Which Gator Blades

[jj1]

Hello.. I would like to try the Gator Mulch blade on my JD X304. The JD owners manual has a part number of M154061 for my 42 inch side discharge blades. I have looked at many part numbers for the Deere with gator blades but nothing matches these numbers. I was going to use a sweeper but I live on a pretty big and uneven hill and thought I would give these blade a try. Is anybody using a rear bagger for this model? They are not powered and was wonding if they are any good for lawn clean up?Thanks

JOE

 

[Deadman]

The gator Blades SUCK for mowing, but work really well for chopping leaves and dead grass.
If you try to mow with them, expect to cut your ground speed in half or they skip like crazy.

 

[jj1]

Deadman..I didn't know that! That might just change my mind on mulch blades. Does the JD mulch blade do that. Can you leave them on for cutting the lawn and lawn cleanup?? Do they work O.K. or should I just stay with a lawn sweeper??

JOE

 

[Deadman]

I'm not sure, but I THINK mine are Deere blades (but maybe not).
They are kinda like medium lift blades with like 3 serated teeth cut into them.
What happens is the actual cutting surface of the blade is only half as long, so your blade cuts less every revolution. It chops like crazy though.
For general lawn cutting, I rip them off, because I can't stand mowing at a crawling speed. Normal blades cut at least twice as well if not even better than twice.

I only use these blades for chewing up leaves.

 

[jj1]

Great info. Maybe a rear bagger would be better than a sweeper. Don't know. I have about 2ac of land but only mow about 3/4. I do however have a lot of trees.

JOE

 

[jj1]

So my options are:

1) Mulch blades
2) Sweeper
3) Rear Bagger

For about 3/4 acre of hilly land and to pickup leaves and grass clippings which would be the better option? I like the sweeper idea but I don't know if going on rough terrian and uphill if the sweeper is going to work vey well. The Rear Bagger may fill up real quick and maybe hard to get on and off not to mention when it plugs up. Mulch blades seem not to cut grass very well and I don't think the Gator blades are made for the X304 yet. I don't want to go the cost for a Vac unit for this amount of land. What is my best option out of these 3 or am I missing one? SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO??

JOE

 

[jj1]

bump.