My thought on double blades.

[imalandscper]

Alot of guys out here are running double blades and supporting them, but, does your machine? I have been reading the past posts and doing alot of talking with dealers about buying new mowers and such and they have all supported what i think to be true. A mower is sold with single blades on each spindle and built to support that single blade.(Bearings, nuts, bolts, shaft, and belt strength) So has anyone thought about the stress you are putting on that machine? Granted it might not be much or even noticable by the operator, but, even the slightest wear and tear is a very bad thing over an extended period of time. Take a 1 ton pickup and put in 6,000 in stone all the time. It will not last very long. I went further into this and found that , if i remember correctly, Gravely is the only company that is designing and coming out with a double blade machine that is built for supporting double blades.........Just a little bit to pnder on i guess. For me a good sharp set of blades is the best!

[Bob Minney]

Guess you have to try yourself and see if your gains are worth any additional maintenance costs.

[geogunn]

no my machine didn't support doubles...so to speak.

we are mostly unincorporated here and most houses have a septic tank and drain field.

my 14 kaw doesn't like double high lifts over tall lush grass like grows over the drain fields.

I never tried standard lifts or gators as doubles.

my experience says single high lifts are the best all round ticket for me!

GEO

[fatboy5803]

I have been asking alot of questions about double blades, with all the feed back, and an old thread, some people have used this system for years with no problems ??? Maybe if set up is right it could be O.K. ! I understand what your saying that a machine is built for single blades, like I said, I'm still learning. I might just give it a try and see what happens!! If I feel when you engage the clutch and it makes a real Big impact and don't feel comfortable with it I'll make it stock.. I can't afford to break anything. Sometimes you need to take a chance on things ??


Lou

:confused:

[Envy Lawn Service]

Say what you like. I say extra wear is jibberish if you use common sense. A Murray or any other piece of homeowner junk will do just fine with no extra noticeable wear and tear. Even over long peroids of time!!!

Again, use common sense. Run doubles in perfect + pattern. Try to make sure they are balanced OK. Maintain a clean, sharp edge and replace them when needed. Take time to stop and check out any slight new vibration. Service your spindles properly. Engage the blades at low RPM.

If you do all these things and say a spindle breaks, it was going to do it anyway, promise! The main consern you need to acess is rather you have the "extra" HP required to handle the extra load in those rougher areas. Loading the engine past it's limits will shorten it's life.

Otherwise there is nothing to worry about. Rest easy :sleeping:

[aaliens12]

Envy lawn care sent a message to you wanna know opinions about double blades and low rpm engagement i use toro equipment:blob3:

[65hoss]

These are the questions best answered by EricElm. Since my old friend isn't with us anymore, you can still find out all about him and double blades by doing a search.

Several mfg's did at one time offer double blades in the past. Not all mowers do well with them. New deck designs allow for great results with singles, for some mowers. The mfg's I have spoke with see nothing wrong with them.

[Richard Martin]

These questions are asked from time to time. While it may be true that Gravely is the only manufacturer to actually put double blades on the mower (for a premium price, I'm sure) they are not the only one to allow them under warranty.

Dixie Chopper has made a double blade bracket for years.

Exmark stated in their own forum last week that double blades do not void their warranty http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38352&highlight=double+blades

Hustler gives advice on using double blades on their mowers in their forum so it would be safe to assume that they allow the use of doubles. http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35111&highlight=double+blades

With the (what some people would call) best three manufactures allowing the use of double blades I get the impression that they do not put any undue stress on mower components.

[DLCS]

I can't see how doubles would do any damage to the spindles. If the blades are balanced and kept in a + pattern, there shouldn't be any difference. The only thing added is more weight. The more weight might cause premature wear on clutches, just engage at manufacurers recomendation. Wouldn't the load be like running a spindle driven bagger.

[John Gamba]

Give Me Double blades in thick wet bluegrass Or Give Me DEATH.
Just get Your self a Exmark ULTRACUT Deck.

[rodfather]

Do this to minimize any potential "damage":

1. Grease spindle bearings each day
2. Keep blade pattern in perfect X
3. Engage blades at lowest possible rpm without stalling engine
4. Use only sharp blades (change out as needed)
5. Check balance of blades when sharpening
6. Inspect deck often for debris buildup (and remove)

[imalandscper]

Just went out and talked to my dealer today and he says that he does not see a need for double blades. And why would i need to go out and buy a Exmark? My Bobcats and Scags seem to do the job extremely well and with single blades. The only thing I am saying if they were supposed to have double blades one them then they would have came equiped with them from the factory. But then again that is just my opinion.

[Richard Martin]

My Dixie does an excellant job of cutting grass with singles also. But, since I choose to mulch leaves instead of removing them the doubles are indespensable. I have tried mulching leaves with singles and with doubles and there is just no comparison. The doubles are the way to go.

Mowers can do more than just cut grass. Sometimes you just have to think outside the box.

[cantoo]

I have tried doubles and for the conditions at the time I didn't feel they were helping any. I have yet to try them on leaves we use our Walker and plan on leaving it that way. I realize that they are working for people on their conditions so I don't have a problem with it.
imalandscper, I don't know your dealer but I would bet he hasn't spent the hours and years cutting grass like some of the guys here have. I say try it and if you don't like it then go back to what you did before. I always try to try out everything that I read here you never know when someone might have an easier or better way.

[aaliens12]

:dizzy: I agree cantoo; i mean if you keep worrying about it and don't do it, it'll make ya dizzy!I will try doubles on leaves and grass 1 time each and judge from that 1st unless some unusual sounds or vibrations arise then ..... well ya know go back to the directions and follow! Kevin
'Need A Cut?' Lawn Care Service
Nixa Mo.

[aaliens12]

I do have a question for everyone who would like to reply.................. I have a zero turn (52" TORO SFS deck) and it came standard with 19 hp kawasaki iwas told at time of sale it would do 9.5 mph but it actually does only 8.1 mph.... my question is; does it really benefit that much in most property areas with trees and landscape for the price diff. of 1700 dollars to go up to the 23 hp kaw. engine thanks kevin:blob4:

[SDlawndawg]

Engage blades at low RPM? My dealer told me that's a bad idea. I had an employee that did that often and he blew the clutch.

[fatboy5803]

I understand what you're saying, I Ride a Harley Davidson, and there are things (after market) that are good & bad for different applications. I have a 36" Scag W/B with a Kohlar 13 HP, I'm hesatant to try Double Bladeing but probably will just to see what happens. If there's a strain on eng. when I engage then I'll take them off and go from there!! Hope my opinion Helped !


Lou

[Gravely_Man]

I run double blades on every Gravely mower that I own. This even includes the older decks that were built back in the 60's that have never been rebuilt.


Gravely_Man