Possible to stack 2 blades on a mower deck spindle?

[JDgreen227]

On another equipment site I belong to, somebody claims he uses two blades per spindle, in a + pattern, and his deck mulches much better. I have never seen a spindle that enabled the operator to stack blades, because the spindle flange is only long enough to install one. Seems to me the concept would work well, IF the flanges were long enough AND you were careful to be sure the blades were well balanced. Has anyone here done the same thing?

 

[Fixemall]

I think for most commercially produced decks that I have seen it would require the hole on the bottom blade to be reamed out so the nut would still have enough threads to hold, this would require the pinning or welding of the blades together to hold position during rotation, it would also create (in my opionion) an unsafe condition as far as the weight the spindle would have to carry. I figure it could be balanced to a point of minimal vibration but would still be beyond what the spindle was designed to carry an not be safe. I do see how multiple cutting surfaces could help with mulching but would not be comfortable trying it with most decks.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Go to lawnsite.com and post your question, or simply search "doubles" on that site and you will find a wealth of information.

 

[90cummins]

Yes!
Very easy if your blade is secured with a 5/8 bolt that goes thru the spindle and secured with a nut on top like my 52" commerical mower.
I installed 2 hi-lift blades on my 52" walk behind and also on my Woods RM 59-3 rear mount PTO mower.
The PTO mower uses a 5/8 screw rather than a bolt but works fine.
They both cut, mulch and discharge the grass much, much better.
One additional benefit I found is the bottom blade protects the top blade if a rock or root is hit.
Draw back is additional power is needed and the discharge is very very powerful!

tim

 

[JDgreen227]

Go to lawnsite.com and post your question, or simply search "doubles" on that site and you will find a wealth of information.

Thanks for that info, I was thinking there has to be a certain way the blades mount and also, there might be a limit on the blade length....

 

[Boit]

One thing to consider is the extra inertia weight when doubling the blades. It takes a lot of torque to get those blades spinning.

 

[oliver28472]

I've been running doubles on my RM-48 Woods for years. Has the 5/8 center bolt.

 

[alchemysa]

Obvious question I guess is,... If its so easy to do and improves the performance so much why don't the manufacturers do it in the first place?

 

[smstonypoint]

Obvious question I guess is,... If its so easy to do and improves the performance so much why don't the manufacturers do it in the first place?

I have a Honda walk-behind mower (HRR2166VKA) that is configured this way.

Steve

 

[JDgreen227]

Obvious question I guess is,... If its so easy to do and improves the performance so much why don't the manufacturers do it in the first place?

Good question, and it would also give them the opportunity to sell you two sets of replacment blades instead of one.