OK, finally got a chance to try out the new Gator Blades yesterday (596-351). Last rain was a couple of inches about 3 weeks ago, so conditions were very dry, 8" to 10" tall and LOTS of crab grass.
First up was to try the Gators with the bagger. They aren't supposed to be "high lift", don't look like they are high lift, and they aren't. Got about 100 feet with the bagger and the chute just filled and plugged. That was exactly what I thought would happen, but I had to try. If I want to use the bagger, I will HAVE to use the stock high-lift blades.
Problem is, I like to put the bagger on from time to time throughout the summer to box up some grass to dump in the compost pile. It would be a HUGE pain to have to change blades just to bag some grass, then change back again. But, that's an issue I'll have to sort out later.
As for the Gators, they are very good quality, came fully painted and were not sharp, so I had to put an edge on them with the flap disk before mounting. These 19" blades are a perfect fit for the ZTXS5 54. The blades performed flawlessly, blowing through 10" tall water grass, crab grass and fescue without leaving any "stragglers". Clipping dispersal was fine, but I did not see as much mulching action with either grass or leaves as I expected. However, I did not really buy them for mulching, just for general mowing.
If I wanted to mulch, I would install the Cub Cadet mulching kit (which I DO have for this machine, but have not tried yet). The CC mulching kit comes with a set of CC mulching blades (see photos for comparison).
After mowing, I removed the Gators and switched back to the standard CC high-lift blades (because I will probably be bagging leaves next time I mow). My impression is that the Gators will work very well for general mowing. They seem to be harder steel than the original equipment blades and showed no wear or dings after 1.5 hours on the machine.
Now, a word about servicing the blades on the ZTXS5. You will notice in the photos below, I am using the Harbor Freight Fischer 750 lb mower lift. I bought this as soon as I ordered the mower because I knew I was going to need a safe way to jack this thing up. I have now used it several times and am VERY glad I bought one. I gave brief thought to coming up with some other way to raise the machine (chain hoist, etc.), but this is just so easy and safe. The wheel cradles are adjustable and it has automatic locking mechanisms (though I still used jack stands for a little extra security). The only issue I have with it is that it is big, bulky and hard to store. But I wouldn't want to have a ZTR without it.
Some mowers you can loosen the blade nuts just by using a block of wood to hold the blades while turning the wrench. However, on this one, at least some of the time, the entire shaft turns and you have to put a wrench on the top of the shaft to hold it while loosening. At least the safety covers are easily removed via large plastic wing nuts.
Between the spindle and the blade is a large thrust washer, looking very much like that used with a boat propeller. Under the blade is a thick lock washer that meshes with flutes machined into the spindle, followed by a self-locking 15/16" nut. Torque is "70 - 90 ft lbs" per manual, I used 75.
The ZTXS5 now has about 27 hours and is running good, with no issues. I have perfected the art of cold starting it - takes two hands, one on the key, the other on the choke. Throttle up 1/3, choke on, turn key and AS SOON AS IT FIRES choke off with the other hand. Otherwise, it floods and you wind up cranking and starting with a big cloud of smoke. If I had bigger hands, I might be able to perform this operation with one hand.....
Now, some piccys....
Comparison of blades - Gator 596-351 (top), Cub Cadet mulching blade (middle), Cub Cadet standard high-lift (bottom).
