60" Lazer owners - What blades do you use?

[Lawn-Scapes]

I bought my Lazer about three weeks ago. The first week I was just amazed at how quickly I was getting lawns cut compared to my 50" Gravely with about a 4 mph ground speed. The blades that came on the unit were high lift (I think) with a "u" cut out of foil. I wasn't particularly thrilled with the cut 'cause it was leaving some grass uncut. So a couple of days ago I switched to what I hope is high lift (according to dealer) with a solid foil. Well, same thing... all grass is not being cut! It's not in one particular spot... it's all over the place. I find my self having to double cut just about every lawn.. not because of over lay but because blades of grass are still standing. Deck is level, clean, belts ok (self tensioning), and blades are new. The only thing I haven't checked is rpms.

I bought this mower because everyone says this things cuts through anything... yeah... but twice to look good.

Anyway, I'd like to know what blade you've had the best success with... if you have the part # great!

Thanks'
Tom

[leaflawnandlimb]

check your rpms, slow down your ground speed and gator magnums.

[JLC]

I don't know that is just an Exmark thing. My Scag does this same exact thing. Sometimes it is better, sometimes it's worse. Seems to make no difference which blade is on, or what combination of them. I have noticed though that height of cut makes a big difference in the stringers that are left. I've found that if I try to cut a lawn too tall it will not cut for anything. On the same lawn if I lower a half inch in cut height the cut is much better. I know I don't have an Exmark, but I just thought you might want to consider the fact that it might not be the blades.

[Runner]

Did you sharpen the new set of blades, or just put them on with the 1/4" thickness of paint on them? These blades have to be sharp! Other than that, stay with the solid foils. Are they Exmark, or another brand? Also, skip the Gator Magnums for grass, unless you are running them WITH solid foil highlifts. Good luck to you.

[Lawn-Scapes]

Larry,

Will Gators give the same or better lift than other blades? This is important as I cut everything at 3.5" or higher...

I think I will try a set of magnums though because of the thickness of the blade.

Do you think blade flex has anything to do with it? While I was checking under the deck pressing and pulling on the blade to see if there was any play in the spindle I noticed I could easily bend the blade up and down...

[John DiMartino]

I get the same thing with my 2000 Dixie 60",especilly at 3.5".It leaves a bit of grass uncut,it doesnt seem to matter if i go 3mph or 10,still leaves a bit,I guess Im fussy,but especially when its reseeding itself,or wet this is a problem,and i double cut.My deck is spotless clean,RPM's are about 3800,blades razor sharp.It is aggravating,and doesnt happen all the time,the grass seems to be real stubborn now,not making things any easier.Sometimes though itll cut perfect at wide open,and i couldnt be happier.They make 3" wide hi-lift blades for the dixie 60".I think the exmark can take the same blade,you might want to try them,they really pull a lot of air,I like to use them when im not running doubles,since they can really throw the grass.

[leaflawnandlimb]

TSG

the magnums are a 1/4" thick and have a higher lift than the stock blades

[TLS]

My first suggestion is to get a digital Tach. Set free load RPM's at 3750.

Second, SLOW DOWN! Not all grass can be cut at 10mph at 3.5" by any mower!

I have found that the solid foil aka DC blades are about the best for a 60" I have to look into the actual Lazer OEM solid foils when I'm at the dealer next.

Your deck can NOT be level for best results. You must have a 1/4" front pitch.

Hope these ideas help.

[Lawn-Scapes]

Dixie,

Like John said.. slow, fast or inbetween... does not matter.

About deck being level... I meant side to side. I do have a pitch, front being lower than back.. but I'm not sure if it's 1/4". I'll have to check that. It's gonna be tough to find a perfectly level place to check this...

No more than 1/4"?

[cp]

I run a 60" Lazer and have been running the stock high lift solid foils. I am thinking about adding a Gator Mag on top just to see if it helps. Have had the same problems and so far the cure for me has been lowering the deck one notch or two, if I stay around the 3.5 to 3.75 I usually get a good cut.

Hope this helps..

[TLS]

Any more than 1/4" and the front of the center blade will be cutting much lower than the rear of a side blade. You will see streaks or waves where the front cuts lower than the rest of the deck. If you aren't sure of your RPM's I would bet money that it is way off! My old DC came from my dealer set at 3450! If its a Kohler, wind em up to 3800. I think it is just the type of grass and the time of the year. If you normally cut a lawn at say 2 3/4" and then attempt to cut it at 3 1/2, it will not cut good at all. Grass gets a "MEMORY" to it. It will take a few weeks of a high cut to get nice.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I run 2 60" lazers

use Silver Streak high lift blades part #91-259
they run me $2.28 a blade and keep them sharp

I only have that problem when they get dull

email me and tell me what you think if you tryed them

lawngodfather@aol.com

[Lawn-Scapes]

Dang... for $2.28 a blade I'll try them too. Tell me where Mr. LAWNGODFATHER...

[LAWNGODFATHER]

TSG

Medart Engine

the dis. for Silver Steak to the midwest:angel:

[Keith]

Damn. $2.28 a blade? I could afford to throw them out after one use. Got a phone number for them?

[EJK2352]

USE THE SOILD LIFTS. LINE BLADES TIP TO TIP AND BE SHURE THEY ALL LINE
UP. I HAVE HAD BRAND NEW BLADES THAT DID NOT LINE UP. SET RPMS TO AT
LEAST 3750 NO LOAD. SET FRONT OF DECK 1/8" LOWER THAN BACK 1/4" AT
VERY MOST.


ED

[awm]

try some MODECK. If mine does that it usually has grass build up.

[Mid Rivers]

I have a 60" Lazer that I use Gator Magnums on top and high lifts on the bottom. The ONLY time I have to double cut is in a field I do that is full of sh@##ing weeds and some clover like junk. Other than that it cuts great.

[PrimeGreen Lawn]

Tom,

The blades you saw on my laser last week was a regular gator. I agree with you on the double cutting.....I do it not because the deck won't cut, but because the clippings have been laying on top after a weekly cut. Either cut earlier, or double it up. How are you making out with your choke lever? Maybe thats one of the reasons you're maybe not getting the rpm's you need. I'd take it back to Frederick Kubota and have them check it out. Good luck!

Scott

[SLS]

On the subject of double blades:

Where can I order the bracket that holds the blades? I have a Laser Z with a 60" "Ultra Cut" deck.

I just got off the telephone with my local eXmark dealer and he said "Huh?..never heard of double blades...." so I filled him in.

Poured thru my new J.Thomas catalog but found nothing...

Please advise...I wanna run double blades...not double cut!

Thanks, and PEACE!

[Lawn-Scapes]

Thanks for all the feedback guys...

I played with the deck a little (leveling and pitch), slowed down a tad, cleaned under the deck after each cut, and cut a little lower. Seems to have cut a little better...but still...

I didn't have a chance to check the rpms.

Maybe it's the grass... Or maybe my expectations are too high!

Scott,

You didn't call me this weekend. Did you cut the farmhouse. I'm kinda glad you didn't call me... I don't think I want to put my mower through the abuse of that terrain (sp?). That place is rough...

How's the business acquisition going?

See ya......

[Runner]

SLS,
There is no bracket for doubles for the Lazer. You DO need a longer spindle bolt though. Go with a 1/2" longer, even though another blade adds only 1/4" more thickness, the spindle is able to handle even more thread, so, a 1/2" longer bolt suffices. This bolt should be atleast grade 8 hardness, also. Just overlap the blades in a + pattern, and use the same washer, and there you go.

[SLS]

Runner:

Thanks for the info. I posted this question on another thread and and ran out and bought a set of Gators just before the dealer closed this afternoon. The bottoms are a med. lift.

I balanced and sharpened all 6 blades and put them on...and this set-up SHREDS! The house across the street is up for sale and the grass is at least 6 to 8 inches tall and dry...the perfect testing ground. Threw the grass out in real small pieces and about 15 feet away. Not as noisy as I expected either. Some said to expect the mower to 'load up' or 'drag' a bit but honestly I can't tell any difference in the performance of the machine (23 hp Kawasaki). It still flys, cuts very smoothly but now the grass clippings look more like dust flying out of the chute! :D

Just what I needed! I'm very happy with the way it works.

The bolts that came on my lazer new are the long ones (about 2" long). I got a spare set of bolts and washers for backup the day I took posession of it and they are only about 1" long.

Thanks to everyone who steered me through the move to double blades! It will definately save me time when cutting high, dry grass.

I will try the double 'lo-lift' combo on wet grass soon.

[awm]

you really dont need the bracket. i dont use one.
i think it puts a little give in the blades in case you hit something if there is no bracket.this can be a good thing.

[Mid Rivers]

Runner,
I use the standard bolt that came on my Lazer, works fine. Have used it off and on for around a year.

[Runner]

Well, be careful! Because there isn't a whole lot of thread up in the spindle, and these threads can stress under both the torque of tightening them AND the BLADE torque. It's better to be safe than sorry - for everyone. I, for one, feel that if I ever hear of anyone getting hurt over this double blade thing, (all it takes is one split second and alot of regret in hindsight) I would never look at this setup the same again. As a matter of fact, I would feel terrible for being involved in helping people out with informing them about it. PLEASE be safe.

[crew]

I'm running two 60 z's and for the first time in 3 years am experiencing the same problem. having abandoned the double blade setup after the third time one of my guys hit SOMETHING and crossed the blades to the point of not being able to remove the spindle bolt with out first torching it to red hot, the only thing i can figure is all the rain. It may be my imagination but i believe heavily watered grass is somehow pliable or ????
It has rained 14 of the last 18 days here so needless to say all the turf is well watered. When it has been dry for a few days the problem goes away. Strangly enough in a steady rain the problem seems to go away as well. we still have to doule the soaking wet stuff but only to spread out clumps and clippings.

[leaflawnandlimb]

SLS

the shorter bolts that you got for spares are probably the old style that are course threads, your longer bolts are fine thread.

[SLS]

leaflawnandlimb:

Thanks for this heads-up! I wouldn't have thought to compare them.

I'll swap 'em out next time I'm at the dealer...

PEACE!

[cp]

Hey Smith,

Exmark does not have a bracket for running doubles like the CHOPPERS. You have to be careful to align the blades properly to balance and you may have to get longer spindle bolts for the thickness of the blades. And be sure to torgue the bolts to spec.

Be careful, mighty dangerous stuff here...

Good Luck..