Mowing BX 2200 MMM Center Blade not cutting clean

[nc redneck]

I have a BX 2200 with 60 inch MMM mower. Center blade on mower does not cut as clean as 2 outside blades. I wondered if any other owners have had this problem ? Tractor has 570 hours on it, well maintained with 3 new Gator Blades. Belt on mower is the original but seems to me outside blades would slip before center would. Any input from other owners ?
Thanks
Scott

 

[Stargazer]

Hi presume center bolt is tight (said new gators)?

 

[nc redneck]

Probably worth checking. I did not think about that, easy to get that star washer out of alignment on blade replacement.
Thanks
Scott

 

[workinallthetime]

a loose blade will give you a little different sound / vibration while operating also. i have had the issue a couple times on my zd326. how often do you change your blades? mine get a clean edge every 15 hours and replaced 2 times during a season. i tried the gators and i actully like the kubota blades better, the gators must be slightly heavier as the discharge is not quite the same as the bota blades. i have really not noticed any better cut with the gators.
i did figure out that if you turn the gators over they make a heck of a brush blade, they really shred up the highly over grown weeds,

 

[dodge man]

Make sure the blade isn't on upside down. I have also had mine come loose but it usually comes really loose the first time you shut the deck down and you know it right away.

 

[sandyc]

Look at the manual and make sure you set the blades as shown on the diagram

 

[Pepsiboy]

I would bet on loose blade or more than likely blade upside down.

Dave

 

[Toolguy]

Upside down was my guess, too. I also tried gator blades on my B3030/60 " mmm and liked the stock blades better. More even discharge of the cut grass with less clumping.

 

[the old grind]

My 3-blade decks have ~180^ of belt wrap on the outer spindles & only 90^ or so on the center one, so it's the 'weak link'. Sometimes a belt will wear (narrower) to where it bottoms on the pulley groove or the tensioner's range of travel can't keep the grip tight enough without a 'bandaid' dose of belt dressing till replaced.

Heavy or wet grass & too high a ground speed, separately or in combination, are the usual causes of skip-cutting, esp in the center (see above), if that's what you're getting. Cover all your bases. It's not always one little thingie that causes a problem.

 

[Toolguy]

The center pulley drives the outer pulleys. Belt slippage is not the problem.