Gator Blades

[Matt'slawncare]

I tried out gator blades yesturday on my gravely PM 260Z. I loved them i am putting them on all of my other mowers now. I was cutting off about 2 1/2" of grass and you couldn't even tell. Them blades are the best. But my dealer was telling me that the only down fall to these blades are that if the grass is wet the grass will build up really bad is this true?

[UGA]

I like you was very impressed with them the first time I tried them but that was around this time of year when it was hot and the growth wasn't as thick as in the Spring. When Spring came around I went back to my high lift singles and haven't put the gators back on yet; just might do that this weekend or try doubles again.

[cblackwe]

Trick for keeping grass from sticking.....
PAM cooking spray on fresh clean deck first thing each morning. Using PAM, I only have to scrape deck once a week instead of once each evening. Deck stays pretty clean because the first layer doesn't stick and wears off by the end of the days work. After the first cut it looks like it is going to fill up and stick, just keep cutting. It wears away by 10am..
Stay Safe
God Bless

[cblackwe]

P.S. I use only Gator blades on both of my Exmarks too.... Best thing since "pocket on a shirt"!@!!!!!

[UGA]

Originally posted by cblackwe
P.S. I use only Gator blades on both of my Exmarks too.... Best thing since "pocket on a shirt"!@!!!!!

Are you using singles or doubles? I love gators with medium lifts in a doubles set up because it throws the grass out like I like it. With only gators on it doesn't disperse the grass out far enough from the mower without still leaving occassional clumps.

[lawn perfection]

Gators work fine when grass is slow growing or dry, cuts it into nothing. Don't work well for me in wet thick grass and don't leave as good of a cut as reg hilifts in my opinon.

[cblackwe]

Haven't tried doubles yet, but I intend to soon. Just have to order another set, I keep hitting things and ruining blades. I have some ROUGH commercial accounts. I have been told that they work terrific on Gravely 260Zs.

[tiedeman]

Originally posted by lawn perfection
Gators work fine when grass is slow growing or dry, cuts it into nothing. Don't work well for me in wet thick grass and don't leave as good of a cut as reg hilifts in my opinon.

I would have to agree. I took my gators off at the end of Spring. They seemed to tear the lawn more (at least that is what it appeared to me) then cut it. I do have to admit though that they work great for the fall.

[Red Dwarf]

I am using them right now. They really do well on thin stuff (leaves and pulled weeds), but they do not seem to mulch the St. Augustine any more than regular lift blades....maybe it is too heavy??? :confused:

[Turfdude]

Actually, I've been using gators for about 5 years now. They shred well, but you need to replace them more frequently in order for them to throw the clippings. I only recommend the "hi-lift" gators too. If grass is tall and wet, gators are not the answer, unless you're willing to double cut it in a crosscut pattern.

[Southwell]

if the grass is wet the grass will build up really bad is this true?

today i mowed a field that was about 24" tall. I used my scag with high lift gators on it. no problem at all just had to mow slower then normal. Gator blades are the only blades on my mowers.

[UGA]

I'm only familiar with standard Gators and Gator Magnums which I thought were thicker but not any more lift than the standard; are the magnums what you guys are calling highlifts? I use the standard in my doubles for less weight and wear on clutch.

[cblackwe]

Yes, the Magnums are the high-lift version. They also have leading edge sharpened all the way to the arbor. Supposed to be more cuts to each blade of grass before being discharged. I really like 'em, however they are more time consuming to sharpen... Don't you guys have build up problems when in wet grass no matter what blades you use??? My TurfRanger doesn't do well in wet, w/ standard high-lift OEM blades or Gators...Maybe it's the mower...The Gators seem to be the best overall, wet or dry......

[Meg-Mo]

Try the MEG MO blades and solve most off the problems.

[logan]

I didn't see it written here but I also sharpen to gator part of my blades to help with clumping. I feel that if you have smaller pieces then it will disperse more easily. I think that you get a little faster blade speed with Gator Blades too.

[lawnworker]

Gator blades are good for shredding leaves and shortening the discharge distance. They also are good for leaf shredding. Past that, they really have little else to offer in wet conditions due to the micro mulch mess.

[ULTIMATE LAWN]

I've had some problems w/ the Serrated edges on the Gator Mags.

[Rustic Goat]

Ever consider running doubles?
Hi-Lift gators(Gator max)over reg Hi-lifts.

Red Dwarf, still don't know what your problem is with St. Augustine, the above blade set up is what I use 'period', with mulching baffle set up, have no problem at all turning several inches (at times) of St. Aug into green powder, and VERY LITTLE clumping even after rain. Don't have to go slow either, was surprised that cut quality remained same at higher speeds.

Blades MUST be SHARP!

Meg-Mo, yes I will try your cutting system, couple sets on order now, I'm Waiting!
:rolleyes:

Back when, used to run single blade, definitely had under deck build up problem, scrape, scrape. Since changing to above set up, don't ever have any build up, wet or dry. Another challenge for Meg-Mo to at least duplicate. :)

[Tider6972]

what mower do you use this setup on? What deck , if it's an exmark ?


Thanks,
Steve

[Rustic Goat]

Scag, 36", Advantage deck, mulching baffles, Kohler 15 HP.

[Jimbo]

Gators will not cut as well as solid blades in the wet. I have tried both this year and I still like the medium or high lift blades for wet or tall grass.
Gators do not create the suction to properly lift and discharge wet grasses (and even some dry grasses- like lawns with crab grass). The grass will build up and eventually drop through the serration's. This will cause clumps and a poor cut.

I installed Gators last year in the summer when the grass was not growing and they just pulverized the clippings. I thought they were the best thing around and I kept them on this spring:eek: . This was a big mistake, but it only took me a few cuts to figure out what the problem was.

Gators have their place, but you need to know when and when not to use them.

Jimbo