I'm loving you sharing all of your knowledge that you have learned thru out your mowing career. It really helps. I've been struggling thinking it was my particular brand of mower. I'll definitely pick up some gator blades. I have nothing to loose. Thank u.
I appreciate that. It's really trial and error. The deck does play a part but remember high lifts in the spring and summer. Gators for the leaves. You will be a pro in no time flat if you're not already 👊🙏
Great video, great topic. In my experience (southern Ohio) high lift blades leave a nicer cut, allow your deck to disperse the clippings better and they leave a better stripe. The high lifts also handle wet grass better. You were spot on about frequent blade sharpening in the fall. The only thing I like about gator blades is they keep debris in the deck longer and help mulch things up such as leaves. I only put gator blades on for leaf clean-ups. Have a great night!
Thank you for your content. You sold me on a Scag VRide 2 when I watched your comp video a while back when you compared the Toro vs. Scag 52. Just purchased one and can’t wait until spring! I’m in northern central Ohio, you are a champ and love your slogan. “if you don’t like the country, then get out!” God Bless and glad I found your channel
I truly appreciate the kind words. You will absolutely love the VRide. I love this country and will never forget the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for it. We don't know how blessed we are brother!! Thank you again and God bless America
@@froggey5689 It’s great man, I’ve got zero complaints at all! I got the Kawasaki FT730 26 HP motor and seems to have plenty of power. As soon as I purchased it, I installed the Hurricane Plus Mulch Kit and typically mow twice per week at 4 inches. Amazing stripes and I always double stripe it and best cut quality I’ve seen.
Hey I’m local to the central Ohio area, I’m doing a round of aeration to Learn/ get my feet wet, besides for sprinkler heads/ invisible dog fences is there any utilities that should be marked like cable lines?
Here in Pittsburgh we deal with the same stuff Shane. Grass is crazy high and I just started aeration this season. Can’t wait bought a little aerator. How do you charge for aeration and seeding Shane??
Aeration will be a bit different this season. Usually I charge double the price of a mow. So, $45=$90 I usually charge 3x the price of a bag of seed. That includes the labor. I had no Idea you were in PA Tony. We are neighbors
I’m currently on a mission to find a great all around HL blade for Middle Tennessee. I run a Gravely ZT HD, and last year I found around late May through August, the OEM blades were leaving clumps and causing me to run over several times. There has a to be a “best” option. But damn there are so many, and so many opinions!
The only help I can offer is what I use and they may or may not work for you. I use Oregon "copperhead" blades. They run around 16 bucks a piece. Hope this helps
I have the same mower, 52" deck. The oem blades aren't very good. I've used the Ballard ripper blades which are good all around, but I'm about to throw the Ballard high lifts on to see how they are as well.
Scag makes a high lift blade. I bought a set for my 36 v ride 2. The blades are very wide (about a 1/3 wider than the standard blades), and the cutting edge is very long. What I noticed is when I'm done cutting approximately 30 per day, I have almost 0 grass under the deck. Those blades throw grass very far out, which makes it nice to avoid clumping.
Lol, 30 per day. Ok, well you are quit the man. Actually Scag blades are no wider than rotary or any aftermarket blade. I have both and they are same dimensions.
@@DOCREAL1118 I mow 142 properties every other week in Cincinnati for an investment company out of California. I go up Monday through Friday and mow 33 on Monday 35 on Tuesday 30 Wednesday 30 Thursday and finish up Friday with 15 or so. I then mow 42 where I live in Louisville KY on the opposite week. IDK the guy at the dealer told me they were Scag blades and they are definitely wider than what came on my V ride 2.
I run the high lifts from Ballard blades for annual rye. The gators whip cool season grasses into a pulp and coat the deck. The Ballard on side discharge reduce this effect significantly.
I just use regular oregon copperhead high lifts in the spring and summer and then the gator blades for leaves in the fall. Completely different grass here in Ohio
Down here we deal with a totally different kind of grass but I will say the gators do not cut as well in the wet stuff . Also we have bahia grass with centipede so your balancing between a foot tall and 3 1/2" when you're cutting so lots of fun always . Keep it real 💯
High lifts all summer, less clumping better clipping dispersement. Gator blades for leaves. Here in upstate NY, I don’t bag so managing the clippings is the challenge, green velvet!!
i have had people in my county mail me stuff and it goes all the way to Knoxville TN, 2 hours away, before coming to me. thats our mail hub i guess. thats just regular USPS tho. so odd
@@DOCREAL1118 yeah I agree just mulch leaves good going to be switching mine out in about 3 weeks we expected in mid 90s next week so grass is going to grow more.
@@E.L.C. I'm in CT. Same grass here too. Wiped the inside of the chute with WD-40/silicone a few times before cutting. Seemed to help a little. Wet grass SUCKS!
I tried high lift on my John Deere 325 and they made a difference. Mom said that grass looks good. I never told her that I switched blades. I mostly got them because it is a pain in the neck to have to take that mower deck off and clean it out. I also realize that wet grass is very hard on mowers. That and clumps of grass fall out and make an ugly mess when wet grass is mowed. It is horrible!!
I notice there are more, smaller clumps with Gators than with non-gator blades. Seems the deck builds up quicker with Gators as well. They work great in dry weather and with leaves but if it's even slightly wet, they make a mess in my opinion. As far as striping; man, my Scag will stripe any kind of grass with any kind of blade it seems. Gators, standard lift OEM, Ballard blades, Oregon....it doesn't seem to matter. I run regular lift Scag blades for the most part just because they seem to bog the engine less on hills compared to high lift.
That is a great point. I think the Gators are great for leaves when it's dry!! They do leave a mess when it's wet for certain. I ran the regular Scag blades for awhile but found the copperhead by rotary does much better here on our grass.
Airation do you do that in the fall or early spring ? Im in west Tennessee was thinking in the fall doing airation n then overseeding with some bluegrass just to make the lawn thicker buy putting down 50 lbs to 100 lbs of seed
Hey brother the post office does the same darn thing I don't understand it either but it happens you'll get it eventually or she will get them eventually anyway
Sorry but due to changes of season I only use the gator blades in the fall. Maybe I can do a video and show the difference at some point. I will say that the high lifts stripe much better than the Gators!
I'll say another positive for gators (or in my case, gator-type blades), they'll shred those grass clumps. I leave mine on year round, personally (not a pro, I just do my own property).
Jus' got me a big ol' Gat'r blade to fight me one dem big ol' critters back in da swamp! 🗡🐊 HAVE TO cut my lawn today! We let the dof out and he got lost!🌿☘🌳🐕🌲🌱🌿I'll pay for your gas and give you a sandwich if you come and cut mine!!💰⛽🥪 HAVE TO work on the garage today! Our vehicles haven't been outside this long in YEARS! ☀🌧🚗🛻🌧⛅ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Tim Herr!! 🎂👍 Hi, Saraaaah!😘from Dee and me.
