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Attention Gravely Pro Turn users, blades to use!

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28K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  phil45724  
#1 ·
OK, so I finally got off my buns and ordered a set of notched hi lift 'Exmark' blades for my Pro Turn 260. They were actually Oregon branded, but same thing. I wanted to try these out, to see if I could get improved clipping dispersal over the standard stock blades that come with the machine. I was not dissatisfied with the stock blades, but did feel when the grass was especially thick and definitely when wet, the clipping stream would tend to get shot into the turf about a pass over, causing clumps.

Got the blades a couple days back and slapped them on today prior to mowing. Conditions: rained 2.25 inches of rain this AM until about 10:30AM. Sun came out shortly thereafter and dried things out a little. I went out mowing around 1:30PM. Humidity VERY high, dew points in the mid seventies. Grass was fairly thick for this time of year, not soaking wet, but definitely not dry either. Sticky would be a good word. So a good test for the Exmark blades.

Mowed out one 1/2 acre lot today with the Gravely (used WB for all other lawns mowed). Noticed DEFINITE difference in the clipping flow and dispersal out of the chute. Clippings were shot more straight horizonally than with the stock blades, in fact possibly even angling slightly upward. No blasting into the turf. Dispersal was MUCH better IMO. Only one small area of bunching, and that was when I was going up a steep hill and lost some RPM's. Otherwise, dead on perfect.

More testing tomorrow. Initial impression: why did I not buy these blades sooner AND why does Gravely mess around with the current stock blades when the Exmark type are so much better. (Note - for cool season grasses. Southerners, not sure about you guys)

Thanks ProStreetCamaro for your recommendation on the blade switch.
 
#3 ·
I live in the south and cut St. Augustine with a little Bahaia. I read a post on here probably a year or so ago (maybe pro street camaro) and have been using the Exmark high lifts on my Pro Turn 148 ever since. I have my baffles removed and the clippings are shot out about two to three rows over, it also stripes better.
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#13 ·
Dr. Cornwallis said:
I live in the south and cut St. Augustine with a little Bahaia. I read a post on here probably a year or so ago (maybe pro street camaro) and have been using the Exmark high lifts on my Pro Turn 148 ever since. I have my baffles removed and the clippings are shot out about two to three rows over, it also stripes better.
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You removed the front two baffles that bolt in?
 
#7 ·
RussellB said:
Stock Gravely mulching blades work just fine.
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Wasn't referring to the mulching ones, just the stock med/hi lifts on the machines. Exmark blades are a bunch better for cutting performance. A tad more front blowout but I would rather have a better looking lawn than worry about a few grass blades blowing out the front.
 
#9 ·
JF660R said:
So, is it safe to say these are the same as a G5 Oregon Gator blade?
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No, not at all. He is referring to Exmark's blades where the sail has a notch in the back of the blade that prevents tearing when they bend the sail upwards during the forming process. The notch is in the back edge of the blade on the horizontal plane and goes into the back of the blade. The G blades have the notches/teeth that are actually on the sail itself. Two completely different designs. The notched blades are a std side discharge type blade, not a mulcher of any sort.

These are for a 52" deck, but look the same for any size deck-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Ex...mark-OEM-52-High-Lift-Notched-Lawn-Mower-Blades-103-6584-Set-of-3-/111711424870
 
#10 ·
Ridin' Green said:
No, not at all. He is referring to Exmark's blades where the sail has a notch in the back of the blade that prevents tearing when they bend the sail upwards during the forming process. The notch is in the back edge of the blade on the horizontal plane and goes into the back of the blade. The G blades have the notches/teeth that are actually on the sail itself. Two completely different designs. The notched blades are a std side discharge type blade, not a mulcher of any sort.

These are for a 52" deck, but look the same for any size deck-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Ex...mark-OEM-52-High-Lift-Notched-Lawn-Mower-Blades-103-6584-Set-of-3-/111711424870
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Nice, I'm down to try a set on my Hustler. Where can I cross reference my Hustler 601123 # ? Believe mine are a 16.5" blade with a 5/8" hole.
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#12 ·
JF660R said:
Meh, searching the Oregon page shows only 16.25" , not gonna work on my 48" Hustler.
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Well, wait a minute now. They just might. What you have to remember is that blades are measured corner to opposite corner, so if your blades are normally 16.5 but are 3" wide, and 16,25 blade that is only 2.5 wide will be very close to the same size. I am looking at the same thing you are with these blades with my JD, but I also have to contend with the fact that mine have a 1/2" offset in the center whereas these blades don't. I can deal with that no problem. I just don't want to spend the money on aset and find there are other unseen issues.
 
#14 ·
I have ran the notched Exmark blades on my 52" mowers with OK results . My absolute favorite blade so far is the Oregon 91-637 hi lift . It is actually a Scag blade with a 3" long sail . The longer sail is the key in my opinion it discharges better and keeps the deck cleaner for me in my northern grass and weeds. My second fav is an Oregon 91-623 Super high lift Scag blade and after that it's the G5. It seems Scag runs a lot of 3" sails on their deck setups and it must be for a reason.

When buying the 91-637 blades a lot of sellers substitute different blades claiming they are the same and they are not. Make sure you are getting what you paid for.
 
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