Why Gator blades?

[century3045]

What is the purpose of Gator blades? more lift?smoother cut?
I bought my Hustler Super Z used, 125hrs. and it came with 2 extra sets of blades, one set being gator blades. I put them on today and they seemed to leave stray weeds and blades standing when cutting high grass. They have been on wower before because you can tell they have been used. Could it be they are needing sharpened or is it they just aren't designed for high grass and weeds? THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT!!

 

[century3045]

What is the purpose of Gator blades? more lift?smoother cut?
I bought my Hustler Super Z used, 125hrs. and it came with 2 extra sets of blades, one set being gator blades. I put them on today and they seemed to leave stray weeds and blades standing when cutting high grass. They have been on wower before because you can tell they have been used. Could it be they are needing sharpened or is it they just aren't designed for high grass and weeds? THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT!!

 

[Bird]

Gator blades are supposed to give you better lift and a cleaner, faster cut. At least that's what the salesman told me long ago, and apparently that's what a lot of people either get or believe they get, because a number of people on TBN have used them and are happy with them. My brother-in-law, a neighbor, and I, all three, bought them several years ago for our 3 different models of riding mowers. And in less than one season we all three threw them away and went back to OEM blades. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Bird]

Gator blades are supposed to give you better lift and a cleaner, faster cut. At least that's what the salesman told me long ago, and apparently that's what a lot of people either get or believe they get, because a number of people on TBN have used them and are happy with them. My brother-in-law, a neighbor, and I, all three, bought them several years ago for our 3 different models of riding mowers. And in less than one season we all three threw them away and went back to OEM blades. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[beenthere]

I have gator blades on now, and I don't think they give as nice a cut, but they do chop (mulch) up the grass clippings a bit more. When the wind is blowing, finer grass clippings is kinda dirty mowing. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I mainly use them because they are tougher and stay sharper longer than the Deere standard blades. But I don't think either the lift nor the cut is better with the gators when comparing both blades when sharp. Just my take.

Were they not sharp when you put them on? I don't try to sharpen the standing points, just the cutting edge.

 

[beenthere]

I have gator blades on now, and I don't think they give as nice a cut, but they do chop (mulch) up the grass clippings a bit more. When the wind is blowing, finer grass clippings is kinda dirty mowing. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I mainly use them because they are tougher and stay sharper longer than the Deere standard blades. But I don't think either the lift nor the cut is better with the gators when comparing both blades when sharp. Just my take.

Were they not sharp when you put them on? I don't try to sharpen the standing points, just the cutting edge.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

They take an edge better than most blades, and they KEEP an edge better than any blades I've used personally. I don't know that they cut any better, nor do I see where they're any worse than O.E.M. or other aftermarket. But the do sharpen up so good! If you gotta buy replacements, they're a top choice.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

They take an edge better than most blades, and they KEEP an edge better than any blades I've used personally. I don't know that they cut any better, nor do I see where they're any worse than O.E.M. or other aftermarket. But the do sharpen up so good! If you gotta buy replacements, they're a top choice.

 

[Garrabo]

I agree, the gators seem to be tough at holding an edge and I think they cut pretty well, Far better than any stock mulching blades I have owned. I got kubota to order me a set of their high lift mulchers that are excellent. I see no difference in performance in them versus the gators. they just dont have the notches cut in them.

 

[Garrabo]

I agree, the gators seem to be tough at holding an edge and I think they cut pretty well, Far better than any stock mulching blades I have owned. I got kubota to order me a set of their high lift mulchers that are excellent. I see no difference in performance in them versus the gators. they just dont have the notches cut in them.

 

[tomnky]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.