Mowing Problems with Bx "Fine Cut" rck54p23bx deck cut

[Scooby074]

Cooldmax, when you say "wouldn't pick up the grass." are you referring to the same issues I'm experiencing? Like the grass is almost matted behind the front wheels and not lifted by the deck? Uneven cut?

Did you try any other blades on the 54 before getting the 60?

I take it you think the Gators (?) are far superior to the OEM blades?


Local price for the 396-748 blade is $27.95 each + tax ... So I'm going to be pushing $100 when all is said and done. Whatever I buy, I want it to have the most lift possible. If the Gators arent the ones then I'm open to any suggestions for a good high lift blade. I really dont want to end up buying any more blades and hope this is my final purchase in the matter.

 

[Cooldmax]

I had similar problems to you with grass being matted down behind the wheels and not cut. I never tried gators on the 54 but probably should of. I also never learned about leveling the deck until I switched to the 60 so now I guess I'll never know how good it could of been. If you try overlapping different amounts and varying the RPMs the cut should improve some with the stock blades. The gators make a huge difference on the 60 handling the heavy grass and providing more lift. I wish I would have spent a little more time working with the 54 but after watching my fathers bx 2230 with a 60 do a much better job of mowing I bit the bullet ($$$) and traded up. It may seem like a lot to get this deck working good but I'm sure it will be less money than moving up to a 60. I had a set of terminator blades but after a quick search it appears they no longer make them. They are almost a carbon copy of the gator blades at about $22 a piece.

 

[Scooby074]

Interesting Cooldmax. Im somewhat happy to hear that I'm not the only one.. but also disapointed that Kubota hasnt addressed it. Even offering optional high lift blades would be a start. In all honesty I think I should have went with the 60". But it's too late for that now.


Ordered the Gator G6's PN396-748 this afternoon. Should be here by Friday or Monday.

Found a cheaper retailer, $21.50 each, which is a great price.

 

[The Toolman]

I've just got a bx1800 with the 60" deck and I'll admit, that it is a pain in the butt to do all the book says to get it right. I think this tractor had this deck added to it, because everything on the adjustments is outta whack.

I am taking the advice here, an getting the JD mower gauge at $7.38 tax included at my local JD Dlr. Its just to hard to do otherwise.

On another note, I mow our RC plane field, an I have found that with the deck chute up an hooked back, the grass will blow out farther an in a wider area than with it down.

Even when the grass is wet, it will ball up with the chute down, but still blow out good with the chute up.

I just drilled a small 1/4" hole in the end of the chute an use a bungie cord to hook it to the stop bolt for the HST pedal when I want to have it up.

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

One difference is that the fine cut is a deeper deck which is supposed to create more of a vaccuum to stand the grass up and also keep it suspended longer to allow the clippings to be cut finer.Whether or not it works,I don't really know.There may be other differences as well such as the type of belt used on each.The regular cut deck I used to have had a double wide belt whereas my fine cut deck has a single width belt.

I've got the fine cut deck (no mulch kit, original blades) on my BX24... and I don't see any difference with its cut, than with my TG1860 and 54" deck. I looked under both decks... on the P23BX I measure about 4.5" above the blade cutting edge to the inside upper surface of the deck. On the TG deck, the distance is greater at the front of the deck... almost 6" and about 4" behind the spindles. With either machine, if the grass is a bit damp and/or long, it tends to stay down after the front tires go over it.
I generally cut to 3", and go to 3.5" when in a dry spell.
I'm still using the original blades on my TG, bought new in July '98. They don't look like they'll need replacing anytime soon... I take a file to them twice a year whether they need it or not. Mind you, I'm only mowing 2.5 acres of lawn, not stony fields.

Pete

 

[Scooby074]

Having adjusted the side-to-side of the MMM , what's the difference
in the bolt adjustment lengths of the deck-hangers , each side ?

Had the deck off today and checked the bolts more accurately.

RH bolt is 1.118" from the bottom of the bolt to the bottom of the oblong slot (where the spring loaded mounting pin sits)

LH bolt is 1.33"

 

[Scooby074]

Gator G6 blades arrived today.

Here's comparison between the factory mulch blades and the Gators. Sorry no pics.

Mulch:
Peak Wing Height - 1.044"
Wing Length - 2.845"
Blade Width - 2.5"

Gator:
Peak wing height - 1.246
Wing Length - 5"
Blade Width - 3"


The install DID NOT go without a hitch! The right hand and centre blades were making slight contact, but only with 1/2 of the blade. I didnt notice this until the deck was installed and even then, not until the blade was up to max speed. I tried it manually and at low RPMs with no contact. AS you can imagine it made quite a racket!

Had to remove the deck and inspect.

The two blades are only making contact in the wing area, and then only in one specific position.

I had to grind the facing edges of the right and middle blade to get clearance. Thankfully, i didnt have to modify the cutting edge. I did have to re-balance the blades as I probably removed close to 3/32" to get enough clearance.

If anyone installs the Gator blades, you MUST install them as a test first. Slightly loosen the centre bolt on each blade so you can rotate them easily without moving the remaining blades. Im not sure what the exact cause of my issue is, but I suspect it's Oregon's Quality control. Both the centre and the RH blade were out the same amount. I suspect the centre hole is broached slightly to one side, I did not take time to confirm it however.

I should also point out that the sharpening job from the factory was pitiful. It was neither sharp nor straight and there were large gouges cut in the bevel of the blade like too course of a machine cutting tool was used in the factory to form the bevel. I had to sharpen them before installing.

Hope to try them out in the next few days. Will post up when I do.

 

[Scooby074]

Mowed tonight with the Gators.

Impressions:
Clippings are larger than the factory mulchers.

Gators seem to have more suction, but still not at the level of the deere. Could be related to blade tip speed

Striping is better with the new Gators. Best stripes Ive ever made.

Gators appear to leave more uncut dandilions. Not good. Travel speed doesnt make a difference. Seems to be more uncut with Gators over the Mulchers.

Cut looks more level with the Gators. Likely due to the increased suction.

Gators generate much more airflow out the chute. Throw clippings further than the mulchers.

Overall, I say the Gators are much better than the factory blades. Only issue is leaving the tall dandilion stalks. Stalks are left in all positions, left, right and centre, so I know its not related to a specific blade. I have not leveled the deck with the new blades yet, but I suspect that it shouldnt be out that much.

Nice Stripes!!

Uncut dandilions.

 

[Zick]

Yeah those dandilions are a PITA to cut for some reason.

I have the factory blades and I always seem to have long dandilion stalks left standing.


Interesting to hear that the blades make contact only under full RPM. I can only image that the centrifugal force at that speed is enough to cause the spindle to shift slightly. Are the gator blades heavier than the original by chance?

 

[Scooby074]

Yeah those dandilions are a PITA to cut for some reason.

I have the factory blades and I always seem to have long dandilion stalks left standing.


Interesting to hear that the blades make contact only under full RPM. I can only image that the centrifugal force at that speed is enough to cause the spindle to shift slightly. Are the gator blades heavier than the original by chance?

yeah. id say the gators are significantly heavier. They are 3" wide vs the factory 2.5.

I should say that after modifying the areas of where the blades were hitting, there is no longer any contact.