Anyone ever use the X-blade setup on their ZD1021? Mine is a 2021 model I think. Seems like the mower itself would have plenty of power to spin them its just something I don't see a lot of guys running.
ZD1021 X-Blades
- Thread starter WarpFactorVIII
- Start date
Seems like a gimmick. If you want better mulching the Gator blades work well. Personally I'm sticking to the high lift blades because I can mow faster and get a better finish.
that's exactly what it is, is a gimmick. It's been tried in various forms over the years, by many different places/people.
I tried a set (I made the setup, which is almost identical to the commercially available version) on my ZG127.
It cuts marginally better.
It makes a LOT more noise.
It uses a LOT more fuel
on the diesels, they will run hotter (more load on the engine)
It needs a LOT more power
You have to slow down, since the engine only makes so much power
it's hard on blade (and PTO) clutches
it's hard on belts
it's hard on deck bearings
it's hard on blade hardware (bolts, washers, etc)
it's hard on everything.
blade sharpening takes twice as long and replacement costs twice as much
they didn't send longer bolts for my neighbor's mower, so he had to "get by"--and the kubota bolts are kind of special as you may already know. I ended up making some longer bolts for his, because 5 threads aren't enough to hold that kind of load. I spun them out on the lathe, using some hex stock that I already had. Kind of a pain, for no gain. Very slightly better cut quality but not enough to justify the trouble. He's back to running one blade per spindle, just like factory, as am I.
Deere actually built a few mowers in the early 2000's and late 90's that used a similar setup. They called it the "Pirahna", was a 44" cut. Great cut quality, rear discharge or mulching (selectable but you had to remove a baffle to discharge). The blades were standard type blades, but the cross blades were "wingless" which reduced the load on the mower. The way they were set up, there was little noise increase compared to the standard 48" 3 blade deck. BUT....there is only so much power available, and with 6 blades installed, and the weight of them, when you turned the blades on it almost kills the engine. It used a ton more fuel as well, and they SUCKED in taller grass. If one had a well-maintained lawn, they were awesome-so long as you slowed down and refueled often. Then when it came time to replace the blades, a set of 3 blades (at that time) was $45. Piranha blades (all 6) was about $100 as I remember. Labor rate back then was about $40/hr for sharpening, and it'd easily take an hour to do all 6 blades if they weren't in bad shape. Today, with labor rates being up around $120-$150/hr it just doesn't make as much sense to sharpen blades anymore, when it takes up to and sometimes more than, an hour. Those Piranha decks only lasted a few years and then they went back to the standard 2 blade 42", and the 3 blade 48 and 54. There was also a 2 blade 42" "freedom" deck which was a thorn in the side...timed blades, needed a timing belt, which often broke and destroyed the blades, belt, pulleys, and often the deck itself. Dumb design. Cuts good but problematic and maintenance intensive.
So yes, as one can infer, I'm not a fan of the x blade setup.
LOL. Yeah I can tell you are not a fan but that's what I was looking for. I appreciate the insight. I mow a lot of taller grass and the extra strain would not do well. Thanks