Gator Blades

[Scrounger]

Anyone have the part number for the Gator blades for the older 60" deck for the BX. I have a BX2230 with the 60" deck. Model RCK60B-22BX.

Is Larry the Mower Axle guy still the one to contact for the bushings needed on the BX deck?

I think the model number is 90-987 which is 20-9/16" long. This one has a 1 1/8" diameter hole it it too. I'm not sure of hte hole size on my deck.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Yes Larry made up the bushings for me.

Here is a thread with part numbers

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/97234-blades-mower.html

 

[Scrounger]

Tom

I was in that thread. The new part number is 490-987 from Oregon. I was hoping to find someplace that already has the bushing made up to bring it down to 7/8" which is what the RCK60B-22BX spindle is. At least thats what I think it is.

I'll have to ping Larry. I dont have a band saw and I will never be able to cut them with a hack saw. I never could saw straight.

 

[bialecki]

Contact these guys, they may have them specifically for your model.

Gator Blades - Gator Lawn Mower Blades - Gator Lawn Mower Blade - Mulching Blades - Mulch Blades

They also gave new customers a discount.

 

[Lockport]

I cut mine with a cutting wheel on a dremel and then grinded them with a large grinding wheel to make sure they weren't thicker than the blades in any one spot.

 

[Scrounger]

Contact these guys, they may have them specifically for your model.

Gator Blades - Gator Lawn Mower Blades - Gator Lawn Mower Blade - Mulching Blades - Mulch Blades

They also gave new customers a discount.

I searched the entire site and they do not have a blade with a 7/8" hole for the RCK60B-22BX deck. The 90-987 is the right length but the not the right diameter hole.

 

[orangebluegreen]

Can anyone confirm Oregon is now making a Gator for the RCK60B-75B deck? This was the deck that came on the Turf Special B Series but should be the same blade as some of the BX machines. I emailed Oregon but as yet have not heard back and I can find no online sales sites that show the part numbers.

Looks like the high lift OEM number is K5371-34340 vs. regular OEM K5371-99040 (if this in fact what the difference between these two numbers is)

I just searched Oregon's site and they show a cross reference for the k5371-34340 being:
96-612 GM and 92-115.
Click on Power Search and type your part number and it shows the cross reference.
Oregon brand lawn mower blades, lawn mower parts, and outdoor power equipment parts

If you plug those numbers into their online catalog (you'll see a small link to it just above the search results called E-Parts Catalog) it gives you a bit more info but not enough.

I can find no verification of size anywhere though it shows details must be in their full print catalog on page 335. Perhaps someone here has their print catalog?

Coleman Equipment's site shows the center hole being .88-.89 inches and the blade being 20.5" long
k5371-34340
K5371-34340/Coleman Equipment Inc.

k5371-99040
Parts/Coleman Equipment Inc.

My owners manual says 523mm 20.6" long, doesn't mention center hole size. My understanding is the 24B blades are a larger 1.125" center hole.

An interesting thing I've noticed looking at parts manuals for the 75B, 24B and even the 30B is the gearbox on the deck has the same bearing part numbers so apparently the internal shaft diameter is the same between the decks but they made the lower end output smaller on the 75B and BX. Seems like it would have been less inventory for K to have made them the same but it's nice to know the smaller decks apparently have the same bearings as that of the 30HP deck.

 

[vrman]

Check my sig!

 

[orangebluegreen]

Check my sig!

Is the 90-987 you're using the 1.125" center hole? I thought it was.

Parts manual for RCK60b-75b shows the k5371-34340 as the optional blade (believe from the mulching kit) for my deck. I think it has a smaller center hole. They used a BX2200 gear box on it if my memory is correct. I'll have to pull my blades and measure but I'm pretty sure the center is less than an inch.


What a search brought up on Oregon's site.....

KUBOTA 91-438
90-987 GATOR MULCHER MAGNUM KUBOTA 20-9/16IN

KUBOTA K5371-34340
92-115 BLADE, KUBOTA 20-9/16IN
96-612 BLADE, GM 3-IN-1 KUBOTA 20-9/16IN

I can find no online sites that sell the 92-115 or 96-612.

I've used the original blades 2 entire seasons grinding sticks from downed trees (hurricane Wilma) and all. I used to use two sets a year on my old Craftsman....what a difference in steel quality and I guess thickness.

 

[DBT]

Has anyone had any luck finding the GatorBlades, or even an alternate to the standard OEM blades, for the RCK48 48" deck for a BX1850?

 

[acohen100]

Here's how I cut mine. I drilled a hole the same size as the bushing in a piece of scrap wood. I then inserted the bushing so that the desired length was protruding and locked it in a vice. I then cut off the piece with a recipro-saw with a metal blade using the wood edge to guide the blade. Very easy.

 

[orangebluegreen]

KUBOTA K5371-34340
92-115 BLADE, KUBOTA 20-9/16IN
96-612 BLADE, GM 3-IN-1 KUBOTA 20-9/16IN

I can find no online sites that sell the 92-115 or 96-612.

I called a local dealer who had the full Oregon parts book and I asked him to look for the part numbers on page 335. He did confirm 96-612 is a Gator Mulcher and he was able to tell me it is 20 9/16 with a 29/32 center hole which comes out to .90 which sounds like the right size judging from the .88-.89 that shows on the other links I posted. He couldn't give me a price and would check Monday when his supplier is open. I also called Agri Supply and they did show the number as being good but they had no price/availability, so guess I'll find out Monday if this mystery blade exists. It would fit the smaller spindles without making a bushing if so.

I did find a Deere blade (90-734) with very close dimensions (1/16 shorter overall) 20.5 29/32 same thickness etc BUT without actually seeing it would hesitate because the Kubota blade has bends that create clearance between blade and deck which may or may not be on the JD blade and possibly could cause the blade to contact with the upper edge of the deck if not right.

 

[drtydeed]

If the correct center hole can not be found (7/8" I beleive), then you can use a Cat1-Cat0 adapter (1.125 OD. .88 ID) and have a machine shop cut them. You can get three bushings out of one adapter for about $5.

 

[DCWilson]

I just installed my Gators last wekend. Perfect fit.

I used the Cat 1 to Cat 0 adapter bushing idea. A Rigid No.15 pipecutter did the job. Had to replace the cutting wheel though.

I wish I'd have seen acohen100's post first, good idea.

 

[wotalota]

I received the following about 2 weeks ago when asking about blades for the RCK60-23BX 60" (my measurements were probably not that accurate).

We offer a blade that is 20-9/16" (yours may be worn 1/16") and has
a 29/32" center (.906") versus 7/8" (.875"). It is formed, width 2-1/2".
They are $19.95 each plus shipping. However, they are being made and are
not yet available for shipment. Please check back in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Thank you. gatorblade.com

 

[orangebluegreen]

I received the following about 2 weeks ago when asking about blades for the RCK60-23BX 60" (my measurements were probably not that accurate).

We offer a blade that is 20-9/16" (yours may be worn 1/16") and has
a 29/32" center (.906") versus 7/8" (.875"). It is formed, width 2-1/2".
They are $19.95 each plus shipping. However, they are being made and are
not yet available for shipment. Please check back in about 6 to 8 weeks.
Thank you. gatorblade.com

Yes those are the same specs I have also. Would be a direct bolt up without spacers.

I was just told by a local mower shop who called their supplier for me that they have to have a 20,000 demand before Oregon will do the run and apparently they think it's going to be a while before that happens. They told me their supplier has ordered 600 but the expected date has come and gone with no real info or expectations in sight.

If owners would stop buying the one that requires a bushing maybe they would get a big enough order for the smaller one.

That suggested price isn't real thrilling on the Gator though, I was quoted 24.48 on the OEM high lift. Perhaps the end selling price will be lower but I suspect that is a high lift Gator and the ones selling $10-12 are pretty flat version.

 

[orangebluegreen]

Got this a couple days ago.....

"P/N 96-612 is not expected to be available for another 30 days. The
length is 20-9/16" with a center hole 29/32" in diameter."

 

[wotalota]

Got a reply that those blades are now in stock.

 

[orangebluegreen]

Got a reply that those blades are now in stock.

Cool, I just got done hacking the pasture to death with blades that are overdue. I emailed a couple places a few weeks ago that showed the part but it appeared special order and I didn't hear back from them. Guess I'll use the phone and find out. I looked here first to see if anyone else had any luck. I was going for the OEM high lift Kubota blades tomorrow if I can't get the Gators at a reasonable price and timeline.

 

[orangebluegreen]

Got a reply that those blades are now in stock.

I ordered a set of the 96-612's which they claim are shipped so we'll see how it goes. I will probably in the future buy a set of high lift OEM Kubota's also so I can compare and have a sharp set always ready to go on.