Switching to longer blades?

[BigBlueEdge]

Has anyone tried running blades that are a bit longer than the standard/recommended blade length for a particular model? On my Rogue 72" I've always battled two 'mohawks' of grass at the point between the three blades. It's not awful, as in completely uncut strips, but it is pretty noticeable everywhere as being two slight strips that aren't as flat as everywhere else. I was thinking of trying some blades that are just a bit longer than the stock "24 inch" blades to get a bit of overlap. Of course I'd ensure that the clocking of the blades is such that they never meet and touch each other. I haven't actually looked to see what other lengths are available, so maybe this idea is bunk if there are no ~25" blades out there...

I'm unsure why my Rogue behaves like this. It has occurred with both the stock blades and Gator G6 blades. I can't believe it is some type of adjustment and I know for a fact this occurs when my blades are freshly sharpened.

 

[Auto Doc's]

This problem sounds like the wrong blades are repeatedly being used. The three blade decks have the middle spindle placed forward of the 2 out spindles on purpose to prevent "mohawking".

Putting incorrect blades that are too long, they will hit the deck housing.

I have had this issue once because I got blades from a local hardware vendor because the guys were just picking out blades based on measured length of the well-worn old ones.

 

[MParr]

Use OEM blades or equivalent aftermarket blades. With that 72" deck, run it level all around. No forward pitch.

 

[ILENGINE]

Has anyone tried running blades that are a bit longer than the standard/recommended blade length for a particular model? On my Rogue 72" I've always battled two 'mohawks' of grass at the point between the three blades. It's not awful, as in completely uncut strips, but it is pretty noticeable everywhere as being two slight strips that aren't as flat as everywhere else. I was thinking of trying some blades that are just a bit longer than the stock "24 inch" blades to get a bit of overlap. Of course I'd ensure that the clocking of the blades is such that they never meet and touch each other. I haven't actually looked to see what other lengths are available, so maybe this idea is bunk if there are no ~25" blades out there...

I'm unsure why my Rogue behaves like this. It has occurred with both the stock blades and Gator G6 blades. I can't believe it is some type of adjustment and I know for a fact this occurs when my blades are freshly sharpened.

Unless the blades are gear drive or clocked with a timing belt the blades will not stay clocked and will collide

 

[StarTech]

Okay the center blade is offset forward. And 24-1/8 Blades are only 72-3/8 total width. And tip wear would cause the problem.

So the question is what is the tip clearances? At closest point of the deck housing and tip of the blade, and the tip to tip clearances of the blades themselves.

There are some 24-1/2, Hi lift blades the might work but I haven't had a 72" Rouge in the shop to check on this myself.

 

[BigBlueEdge]

This problem sounds like the wrong blades are repeatedly being used. The three blade decks have the middle spindle placed forward of the 2 out spindles on purpose to prevent "mohawking".

Putting incorrect blades that are too long, they will hit the deck housing.

I have had this issue once because I got blades from a local hardware vendor because the guys were just picking out blades based on measured length of the well-worn old ones.

Kinda can't be that issue since it occurred immediately when new with the stock BB blades. And the replacement Gator blades I moved to are the same length.

 

[BigBlueEdge]

Use OEM blades or equivalent aftermarket blades. With that 72" deck, run it level all around. No forward pitch.

I do. The OEM blades did this and the appropriate Gator replacement blades do this.

As for level, I have it set per Bad Boy's recommendation, which I think is about 1/4" higher in the rear. I highly doubt a 1/4" difference over 24" would magically fix my stripe problem, would it?

 

[BigBlueEdge]

Unless the blades are gear drive or clocked with a timing belt the blades will not stay clocked and will collide

That's part of what I was wondering. Mine don't appear to move because I always clock them to not meet (stock size blades which wouldn't touch anyway) and when I remove them to sharpen they are never meeting. But I can see the potential risk.

 

[BigBlueEdge]

Okay the center blade is offset forward. And 24-1/8 Blades are only 72-3/8 total width. And tip wear would cause the problem.

So the question is what is the tip clearances? At closest point of the deck housing and tip of the blade, and the tip to tip clearances of the blades themselves.

There are some 24-1/2, Hi lift blades the might work but I haven't had a 72" Rouge in the shop to check on this myself.

This has happened since brand new, with the new OEM blades and the new Gator G6 blades. So wear can be taken out of the picture. I may look into the 24.5" option. Thanks.

 

[Auto Doc's]

I do. The OEM blades did this and the appropriate Gator replacement blades do this.

As for level, I have it set per Bad Boy's recommendation, which I think is about 1/4" higher in the rear. I highly doubt a 1/4" difference over 24" would magically fix my stripe problem, would it?

Are you cutting with the mower RPM set to high, or trying to save gas by cutting at low throttle? Mowing should be done at full throttle and use the hand controls for the speed and direction.

If you are trying to mow too fast that can also cause problems.