Better Cut Using Hi Lift Blades on a Rear Mount Mower?

[bdhsfz6]

I've been mowing an 8 acre field next to the house for many years. Its former pasture land and a bit rough in spots. I'm not that fussy about how it looks but I try and keep it as neat as I can. Previously, I had been using a Befco C30 RD6 with medium lift blades behind my L3430 which did a pretty good job. This spring, I traded up to a MX5800 and pull a Landpride FDR2584 also using the standard medium lift blades. This new setup leaves rows of taller grass in the tractor tire tracks even when mowing dry. Both tractors use the same industrial type tires with the MX just 500 pounds heavier than the L. The landpride is new, the deck is level and the blades are sharp and mounted correctly. I try and mow once a week so I'm not cutting tall grass.

Would I get a better cut if I switch to hi lift blades? I'd hate to spend +- $150 for a set only to find they won't help. I know hi lifts are harder to swing in tall grass but the added HP of the MX should handle it.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[4570Man]

A set of blades is $150? I put a set of blades on my Dixie chopper and F2560 Kubota for $10 per blade. Then I put mulching blades on the Kubota also for $10 each. These were heavy duty blades, not some light weight junk. The blades on the Kubota were high lift. They cut much better than the severely worn out 1000 hour blades they replaced, but no difference in the medium lift Dixie chopper blades.

 

[sixdogs]

I used low lift blades for a long time and one day decided to switch to high lift blades. Where I used to be able to go over the garden hose, it now sucked it up into the blades. Some for small things I used be able to mow over and the grass looked about the same. $140 poorer, I switched back to low lift blades.

 

[RickB]

I used low lift blades for a long time and one day decided to switch to high lift blades. Where I used to be able to go over the garden hose, it now sucked it up into the blades. Some for small things I used be able to mow over and the grass looked about the same. $140 poorer, I switched back to low lift blades.

$140 including a new hose? :drink:

 

[katoomed00]

Look into the Oregon Gator blades, been using them for over a year now on a Woods 60", does a much better job than the standard blades IMO and hard to beat the price for such a stout blade and unique design.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Look into the Oregon Gator blades, been using them for over a year now on a Woods 60", does a much better job than the standard blades IMO and hard to beat the price for such a stout blade and unique design.

I agree, Oregon blades are great. I've used them on other equipment in the past. Unfortunately, I can't find an Oregon direct replacement for the FDR2584. I haven't checked their universal fit blades yet though.

 

[katoomed00]

That's what I had to do, but I screwed up and went to Woods site to get the blade measurement, they gave a bolt hole size and dummy me didn't account for the sleeve on the spindle. I ended up using a cone stone to open the hole to the right size.

I agree, Oregon blades are great. I've used them on other equipment in the past. Unfortunately, I can't find an Oregon direct replacement for the FDR2584. I haven't checked their universal fit blades yet though.

 

[Deere Dude]

I've been mowing an 8 acre field next to the house for many years. Its former pasture land and a bit rough in spots. I'm not that fussy about how it looks but I try and keep it as neat as I can. Previously, I had been using a Befco C30 RD6 with medium lift blades behind my L3430 which did a pretty good job. This spring, I traded up to a MX5800 and pull a Landpride FDR2584 also using the standard medium lift blades. This new setup leaves rows of taller grass in the tractor tire tracks even when mowing dry. Both tractors use the same industrial type tires with the MX just 500 pounds heavier than the L. The landpride is new, the deck is level and the blades are sharp and mounted correctly. I try and mow once a week so I'm not cutting tall grass.

Would I get a better cut if I switch to hi lift blades? I'd hate to spend +- $150 for a set only to find they won't help. I know hi lifts are harder to swing in tall grass but the added HP of the MX should handle it.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

I bought new Land Pride hi-lift blades for my new a couple years ago Landpride FDR 2584 and it didn't change anything that I could see. I cut at 3 1/2" about. My JD3720 with R4s weighs about 4500# with filled tires and FEL while mowing. It doesn't leave a trail where the tires were so maybe it is the grass. I know that the higher I cut the worse job it does.

 

[sixdogs]

$140 including a new hose? :drink:

Yup. $140 for a set of 3 Woods 7ft RD8400 blades, a 100 ft commercial hose, a brewski at the end and a Q&A with the wife at the end asking how come I mowed the hose. High lift blades apparently means high lift.

 

[RickB]

Yup. $140 for a set of 3 Woods 7ft RD8400 blades, a 100 ft commercial hose, a brewski at the end and a Q&A with the wife at the end asking how come I mowed the hose. High lift blades apparently means high lift.

:biggrin:

 

[chim]

I get blades from Agri-Supply and could probably get 3 sets (of 3) for $150. I have both Gators and factory style blades. The grass changes its composition over the mowing season and the same blades perform a little differently from time to time. The Gators seem to do well over the entire season.

 

[LD1]

I have mowed hose before. Both with the bushhog and finish mower. Neither was fun. But neither was near as bad as running over a wad of fence with a flail mower.

 

[sixdogs]

While we're on 3 blade sets, does anyone know where I can--or look--for a set of blades for my Woods RD8400? I'm stumped and I've looked pretty hard.

 

[LD1]

I have never purchased mower blades by application.

Rather I always purchase by dimension. If the length and center hole are right.....its all good. (and offset if applicable). Even if the blades are a tad long.....like if I need a 21.5" blade and I find some 22" blades I like.....No big deal to trim 1/4" off the end of each.

Whats special about the RD8400? Does it use one of them fancy star shaped center holes? or some goofy offset or something?

 

[4570Man]

I have never purchased mower blades by application. Rather I always purchase by dimension. If the length and center hole are right.....its all good. (and offset if applicable). Even if the blades are a tad long.....like if I need a 21.5" blade and I find some 22" blades I like.....No big deal to trim 1/4" off the end of each. Whats special about the RD8400? Does it use one of them fancy star shaped center holes? or some goofy offset or something?

I'm running blades a little to long on my mower. As long as you don't dent the deck it works fine.

 

[LD1]

I'm running blades a little to long on my mower. As long as you don't dent the deck it works fine.

Or bang them into each other:thumbsup:

 

[4570Man]

Or bang them into each other:thumbsup:

They didn't bang together, but they only clear the sides of the deck by a 1/4 inch.

 

[sixdogs]

I have never purchased mower blades by application.

Rather I always purchase by dimension. If the length and center hole are right.....its all good. (and offset if applicable). Even if the blades are a tad long.....like if I need a 21.5" blade and I find some 22" blades I like.....No big deal to trim 1/4" off the end of each.

Whats special about the RD8400? Does it use one of them fancy star shaped center holes? or some goofy offset or something?

Blades aren't star shaped holes or anything and I just looked up by application. It never occurred to me to look up---duh--by blade dimension. Since I only have one set and it's on the mower I need to find the measurements but that's my plan of action.

 

[LD1]

Are the blades offset?

If not, just measure the hole diameter (I think 5/8 is pretty common).....and the length. Length is measured across the diagonal also....

Lots of 84" mowers of many different brands out there....I am sure you can find a replacement.

 

[RickB]

Are the blades offset?

If not, just measure the hole diameter (I think 5/8 is pretty common).....and the length. Length is measured across the diagonal also....

Lots of 84" mowers of many different brands out there....I am sure you can find a replacement.

Doesn't hurt to check thickness. it WILL vary.