54" extra edge mower deck

[JJZ 109]

Good thread. After reading it I decided to purchase some Gators for a brand new 48C that I just put on a 1999 GT235. $47.45 for the set with free shipping. For that price they're worth a shot.

 

[orwell]

Are these blades ( G3,G5,& G6 ) offered by John Deere ? What do you mean when you say the G6's are huge

 

[Midniteoyl]

They are something like 1/4" thick..

 

[JDTank]

Are these blades ( G3,G5,& G6 ) offered by John Deere ? What do you mean when you say the G6's are huge

G6 blades are very thick, and slightly deeper than a normal blade, if you were looking at one from above. I don't suggest running the G6 blades unless you have a big engine. These blades are something like 4 pounds each, I think. My Yanmar diesel handles them no problem, but of course, it is a diesel, that is to be expected.

If you do not have a big engine, get the G5 blades. The G5, is exactly identical to the G6, except it is not as thick and not as deep. Other than that, the design is identical.

 

[JDTank]

Are these blades ( G3,G5,& G6 ) offered by John Deere ? What do you mean when you say the G6's are huge

I do not believe John Deere sells the true Gator blades made by Oregon, the chainsaw chain people. My dealership sells knock off blades made by Stens. DO NOT buy anything EXCEPT true Gators. Knock-offs have the fins turned the wrong direction, the fin angle is completely wrong, and they are missing the large tab fin at the end of the blade which gives you a large portion of your suction.

The way to tell a REAL Gator blade from a fake one is to look on the blade for a stamped alligator. It literally is an alligator print, stamped into the metal design. As soon as you see that, you are dealing with a genuine product.

 

[Midniteoyl]

The fins turned the other way are suppose to be for throwing grass as opposed to mulching.

 

[glc24]

Are these blades ( G3,G5,& G6 ) offered by John Deere ? What do you mean when you say the G6's are huge

Not only are they thick,the G6's (not sure about the G5's) are the widest at 3 inches.

Greg

 

[BBO]

I ordered me a set from Agri Supply. I had to order something else anyway and they seemed to be the cheapest on these blades also.
90-732 John Deere - Gator Mulcher Magnum Mower Blade - 16-5/8

Below is a cross reference link for the Gator products to any brand.
Passport®: OEP Power Search by OREGON®

 

[BBO]

Not only are they thick,the G6's (not sure about the G5's) are the widest at 3 inches.

I installed my set yesterday and so far I like them.
These are NOT thicker than the JD blades I have been using. They are actually thinner and come with a 3/32"spacer washer to compensate.


They are wider and measure 20 7/16" long vs. the 20 1/2" listed. These are for a 60" deck. No problem fitting the deck.
This is the JD M141785 vs. the Oregon 396-734


My 445 without the chute throws grass out good anyway, but with these blades and dry grass it shoots grass out 12 feet, no joke.
The blades also do a good job chewing the grass up.
My mower and myself was covered in small clippings after mowing this time.

I can tell these are harder on the engine, but not a problem except it seems to be burning more gas.
Also the blades are some louder from the whir created by the gator fins.

I don't know about wet grass yet or how they keep the underneath clean or not.

If you run over bare areas the blades do suck up dust way more then the other blades.
But for green summer grass I love them so far.

 

[Dashe]

I don't know what blades that you were using from JD, but my G6 blades are 1/4 inch thick and 3 inch wide. I don't think JD makes a thicker blade then that. But that doesn't matter, sounds like you got some good blades that are working for you.

 

[BBO]

I don't know what blades that you were using from JD, but my G6 blades are 1/4 inch thick and 3 inch wide.

After reading the comment above from JDTank I have to wonder if I got the real Gators.
They did not have an alligator stamped in them and the end fin is not turned up; if I understand his note.

This is the link to what I ordered. The number 396-734 is stamped on the blade.
96-734 John Deere - Gator Mulcher 3 In 1 Magnum Mower Blade - 20-1/2

Are they some kind of knock-off?

 

[Dashe]

I just looked up your part number and they refer to them at the G6 blades so they must be. The bevel edges goes almost to the center hole. My gator blades are for my 54C deck on a x720. I wonder if the size of the G6 changes with the application.

 

[jdboy4410]

I have a 48'' deck on my X320,bought it new in 06,love the tractor,but from day one,that deck has been a problem with clogging up.I talked to the dealer about it and all they said it wasn't adjusted right,really ? they never asked me to bring it in for them to take a look at it,now,the deck is starting to rust out.I mow roughly 2 1/2 acres,and with this fall grass,and I also mow when it is dry,but that fall grass is juicy,it is not uncommon for me to have to stop and clean the deck out 4-5 times in one mowing.I love the tractor,but the edge cutting system is a joke,the worse deck I have ever had.I am so disgusted with it,that I want to get rid of the tractor.I have had mowers that only required deck maint. a couple a times a year,this thing is ridiculous.I was going to trade it in,only has 200 hours on it,the dealer offered me $1200 for it on a new one,I thought a Deere would have more value than that,this tractor is in super nice shape,outside of the common tear in the seat,yes,very disappointed in a tractor I paid $4200 for.The only thing I can think of is to put the power flow bagger on it to fix the problem,but for $1500 they can keep it,it's a shame my 26 yr old MTD out mows my Deere,and I only paid $250 for it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Midniteoyl]

Weird.. I never have to clean a deck here... In Wisconsin though, I cleaned one out 2x a year, but if I just left what grass there was it didnt get any thicker.

 

[DGeorge747]

Do you think that the G6 Gator blades are thicker the longer they are to reduce any flex?

Just a thought.

I think I will be getting a set for my new 2012 X749 w/62 inch deck.

 

[farmer1971]

Have the 54HC. I Have adjusted leveling points using manuals specifications. Using the deck location and using the blades from sides and middle front. Have depth gauge at 3 inches. Front middle blade at 2 3/4 inch. My problem is the deck seems to cut a deeper blade cut on right side. See pictures. I cannot correct this. What causes this. Blades, deck? 16 hrs on deck and tractor. Any you folks have any idea please let me know. View attachment 332114

Not sure when you posted this comment. I have a x758 with the 54HC deck and am having the same problem. Have adjusted the deck many times, the last time I leveled the deck front to back and left to right at the same height; not the way John Deere recommends, but it seems to have helped. Still not as level a cut as I have had with other mowers.
From you comment I am thinking John Deere may have a design problem. Like I said I don't when you posted this. Have you resolved this problem and if so what did you do?