[BowlBuilder]

I realize this is an odd time of year for questions on deck blades, but here goes. I have a K46 deck which is left hand discharge. I have seen many references to the left hand discharge blades being much different than right hand discharge blades, but I have not seen an explanation of what the differences are. Could someone explain or show what the differences are? Also, has anyone chucked another brand of mulching blades in a vertical mill and modified them for use with case decks? I have seen many people wish for mulching blades and this doesn't seem to be something that would be terribly difficult, or am I missing something? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Bart]

The left and right hand discharge deck spin in opposite directions so the blades are NOT interchangeable at all. There are aftermarket blades that will fit some decks but, if you're comparing prices, aftermarket blades vary in quality so a lower price may mean lower quality steel. The OEM blades are top quality and will outlast cheaper ones.

As for modifying blades, that is a risky proposition in my opinion. If not done very precisely you could end up with unbalanced blades that will destroy the bearings. The steel is hard so you may find it difficult to machine without carbide tools.

 

[BowlBuilder]

Forgive my ignorance, but if the blades turn in the opposite direction, then I assume the belt is routed differently on the two decks? Couldn't one simply route the belt similar to a right hand deck? If the discharge were blocked and mulching blades used, what negative effect would turning in the opposite direction have? Thank you.

 

[Bart]

The belt routing is the same but the engine rotation is opposite since the engine in the 4000 models are turned 180 degrees.

 

[wrench644]

Sorry man but I can't offer an opinion on this, call it nit picky but I can't recommend using an attachment in any way other than the way the manufacturer designed and intended.

Someone else might, but that is on them.

Someone more knowledgable than I may know of a different solution or option for these blades.

apologies.....

 

[BowlBuilder]

So what you're saying is that a right hand discharge deck will not work on a 1985 448?

 

[Bob MacGregor]

So what you're saying is that a right hand discharge deck will not work on a 1985 448?

BINGO!

 

[BowlBuilder]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It all makes sense now!

 

[Hydriv]

Here's a thought Bowlbuilder. If you told us what it is you are trying to accomplish, we might be able to give you better advice than what's been shared so far. That is not to say that you haven't received good advice so far but I get this hunch that there's more to your questions then you have let on.

 

[ing3018]

Also, has anyone chucked another brand of mulching blades in a vertical mill and modified them for use with case decks? I have seen many people wish for mulching blades and this doesn't seem to be something that would be terribly difficult, or am I missing something?

I did. I bought a set of Gator mulching blades for a 44" Toro deck (right discharge). A friend milled out the round center hole to the rectangular Case/Ingersoll style. No problem with being unbalanced. I've been using the same blades for 5 years. They keep an edge really well and I prefer them over the OEM blades. My used-once OEM blades have been hanging on a nail ever since.

Your results may vary and I certainly don't recommend trying this unless you are competent in this area.

 

[Hydriv]

Gator MAY still have a set of blades available for the 44" deck still gathering dust on their shelves. The did have them back last summer but when they are all gone, that's it.

You can have an experienced machinist alter the blade mounting holes. Part of the problem is that the 48 inch deck uses two sizes of blades. You need to find suitable Left Hand discharge blades that are the right length for them to be machined. Blades not only cut the grass but they also act like suction fans to pull the grass blades vertical for an even cut.

If you cut the length down, you cut off the fan part and the cutting edge. In other words, there's more to this than meets the eye.

 

[BowlBuilder]

My intention is to block off the exit and essentially have a mulching deck. I have enough experience with and access to a vertical mill to accomplish this task with no difficulty. Balancing would come from taking exactly the same amount off each end, accomplished with a DRO. I can't imagine one would have to take more than 1" total per blade? This would be a maximum 1/2" per side. I don't see how that would affect the performance enough to make a noticeable difference, but I've been wrong before! Thank you.

 

[mjodrey]

My intention is to block off the exit and essentially have a mulching deck. I have enough experience with and access to a vertical mill to accomplish this task with no difficulty. Balancing would come from taking exactly the same amount off each end, accomplished with a DRO. I can't imagine one would have to take more than 1" total per blade? This would be a maximum 1/2" per side. I don't see how that would affect the performance enough to make a noticeable difference, but I've been wrong before! Thank you.

If you were to do this,just make sure as you said ,to get the balance right on.If you don't ,you would most likely have spindle bearing problems down the road.

Maynard

 

[Bart]

The most important thing is you have to have blades designed for a particular rotation because the left and right are mirror images of one another. If you find the right rotation/length gator blades then carefully modify the mounting holes I don't think you'll have any issues. As noted previously you'll have a hard time finding the left hand type gator blades since they're out of production.

 

[Hydriv]

Here's another suggestion.

Take a look at this link.

http://www.meg-mo.com

When I first saw these, I wrote them off as a high-priced gimmick but then I heard back from someone who bought the system and has been using it for some time. All I can do is to relay the fact that he was very happy with the Meg-Mo conversion on his deck. However, I cannot recall whether he had a LH or RH deck.

For what it takes to get more info, an e-mail or telephone call would tell you whether they have designed their kits for just one of the decks we use or all of them. Whatever you find out, please let us know.

 

[Bart]

That system appears to be a cheap way to make a brush hog from a finish mower. The web site doesn't have any good photos or drawings of the blades but I suspect are flat which would make is easy to run either direction. Of course, the flat blade wouldn't do much for lift and mulching.

 

[Hydriv]

That system appears to be a cheap way to make a brush hog from a finish mower. The web site doesn't have any good photos or drawings of the blades but I suspect are flat which would make is easy to run either direction. Of course, the flat blade wouldn't do much for lift and mulching.

I don't know if there is lift in those blades or not. All I know is that someone posted that they bought them and were happy with the fact that they did not have to bag or sweep any more. Now, here's the caveat. I don't recall how often they mowed. Maybe they cut every two days during peak growing season. This would be a major factor in the equation.

 

[Nutcase446]

The biggest problem with changing the rotation would be moving the location of the spring loaded idler. I probably won't explain this well but there is a pull side and a return side in a belt set up. A spring idler can only be on the return side. On a left discharge deck the idler is between the right and drive spindle. I haven't looked but would guess that on right discharge it's between the drive and the left. The mule drive would also have to be modified for the same reason or just use a left discharge mule.
You may also have to play with the baffling because it will have to discharge out the rear. Baffled mulching decks with no discharge are terrible in damp conditions. There are too many places for grass to clump. You would also have to make blades every time that you need them. Gregg

 

[wrench644]

Here's another suggestion.

Take a look at this link.

http://www.meg-mo.com

When I first saw these, I wrote them off as a high-priced gimmick but then I heard back from someone who bought the system and has been using it for some time. All I can do is to relay the fact that he was very happy with the Meg-Mo conversion on his deck. However, I cannot recall whether he had a LH or RH deck.

For what it takes to get more info, an e-mail or telephone call would tell you whether they have designed their kits for just one of the decks we use or all of them. Whatever you find out, please let us know.

Tom, it was slkpk and his 318GT which is right hand discharge. Yes he has given nothing but glowing reviews but he had been on the fence about buying them for about a year or so. I think he is satisfied with how they perform. Hope this helps. :trink:

 

[Hydriv]

It absolutely does help. For some strange reason, that period of my life is just a blur. :sidelaugh:

i just don't know if i should thank you or not..... for that flashback. :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: