Zd1211 blades

[turbo246]

I know this has been discussed before but has anyone come up with a better blade for zd1211/1511 72” side discharge? ACS blades just don’t do it for me

 

[RjCorazza]

I don’t know about the new ACS decks, but I like the Gator G6 blades on my zd326 and 331 (60” and 72”).
I cut about 500 acres per season total, and they hold an edge very well.

 

[Ortimber]

I have a rear discharge ZD 1211 and the factory blades worked ok. I switched to Gator blades and the quality of cut is much better and the blades hold an edge much longer.

 

[mikester]

Gator blades work well and lasted longer for me than the OEM high lift blades. I switched back to the non-mulching high lift blades because it leaves less clumping and does a better job with dandelions and plantain stalks. The gators don't have enough lift and the spindly stalks just lay down when you drive over and pop back up after.

I tried out a new aftermarket blade supplier this year because the local dealer keeps jacking up the blade prices on the OEMs. I can almost buy two sets of the aftermarket blades for the same price of the Kubota blades.

Here's a general question:
OEM Kubota blades used to come with Kubota stickers on them. Last time I bought them from the dealer they looked like aftermarket blades with absolutely no stickers on them. The dealer claimed they were OEM with a hefty price increase as well.

Has that dealer been trying to pull a fast one on me selling no-name blades as Kubota brand? Do yours still have Kubota Part stickers on them?

 

[RjCorazza]

...
Has that dealer been trying to pull a fast one on me selling no-name blades as Kubota brand? Do yours still have Kubota Part stickers on them?

I ran into this very thing about 10 years ago. The original oem blades wore relatively well. Supposedly Kubota oem replacements (no markings) were so soft the edge was blunt after just a few acres. I suspect it’s an easy way for dealers to charge premium prices for aftermarket junk. I have since fired this dealership after tons of problems.

 

[Pete6114]

I buy my fluids/filters and blades at a dealer in Ohio instead of up here in Ontario. The set of blades i bought there have all got a Kubota parts sticker on them, but i bought them over 1 year ago now and cant say for sure if they're sold without stickers now or not.

 

[RickB]

Kubota blades have Kubota part numbers stamped in them. Top side, near the center.

 

[Pete6114]

Kubota blades have Kubota part numbers stamped in them. Top side, near the center.

You're right. Just went to look at mine with the sticker on them.

 

[turbo246]

Gator blades work well and lasted longer for me than the OEM high lift blades. I switched back to the non-mulching high lift blades because it leaves less clumping and does a better job with dandelions and plantain stalks. The gators don't have enough lift and the spindly stalks just lay down when you drive over and pop back up after.

I tried out a new aftermarket blade supplier this year because the local dealer keeps jacking up the blade prices on the OEMs. I can almost buy two sets of the aftermarket blades for the same price of the Kubota blades.

Here's a general question:
OEM Kubota blades used to come with Kubota stickers on them. Last time I bought them from the dealer they looked like aftermarket blades with absolutely no stickers on them. The dealer claimed they were OEM with a hefty price increase as well.

Has that dealer been trying to pull a fast one on me selling no-name blades as Kubota brand? Do yours still have Kubota Part stickers on them?

I can’t find a single aftermarket blade for this mower. I’ve reached out to Oregon blades several times with no response.

 

[Ortimber]

I can’t find a single aftermarket blade for this mower. I’ve reached out to Oregon blades several times with no response.

Oregon makes blades that will fit. Just measure the hole diameter and blade length and then look at their website for a proper match.

 

[tomplum]

Assuming that you have the RCK72P 1200Z deck , the standard blades are k5975-34360 which when I see on the web , they reference the blades for the 60" in OEP . OEP doesn't themselves show a direct cross. They do show a variety of 72" RC72 Kubota blades in the catalog. Length of 24 1/2" with a center of 1 1/8". No width is given. If you have difficulty, post the measurements of the center and diagonal figures. As noted above, they have a blades by length chart.

 

[turbo246]

Ok thanks I’ll take a look. Just for reference it’s a 2018 zd1211 side discharge 72”

Blade number k5975-3436 stamped on blade
1-5/16” center hole
24 9/16 length. But I’m sure it’s considered 24 1/2
2-7/8” width

The length isn’t issue. It’s the 1-5/16 center hole that’s hard to find. I’ll look through their list again

 

[tomplum]

There is nothing in OEP with that center hole and comparable length. I put the part number in Stens and Rotary with no match. So what type of issues are you having with the deck? Have you discussed this with the dealer or perhaps tried their mulchers? I suppose if you saw a style blade that appealed to you, you could re bore the center and balance.

 

[turbo246]

The blade just doesn’t have enough wing and air flow for my liking To compare I have a scag diesel mower. Just has so much more suction and discharge air flow. Yes I know it’s the new acs deck, but it virtually leaves no stripe in grass compared to scag

 

[RjCorazza]

The blade just doesn’t have enough wing and air flow for my liking To compare I have a scag diesel mower. Just has so much more suction and discharge air flow. Yes I know it’s the new acs deck, but it virtually leaves no stripe in grass compared to scag

So overall you like the new ACS deck?
I was thinking of selling off my ZD mowers and getting either the 1211 or 1511.
I am concerned that Kubota is using a different blade mount diameter, but it’s just a matter of time for aftermarket companies to have an offering.

 

[turbo246]

Overall yes I do like the mower and the deck. Very heavy duty design. I had to make a stripe kit to make it stripe like my scag But that’s just a blade/airflow issue
I reached out to Oregon to see if they would make a blade with that center hole diameter and never heard back. There are YouTube videos of guys drilling out other blades to work, Im sure in some time aftermarket blades will be available
My scag is a 31 horse turbo diesel and the kubota 1211 walks all over it and has double the steel

I was dead set on a 1511 thinking the 1211 wouldn’t have the power but I was wrong. I tried a 1511 and it was blowing white smoke brand new and said it needed a regen. I just didn’t want to deal with the emissions stuff

 

[tomplum]

Maybe there is room on the sail to install a lift kit? AIR LIFT KIT FITS SNAPPER HI LIFT BLADES for Hi Vac decks 25 28 33 1136 | eBay

 

[lostcreekranch]

I have an almost new (110 hours) ZD1211 with a 72” rear discharge deck.

I thought the OEM Kubota blades were poor, even when new. I’ve used Gator mulching blades for many years so, I bought a set of 396-814 blades. They cut much better, stay sharp longer, and really chop grass very fine.

This fall, they did a great job in chopping up fallen leaves so they’ll deteriorate faster. We don’t bag anything as the cuttings add nutrients back into the soil.

The blades, for side discharge decks, may be different than for rear discharge?

 

[turbo246]

Next time your in front of a blade, snap a pic or see what part number is on factory blade. I’m willing to try a mulching blade, The oem blades barely pick up leaves if it’s slightly damp

 

[lostcreekranch]

Next time your in front of a blade, snap a pic or see what part number is on factory blade. I’m willing to try a mulching blade, The oem blades barely pick up leaves if it’s slightly damp

The factory blades were crap so got rid of them. My notes indicate they are Kubota P/N K5698-34340.

Your best bet is to see your Kubota Dealer to confirm.

I seem to remember that Kubota uses different blades for side and rear discharge decks.