Switching to longer blades?

[BigBlueEdge]

Wide F'n open throttle. Mowing speed doesn't really have any effect for me unless I'm virtually crawling along. Any normal mowing speed gives me these results.

 

[BigBlueEdge]

I should also note that this issue has been present since the unit was brand new in 2021. And I did work with the dealer and Bad Boy quite a bit in the beginning. They even got me a set of the non-yet-released adjustable caster position mounts which BB eventually moved to as standard to allow the caster position to move left or right. The idea for that was in hopes of keeping the wheels out of line with the blade intersection lines to reduce 'compaction/bounce back' issues at that low-blade-coverage spot. The belt tension has been checked and adjusted so it isn't blade slippage. The dealer went through all the typical troubleshooting things without success.

The Bad Boy's eventual take on why this couldn't be sorted was: "Your northern grass types (I live in MN) just don't lend themselves to clean cutting at zero-turn normal mowing speeds. Either slow way down to get a better cut or live with it." Well, I didn't buy a $11k zero turn to mow slower than my x758 garden tractor could mow so I guess live with it it is. So I lived with it for 5 seasons but now I figured I'd check into something that I hadn't considered or done yet: longer blades.

 

[StarTech]

It won't be the first time for BB to spec the wrong parts. I got a customer with a 2017 Magnum that they say the short brake cable is the correct one. Not in my opinion when you can play a tune on it installed. Found the longer cable with no help from BB tech support. Awaiting the customer to return the mower for me to exchange the cable.

 

[MParr]

I do. The OEM blades did this and the appropriate Gator replacement blades do this.

As for level, I have it set per Bad Boy's recommendation, which I think is about 1/4" higher in the rear. I highly doubt a 1/4" difference over 24" would magically fix my stripe problem, would it?

You would be surprised. There is no one deck setting to fit all. I have a Gravely Pro Turn 260. Gravely says to set the rear 1/4" to 1/2" higher in the rear. It doesn't do well anywhere between those heights. I wound up with the rear 1/8" higher than the front and it cuts beautifully.

 

[BigBlueEdge]

You would be surprised. There is no one deck setting to fit all. I have a Gravely Pro Turn 260. Gravely says to set the rear 1/4" to 1/2" higher in the rear. It doesn't do well anywhere between those heights. I wound up with the rear 1/8" higher than the front and it cuts beautifully.

OK. I can level the deck front-to-back and give that a try.

 

[BigBlueEdge]

It won't be the first time for BB to spec the wrong parts. I got a customer with a 2017 Magnum that they say the short brake cable is the correct one. Not in my opinion when you can play a tune on it installed. Found the longer cable with no help from BB tech support. Awaiting the customer to return the mower for me to exchange the cable.

Do you know what the blade length should be for a BB 72" deck?

 

[StarTech]

Do you know what the blade length should be for a BB 72" deck?

No I don't than the PN refers to a 24-1/8 blade which is just over 72-3/8 when you multiple by 3. There is no margin for error at this measurement. There should more overlap which is why I asked about the tip to tip and tip to deck clearances. It makes more sense to have 24-1/2 blades but got to know the clearances and I don't a BB mower in the shop with a 72" to even look at, just a 54". Even a 24-11/16 or 25" might work in aftermarket [ie for another OEM] but it is all a guessing game without the measurements.