Hi-lift blades for NH 60" 914A mm rear discharge

TCBoomer · May 23, 2004

Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

I've read a couple threads recently about using hi-lift or Gater blades, but am still uncertain as to which to buy, or if they are even worth using. I try to cut my 2.5 acres every 4-5 days, and at times, some areas look shabby due to excess clippings. If I cut it twice, it's better but not as clean as I would like it. Plus, spending another 2 hrs making the 2nd cut is not my idea of ideal seat time.

IIRC, >thcri< posted something good about them, but said these blades stole some power to operate. My concern is I have a 25+ degree slope on the front yard. I can mow up and down, left or right without any problems. Will these hi-lift or Gater blades limit me as to being able to cut uphill??...using a TC21D.

Also...which blade, hi-lift or Gater would better suit my needs?

Thanks

thcri · May 23, 2004

Re: Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

TCBoomer,

Before I got my TC29D I did have a TC21D. I traded it in because my hills are so steep I could only go up and down. My 21 handled my 60" deck pretty good with slowing down on the hills. I traded for the 29 to handle the hills better. I have the 72" with a side discharge. On the flat with the Gator blades I don't notice any difference. On the hills I do have to slow down some. Well worth it for me since I like the Gator blades so well. Now bear in mind others have tried the Gator blades and didn't care for them.

I get two things with the Gator blades. 1. High lift so I don't leave wheel marks. 2. The grass is chopped up so much more because of the teeth on the top of the blade. This is where you loose some power. Over all I am so much more impressed with the job of mowing and the even cut I get with the Gator blades. The loss of power doesn't bother me at all.

Complain to your dealer about the way your mower mows. See if he will give you a set at cost. New Holland also has a high lift blade available but I also believe with any high lift you will sacrifice some power due to moving more air across the blade. The loss of power just doesn't come from the extra cut the grass gets from the upper teeth.

murph

TCBoomer · May 24, 2004

Re: Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

thcri
Glad you saw my post. I read your comments a couple times and wondered how well the hi lift blades really worked. As far as complaining to my dealer about the mower...BTDT, when this tractor was new 4 1/2 yrs ago. I was told that only one type of blade was made for this mower, and that was it. So I lived with it.

Now I see I have options...Gater blades and even NH hi lift blades! My main concern is the grass clippings, and you say the Gater blades really make a difference. Guess I'll take your word for it and get a set of the Gater blades.

I'll order them from West Hills unless you have another place in mind.

BTW...I'm curious as to what the others that have used the Gater blades, didn't like about them...any comment? Too noisey?

Thanks
Bob

TOMLESCOEQUIP · May 25, 2004

Re: Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

Murph turned me on to thr gators last fall...........No more uncut stripes in the yard.........A little more noisey............But mowers aren't supposed to be quiet anyway !! I don't get to run my tractor much....The CEO gets all the seat time at home........so the increased noise is mostly a non issue !!....All in all a better cut............TOM

thcri · May 25, 2004

Re: Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

( BTW...I'm curious as to what the others that have used the Gater blades, didn't like about them...any comment? Too noisey?

Thanks
Bob )

Actually you should find that it will be quieter. But more air noise, overall quieter.

Bird · May 25, 2004

Re: Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

( BTW...I'm curious as to what the others that have used the Gater blades, didn't like about them... )

Bob, I've only seen the Gator blades for lawn tractors (riding mowers), not tractor mowers. And it was also a little over 5 years ago, but my brother-in-law, a neighbor, and I tried them on a Cub Cadet, an MTD, and a Montgomery Ward riding mowers. They were thinner, lighter weight than OEM blades, did not lift the grass as well or cut worth a hoot in thick or heavy grass, and didn't blow the clippings out as well as OEM blades, and the cost about twice what OEM blades cost. We all three threw them in the scrap metal bins and went back to OEM blades. BUT . . ., as I said, this was 5 years ago, different kind of mowers, etc. and from what I've seen posted on TBN, I'm inclined to guess that they've improved the product.

TCBoomer · May 25, 2004

Re: Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

 All in all a better cut............ 

Thanks for the positive vote /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob

TCBoomer · May 25, 2004

Re: Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

I was just curious if the noise level increased. But since I live out in the country, with several farms around, tractors and the associated noises are a normal way of life. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Well, time to order the Gaters...I noticed that besides the Gater blades for $21.21, the hi-lift ones are a couple bucks more. What is the difference between the blade performance? I'll still get the Gaters, since I want the mulching benefit, but depending on what the difference is, maybe I'll order the hi-lift ones next time.

TCBoomer · May 25, 2004

Re: Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

Thanks for sharing your expierience. Maybe the R&D people have improved the Gaters over the last 5 yrs. I hope so... I sure don't want to toss 70 bucks into the scrap pile /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

After I get these blades and try them out, I'll post my .02

thcri · May 26, 2004

Re: Hi-lift blades for NH 60\" 914A mm rear discharge

( Well, time to order the Gaters...I noticed that besides the Gater blades for $21.21, the hi-lift ones are a couple bucks more. What is the difference between the blade performance? I'll still get the Gaters, since I want the mulching benefit, but depending on what the difference is, maybe I'll order the hi-lift ones next time.

)

I never did try New Holland's HI lift ones so I can't tell you. But evidently New Holland has had a lot of complaints for them to come out with the Hi-lift ones along with the Gators.

A suggestion also is when running your mower you have a red 600RPM light. I run my mower so that that light flickers on and off. Meaning keeping it running at the highest RPM that you can. My mower manual says to run the PTO as high as the tractor will run. I don't know about your rear discharge one.

murph