Trying to choose mower blades.

JDTank · Apr 27, 2013

So I ordered a set of gator blades for my X740 with the 54 inch deck, from my local JD. After ordering, I read some reviews claiming the performance is actually quite bad on these. Is this true? A few years ago I read raving reviews, now, not so much.

I have heard the hi-lift blades are the best way to go?

I do not bag clippings, I side discharge, always. 30% of the time I am cutting high grass in fields, about 10 inches tall. The rest of the time I am finish mowing about 2 acres of lawn. I also read that hi-lift blades will pick up rocks and throw them. Do these really create that much suction? Also, I noted in some information I found, fuel consumption increases with hi-lift blades due to resistance, but those are likely small gas powered riding mowers. I have my doubts that my diesel engine in my X740 will notice that kind of difference.

My goal is to have fine clippings that disappear in the grass, so you couldn't tell the difference between bagged and discharged. I am also looking for discharge distance. Right now I am using the blades that came with the mower deck, and I am not overly impressed. The cut quality is good, but the build-up on the underside of the deck is quite bad, and happens quickly. Also, the discharge distance is a few feet, not what I was hoping for.

Do hi-lift blades, or gator blades, keep the underside of the deck cleaner?

Looking for some experience from those who have run these blades on these decks before.

Thanks!

bdbialik · Apr 27, 2013

There's a few different types of Gator blades produced by Oregon. I believe they currently make a 3-in-1, G3, G5, G6. The latter is the newest and greatest. It's 3" wide (instead of the standard 2 1/2") and 1/4" thick. It's a stout, heavy blade. Some people report problems spinning them on lower hp machines. The G5 is a lighter weight version of the G6.

I think all of the Gator blades perform differently, and there is also a difference between identical blades on different decks. So trying to get opinions on some random Gator blade may not prove accurate. Maybe posting what series Gator blades you have, or the part number, may provide a better basis for comparison.

Personally, I just put a set of G6's on my 445, but I still have 12" of snow in yard so I have no real-world info to report, other than they sound like a jetliner when engaged! The G6 part numbers begin with '396'.

mfreund · Apr 27, 2013

I have Gator blades on my 72" deck. The best money I have ever spent. I buy mine from a Deere dealer on eBay. I can get them for 2/3 what my local dealer wants.

Carl_NH · Apr 27, 2013

I put Oregon Gator blades on my Ferris 52" - they cut fine, no build up but its a fabricated deck not stamped - I think the stamped decks rounded areas may build up more? They chop leaves well for fall cleanup and compost down quickly. Mine gators are 3" x.250 thick.

Noticed they don't hold a sharp edge as long as the OEM "marbain" blades which may be a little harder, but it doesn't matter that much as I sharpen only once a season anyway.

JDTank · May 2, 2013

Switched to gator blades on Monday, tried them out today.

All I have to say is WWOOWW!!

I was not originally pleased with my 54C deck, now this thing cuts almost as good as a 7-Iron, I am not kidding. The discharge distance is 3 times farther, the airflow is better, and clippings cannot even be seen. I checked under the deck after a few hours of mowing, and it was basically still clean. In every way, these are better than the OEM blades. Cut quality is way better.

I am impressed, everyone should run gators!

arlen4720 · May 2, 2013

JDTank said:
Switched to gator blades on Monday, tried them out today.

All I have to say is WWOOWW!!

I was not originally pleased with my 54C deck, now this thing cuts almost as good as a 7-Iron, I am not kidding. The discharge distance is 3 times farther, the airflow is better, and clippings cannot even be seen. I checked under the deck after a few hours of mowing, and it was basically still clean. In every way, these are better than the OEM blades. Cut quality is way better.

I am impressed, everyone should run gators!

Did you get the G6's? I just got a set for my 62C on my x748, but we just got 6 inches of snow. Glad they work good.

JDTank · May 2, 2013

arlen4720 said:
Did you get the G6's? I just got a set for my 62C on my x748, but we just got 6 inches of snow. Glad they work good.

I am pretty sure they are the G6 series. They look slightly different than the ones I had 2 years ago, so I am thinking these are the new series.

So far I am extremely impressed. Some people complained about lack of lift and leaving an uncut strip in the middle. These blades lift just fine, maybe not as much as a dedicated high lift blade, but I would say equal or better than the OEM blades. No uncut sections of grass for me, the cut quality was 10/10.

I should also mention, I am not sure if it is the airflow these blades produce, but the underside of my deck is a lot cleaner. I mowed 2 acres last night, and with OEM blades, I would have had about 50% of the deck covered in build-up. I only had one spot of build-up with the gators. That was right where the grass exits, the back side of the deck had a small clump attached. Other than that, no build-up.

pennwalk · May 3, 2013

One time I went to my JD dealer to buy a set of Gator blades. The pointed me to something that looked similar but which wasn't a Gator blade. I really like my gator blades. My blades are stamped with a Gator logo. I have one set on a 425 with the 54 deck and one set on a F525 with the 48 deck. I noticed that factory fresh Gator blades are not very sharp. Still they cut good.

Chris

JDTank · May 3, 2013

pennwalk said:
One time I went to my JD dealer to buy a set of Gator blades. The pointed me to something that looked similar but which wasn't a Gator blade. I really like my gator blades. My blades are stamped with a Gator logo. I have one set on a 425 with the 54 deck and one set on a F525 with the 48 deck. I noticed that factory fresh Gator blades are not very sharp. Still they cut good.

Chris

I sharpened mine before I installed them. They were very dull from new, probably on purpose so that handling them is safe until it reaches the end user.

bdbialik · May 3, 2013

Gator blades are sharp from the factory. But they coat them with a clear 'rust inhibitor' that makes them seem dull. After a mowing or two, this coating wears off. It certainly doesn't hurt to sharpen them before use, but I don't think it's necessary.