Using mulching blades?

[cutnuplawnservice]

Does anyone use mulching blades on their ztr? I've heard of "Gator Blades" are they good? Also is it hard on a ztr to mulch leaves / wet leaves using mulching blades?

 

[Old Goat]

Yes,
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/general-mower-discussion/13943-gator-blade.html

Try looking up your blades here.
http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/pd...ladesByOEM.pdf

 

[BHLC]

I put Gator Blades on my Ferris IS2000 and the difference was amazing. Higher lift and finer clippings. They also throw the clippings further to reduce clumps in wet grass. I recommend them.

 

[Old Goat]

Couldn't get that PDF link to work, so I'm posting it again.
http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/pdf/OREGON_BladesByOEM.pdf

 

[jekjr]

Everybody I know that uses them swears by them. I have not been able to get a set for my Kubota but hopefully soon they will have them available because not only are they better but usually cheaper than OEM blades as well.

 

[djdicetn]

Everybody I know that uses them swears by them. I have not been able to get a set for my Kubota but hopefully soon they will have them available because not only are they better but usually cheaper than OEM blades as well.

So my question to the reponders in this thread so far is.....if you use these "Gator blades", does the mower need a "mulching kit"???? For some, like my old Craftsman YS4500 Lawn Tractor, that consisted of simply a plastic cover that went over the discharge opening and mulching blades. It worked "pretty well" unless the grass got to tall!! The "mulching kit" recommended for my Gravely Pro-Turn 152 actually includes "circular" metal sheets that mount underneath the deck to create "circular enclosures" around each of the 3 blades(as well as mulching blades and maybe even a discharge opening cover..not sure about that). What I read in this thread seems to "imply" just putting on the Gator blades turns a ZTR mower into a "mulcher". But, when I asked several dealers that sold different brands of ZTR's about a mulch kit for my ZTR if I purchased their mower(because of my experience using the one on the lawn tractor) they all told me "wait until you have mowed with this machine because with it's blade tip speed it is COMPLETELY different from that old LT". And thus far, with the factory "hi-lift" blades, I have yet to witness the first grass clipping left after mowing......soooooo, what do I really need a "mulching blade/kit" for?????

 

[BHLC]

They do not technically turn it into a mulching mower. The blade have three teeth cut into the lift and it causes the grass clippings to churn and spread further out the discharge. Resulting in finer and more dispersed clippings.