Mowing Kubota Bagger for BX 70 Series

robertm · Mar 7, 2018

Anyone have any updates in the new GCK60-26BX bagger?
I'm strongly leaning to purchasing one this spring, and looking for any last minute advice/experience. Doesn't look like a new 80-series is in the works this year, so I'll probably buy the bagger itself instead of a package deal. Then, it'll fit an 80-series later, if needed.
Dealer said the newest model hooks up/ disconnects really easy. I think once it's on, it'll be on all mowing season. At worst, I'll pull the chute and boot off if I'm not bagging during the dry season.
Anyone have more recent experience?

deathtoblackberries · Mar 7, 2018

Are you sure you want to bag it? I have just 1 acre, about 70% of it lawn. A single cutting generates a huge volume of grass clippings, with frequent stops to empty my old 2 bag system. Within a couple months I had run out of space to pile all the clippings they don't break down that fast. And they stink so you will want to dump them down wind. Lawn looked much better with the clippings bagged but the extra effort and lack of space to dump the clippings resulted in me going back to mulching. So maybe for fall clean up of leaves, twigs, but spring/summer I gave up on bagging. Just saying.

robertm · Mar 7, 2018

deathtoblackberries said:
Are you sure you want to bag it? I have just 1 acre, about 70% of it lawn. A single cutting generates a huge volume of grass clippings, with frequent stops to empty my old 2 bag system. Within a couple months I had run out of space to pile all the clippings they don't break down that fast. And they stink so you will want to dump them down wind. Lawn looked much better with the clippings bagged but the extra effort and lack of space to dump the clippings resulted in me going back to mulching. So maybe for fall clean up of leaves, twigs, but spring/summer I gave up on bagging. Just saying.

Ooooh look at you spoiling my party. No, seriously, I only plan to bag during the rainy season if I can't overcome clippings on top of the grass. Then, in the fall for leaves. I'd never bag all season long. One year, when we first bought our house, I raked 1-3/4 acres by hand. I had a pile of clippings that would hide a VW Bug. Took a few years to decompose.

deathtoblackberries · Mar 8, 2018

robertm said:
Ooooh look at you spoiling my party. No, seriously, I only plan to bag during the rainy season if I can't overcome clippings on top of the grass. Then, in the fall for leaves. I'd never bag all season long. One year, when we first bought our house, I raked 1-3/4 acres by hand. I had a pile of clippings that would hide a VW Bug. Took a few years to decompose.

Yeah my clippings from 2 years ago have still not fully decomposed. And you want to get a real stink going, spread fertilizer then mow and bag the clippings, think rotting fish.

robertm · Mar 8, 2018

deathtoblackberries said:
Yeah my clippings from 2 years ago have still not fully decomposed. And you want to get a real stink going, spread fertilizer then mow and bag the clippings, think rotting fish.

Well, maybe I'll look for a good mulching blade and see how they work out.

deathtoblackberries · Mar 8, 2018

robertm said:
Well, maybe I'll look for a good mulching blade and see how they work out.

I just ordered a set of Oregon blades for my BX2380, note the longer cutting edge.

Fiziksgeek · Mar 8, 2018

I bag with a PTO powered unit from Protero. It holds more than the bagger units and is quick dump from the seat, but it is more expensive.

If your compost heap smells and does not break down in a season, there are a couple possible reasons. It likely due to either being too wet, having too many greens (not enough browns), or is too compacted (not getting air). If you have a loader, you should be turning your compost at least monthly, weekly would be better.

robertm · Mar 8, 2018

deathtoblackberries said:
I just ordered a set of Oregon blades for my BX2380, note the longer cutting edge.

Sweet. Gonna try and locate some, as well. Thanks.

deathtoblackberries · Mar 8, 2018

robertm said:
Sweet. Gonna try and locate some, as well. Thanks.

I purchased the Oregon Gator G6 blades. Oregon says...

1. Gator Mulcher G6 Mower Blades are high-performance mulching blades that give you twice the cutting length and stay sharper longer. In most conditions, you can eliminate bagging. We designed these blades with a thicker and wider steel stock for better bagging, mulching and longer-life.

2. The Oregon Gator G6 is enhanced with carbide they call this a Fusion blade. This heavy duty blade is designed for commercial applications and built to withstand rough conditions with top performance and longevity. Here's a PDF on the fusion http://en.oregonproducts.com/pro/pdf/Oregon_FusionBlade.pdf

3. Outstanding mulching and bagging, improved side discharge.

robertm · Mar 8, 2018

Thanks, Death. Gotta measure my blades. I think the drive-over 60" deck I have may have a different blade than the standard... but not sure.
I have Meg-Mo blades now that are supposed to be great to minimize clippings... a disk with four blades on it, and three per deck. The tip speed on a BX is not high enough like a zero turn to warrant them. Expensive lesson. Oh well.