Mowing BX1860 54" MMM RCK54-23BX -- What hole size /or/ PN Gator Mulcher blade?

Volfandt · Oct 9, 2011

I've been running GB's on the 60" MMM on my BX23 for 6 seasons now and I like the results quite well. I ran the OEM regular lifts for the 1st season then switched over to the GB's ever since. This season I switched over to the hi lift 3-N-1 fusion mulchers and it appears they do have more lift over the std GB's. I mulched up my 1st batch of leaves for the season yesterday and they shredded the leaves up quite well. I bag all my leaf cuttings and every other finish mow for my yearly compost pile and so far it seems that these newer blades slick & dice finer as I'm not having to make as many trips back to the compost pile to dump the CR.
When I don't bag I mow each row in opposite directions and get a sort of stripeing effect.
To be truthful, I've run the GB's for so long that I can't recall what it was about the std blades that drove me to seek different blades but I do know I'll stick w/the GB's

Dave

AxleHub · Oct 9, 2011

Wondering how the mulching blades work with bagger attached compared to oem blades?

Secondly, what do these high lift gb s cost?

Volfandt · Oct 10, 2011

AxleHub said:
Wondering how the mulching blades work with bagger attached compared to oem blades?

Secondly, what do these high lift gb s cost?

I use a cyclone rake for bagging and they work great w/it. I think, but it's been too long since I used the std OEM blades w/it, that the GB's slice & dice the clippings finer which results in more debris being bagged w/less trips to the compost pile for me.
The only time I have clumping problems is when I try to bag wet grass and go too fast. Wet grass demands a much slower speed for bagging w/a CR.

Price is the same or less as the OEMs. I don't have my receipt handy but a set of 3 for my 60" ran approx $45.00 which I believe includes S&H. It was definitely under $50.

Theres a thread here about the differing GB blade types and mountups for BX MMM's.
Oregon has finally made a set that direct bolts up but their earlier versions required an adapter be made. The 3 N 1 fusion mulchers I have required this spacer which is made out of a cut down Cat1 to Cat2 bushing. I believe the new non fusion 3 N 1 mulcher doesn't require it. A search here should turn up a pdf showing the differences.
Good luck
Dave

wrooster · Oct 10, 2011

Old Coot said:
The part number would be 396-812. This is a new addition to our offering and will not be available until later this month.

This PN is now shown in the 2012 Oregon catalog as well,
Oregon Big Catalog 2012

Click on the left hand side, 5th blade down.

Wrooster

snpower · Oct 27, 2011

GREAT NEWS!

A few months back I had a machine shop increase the diameter of the holes on some of these to work on my deck. And, with the leaves starting to fall I can say that they work quite well. Even when cutting grass, it was evident that there was more discharge than with the factory blades. Can't wait to order a pair (when mine wear out)!

Wonder why the catalog doesn't point out that they work on the BX tractors (only lists ZG and ZD models)?

wrooster said:
This PN is now shown in the 2012 Oregon catalog as well,
Oregon Big Catalog 2012

Click on the left hand side, 5th blade down.

Wrooster

medicshawn · May 30, 2013

I know I'm bringing up an old thread but I wanted to update it. 396-812 I had trouble finding.

I know 96-796 would work, but it was replaced by 396-796. They are similar, but the 96-796 was 2.5 wide with a 1/18 center hole.

The 396-796 is 3 wide with a 1/18 center. I just cut a cat 2-1 adapter down to make them fit. The 3" blade works fine. These are for the gator mulchers. Good luck with your search.

my deck is a RCK54-23BX