Lawn Care Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Explain the difference in these two blades please (pics)

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
S

Southern Pride

· Registered
Joined
·
1,376 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
First of all the mower I am using is an 07 eXmark metro 36 w/ a mulching kit (baffles and all included)

Here is a pic of two blades. The blue blade is the one I have been using all season (this is my first season with this mower also). I believe they are called "gator blades". I haven't been happy with the quality of cut I have been getting. I noticed the mower like to clump a good bit. I've heard talk of actual mulching blades (which I just bought today and is the black blade in the pic). I always thought that the blue blades were actual mulching blades when in fact the black ones are an actual mulching blade. I am hoping that I see a reduction in clumping, and also, a better quality cut. What should I expect to be different? Anything? Basically what are the Pro's to the mulching blade when used with a mulching kit like I have. I'm not putting them on until tomorrow. I'm still glad I have the blue blades because I believe they will work wonders during leaf season here real soon. If the mulching blades prove to be night and day difference I will be mad I haven't been using them all season.
Anyways, I look forward to your answers.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Image


Here are the pics guys! I cannot believe I forgot to embed them...

Anyway, I did get factory exmark mulching blades. I'm hoping there is a big difference in cut quality! Let me know now what you think! Any responses are greatly appreciated!

sp
 
#5 ·
gator blades will cause clumping when used with a mulch kit (the baffles). they are actually designed to be used side discharging, mulching up the clippings next to nothing before discharging anything out the mower deck.

i had that problem when i first bought gator blades. i used them on my 36" metro with mulch kit and they left clumps all over the yard and the deck was so full of grass i had a whole lawn under there.

when i talked to the dealers about it they guy said gator blades are made to mulch the clipping and then shoot it out the discharge, thats why it clumps if you have the baffles and the discharge plate.

mulching blades are designed to actually keep the clippings under the deck circulating through the blades.

you will be extremely pleased with the mulching blades you have. save the gators for side discharging.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
yardguy28 said:
gator blades will cause clumping when used with a mulch kit (the baffles). they are actually designed to be used side discharging, mulching up the clippings next to nothing before discharging anything out the mower deck.

i had that problem when i first bought gator blades. i used them on my 36" metro with mulch kit and they left clumps all over the yard and the deck was so full of grass i had a whole lawn under there.

when i talked to the dealers about it they guy said gator blades are made to mulch the clipping and then shoot it out the discharge, thats why it clumps if you have the baffles and the discharge plate.

mulching blades are designed to actually keep the clippings under the deck circulating through the blades.

you will be extremely pleased with the mulching blades you have. save the gators for side discharging.
Click to expand...
Do you think the gators would still be better for mulching leaves? Or should I just stick with the mulching blades? That's exactly what I was hoping to hear though, thanks.

BigGreen1 said:
Blue=some sortof gator.
Black=wavy mulching.

Tim
Click to expand...
Read.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
I've been having to cut yards twice because the clumping was so bad. Not only would it clump, but it would not cut everything in the first pass. I know my deck is set right, and I space the blades pretty low for optimum cut. I almost always would use 2nd gear but not at full speed, and still these sh!tty results with those gators...

You can imagine how much time I've been losing having to go back over several spots twice. Hopefully the right blades for the deck will fix all of this. I'm anxious now.
 
#9 ·
The Gator blades probably have much higher lift than the wavy mulching blades. I have used Gator blades with my 36" Exmark Viking, but primarily for mulching leaves.

I have a mulch baffle kit, but have not used it in years. I wanted it to eliminate side discharge into beds and mulched tree circles. But, it takes 20 minutes to mount, and 20 minutes to dismount. I used Snapper Ninja mulching blades. The cut was so bad, I put the baffle kit away, never to be brought out again. For me, a waste.

I have two kinds of Gators, regular and high-lift. I think they only make high-lift now. The regular blades do not have enough lift to make enough discharge force for bagging. The high-lift will work, but I would rather use standard high-lift blades.

The idea that Gator blades mulch the clippings before discharge is hogwash. I never saw that happen. I also have Gator blades for my JD 7 IronII deck. Again, in discharge, they are no different than my regular high-lifts.

For leaves, I do use the Gators with discharge chute blocked. Yes, the outcome will be a windrow of debris along the right edge. But, the turf needs to be crossed as a second pass anyway, so the windrow is no big deal. For most kinds of leaves, the Gators, with chute blocked, works very well. My chute blockers take less than a minute to mount and dismount, much less time than any baffle kit.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
I had a few leaves in a backyard at a cleanup job monday. My gators worked awesome for making these disappear but I'm still cutting grass 99% of the time. I'm mad I've not had these mulching blades all season. Lots of time wasted, but I've also found my answer.

The gators will go back on in Oct and Nov come leaf season.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
What if the gator blades might be more effective for leaves than a mulching blade even if you have a mulching kit like others have hinted, and I don't know, that's why I ask. I'm here to learn not to give pointless tidbits.
 
#16 ·
Sorry, but I'm doubting anybody can give you as direct answer as you expect.

Every day I am out doing leaves requires a new strategy. Sometimes one blade works better than another. Sometimes multiple side discharge passes are fine, other times they are not.

Conditions make the difference:
1. Kind of leaves
2. Quantity of leaves
3. Wind conditions
4. Damp, dry, wet
5. Eventual disposal (e.g. dump in trailer, dump on compost, leave lay)
6. Kind of turf

I learned long ago that "one size does not fit all" with regard to leaf work. Over the years, I keep experimenting, and finding different (hopefully better) and more efficient ways.

"... I have a kit ..." does not mean it is mounted. I too have a mulching kit, but it is in the back of the shed, has not been mounted in years. To my regret, "I have ...." many things, some of which I never use any longer.
 
#17 ·
I'm thinking yardguy28 gave a pretty definitive answer. He said when using
a Gator blade, you side discharge. When using a mulching kit and not side
discharging, you use the black mulching blade. Seems pretty simple to me. *shrugs*
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Well, tried out the new blades today and the difference is night/day. There isn't a single leaf on my lawn at the moment either. My yard gets cut every 5 days or so, so It's very maintained and never grown up. On my customer yards I look forward to seeing if it will not clump and cut everything first pass like it has not been doing. My bi-weekly yards will be a good test for this.

My whole problem was I didn't understand there would be that much difference in a wavy blade (black) vs a way blade with fins (blue) but there really is. Today is an off day on accounts. I have plenty tomorrow, so I'll get to see if it clumps at all and if it is cutting it all first pass.
 
#19 ·
any time you have those baffles and mulch plate on i would use the mulching blades. if your going to side discharge you would be ok and maybe better off using the gator blades. even for leaves.

you might be able to get away with using the gator blades for leaves with the baffles and mulch plate ONLY if the leaves are extremely dry and there is no grass growth your taking off. otherwise even doing leaves you will have clumps.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
yardguy28 said:
any time you have those baffles and mulch plate on i would use the mulching blades. if your going to side discharge you would be ok and maybe better off using the gator blades. even for leaves.

you might be able to get away with using the gator blades for leaves with the baffles and mulch plate ONLY if the leaves are extremely dry and there is no grass growth your taking off. otherwise even doing leaves you will have clumps.
Click to expand...
Excellent I posted seconds before you my results on my own yard. My main issue being the clumping and it not cutting all of the grass first pass. If this is fixed I am going to save alot of time and stress. I will know for sure tomorrow on my bi-weeklys. So far, it's looking pretty good though.
 
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
About this Discussion
26 Replies
7 Participants
Last post:
Magna-Matic
Lawn Care Forum
posts
7.2M
members
230K
Since
1999
A forum community dedicated to lawn care and landscaping professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Lawn Mowing Pesticide & Herbicide Application 🔧 Mechanic and Repair Business Operations Lawn Mowing Equipment