Grading BX 60" mmm Gator Blade 411

[BXpanded]

Did they say why it couldn't be drilled? A rigid setup and a short bit should make easy work of it.

 

[milkman]

Has anyone determined which Gator blade will work with, or can 'easily' be adapted to work with, the RCK54-23BX deck? I picked up a set of Gators (p/n 396748) and the center hole is too small. The local machine shop said "no way you can drill that out" and said it would have to be bored out to the tune of $150.00.

Friday night, my brother called and said his Gator blades arrived from Baileys for his RCK54-23BX and the hole was too small. We drilled them out to 7/8" on a drill press and they work fine. No problem drilling at all, drill bit and a little cutting oil, took all of ten minutes to drill all three.

 

[snpower]

They told me it was a "non standard size" hole, and, in any case it would ruin whatever bit was used. This sort of thing I have little to no experience with and I end up relying on the knowledge of whomever I talk with. I got home and ordered another set 蔓this one is 18 5/8 with a 1 1/16 hole and my plan was to put bushings in. I don't have a drill press. Maybe the worst case scenario is I have two sets, given that I can eventually access a drill press for the 1st set. PITA !!

 

[snpower]

I found another machine shop, one that milled the holes out perfectly for $50.00.

Now, I'm going to work on bushings for the other set I bought with a larger than needed hole. That way I won't have to fork out so much $$$ from now on. Thanks for all the good help and info in this thread.

 

[quarencia]

My guess is that the first shop assumed the entire blade is hardened. If that were the case, it would be tough to drill. Only the cutting edge is hardened. Center hole should be easy to drill, bore, ream, or mill.