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John Deere D-130 Tractor - 42" deck

#1

P

Paul R.

Hi Guys - I recently purchased a JD D-130 tractor - 42" deck with all intentions of doing a knock up job of picking up leaves from my 1 acre property. I use to own a Toro Wheel Horse with a 38" deck that picked up leaves like a vacuum cleaner. Both sides of the deck cleared leaves from the lawn without leaving any stray debris to be picked up on a second or third pass. My new tractor unfortunately does NOT do the same clean up job? When I make a pass in a counter clock wise direction, the right side (pick up tube side) shoots leaves back out to the cleared area and yet there is no obstruction or clogging of leaves to create a blow back. The mulching blades that I purchased to improve picking up leaves came with instructions that mention that the blades have a left and right designation which was nowhere to be found on either of the blades. I have already complained to JD and shot many videos at various angles, speeds, heights etc to support my argument that this 42" deck with mulching blades does a lousy pick up job. So far I have had the dealer tell me that there is nothing wrong with the tractor, deck or blades but didn't comment on the tell tale video and the reason why the tractor was sent back to them. I'm somewhat disappointed on how John Deere's consumer support department threw the problem back to the dealer and his techs. Now that I've indicated that if the problem is not solved soon, I may demand my money back, a district rep is supposed to look into this problem. If anybody out there has had the same problem or have any suggestions on how to avoid the multiple passes to pick up leaves I would appreciate hearing from you. Paul R.


#2

J

jenkinsph

I like Deere products in general but was unimpressed with the collection/baggers on the 100 series machines. Hope you can get some help with it and let us know what happens.


#3

J

Jhon

The mulching blades are for mulching and not for bagging. You should get the "High Lift Blades" They designed to give more suction and a better push into the bags. I have a LA120 which is similar to your D130.

When I switched to the high lift blades it was like I was on a different mower. Like night and day.


#4

P

Paul R.

Jhon said:
The mulching blades are for mulching and not for bagging. You should get the "High Lift Blades" They designed to give more suction and a better push into the bags. I have a LA120 which is similar to your D130.

When I switched to the high lift blades it was like I was on a different mower. Like night and day.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much - I was some what mis-lead by the salesman, he new what I was going to use the mulching blades for. Since you sound very knowledgable, does JD sell the high lift blades??, if note, where would I get them? Paul R.


#5

P

Paul R.

jenkinsph said:
I like Deere products in general but was unimpressed with the collection/baggers on the 100 series machines. Hope you can get some help with it and let us know what happens.
Click to expand...

Jhon said:
The mulching blades are for mulching and not for bagging. You should get the "High Lift Blades" They designed to give more suction and a better push into the bags. I have a LA120 which is similar to your D130.

When I switched to the high lift blades it was like I was on a different mower. Like night and day.
Click to expand...
Hi, I hope this helps you too, I'll give it a try and see what happens - Paul R.


#6

J

jenkinsph

Thanks Paul, I may have to pick up a new set of high lift blades and give them a try. I thought that I had already tried this without much success. Could have been the wrong blades though, as I didn't know squat about them at the time.


#7

J

Jhon

Paul R. said:
Thank you very much - I was some what mis-lead by the salesman, he new what I was going to use the mulching blades for. Since you sound very knowledgable, does JD sell the high lift blades??, if note, where would I get them? Paul R.
Click to expand...

I got them from www.greenpartsstore.com last fall. They were John Deere Brand. I have a 42 inch "Edge" deck, but it may be different than yours so check what part number you need. Mine were: John Deere Hi Lift (Bagger) Mower Blades (42-inch cut)(Set of 2) - AM141034. They cost about 41 bucks for the set. I usually shop around for the best price, but you can still look around, maybe this year you can get a better deal elsewhere. JD also makes a third blade for my mower which is supposed to be a cross between the two. They were fine for mowing and mulching, but very poor for bagging leaves.

Knowledgeable? hardly compared to some of the old timers on this site, but we have similar tractors and we had a similar problem. I put up with mine for three years until I tried the new blades. could have kicked myself for not doing it sooner. It also just about eliminated my shoot clogs. I hope it solves your problem.


#8

P

Paul R.

Hi Jhon - thank you for the heads up - I happened to order the same part number you quoted from the same parts store. You're 100% right about shopping around for a good price. I recently ordered 12 D-130 oil filters that cost me about $4.85 each from Amazon.com when some of the JD suppliers are charging over $8 - 9.00 per filter. It definitely pays to surf the internet when you're looking for tractor supplies. Again, thank you for your help - Paul R.


#9

J

jenkinsph

Paul,
Let us know when you get a chance to check out the high lift blades,as I am now very curious. I went through my blades and did not find the high lift set I thought I had. That kinda confirms my suspicion that I had the wrong blades.


#10

J

Jhon

Paul R. said:
Hi Jhon - thank you for the heads up - I happened to order the same part number you quoted from the same parts store. You're 100% right about shopping around for a good price. I recently ordered 12 D-130 oil filters that cost me about $4.85 each from Amazon.com when some of the JD suppliers are charging over $8 - 9.00 per filter. It definitely pays to surf the internet when you're looking for tractor supplies. Again, thank you for your help - Paul R.
Click to expand...

Well, I hope they make the difference for you that they did for me. If not, I will feel bad as I wasted your money.


#11

J

jenkinsph

Jhon,
I should say thanks for pointing the high lift blades out to us. Blades are cheap, I am going to buy a set and see for myself.


#12

Sammy the Red

Sammy the Red

Reverse the direction that you collect leaves.


#13

C

Carl T

Hi lift blades are only availble through the JD dealer. I tried everywhere without any luck, even tried to get 3 sets for my L130 at a reduced price, no room for discount. I did manage to get a few sets when JD had a coupon special. I can find aftermarket blades of all types but no hi lift blades.

Sammy the red is right the pickup of leaves work better if you keep the chute like you are throwing clippings to the middle.


#14

C

chassacto

All - thanks for the good information on the D130 bagging blades - just ordered mine from The Green Parts Store for my new D130 coupled with a Cyclone Rake power bagger. Clearing 1 acre of grass with 50+ trees. As indicated in posts - regular cutting blades that came with the D130 from Lowe's disperses fragment of leaves in all directions in spite of good suction from the Cyclone Rake. Thanks.


#15

P

pile81

Pitch your mower deck like 3/8 to 1/2 inch front to back........this maximizes blade speed, allows only the front cutting edge of the blade to cut the grass, and provides adequate airflow to push material into tje bags......


#16

C

chassacto

pile81 said:
Pitch your mower deck like 3/8 to 1/2 inch front to back........this maximizes blade speed, allows only the front cutting edge of the blade to cut the grass, and provides adequate airflow to push material into tje bags......
Click to expand...

pile81 - just received the blades, uninstalled and likely will be awhile given the abundance of water in my hardpan, clay-based yard. I will install and not pitch to evaluate the difference between the mulching blades and hi-lifts, then then try the pitch to determine how that works. Always have been a bit of a technical observer and looking forward to the experiment. Where did this idea come from - curious in Sacramento? Thanks again for the info - great forum - looking forward to receiving and providing good information from and for the JD enthusiast.


#17

P

pile81

The idea of pitching the deck came from Deere, to create air flow and let the cutting edges do the work not the inboard part of the blade....and bagging wet wet grass is like making a snowman in the arizona desert.....


#18

PJ

PJ

Paul R. said:
Hi Guys - I recently purchased a JD D-130 tractor - 42" deck with all intentions of doing a knock up job of picking up leaves from my 1 acre property. I use to own a Toro Wheel Horse with a 38" deck that picked up leaves like a vacuum cleaner. Both sides of the deck cleared leaves from the lawn without leaving any stray debris to be picked up on a second or third pass. My new tractor unfortunately does NOT do the same clean up job? When I make a pass in a counter clock wise direction, the right side (pick up tube side) shoots leaves back out to the cleared area and yet there is no obstruction or clogging of leaves to create a blow back. The mulching blades that I purchased to improve picking up leaves came with instructions that mention that the blades have a left and right designation which was nowhere to be found on either of the blades. I have already complained to JD and shot many videos at various angles, speeds, heights etc to support my argument that this 42" deck with mulching blades does a lousy pick up job. So far I have had the dealer tell me that there is nothing wrong with the tractor, deck or blades but didn't comment on the tell tale video and the reason why the tractor was sent back to them. I'm somewhat disappointed on how John Deere's consumer support department threw the problem back to the dealer and his techs. Now that I've indicated that if the problem is not solved soon, I may demand my money back, a district rep is supposed to look into this problem. If anybody out there has had the same problem or have any suggestions on how to avoid the multiple passes to pick up leaves I would appreciate hearing from you. Paul R.
Click to expand...

Hi
I have a bagger and found if used the grass must be dry. If I cut early in morning and grass is slightly wet I will pass again later when dry

Good luck
PJ


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