XT1 50" deck sucks up gravel

[John Fitzgerald]

I have a driveway that's low grade asphalt, with lots of loose chat. I have had this XT1 50" for two years, and am looking for new blades, as the factory ones are getting worn. The factory blades suck up and throw small gravel, even with the chute down. I have been careful, but am leery of breaking a window when mowing near the 300 foot long drive. How much quality of cut would I suffer by putting on blades without the high lift wings? It's a mixed bermuda, annual crabgrass. weed, and fescue lawn, about an acre, nothing fancy at all. I mow about three inches high.

 

[Groo]

I would suspect significantly. might try a mulching conversion or a bagger instead.

 

[tomplum]

You may even have a decal under the hood that will give you the mulch blade number.

 

[jrepp44]

I have looked everywhere for low lift blades for CC, if anyone finds some please post. Thanks.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

I have looked everywhere for low lift blades for CC, if anyone finds some please post. Thanks.

Me too. They only make one kind of blades for the CC lawn tractors made 2015 and after. They are the high lifts. The others will fit for length and center hole, but they are bent downward and then flatten out again at the cutting edge and will hit the ground if you lower the deck much. The newer model CC lawn tractors have longer spindles.

 

[Beltzington]

I have a driveway that's low grade asphalt, with lots of loose chat. I have had this XT1 50" for two years, and am looking for new blades, as the factory ones are getting worn. The factory blades suck up and throw small gravel, even with the chute down. I have been careful, but am leery of breaking a window when mowing near the 300 foot long drive. How much quality of cut would I suffer by putting on blades without the high lift wings? It's a mixed bermuda, annual crabgrass. weed, and fescue lawn, about an acre, nothing fancy at all. I mow about three inches high.

The lift of a blade has so many variables I don't believe you are going to prevent the occasional throwing of rocks unless you cover the chute. If you can find a blade that is not as wide or has less of a turnup either would reduce lift. If you are bored you could grind down the turnup on the OEM blades and see it that helps any, just don't overheat the blade while doing this.

I have been running low-lift blades on a JD lawn tractor for years and it still throws rocks and gravel. I recently bought a Cub Cadet ZT and was amazed at the amount of dust and dirt it sucks up, like you, I haven't been able to find factory LL blades from MTD. What we started doing was mowing right after a good rain, the grass seems to cut just as well and the dust is significantly less. Maybe doing that would reduce the amount of gravel you are throwing.

Also you might want to consider replacing your blades more frequently than every two-years, you will get a much better cut

Good luck - Post if you find another solution.

 

[tomplum]

Post the actual model number from below the seat.

 

[mcfarmall]

My mom's Cub Cadet sucks up so much gravel/sand that it sandblasted a quarter sized hole in the deck. The mower was purchased new in the very late 1900's.

 

[swnoel]

Just curious why you need to mow your gravel driveway?

 

[tomplum]

Me too. They only make one kind of blades for the CC lawn tractors made 2015 and after. They are the high lifts. The others will fit for length and center hole, but they are bent downward and then flatten out again at the cutting edge and will hit the ground if you lower the deck much. The newer model CC lawn tractors have longer spindles.

The 942-05067 blades are mulchers. The 942-05052A blades are the 2 in 1 blades that come with on the Enduro XT1 50", ASSUMING that is what you have. There is another possible alternative is the 942-0623 which may be compatible too , though is just under a 1/16th longer. It is shaped somewhat different.