Install the Gator blade on the spindle, taking care to be sure the beveled edge and upturned, serrated “ears” of the blade are pointing up, towards the deck of the mower. The flat, smooth side of the blade should be facing down toward the grass. (Gator blades have the words “Grass Side” imprinted on that side.)
Full Answer
Do I need a mulching kit for the Gator mulcher?
On standard mowers, the Gator Mulcher works best on multi-blade decks, particularly when mowing into the discharge. Mulching adapter kits are not required. For single blade applications we recommend installing a mulching kit for best results, but you will see significant mulching action even without an adapter.
What is the difference between a Gator blade and a mulching blade?
The Gator Blade design is more efficient than standard mulching blades, in that they use high lift to draw grass up, rather than pushing it down. This allows for more precision cutting but more importantly, it will not interfere with bagging.
What is a Gator mower blade?
A Gator blade is a mulching mower blade that incorporates a progressive geometry along the working-edge of the blade that is designed both to maximize air flow for bagging or discharge and to lift the grass for a cleaner, targeted cut. They are considered ‘3 in 1’ blades because they are good for bagging, discharge, and mulching.
Which way does a mulching blade go on?
These parts have a sharpened edge and serrated teeth in some mulching blades. The metal flaps or teeth-edges or bevel should be up, and cutting edges should face the ground when you put a mulching blade on. In comparison, this method is way better to detect which way a mulching blade goes on.
Which direction do Gator blades go?
6:0512:40Oregon Gator G5 Blades Install Part 1 - Overview - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLike the original little high lifts do but however. There is actually these three ridge marks on theMoreLike the original little high lifts do but however. There is actually these three ridge marks on the side of the blade. That as the grass is being lifted up it'll actually go through these ridges.
Which side goes down on mulching blade?
1. Look at both sides of the mulching blade. Most blades have the word “bottom” stamped on them, or they have a model number imprinted onto the underside. Whether a word or a number, that side of the mulching blade must face the ground after it is installed and the mower is standing upright.
How do you install mulching blades?
InstructionsStep 1: Remove the cutting deck. ... Step 2: Flip the deck over. ... Step 3: Secure the old blades. ... Step 4: Remove the old blades. ... Step 5: Attach new blades. ... Step 6: Flip the deck back over. ... Step 7: Install the mulch plug. ... Step 8: Reattach the deck to your mower.
What is the difference between a mulching blade and a Gator blade?
So, what is the difference between a gator blade and a standard blade and why choose that for your mower? Unlike other mulching blades that push the grass down, the high lift on a gator blade draws the grass up which in turn gives you a clean, even cut.
How do you tell if a mulching blade is upside down?
If on the right side, move the blade in a counterclockwise direction, and if on the left side, move it in a clockwise direction.) When doing this, this sharp edge of the blade should be the edge that leads. If it does, then you have the correct lawn mower blade position. If not, you need to flip it over.
How do you tell the top and bottom of a lawn mower blade?
The most common and easiest way to tell which side of your lawn mower blade is up, is to look for the label. Most manufacturers will stamp at least one side of the blade with a direction label. These can say things like: “This Side Up”, “This Side Down”, or “This Side Toward The Grass”, depending on the brand.
Are mulching blades better than regular blades?
Mulching blades are an excellent choice for use on lawns that receive a mowing every three to four days. Using mulching blades on overgrown grass can result in clogging under the deck and piles of grass on the cut lawn. Mulching is also an environmentally friendly way to deal with grass clippings.
Which way do John Deere mulching blades go on?
0:422:07How to determine which side of Cutting Blade to attach ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see there it's a counter clockwise.MoreYou can see there it's a counter clockwise.
Can you use mulching blades with side discharge?
Mulching blades are sometimes called “all purpose” or “3-in-1” blades because you can use them to mulch, bag, or side discharge. Standard blades are called 2-in-1 blades because you can use them to either bag or side discharge the grass.
Do new Gator blades need to be sharpened?
No, it's not necessary to sharpen brand new lawn mower blades. You can simply remove your new blade from its packaging, remove the old blade carefully from your mower, and then attach the new one.
Are mulching blades with teeth better?
Toothed blades, while not always true mulching blades, are better for mulching than standard high-lift blades. The blade teeth do not have a cutting edge but are used to create extra lift, propelling clippings high into the mower deck.
What's the purpose of Gator blades?
Gator® Mulching Blades All Gator mulching mower blades feature the patented Gator mulching "teeth" which circulate cut grass back into the deck multiple times, creating a finer cut and better looking lawn.
Can you put mower blades on upside down?
Mower blades have a cutting edge at each end. The key to replacing the mower blade is installing the new one properly. It is common to install a blade upside down. When this happens, the lawn mower will not cut correctly, or it could damage the mower.
Do lawn mower blades face up or down?
To determine which side of the lawnmower blade is up, identify which side of the blade is dull, and which is sharpened. The sharpened edge, or cutting edge, is sharpened to a point and should face the ground and will have a taper facing the sky. The dull edge is bent and should face the mower deck.
Do mulching blades cut lower?
Mulching blades feature more curves and an increased cutting edge. The curved surface and increased cutting edge allows the blade to cut the grass and bring it into the deck where it is cut several more times before falling back onto the lawn in much smaller pieces.
How do you install Craftsman mulching blades?
0:452:15Craftsman Lawn Mower Mulching Blade Replacement #942-0741AYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUnthread the bolt and remove the old blade and support install the new mulching blade by aligning itMoreUnthread the bolt and remove the old blade and support install the new mulching blade by aligning it on the blade adapter with the sharp edge facing away from the mower deck.
How do you sharpen Gator mulching blades?
When you are sharpening Gator blades there is not much difference than when you are sharpening standard blades (although it helps to have different sizes of files). Focus on the edges , sharpening in only one direction (you can feel the file biting the steel), and leave the teeth alone. The teeth don’t need sharpening, only the edges.
What blades are best for mulching?
Gator and Copperhead are two examples of some of the best mulching blades that you can buy. They combine innovative designs with tough metals for a long-lasting product that will do the work nicely – provided that you maintain them. Gator is produced by Oregon Tool, established in 1947, while Copperheads come from Rotary Corporation, established in 1957.
Are Gator blades worth the money?
For the added air circulation and improved design, Gator blades are definitely worth the investment. If you do commercial mowing work, there are even Gator blades that incorporate stronger metals in their design so that you won’t have to replace them for up to 400 work hours. They are quality blades and definitely worth the money .
Do you need different blades for mulching?
With a Zero turn mower, for instance, the tips of the blade will be rotated fast enough that the mower will mulch as you mow without the need for extra blades. With most mowers, however, mulching blades or a mulching conversion kit will be required if you want to add mulching capability to your mower.
Can you use high lift blades for mulching?
No. High lift blades are not suitable for mulching. Typically, these are set higher above the ground than a standard or mulching mower and the blades include improved circulation to serve their primary function – mowing down tall, dense, and difficult patches of grass and weed. As this is what they are designed for, they cannot be used for mulching function.
What is the difference between high lift and mulching blades?
High lift blades are designed for taking down tall, overgrown weeds and grasses. The blades circulate the air more efficiently , reducing the chance of your mower choking, so that you can basically plow right into these growths with confidence that they’ll be effectively cut.
Can you put mulching blades on a zero turn mower?
Yes, you could, but there wouldn’t be much of a reason to do this. A Zero turn mower rotates it’s blades quite quickly, so much so that the tips of the blades are going to chop the grass finely enough that special mulching blades will not be required. Simply put, your Zero turn mower already cuts well enough that it mulches the grass for you.
What makes a gator mulch different from ordinary mulching blades?
What makes the Gator Mulcher different from ordinary mulching blades? The high lift on the Gator Mulcher draws the grass up, giving it a clean, even cut Other mulching blades push grass down, often resulting in an uneven, ragged cut.
Where are gator mower blades made?
Gator Mulcher blades are made in the U.S. from the finest American made high carbon 10B38 steels. The cutting edges are carbide milled for a super sharp edge. Every blade is fully heat-treated to a Rockwell C-scale hardness of 50 for optimum safety and durability, then straightened for a precision cut.
How do raised teeth work on a lawn mower?
How do the teeth work? While it may appear that the raised teeth are for cutting, they don't cut the grass at all. It is the angle of the tooth that produces the excellent mulching results. The teeth angle toward the center of the blade to redirect the airflow and push the grass clippings back over the cutting edge of the mower blade again ...
Do you need a mulching kit for a gator mower?
On standard mowers, the Gator Mulcher works best on multi-blade decks, particularly when mowing into the discharge. Mulching adapter kits are not required. For single blade applications we recommend installing a mulching kit for best results, but you will see significant mulching action even without an adapter.
Do you sharpen a gator mower blade?
The teeth on the Gator Mulcher do not cut the grass, so sharpening them isn't required. Simply sharpen your GatorMulcher as you would any standard mower blade.
What is a Gator blade for a lawn mower?
A Gator blade is a mulching mower blade that incorporates a progressive geometry along the working-edge of the blade that is designed both to maximize air flow for bagging or discharge and to lift the grass for a cleaner, targeted cut. They are considered ‘3 in 1’ blades because they are good for bagging, discharge, and mulching.
What angle are Gator blades?
Gator blades incorporate a minor tilt in their cutting edge, so if you want to maximize performance then it is recommended that you use them at a 35-degree setting. This will help to ensure that your blades stay sharp for a longer time and will give you the best performance with your Gators.
What are Gator blades used for?
Gator blades are designed to give a targeting, fine cut which cuts grass and reduces it to minute clippings which you can leave in the lawn. These fine clippings will not harm the grass, but rather will decay quickly, acting as a natural fertilizer to encourage healthy growth in your yard.
Are Gator blades better than regular blades?
Gator blades produce much finer clippings than regular blades. If you are not looking for mulching functionality, then standard blades will be fine and may be a better fit for you. With the finer cutting capability, Gator blades will need to be sharpened more frequently, so this may be a caveat for those that just want to mow the lawn and intend to bag clippings.
Are Gator blades good for side discharge?
Yes! The design of the blades provides good air circulation for proper side-discharge or for bagging, so you don’t have to use the mulching capability of the blades if you’ve installed them on your mower. They simply give you the option of the mulching functionality for when you wish to use it.
Are Gator blades worth the money?
If you want to do some mulching, Gator blades do perform better than your standard mulching blades. The high-lift factor that comes from their design helps to cut the grass more efficiently but it also draws in enough air to make bagging or side-discharge function normally – whereas a standard mulching blade will only partially fill the bag and the side-discharge is not very powerful.
What is the difference between G5 and G6 Gator blades?
G5 blades are slightly smaller, measuring about 2.5 inches in width to the 3 inches width of the G6. G6 blades are also the heavier of the two and require a bit more horsepower, as they are designed for tougher mowing jobs than the G5.
Where is the bevel on a mulching blade?
The bevel is what does the cutting. It is on the top of the mulching blade, which is the side of the blade that faces away from the ground when the mo wer is in its cutting position.
How to tell if a mulching blade is bottom or top?
Look at both sides of the mulching blade. Most blades have the word “bottom” stamped on them, or they have a model number imprinted onto the underside. Whether a word or a number, that side of the mulching blade must face the ground after it is installed and the mower is standing upright. Examine the shape of the mulching blade.
Do mulching blades have fins?
Some mulching blades have a bend in them, and others have fins cut into the back of the blade. These design differences create a partial vacuum inside the mowing deck of mulching lawnmowers.
