Thanks Eric, doubles are awesome

[lee b]

Put doubles on my 335 JD tractor today. Sounds like a helicopter, cuts much better, slings clippings like crazy. Only one problem, it does cause some blow-out at the front of the deck, not bad now, but when it gets dry and dusty I may have to go back to singles. The doubles don't seem to bother the 20hp. Kawi. 54' deck at all. As soon as my m665 needs the blades sharpened I'm gonna put'em on it too.

[Eric ELM]

Good deal Lee. The first doubles I put on was on a 332 JD diesel 50" and I've never went back to singles. :)
What is a 335? It must be a newer model.

[lee b]

Eric the 335 is a garden tractor. 20hp. Kawi., hydro, power steerinp, hydro deck lift, all the goodies. It's a 2000 model, its a little lighter built than the 400 series like your 430. I wound up using it to finish a job today. I bogged down the m665 and couldn't get it out alone. I called for help and while I was waiting on the cavalry, which turned out to be a couple hours, I used the 335. Found out that a stuck ztr is MUCH harder to get out than a tractor mower.

[Ricky]

I learned from Eric about the "blowout". Use blades with less lift. Try one Gator blade with a regular or high lift.
The regular Gator doesn't have as much lift.

[GREG R]

Hey lee
when you go to put double blades on
your m665, tell me how you are going
to do it. I am running two of them, and really
want to run double blades but the bottom blade
will not be centered because the hole is to
big. and I am afraid that it will slip off
center and cause damage to the spindles..
Let me know, or if Eric has any suggestions
please feel free to respond..thanks

[Eric ELM]

If your JD is like my 430, it has a 3/4" hole and it slips over a piece that hangs down about 1/4" and uses a 5/8" bolt. Get a blade with a 5/8" hole for the bottom. There are a lot of blades out there with a 5/8" hole. I think Exmark uses them, I know Dixie Chopper uses them. Just find one the same length as what you have. I just throw a DC blade on the bottom of the JD if I ever use it for mowing which is very rare.

Does that answer your question? :)
Eric

[GREG R]

Thank Eric, for the information
Problem solved...........

[lawnman_scott]

I did doubles on all of my mowers, and it works great, thanks for the tip.

[Willie Holmes]

I have a Dixie Chopper 2200xw 60" cut. I want to use double
blades. Do you put the gator blade, which I use now, on the bottom or top. Love my Chopper! Just a home owner that mows my yard, 3 acres, and my mother's.

[Eric ELM]

I run the gator on the bottom, some have them on top. Either way it will work. I take the 1/2" spacer off which ends up raising the blades up 1/4" so the blades are not hanging down below the deck. Try them both ways. I would suggest using a regular lift and a Gator. You will like the cut and it seems to stripe better also. Also make sure your deck is 1/4" lower in the front than the back for a better cut and stripes.

You mentioned you are are homeowner. If you haven't seen my tips on maintenance for you DC, check them out on my website. They should help you keep it in top shape. Good Luck :)

[Fantasy Lawns]

"Walkers" has always had this set up & when we got our 1st one in 1995 we saw that and used it on our 54" Hydo Cut W/B it kicked a$s ...

When I joined here this year ...I noticed all this "Double Blade" talk and went to Eric's site ....which is not only a great site but show's the results of so many real tips posted here ....Thanks!!

We're going to see if that striping deal .... can be put to St. Augustine

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by theleven
"Walkers" has always had this set up & when we got our 1st one in 1995 we saw that and used it on our 54" Hydo Cut W/B it kicked a$s ...

I was going through old posts on double blades and found this Steve. Which set up are you referring to?

[jdseven]

Eric Do you put a spacer between the blades or just cross them and pullout one 1/4" spacer Thanks

[Eric ELM]

For the past dozen years I have used doubles, I just put the two blades on, blade to blade in a + position and the only time I've had any problems with them moving was if I hit something solid. If this happens, I just go to the trailer and pull one wheel up the gate and leave the one wheel hanging off to the side so I can get under the deck to loosen up the bolt and get them back in the plus position. This might happen 2 or 3 times a year. On my 2001 Chopper, they threw in a set of double blade brackets which hold them in a + position even if you hit something. I have a picture of the brackets and I will put them on the double blade page hopefully today. If I have no interruptions, I'll do it now. ;)

[Eric ELM]

jdseven, I forgot to answer your question on spacers. On a Chopper I only have a 1/2" spacer which I take out. If you have 1/4" spacers, I would take out one and then just cross the blades. This will keep the bottom blade at the same cutting highth as before.

[slabpile]

How can i put double blades on a JD lx277? the blades are not flat in the center, they ae cupped? thanks waiting to try it on my toro when i get it.

[captdevo]

Who makes the Magic Mulcher? Where can they be purchased? Do they have different sizes for different mowers? Walkers?

[Eric ELM]

I guess I have never looked under a LX 277. The next time I get to my JD dealer, I'll look. Is there any way you could put a regular blade the same hole size and length on it? Can you send me a picture of this blade? I'm not exactly sure what the blade looks like. I know the Choppers have a big cupped washer that goes between the bolt head and the first blade, but I've never seen a cupped blade. If they are like I think they are, it seems like one cup of the blade would fit over the other cup, but I'm not sure until I see one.

What ever any of you members do, be safe. Make sure the bolts are long enough and if you replace bolts, get hardened bolts to OEM specs.

[slabpile]

I compared the blades to another jd 48" deck but they where a little shorter. maybe i could put those on top? i'll try to get a picture. these were the only blades for the 48c deck. thanks elm

greg

[AltaLawnCare]

Lee,
On my JD345, I bought a mulching plate kit. The kit came with a baffle to block the discharge and two plates with rubber flaps which bolt to the front of the deck. I used the front plates, and the JD mulching blades on the bottom and this seems to work good. In the fall I'll put the restricter plate back on for leaves, but I can't run doubles with the restricter plate, they hit, because the clearance is so close. And also, the JD blades have to go on the botom, because of the way they are shaped.

[Eric ELM]

Captdevo,

Dixie Chopper makes the Magic Mulchers and they have a 5/8" hole. They are also called Whizmows or something like that. I'll try to remember to get a highth measurement today to see how far they extend up. It looks like about 3" up from the bottom of the spindle, but that's just a guess.

[Fareway Lawncare]

Saw a New Blade @ the Dealer Today w/2 Cutting Edges perpindicular to Each Other on Each Side & the Backside Sharpened as Well...Called MulchFours...For Mulching Only.

As Far as Doubles...No More...Burned One to Many Clutches...Mabe on the Manual PTO's.
http://lawnsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14207&stc=1

[TMlawncare]

Kinda makes me sad to read back through this post and see Eric Elms comments then see fareway on the same thread. Eric, someone who loved this business as much as anyone I have ever met. Fareway, views all of us as kids cutting grass. Maybe someday Fareway will learn there is more to this industry then just dollars. Theres also a think called pride and respect. Maybe if you start paying a little more attention to some of the Eric Elm posts you can learn you can have it all.

[lawnman_scott]

Kinda makes me sad to read back through this post and see Eric Elms comments then see fareway on the same thread. Eric, someone who loved this business as much as anyone I have ever met. Fareway, views all of us as kids cutting grass. Maybe someday Fareway will learn there is more to this industry then just dollars. Theres also a think called pride and respect. Maybe if you start paying a little more attention to some of the Eric Elm posts you can learn you can have it all.
he never made anyone feel stupid about asking something stupid.

[TMlawncare]

He always was respectful and helpful to chat with. The man did some of the highest quality work that I have ever seen. His passing was a huge loss to our industry.

[turfsurfer]

I have to agree, the newer guys on here I'm sure hear about Eric once in awhile, but if you were on here when he was you know that day after day he put out quality advice that didn't put people down.

[Fareway Lawncare]

Kinda makes me sad to read back through this post and see Eric Elms comments then see fareway on the same thread. Eric, someone who loved this business as much as anyone I have ever met. Fareway, views all of us as kids cutting grass. Maybe someday Fareway will learn there is more to this industry then just dollars. Theres also a think called pride and respect. Maybe if you start paying a little more attention to some of the Eric Elm posts you can learn you can have it all.

You Will be Happy to Learn that Mr. Erikson, banned me numerous times for expounding such views. These were the days when intolerance was more prevalant on Lawnsite. You can decide for yourself if that is a good thing.

Regardless, Doubles and Sweet Stripes were his legacy.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=14362&page=1&highlight=stripes

[TMlawncare]

Fareway, I agree we all should be able to voice different views and outlooks. Yes, doubles and striping are truly part of his legacy.