[mallio]

I bought a MM 9000 about 1 year ago. We balance all our blades even new ones. I haven't replaced a spindle bearing since buying the unit. Did some custom sharpening of others people's blades with mixed success. Most blades were badly worn thus costing too much time. Some blades had been welded that i refused to do. We sharpen everything on a 10 hour schedule. I think the blades that others were bringing us had 40 hours or more.

 

[mallio]

I was never able to detect how a mower operated for vibration unless a blade was bent. However we started checking all blades for balance prior to install and we found several out of the box out of balance. Almost zero percent of used blades are still in balance since after cleaning.

 

[mallio]

I was very skeptical on the purchase of a dedicated sharping and balancing machine. However i am glad that my local lawn mower dealer recommend it. Around here some people were charging $8.00 for sharping a blade. Can't say we have seen any fuel savings but it is hard to tell as we have increased the size of our decks.This year it been really wet and we are still mowing under muddy conditions like we would expect in the spring.

 

[mallio]

Perhaps i should explain more. We used to sharpen blades in a vise with a 7 inch grinder. Then we would attempt to balance on a nail. Didn't have a lot of success with that plan.We also had a bench grinder on a stand in the shop. I think we used to get the blade too hot when sharpening since they didn't seem to hold there edge like they used to. We noticed this especially when we were mulching. We sharpen every 10 hours and carry extra blades with us. However when we mulch we are changing the blade every 5 hours.

 

[mallio]

Around here lots of guys run Skagg mowers. I have 2 of them i have experienced spindle failures. I have a local shop that rebuilds them for me so i have extra spindle on hand. We also run Deere we had extra spindle for them as well. 2 seasons ago we bit the bullet and bought the mag 9000, balancer and stand. We sharpen some for other people as for our selves. Since we started balancing blades haven't changed a spindle unit. None of my customers that i sharpen the blades have had to change a spindle as well.

 

[mallio]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[mallio]

I was just in the shop and we probably ran for 20+ years without a blade balancer or proper sharping equipment. I went several years without using fluid film either, even thou my dealer recommend it and he didn't sell it. I don't sell the equipment but i use it all the time and it seems to work here. I know it is hard to take some things from 1 part of the country and use it several states away but i think this one works. We tried some blades that they use down south and they didn't work out well here, we went to a trade show in Kentucky and saw these blades and they worked good there.

 

[mallio]

Bill that's the way we do it here. We have been cleaning with a hot pressure washer. I have looked and the new MM blade cleaner. I have had people bring me blades that have been welded. Scares the crap out of me. Had a few customers bring blade welded in a cross pattern didn't do those either. One guy staggered his blade about 30 degrees after the 1st blade didn't do that one either. I can't figure out these people willing to risk it all on saving a few bucks. Around here they run Gravely's , Skag, and i think they are turning them a little faster to be able to mow at 8 to 10MPH. When those mowers are at full song they just roar. Mark