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Most desirable blade for Cub Cadet 54"

#1

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Chris623

Title pretty much says it all. I invested in three new spindles which I'll soon be installing. I live on 6 acres and my mower often ends up doing a little "brush hog" work (whether I mean to or not) and I've destroyed the spindles and blades. Is there a blade most people consider to be the blade of choice for the Cub Cadet 54"?


#2

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fixit1ddh

I use standard 6 star 942-05056a highlift blades. I live on a farm so it mowes some small trees now and then. I have extra set of blades I keep sharp and change them out around 25 hours. Have 630 hour's between both sets of blades and they still look new. I mow between 5 & 7 acres. Doesn't take much after 25 hour's to sharpen back to razor sharp again.


#3

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Chris623

Thanks. Good advice coming from someone who has a similar mowing scenario as I.(y)


#4

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Chris623

I understand the 8TEN blade is a good one............but I can't seem to find that number in a high lift. Do you have the name of the brand you prefer. I know nothing beyond the 8TEN is a respected blade by many.


#5

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fixit1ddh

I get mine from ebay. And they are listed as hi lift and identical to the original blade. Ebay item # 266363194040


#6

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Chris623

Hmmmmm. Didn't find a match for that number when I did a search.


#7

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ChrisBFRPKY

Well Chris if you find anything that's any good please post an update. Everything I've found has been made in China from Chinese steel which has turned out to be soft and bendy. The last set I put on I heated the cutting edge with a torch until it was red then dipped in water. I'll find out at the end of the mowing season whether it had any benefit or not. I wish somebody would start up a mower blade company in the US and make stuff from US steel like they did in the days when Cub Cadets, John Deere and Sears Suburbans came with cast iron transmissions.


#8

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Chris623

(y)


#9

F

fixit1ddh

Chris623 said:
Hmmmmm. Didn't find a match for that number when I did a search.
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#10

C

Chris623

Thanks...............wasn't able to find that.


#11

F

fixit1ddh

ChrisBFRPKY said:
Well Chris if you find anything that's any good please post an update. Everything I've found has been made in China from Chinese steel which has turned out to be soft and bendy. The last set I put on I heated the cutting edge with a torch until it was red then dipped in water. I'll find out at the end of the mowing season whether it had any benefit or not. I wish somebody would start up a mower blade company in the US and make stuff from US steel like they did in the days when Cub Cadets, John Deere and Sears Suburbans came with cast iron transmissions.
Click to expand...
Our town had the largest gm cast iron foundry in the US. Now it's shut down has not poured any cast in probably 8 years. It was set to be torn down. I think cast iron will never return to production of equipment we loved of the past.


#12

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bertsmobile1

ChrisBFRPKY said:
Well Chris if you find anything that's any good please post an update. Everything I've found has been made in China from Chinese steel which has turned out to be soft and bendy. The last set I put on I heated the cutting edge with a torch until it was red then dipped in water. I'll find out at the end of the mowing season whether it had any benefit or not. I wish somebody would start up a mower blade company in the US and make stuff from US steel like they did in the days when Cub Cadets, John Deere and Sears Suburbans came with cast iron transmissions.
Click to expand...
Really ?
All of the blades I get from Stens are made in the USA or Mexico
The Rotary blades I get from another supplier are made in Mexico
Alloy Steel Products blades I get are made in France .
The swing backs I use are made in Australia
The GAtors I used to get before B & S took over Oregon distribution and stopped importing them were also stamped made in USA or Made in Mexico
OTOH if you shop at places where everything is as cheap as possible ( Wallys, Home depot etc ) then yes everything will come from a 3rd world country .


#13

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Chris623

By saying STENS, do you mean 8TEN blades? Are they really good blades?


#14

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bertsmobile1

NO I mean STENS the aftermarket parts suppliers to trade & technicians like me
Stens, Rotary, Oregon, Prime Line
All of them supply quality aftermarket parts that have passed quality control & come with warranties
Down here that is 12 months and some extend this to 2 years
Most of them use their own house brand names
Stens = Silver Streak
Oregon = Gator
Rotary = Copper Head


#15

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Chris623

Okay, I've found some of the Stens blades. Do I want to be looking for the 942-05056A High Lift?

Edit: I found them at Home Depot for $19.95 each. They were Stens #330-984 Medium Lift

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#16

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bertsmobile1

IT is a case of what works best for your mower & your grass
And this may not be the same as what works best for my mowers & my grass
Some of my customers keep several sets of blades and can change them over 3 or 4 times a year
In a good spring we can get 1' or more growth week and this grass is thick tough & very wet so sticks to everything .
By high summer most of it has burned off so we get stringy grasses that bend before they cut .
The ground dries out so low lift blades are needed
So there is no universal "best" blade
There is the "right" blades for your grass at this time of the year .


#17

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Chris623

Well, I've not the financial privilege to own multiple sets of blades. So I'll have to pick one and go with it. My main concern is to find a blade that will last, so I want a pretty hard one.......at least for the leading edge to be hard.


#18

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bertsmobile1

Please Chris do not try that line here, it will not wash
If you hit a rock & bent the blade tomorrow you would replace them
If you are living so far above your means then take in some cute little girlies pony for agistment
Not only would this solve your mowing problem but it will also provide a lot of good fertilizer for your veggie garden .


#19

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Chris623

????? I live on a Social Security check each month. I can't afford 3 sets of blades. Whether that "washes" here or not, that's the case. I'm just trying to find a solid blade that will last some time.


#20

Tiger Small Engine

Tiger Small Engine

Chris623 said:
????? I live on a Social Security check each month. I can't afford 3 sets of blades. Whether that "washes" here or not, that's the case. I'm just trying to find a solid blade that will last some time.
Click to expand...
I like Gator blades period.
In my opinion having two sets of blades for your main mower is smart. You can rotate blades for longer life. It tends to help with changing blades when they get dull for excuses to leave blade on. If you damage or bent blade you have a spare. Most blades I see come in my shop wouldn’t cut hot butter and are beat up. People rarely sharpen their blades even close to enough.


#21

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Chris623

Thanks


#22

Ohioguy

Ohioguy

Chris623 said:
Thanks
Click to expand...
I don't know if this is a factor but mowing higher 3 1/2 to 4 inches is better for grass in hot summer. It might also get your blades above the debris that's killing them?


#23

C

churchill

ChrisBFRPKY said:
Well Chris if you find anything that's any good please post an update. Everything I've found has been made in China from Chinese steel which has turned out to be soft and bendy. The last set I put on I heated the cutting edge with a torch until it was red then dipped in water. I'll find out at the end of the mowing season whether it had any benefit or not. I wish somebody would start up a mower blade company in the US and make stuff from US steel like they did in the days when Cub Cadets, John Deere and Sears Suburbans came with cast iron transmissions.
Click to expand...
I with you 100% on USA made blades vs Chinese. I found this company in Ohio that advertises their blades as being made in the US. An internet search will likely bring up some more. Haven't tried this place yet because the ones I have are still good yet. Beware of ads that say engineered, designed and tested in US, and those that say made in US with "global materials". https://usamowerblades.com/


#24

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LEG1954

Chris623 said:
Thanks...............wasn't able to find that.
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Chris, search for the sellers name “gorbyback” in eBay search bar. I found him in seconds. Don’t know how his blades are but….good luck!


#25

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Freddie21

I am under the understanding that the blades do not get sharpened razer sharp. Even new blades are a little on the dull side?


#26

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SamB

Chris623 said:
Title pretty much says it all. I invested in three new spindles which I'll soon be installing. I live on 6 acres and my mower often ends up doing a little "brush hog" work (whether I mean to or not) and I've destroyed the spindles and blades. Is there a blade most people consider to be the blade of choice for the Cub Cadet 54"?
Click to expand...
After buying several sets of blades that took very little to bend them, I ran across these Oregon blades and have been quite pleased with them. Holding an edge and not bending at the slightest twig are far superior to even the OEM blades from the dealer. If you can find the correct length and correct center hole, buy 'em. I bought 2 sets (4) and rotate them as needed. Well, I actually swap them, not rotate them. :) As a side note, I ,too, am old and on SS. I've found that being too much of a tightwad will bite you in the butt. (to compensate, I just buy cheaper beer)

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#27

C

Chris623

Well, I ordered a set of Gator Blades from Red Dog Supply. They came in and sat in my office until I could install the new spindles. Turns out what I "thought" was a 54" mower was actually a 50" and, of course, the blades wouldn't fit. (where's the embarrassed emoji?) Contacted Red Dog Supply's customer services and asked to return them and purchase the proper blades. Absolutely my fault and I told them so. I've emailed them 7 times now with no response. Can't believe they don't have a phone number for customer service. Has anyone here on the forum dealt with Red Dog? Have to admit I'm not very happy with them.


#28

Ohioguy

Ohioguy

Over the years I've learned the higher you cut, the better it is for the grass and the blades.
I'm currently at 4" at pass over most sticks and other debris.


#29

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Chris623

I'll be doing that in the future.................if I can get Red Dog Supply to get me some blades!!!!!


#30

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MParr

Most desirable blade for Cub Cadet 54”?
The OEM or equivalent aftermarket. That goes for every mower out there. Gator style blades are best for fall leaves and the first spring mow. They will pack the deck with clippings and leave clumps of clippings all over the lawn.


#31

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Chris623

Sure wish I could find a way to contact Red Dog Supplies, LLC. I've written them 11 emails now and not heard back from them.


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