I have used staggered wheel LB mowers for many years, including my current DuraForce model. Despite a horrible history of engine problems, it remains my primary hand mower, and gets run hard every day.
I have never used anything except the standard OEM blade, and a Gator-type blade. The machine is used nearly full time for bagging, with limited use on discharge mode. It is never used for mulching because of the lousy job. But, none of the rest of my mowers are used for mulching either, so not using the LB for mulching is just how the tasks are done on my watch.
The Gator-type blade is rarely used, and then only in the Fall for leaf work. The past couple of years, I have used my Toro Proline as the hand mower for mulching leaves, continuing to use the LB for bagging. Even though the Gator-type blade is in my mix of blades, it is not used effectively.
The LB with the OEM blade works well enough for discharge for us. If there is much growth, the clippings are bagged anyway. So, if the mower is used for discharge, the clipping burden is light, and the clippings pass out the chute pretty well, and are spread evenly.
I have not seen any alternative blades for this mower, other than the Gator-type I mentioned. I have long wished I could find one with a little more lift, for better bagging function. The engine has enough power to support a blade with more lift. The only bagger used on this mower is the side bagger. I have a rear bagger, but it is never used, only the side one.
