speed thanks to lightweight blades.
- Blade length plays a big role, the longer the blade, the faster the tip travels at the same RPM.
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What Is Blade Tip Speed?
Blade tip speed refers to the speed at which the tip of the blade travels as it spins. It is usually measured in feet per minute (ft/min) or meters per second (m/s). Blade tip speed is a function of two things:
- Blade length (radius)
- Rotational speed (RPM – revolutions per minute)
Blade Tip Speed Formula
The formula to calculate blade tip speed is:
Blade Tip Speed (ft/min) = Blade Radius (in feet) × 2 × π × RPM
Or simplified:
Blade Tip Speed = Blade Length (in inches) × π × RPM ÷ 12
Example: A 21″ mower blade spinning at 3,000 RPM would have a tip speed of:
Tip Speed = 21 × 3.1416 × 3000 ÷ 12 = 16,493 ft/min
Note: ANSI safety standards limit commercial blade tip speed to 19,000 ft/min.
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What Is the Optimal Blade Tip Speed?
For most mowing situations:
- 15,000–18,500 ft/min is ideal for residential lawns.
- 18,000–19,000 ft/min is best for commercial mowers and thick grass.
- Speeds above 19,000 ft/min are generally unsafe and may violate industry safety regulations.
A higher blade tip speed increases grass lift and produces a cleaner cut, but also generates more noise, vibration, and blade wear. Lower speeds can conserve energy and reduce the chance of injury from thrown debris.
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How to Check or Adjust Blade Tip Speed
- Check the RPM: Use a tachometer on the blade spindle (not engine flywheel RPM).
- Measure Blade Length: Tip-to-tip across the blade’s longest point.
- Use the Formula: Plug values into the blade tip speed formula.
- Adjust Engine Throttle: In some cases, increasing throttle or pulley sizes can adjust blade speed, but always consult the manual before modifications.
Safety Consideration
Blade tip speed is heavily regulated for safety:
- ANSI/OPEI B71.1 standard caps blade tip speed at 19,000 ft/min.
- Always replace blades with OEM parts to maintain safe and optimal speeds.
- Never attempt to modify blade length or RPMs without proper testing and professional knowledge.
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