Raptor SD cut quality - any recommendations?

[turboawd]

One important thing to consider is the Blade Tip Speed is much faster on the Fast Track.

the blade speed is the same on the raptor sd and fastrak and fastrak sd. the standard raptor is a little bit slower.

raptor sd:
48": 18,600 fpm
54": 18,900 fpm
60": 18,400 fpm

fastrak:
48": 18,600 fpm
54": 18,910 fpm
60": 18,410 fpm

 

[PVHIII]

the blade speed is the same on the raptor sd and fastrak and fastrak sd. the standard raptor is a little bit slower.

raptor sd:
48": 18,600 fpm
54": 18,900 fpm
60": 18,400 fpm

fastrak:
48": 18,600 fpm
54": 18,910 fpm
60": 18,410 fpm

I thought about that right after I made that post...I knew the standard Raptor was roughly 16.000..I stand corrected.

 

[turboawd]

I thought about that right after I made that post...I knew the standard Raptor was roughly 16.000..I stand corrected.

since the two machines use the same blades and have the same tip speed, it makes you wonder how much the design of the rest of the deck effects the cut performance.

 

[kraky]

I think w/all that's going on under a deck even subtle differences make big changes. A little lip here...a toe bar discharge there...big changes.
I got a little lesson this weekend on my sd54 w/gator blades. On my lawn which is weed free I get no under deck build up. After finishing my lawn I helped my neighbor who's mower is in the shop. He has lots of leafy weeds. I could hear the deck getting louder and louder as I mowed. By the time I was done I had to scrape out alot of build up. Guessing the gator blades hammering the watery leafy stuff turned it into glue!
Kinda made me glad I spend a little money on the tru-green applications!

 

[bigdaddyr]

the blade speed is the same on the raptor sd and fastrak and fastrak sd. the standard raptor is a little bit slower.

raptor sd:
48": 18,600 fpm
54": 18,900 fpm
60": 18,400 fpm

fastrak:
48": 18,600 fpm
54": 18,910 fpm
60": 18,410 fpm

Blade tip speed is the same. Cut is way different. The photos I posted a few posts ago are without any kind of stripe kit. Not sure what the difference is. The blade measurements may be the same, but are the blades?

I think some of it may have to do with the discharge shape opening of the deck. The raptor SD has a top discharge cutout in it whereas I don't think the deck does for the Fastrak SD. I found this out when trying to find out about getting a Quick chute for the Raptor SD. Was told they didn't make one because of the top discharge.

How the grass hits the deflector makes a big difference in the displacement of it. Also I feel like my clippings come out much smaller on the Fastrak than did on my Raptor SD.

Also I did notice grass would build up on the Raptor SD and do not see that on the Fastrak SD. Part may be dryer cutting right now but I think the deck must have better flow.

 

[bigdaddyr]

Congrats on the new mower and that's a beautiful yard you have there..I added Flex Forks to mine and a set of Gator Blades...improved upon what is already a great machine.... enjoy that thing I sure do mine as I'm about to go saddle up now... Lol

Thanks for the comments on the yard. It's the best it's ever looked. Only thing I've done right is not mow to low. No seeding, fertilizing or anything else yet. I will be working to try to get it better.

I enjoy the heck out of the machine. Mows so fast I'm done before I'm ready so now I have to start the lawn care business I've been pondering for years.

I also want to build a stripe kit from the tutorial on here.

 

[PVHIII]

I think w/all that's going on under a deck even subtle differences make big changes. A little lip here...a toe bar discharge there...big changes.
I got a little lesson this weekend on my sd54 w/gator blades. On my lawn which is weed free I get no under deck build up. After finishing my lawn I helped my neighbor who's mower is in the shop. He has lots of leafy weeds. I could hear the deck getting louder and louder as I mowed. By the time I was done I had to scrape out alot of build up. Guessing the gator blades hammering the watery leafy stuff turned it into glue!
Kinda made me glad I spend a little money on the tru-green applications!

I totally agree about subtle changes to the deck have drastic consequences when it comes to deck performance/ buildup ext...and I think the biggest problem with these Raptors and Raptor SD's is the deck is just to Shallow...I can't imagine what it would be like trying to mulch with one....JMO.

 

[577jersey]

My 54 cuts pretty darn good so far,,you may want to check that your deck is level,,mine does leave a scragler here and there and a small wind row in high wet weedy stuff on first cut with stock blades,I did order some high-lift blades to see if that helps.
The discharge chute opening on the deck is a little too small for this deck,I am going to get out my angle grinder first thing when this warranty runs out and make it look like a true commercial deck opening...lol

 

[retfr8flyr]

I have the SD 48 with the mulch kit on it and I think it does a great job. I never tried it without the kit, so I can't make a comparison but I am very happy with the way it does my yard. The only thing I have noticed is the grass has some tearing at the cut line, so I am going to pull the blades and sharpen them, I don't think new blades come very sharp and these were installed by my dealer, so I know they are just factory sharp.

 

[577jersey]

Yeah sometimes you have to wait till the paint wears off the blade then they cut a little better when new...I do mine with a 40 grit flap wheel on an angle grinder,,been doing it for 28 years that way and they come out razor sharp!!