Blade position relative to deck

[CPA]

I am planning on trying the twin blade system mentioned on this forum. However, when I put the second set of blades on, the cutting edge is even with the bottom of the deck. The cutting edge of the first blade is 3/4 to 1 inch up from the bottom of the deck. It makes sense that this by itself would give a better cut, but is it safe? Would like your opinions and notes on the relation of your blades to the bottom of the deck. Thanks

[Scraper]

Huh? Are you saying the bottom blade is even with the bottom of the deck and the top blade is an 1" above? Are the blades on top of each other? I know on my mower...Scag 52" that the bottom blade is close to, if not, even with the bottom of the mower deck. I don't see a problem unless it is lower than the deck. Also with the advantage deck I have if you look from straight on the blade is actually lower than the front of the cutter deck by design so the the deck isn't pushing the grass down before it gets cut.

[CPA]

Scraper, Yep. Your assessment of my situation is correct. The blades are on top of each other, however with the way the bottom blade is made the tips of the blade are 1/4"+ lower than the center across the length. Add to that the fact that the top blade is not flat across its width, it has a ridge on either side pointing down--I guess for strength (it is a gator). The bottom blade has the same ridges, pointing up. These ridges are probably 1/4", and with one pointing down and the other pointing up they rest on each other, adding an additional 1/2" of space. Thanks for your post, and I would appreciate any other opinions.

[Eric ELM]

CPA, if you have one blade on top of each other and one blade is 3/4" higher than the other, it sounds like you stacked them on each other and didn't put them in a + possition. In other words, put one blade so it is from the front of the deck to the back and the second blade so it's from side to side. The tips of the blades should be only a 1/4" difference in highth. Does this help? :)

I just re-read your post, it sounds like you put one blade on upside down and one the right way if the gator ridges are pointing down. Keep the ridges, or the lift part UP on both blades. Please be Safe!!! :)

[Edited by Eric ELM on 09-13-2000 at 08:14 PM]

[Scraper]

That's what I was trying to figure out Eric! I guess it takes the master to decipher this double blade talk! I couldn't figure out why he had the gap either! :)

[CPA]

Guys, I put the blades in the + position. There are no spacers between the blades. Neither of the blades are upside down. They are two different kind of blades--one is a gator (top) and the other a high lift (bottom). The gator's "strengthening ridges" (not the teeth that provide the lift--I am speaking of ridges formed in the blade along either edge of the midsection to provide support) point down. The high lifts "ridges" point up. You guys must be working with blades that are flat across their width along their middle section--so far I have not been able to find any blades that will fit my mower with that characteristic. Hope this helps--and please keep responding.

[Edited by CPA on 09-13-2000 at 08:39 PM]

[Eric ELM]

CPA, I have never seen a Gator blade like your talking about. Mine are flat in the middle. So just put the Gator on the bottom. This is how I run mine anyway. I've tried them on the top and the bottom and I don't see any difference. Putting them on the bottom should fix the problem. :)

[cantoo]

CPA, if you have ridges at the middle of your blades I would think you would have to grind them off to mount the blades in and X

[BRL]

CPA,
What kind of mower are you talking about? What you are describing sounds like the mulching blade that is on my little push mower. If you're not talking about a push mower, it sure is a strange sounding set up you have there. I wouldn't consider a double blade set up on my little pusher.

[rats5656]

I TRIED THE GATOR ON TOP AND THE AND HIGH LIFT ON THE BOTTOM
AND THREE SPACERS ON THE BOTTOM WORKS NICE AND NICE STRIPES CUTTINGG HEIGHT ABOUT A LITLE 2-1/2 2-7/8 VERY NICE CUT BUT THIS WEARS OUT SPINDLES BUT MULCH VER NICE.

[Eric ELM]

In the past 16 seasons, I've used double blades for 13 seasons now. I've put on a total of approximately 12,000 hours and replaced 1 set of bearings on 1 spindle that was a bit loose when I bought the machine. This spindle was getting a bit more loose by the time it had almost 3,000 hours on it, so I replaced the one set so it would be snug like the other two spindles. I can't see where double blades will affect spindle bearings as long as you keep the blades balanced properly. As far as I'm concerned, this track record almost proves double blades won't hurt spindle bearings. :)

[CPA]

Thanks for all the replies thus far. I have a 42" rider--I'm embarrased to admit the brand name here. I think what has happened here is I have given too much info. My main concern is that the bottom blade's cutting edge is even with the bottom of the deck. From a safety standpoint, is this ok? I imagine from a quality of cut standpoint, it would be better than having the cutting edge 1" above the bottom of the deck. Again, thanks for the help.

[Runner]

It IS actually better if the grass is sucked up into yhe deck first so it can be cut off straight, and should be stood up BEFORE it is cut. But, do what you can do.