Exmark Mower Blade Question

[figtree]

When it comes to mower blades which are the preferred blades for Exmark turf Tracer and Viking mowers?? Gator blades or OEM? When purchasing new blades is it wise to sharpen them or just install then and start cutting? Thank you in advance!

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2010 Ford F150 4x4 STX
6x12 Trailer
Exmark Turf Tracer HP 48"
Exmark Viking 48"
Craftsman push mower 21"
Echo Trimmers
Echo Blowers
Echo edgers

[musician/lawnman]

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ok, if your still running side discharge the oem type blades are fine (straight blades) though you don't really need to use exmark brand blades, just the right size. I tried the mulching gator blades (I run a mulch kit) & was not really impressed. They are so heavy & the back end of the bladestood up at such an angle it actually slowed the rpms down too much. The mower lumbered to keep em going & the quality of the cut was crap (due to low rpms). You DON'T need to sharpen new blades! That paint won't make it through the 1st lawn, don't worry about it.

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[figtree]

So, do you still use the gator blades w/mulch kit or you switch to another type of blade? Thanks for the info on the sharpen new blades question as well.

[musician/lawnman]

No, I run mulching blades but ditched the gator blades. too frigen heavy.

[figtree]

Great! Thanks for ur help...

So with your experience do you think the gator blades would have been worthy if your mower had more power to swing the blades?

For example, some of the older and early model riding mowers had 10 hp engines on 38" decks and 12 hp engines on 42" decks. Now you see mowers with 14 hp or more with a 38" deck. I know from experience that the 10 hp was just barely enough for 38" decks unless the grass had only grown a little bit since the last cutting.

[musician/lawnman]

Well I was using them on a 52" ZTR with a 23 horse Kolher on it & yes with those blades it was wanting for power. My father in law uses them on a dixie chopper & likes them, but dixies have more than enough power (only mower I've ever seen with a tachometer, your not even supposed to really run those full throttle, & you never need to).

My other machine is 48" & 19 hp kaw.

I have a 52" Exmark Lazer ZHP with a 23HP Kawi. Hates gator blades...I run a high lift straight blade. I sharpen and balance my blades every week and I always peel the paint off of new blades.

[figtree]

Yeah! I know what you mean, my turf t hp hates them. What blade type do you recommend.

I always get my blades from oregon oem parts. And I always make sure that I get the heavy duty use blades, one nick on the standard blades and they are toast.

I mow Kentucky Blue Grass and I hardly mulch so these blades work great for me.