What is the right blade to use?

[Lickity Split]

I just bought a Toro Groundsmaster 72 with 72" mower deck.( New winter project)
The mower is in great shape, the deck needs some welding, but nothing major.
I would like to use this mower to cut my field, field is 4 acres of dry marsh hay about 3 feet tall.
I know that it will take a long time to cut it the first time, but once it is cut I can maintain the field to a weekly cutting.
My question is it needs new blades, what blades will work the best for the first cutting.
And what blades will work for my weekly cutting.

Thanks Lickity Split

 

[zzvyb6]

I use the "Gator" brand blades to do exactly what you are wanting to mow. Got them from an eBay seller. These blades have backside shredding grooves and they turn grass, small trees, weeds, fence wire, stones, tree branches, ant hills and dog toys into mulch. 3' field height may take 2 passes, but once you get the field cleared, you can fly through it. These blades don't have as much "lift" as a regular high lift blade, but work well with my leaf vacuum because the material is shredded much finer. My 72" deck is a side discharge and there is a lot of material exiting it. This means plan your first cutting so that you don't recut or overlap on the second round.

 

[Lickity Split]

Thanks zz,. I have been looking at the gator blades and the look like they would cut threw anything like you said.
Lickity Split

 

[Ron D.]

From my research, if you are discharging, go with a good high lift blade. If your discharge is blocked for mulching, use a mulching blade. Each has a different purpose, the high lift for lifting the grass for discharge, and the mulch blade is used for mulching without discharging.

Tall grass is best to discharge, shorter grass mulches better. Many people have two sets, depending on what they are cutting.