Why Gator blades?

tomnky · May 24, 2006

I tried Gators on My John Deere 38" Deck with a mulching kit.
My experience was they left a fine line of clipping right where the center of the deck ran. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

$40.00 for two of them, I promptly went back to the OEM Mulching blade , which leaves no trail of clippings.

tomnky · May 24, 2006

I tried Gators on My John Deere 38" Deck with a mulching kit.
My experience was they left a fine line of clipping right where the center of the deck ran. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

$40.00 for two of them, I promptly went back to the OEM Mulching blade , which leaves no trail of clippings.

bandit67 · May 25, 2006

This has been a very informative thread, guys. Thanks for all the input - I've been considering going with the Gator blades, but I've changed my mind after reading these posts.

bandit67 · May 25, 2006

This has been a very informative thread, guys. Thanks for all the input - I've been considering going with the Gator blades, but I've changed my mind after reading these posts.

century3045 · May 25, 2006

Gator blades coming off!! They came with the mower so I can't complain but I can see no difference in the workmanship/ quality of the blade itself. They are built exactly the same, out of the same thickness of metal. The only differences is the notches. The notches are on the lift side of the blade, not the cutting edge so I can't see any real difference in them staying sharper or being easier to sharpen but I do see a difference in high grass, they leave grass standing. I bought 3 new blades today, 11.00 each and he (the dealer)told me the gators run about 13.50 and If I wanted I could bring em back and he would sell them for used blades and give me the money but I probably will hang on to them a while. As far as mulching finer, I haven't noticed but I cant complain about the mulching I get from my mower. It cuts it up fine and slings it a long way from the mower with the chute up and makes a nice cut, much nicer than any riding lawnmower I have ever owned. I'm gonna take the gators off and although tey don't appear to need it, sharpen them and try them again later on but right now I want to try some new OEM's.

century3045 · May 25, 2006

Gator blades coming off!! They came with the mower so I can't complain but I can see no difference in the workmanship/ quality of the blade itself. They are built exactly the same, out of the same thickness of metal. The only differences is the notches. The notches are on the lift side of the blade, not the cutting edge so I can't see any real difference in them staying sharper or being easier to sharpen but I do see a difference in high grass, they leave grass standing. I bought 3 new blades today, 11.00 each and he (the dealer)told me the gators run about 13.50 and If I wanted I could bring em back and he would sell them for used blades and give me the money but I probably will hang on to them a while. As far as mulching finer, I haven't noticed but I cant complain about the mulching I get from my mower. It cuts it up fine and slings it a long way from the mower with the chute up and makes a nice cut, much nicer than any riding lawnmower I have ever owned. I'm gonna take the gators off and although tey don't appear to need it, sharpen them and try them again later on but right now I want to try some new OEM's.