dwost
09-14-2009, 02:17 PM
I've been experimenting with several different types of blades as well as combination's to give me the best all around performance in cutting thick, wet northern grass. I will say overall the standard fusions work extremely well for me. I did find, however, there needs to be a bit more lift when cutting high (4"+) as it will not pull up the grass that is matted down from the casters. This is what started the search. To date, here is what I've tried and the results I've found.
Stock hi-lift fusions: Work very well in most conditions but suffer a bit on suction when cutting at higher settings. Overall cut is very smooth, no stringers and can mow effectively at 8-10mph. There is some minor clumping when cutting very high (10"+) grass down to 4" and a fair amount of buildup left on the underside of the deck. I've found this is pretty much the case with most setups. Dryer tall grass doesn't have this problem at all and it provides very even disbursement and no clumping. Overall they work very well.
Dixie Chopper Solid Foil: Work good but not as good as stock. I was looking for this design as I've had great results in the past with the eXmark solid foil. Unfortuantely they don't make these for a 60" deck so I gave these a shot. These are 1/2" wider (3") and heavier than the stock Fusions. They create decent suction but I found it left an uneven cut. There was a strip of stringers on the trim side of the deck. Not sure if it was the air pattern under the deck but the cut was just OK.
Dixie Chopper w/ SilverStreak Gators stacked I also ran these in a double configuration with a set of thin SilverStreak gators. This combination created WAY too much blow out and turbulence under the deck leaving an uneven cut. The only good thing was the disbursement and particle size was much better.
Stock Fusion's with SilverStreak Gators Stacked This is what I'm currently running and have found to be the BEST setup to date with this deck. I've cut a variety of lengths of grass, various speeds, and with various levels of moisture. Overall it performs extremely well in every task. The big difference with this setup compared to the DC blade is the reduced lift on the Fusion combined with the lift of the Gators provide more lift than stock but not so much it upsets airflow under the deck. I can easily cut thick high grass at 8-10 mph and leave very little if any stringers. It all pulls almost all the grass up from under the wheels. The other great result is again the disbursement is incredible as is the reduced grass size being discharged. Build-up is reduced except an area at the end of the discharge chute. I think this is a design issue in the deck as I get buildup there from any blade configuration. No big deal but it does create some sticking. I've also found this eliminates clumping in really wet, tall grass. I'm really pleased with this setup and will continue to run it.
Gator Magnums I just received a set in the mail last week but have yet to try them out. I'm going to try them solo as well as with the stock fusions and will post up an update. Upon closer inspection, it really doesn't look like the Magnums have that much more lift than the stock Gators. Anyone have input on this? The specs say it's 40% more but I really cant see that from the design. Maybe they sent me the wrong ones? Who knows but I'll give them a shot.
Stock hi-lift fusions: Work very well in most conditions but suffer a bit on suction when cutting at higher settings. Overall cut is very smooth, no stringers and can mow effectively at 8-10mph. There is some minor clumping when cutting very high (10"+) grass down to 4" and a fair amount of buildup left on the underside of the deck. I've found this is pretty much the case with most setups. Dryer tall grass doesn't have this problem at all and it provides very even disbursement and no clumping. Overall they work very well.
Dixie Chopper Solid Foil: Work good but not as good as stock. I was looking for this design as I've had great results in the past with the eXmark solid foil. Unfortuantely they don't make these for a 60" deck so I gave these a shot. These are 1/2" wider (3") and heavier than the stock Fusions. They create decent suction but I found it left an uneven cut. There was a strip of stringers on the trim side of the deck. Not sure if it was the air pattern under the deck but the cut was just OK.
Dixie Chopper w/ SilverStreak Gators stacked I also ran these in a double configuration with a set of thin SilverStreak gators. This combination created WAY too much blow out and turbulence under the deck leaving an uneven cut. The only good thing was the disbursement and particle size was much better.
Stock Fusion's with SilverStreak Gators Stacked This is what I'm currently running and have found to be the BEST setup to date with this deck. I've cut a variety of lengths of grass, various speeds, and with various levels of moisture. Overall it performs extremely well in every task. The big difference with this setup compared to the DC blade is the reduced lift on the Fusion combined with the lift of the Gators provide more lift than stock but not so much it upsets airflow under the deck. I can easily cut thick high grass at 8-10 mph and leave very little if any stringers. It all pulls almost all the grass up from under the wheels. The other great result is again the disbursement is incredible as is the reduced grass size being discharged. Build-up is reduced except an area at the end of the discharge chute. I think this is a design issue in the deck as I get buildup there from any blade configuration. No big deal but it does create some sticking. I've also found this eliminates clumping in really wet, tall grass. I'm really pleased with this setup and will continue to run it.
Gator Magnums I just received a set in the mail last week but have yet to try them out. I'm going to try them solo as well as with the stock fusions and will post up an update. Upon closer inspection, it really doesn't look like the Magnums have that much more lift than the stock Gators. Anyone have input on this? The specs say it's 40% more but I really cant see that from the design. Maybe they sent me the wrong ones? Who knows but I'll give them a shot.