Mowing Gator Blades for Mulching Leaves??

[Bob97526]

I would appreciate some advice. I have a Kioti finish mower, model KRM03-48.Each fall, I have a large amount of leaves to rake and mulch up. I've been using the standard blades, but it usually takes 5 runs at the same pile to mulch them up. Has anyone tried the Gator Blade?

If so, can you help me with the blade number. And/or if possible can you give me the Kioti blade part number so I can cross reference them to the Gator Blades.

Thanks for the help.

 

[V1Rotate]

I have Gator blades on my JD X-300 and they work great for mulching.
Usually just two passes and the leaves are gone.

 

[VictorW]

Here's the company website for the gators: OREGON Product Literature: saw chain, guide bars, sprockets, mower blades and mower parts

You might be able to use their replacement finder site: OREGON® Replacement Lawnmower Blade Search

Some of the forums for smaller style tractors and mowers have the members saying they like the blades better than OEM. I have a set ordered for my JD X540 with 54" deck. Should be in the first of the week and will try them out on maple and oak leaves. I'll let you know. If you find a Gator part number that fits yours, shop around. The prices vary by at least 20% between vendors.

 

[Bob97526]

Thanks for the reply and the shopping advice VictorW. I took one of the blades off today to get some exact measurements. And, I think I found some blade matches on the Oregon site. I'm still doing some research on the type of mower. Even though my mower has Kioti markings I think it might be a Muratori mfg. It's interesting research, but Kioti sure could make things a little easier by having online specs.

 

[Bob97526]

Well, here is what I found out. Perhaps it will help some other Kioti finish mower owner.

I took off the blades to get an exact measurement of total length, length diagonal, bolt hole, width, thickness etc. Armed with that info. my search through the Oregon site began for a gator blade. I came up with two profiles, 96-381 and 90-688.

I chose the 96-381. The only difference is the stock blade is 2 1/2 inches. The Gator Mulcher is 3 inches.

Got my blades today. Installed and ready to go! What a difference from the stock blades. 2 passes and piles of Oak leafs are now fine mulch. They work best on dry leafs and leafs not piled high. But, overall the blades are a real time saver. Cost was $85. Timesaver is priceless!!!