Gator Blades and B3030 60"MMM

[Toolguy]

I am very pleased with the performance of my RCK60-30B but because of all the mostly positive posts regarding Gator Blades I decided to order a set (part #90987) from Jack's Small Engines a while back just to give them a try. I was curious to see if they would be any better that the stock blades. It took about three weeks for them to be delivered. I was disapointed with the quality of the edge on the blades. They must have been sharpened by a very dull cutter at the factory. After putting sharp edges on them and installing them I gave them a try. They bolted right up. No need for a bushing in the hole as some have said since the RCK60-30B mower has 1 1/8" center holes. They cut well but do not seem to have as much lift as the stock blades. A day after I cut I could see the grass raise up fom the wheel tracks. I usually don't see that very much with the stock blades. They also do not discharge the grass as evenly as the stock blades, leaving small clumps of grass on the cut lawn. Overall, I was not happy with them and have since put the stockers back on. The Gators seem to be a very well made blade and probably improve the performance of some mowers more than others. I understand they are considered mulching blades so maybe my expectations were misplaced. For me, the stock blades are better. I must say that the stock Kubota blades are the best I have ever used. I mowed my 1.5 acre lawn for an entire year and never had them off until the Gators arrived. They were still as sharp as the day they were made with only a few tiny nicks in them. I have never had mower blades that wear that well. Before I reinstalled them I put a very sharp edge on them with a large file. I was surprised how easily the file removed material. For a blade that holds an edge this well they really do not seem to be very hard. Must be good steel. Again, the Gators seem like a good product and I am not putting them down at all, but for my mower, I like the stock Kubota blades better.

 

[tchixarro]

Toolguy,

What is the exact dimensions of your stock kubota blades? I have a B7610 with a 60"MMM model RCK60-24B. After some serious tracking I found that kubota does in fact make high lift blades for my deck. I got them and what a difference it made. You can deffinitly see the amount of lift when comparing the two and as you mentioned you get the quality of kubota blades.

 

[WayneW]

Do you have a Kubota part number ?

Where will I be able to get the high lift blades? My dealer? Tractorsmart?

Thanks, sounds like you really like them.

 

[Toolguy]

My blades are 20 9/16" long. I have a part number for high lift blades (70000-25011 superseded by 60250-80280) but I am not sure if they will fit the RCK60-30B. If they are the same length and have the 1 1/8" center hole they should fit. I would like to have a blade with a little more lift. I have some areas of the lawn near the house that is shaded most of the time. The grass that grows there is very fine and that is where the extra lift would come in handy to pull it up from the wheel tracks so it gets cut better. If they will fit the price does not seem too bad so I may try them.

 

[tchixarro]

That part number is for a blade kit and the dimensions are as follows.

Length = 20 1/2" long.
Width = 2 1/2'
Thickness = 1/4 "
Center Hole = 1 1/8"

That is the stock size for a RCK60-24B. Now is the 20 9/16" length your stock blade length or is that the Gator blade length? I know that the gator blades for my deck are 20 9/16" which was not the correct size but would bolt on. If your stock blades are 20 1/2" that part number is the blades you want and it is a kit which comes with three blades. As far as the lift, you will get alot more. Huge difference!
To anwser Wayne's question, you can order them from your dealer. Tractor smart may have them. I didn't check. Chances are if they look them up by application they won't find that number fitting your deck. I got in touch with Kubota's main parts warehouse and the person was kind enough to match both blades up over the phone to verify they where the same with the exception of the lift. Just give them the part number and get them. I'm going to clean my deck in the next couple of days so if I can I'll try to take some Pics of both blades and post them.

 

[Toolguy]

My stock blades are 20 1/2". The Gators are 20 9/16" which is close enough. All of the other specs are as you posted. Some pictures of the difference between the stock and the high lift blades would great. From what you are saying I think I will just go ahead and order them. Thanks.

 

[tchixarro]

Toolguy,

Here are some pics of the two blades. They are not greatest but you can clearly see the huge difference in lift between the two. Hopefully this will help you and anyone else who is looking for these blades. I know it took me a long time and effort to track these down and it was worth it. On the flip side, my stock mower blades and these new ones didn't come with a sharp edge at all. I had both sets sharpened and the repair shop that sharpened them for me couldn't believe they were new. Do yourself a favor get them sharpened before you leave the dealer.

 

[Toolguy]

Wow! The difference is night and day. Thanks for the pics. The gator blades made a lot more noise than the stockers. Your mower must sound like a vacuum cleaner with those blades.

What is the biggest difference that you see in the performance of the mower? I am looking for more lift to pick the grass up that the front tires run over. Can you tell a difference? Otherwise the stockers do a very good job of cutting the grass and throwing it out of the chute in a nice even pattern. If there is something that is better I would be willing to give it a try, but I don't know if I would like a lot of extra noise unless the benefit is worth it. Thanks again.

 

[tchixarro]

They do make more noise than the stock blades but not ear piercing. As far as performance let me just explian my opinion on how they work because other people may say different. I find that they do give a better cut, They pick up more debris and clippings, They pull up more on the grass that was packed down from the tires and I do notice a big enough difference in the finished look of the lawn to warrant getting them. Taking it a step further, they are factory Kubota blades which other people have commented on for high quality and holding a sharp edge and are made for Kubota decks. No messing around with adapters. The extra noise they make is a clear indication that they are doing exactly what they were designed for which is to produce maximum amount of vacuum in the deck to pull the grass up for a better cut.
The only compliant I had with these blades was that the factory edge sucked.
This is why in my previous post I advised to get them sharpened when you pull them out of the package at the dealer. I think you won't be dissappionted.

 

[Toolguy]

You've given me enough information to make me think I want a set. What the heck, it's only about 40 Bucks to give them a try. I'll post my impression when I get them. It may not be until next summer, though. Thanks again.