Not cutting as expected

LAN20514

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Jun 27, 2024
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My new GR2020G was delivered today and I used it for the first time. I'm disappointed with the cut and am looking for suggestions. It has been so dry here and I haven't mowed in 3 weeks. My yard has a ton of "cattails". I did try and set the mower to cut a little higher the first time so I didn't go too low. It seems when I mowed over the catttails a lot of them sprung back up and I'd have to try and make a second pass. My old Snapper mower would have zinged these right off. I did look under the deck to make sure the dealer has the blades on correctly and they all freely rotate. I ran my fingers over the blades and they seem extremely dull. Is this normal? Not sure if I have an issue, need other blades, or Kubotas don't cut as cleanly as I expected.
 

85Hokie

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First - your Kubota should cut equal too if not better than the ol Snapper. Your snapper had a huge single blade under it? And now your Kubota has 3 much smaller diameter blades. So what is happening is the front of the deck is pushing the cattails down and the deck is gliding over it, where as the snapper's diameter picked it up enough to cut.

And yes those blades should be sharp - maybe not razor sharp, but sharp enough to NOT rub your finger across it! ;)

If you can find a patch of grass that has grown tightly - run across that and see if the cut gets better.

Once you get some grass - we just got a weeks worth of rain here and it was dry as a dessert before - so my grass is kicking! My B7100 will leave a gorgeous finish and shoot the cut grass 6 feet out.
 
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LAN20514

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T
First - your Kubota should cut equal too if not better than the ol Snapper. Your snapper had a huge single blade under it? And now your Kubota has 3 much smaller diameter blades. So what is happening is the front of the deck is pushing the cattails down and the deck is gliding over it, where as the snapper's diameter picked it up enough to cut.

And yes those blades should be sharp - maybe not razor sharp, but sharp enough to NOT rub your finger across it! ;)

If you can find a patch of grass that has grown tightly - run across that and see if the cut gets better.

Once you get some grass - we just got a weeks worth of rain here and it was dry as a dessert before - so my grass is kicking! My B7100 will leave a gorgeous finish and shoot the cut grass 6 feet out.

Thanks. My Snapper actually has 3 blades, just like the Kubota. It has now become the backup to the Kubota. The Kubota did seem to cut the grassy areas ok, I just feel like next time the height needs to be taken down a notch. As for the blades, I can run my finger across and not get cut, so not sure what's going on there????
 

Sidekick

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Kioti CK2620SE cab, RTV-X, BX2360, Z726XKW-3-60
Jul 29, 2023
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My Kubota BX did not have a good cut compared to the Deere 7 iron deck it replaced when I first got it. Level offset was off front to back from the dealer and I set that to specs that helped. In the end I wound up switching to Oregon blades and running full rpm that made it better. Check the front to back level on the blade tips as it should be tilted slightly.
 
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DustyRusty

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My Kubota BX did not have a good cut compared to the Deere 7 iron deck it replaced when I first got it. Level offset was off front to back from the dealer and I set that to specs that helped. In the end I wound up switching to Oregon blades and running full rpm that made it better. Check the front to back level on the blade tips as it should be tilted slightly.
I always thought that the blades were on the same plane on both ends. Are you saying that one side is lower than the other from the blade manufacturing facility?
 

Oil pan 4

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For tall stuff using a mower you're going to have to go over it 2 or even 3 times or use a brush shredder.
 
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85Hokie

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I always thought that the blades were on the same plane on both ends. Are you saying that one side is lower than the other from the blade manufacturing facility?
I think what he meant was the front or leading edge of the deck (blades) are about 1/4" lower than the rear in a typical set up.
 
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Sidekick

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I think what he meant was the front or leading edge of the deck (blades) are about 1/4" lower than the rear in a typical set up.
That's it. If it is perfectly level as mine came the cut is not great. Side to side must be level. I made simple wood blocks for gauges.
 

Flintknapper

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That's it. If it is perfectly level as mine came the cut is not great. Side to side must be level. I made simple wood blocks for gauges.
Correct. Level (front to back) blade orientation creates unnecessary drag on the blades. A slight 'rake' (lower front) avoids re-cutting of the grass by the rear of the blades, creates an air seal (relative) at the front of the deck and helps increase discharge.
 
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D2Cat

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This a new mower, just delivered, why not be sure it's set up as the owner's manual says? Even check tire pressures.
 

LAN20514

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Jun 27, 2024
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My new GR2020G was delivered today and I used it for the first time. I'm disappointed with the cut and am looking for suggestions. It has been so dry here and I haven't mowed in 3 weeks. My yard has a ton of "cattails". I did try and set the mower to cut a little higher the first time so I didn't go too low. It seems when I mowed over the catttails a lot of them sprung back up and I'd have to try and make a second pass. My old Snapper mower would have zinged these right off. I did look under the deck to make sure the dealer has the blades on correctly and they all freely rotate. I ran my fingers over the blades and they seem extremely dull. Is this normal? Not sure if I have an issue, need other blades, or Kubotas don't cut as cleanly as I expected.
I’m starting to think the middle rollers on the deck are rolling over the cattails and they don’t bounce back quick enough for the blades to cut them. My Snapper did not have a roller on the deck. I guess I’m disappointed to have do multiple passes to get my yard to look good. It kind of defeats the purpose of buying a wider deck. It will actually take me longer to mow with this condition. Maybe in the future if this happens again, I should just use the Snapper.
 

LAN20514

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Do the tire pressure first thing, then level the deck.
I've done that and everything checks out. My original post was after hours and I figured I'd see what ideas were out there. I'll have to call the dealer and check with them also.
 

Sidekick

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Kioti CK2620SE cab, RTV-X, BX2360, Z726XKW-3-60
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I had to switch to gator g6 fusion blades on my BX to get some lift for a good cut. That roller is only for scalping and unless the grass is tall it shouldn't be a problem. How often do you cut.
 

Russell King

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Is the deck running on wheels and rollers or is it suspended from the tractor?

Which way is correct for the tractor and mower?
 

BAP

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Did you check to make sure that the blades are not upside down?
 

LAN20514

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I had to switch to gator g6 fusion blades on my BX to get some lift for a good cut. That roller is only for scalping and unless the grass is tall it shouldn't be a problem. How often do you cut.
This was my first time using it. The grass hadn't been cut in 3 weeks - it's been so dry here. Not much to cut other than the cattails and a few grassy areas.
 

SDT

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For tall stuff using a mower you're going to have to go over it 2 or even 3 times or use a brush shredder.
Bingo.

Finish mowers are not designed to cut tall grass/weeds/brush.
 
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