Double Blades

The picture below is a good example of why you need to chop up clippings in a fast growing season, like in the Spring when the grass is growing fast. I use 6 blades, two on each spindle on our Dixie Choppers, which chops up the clippings about twice as much as the normal way. In 15 years, I have replaced just 1 spindle bearing, using the double blades, 12 of the 15 years. If the clippings aren't chopped up enough and lay on top of the lawn, they end up staying there on top and drying, so the next time you cut, you have twice as many clippings to get rid of. It ends up building up until you have a mess like the lawn in the foreground. If you have a mower that will pick this up, it will look great, but using single blades and going over it one time, leaves a mess. As I said, I use the double blades and it gets rid of the clippings in most areas. If I see any visible clippings, I go over that area a second time. If the whole lawn is excessive, I go over the lawn the second time the opposite direction, which makes the lawn look 10 times better and I don't get this build up, as you can see in the picture. Believe it or not, the lawn in the foreground is professionally cut. It isn't hard to see the lot line between the two lawns. The second time over the lawn I raise the blades 1/2 inch, because I'm only spreading and chopping clippings. The 2nd time over you can go fast and you don't need to go around the perimeter again, so it does not take very long to make the lawn look a lot better. I used to pick up grass when it grew fast and picked up leaves, but this method is as fast or faster and you never have to haul off leaves or clippings. If you try double blades, make sure you put them in a + formation and have them balanced. If you have a blade centering chamfer sticking down out of the spindle, put a regular blade that fits the chamfer on top and a blade that fits the bolt hole on the bottom. Make sure you have clearance and move the blades by hand before you fire them up. I also wear hearing protectors with FM, because it is a lot noisier. Good luck and be safe.

We mow the striped lawn with double blades, our competitors mow the one in the foreground. Do you see a difference?

Below is the X setup with Magic Mulchers on top for mulching leaves in the fall.

Below is a Magic Mulcher on the left, double blade bracket on the right

These blade Pictures below were taken by Tommy's Lawn Care

1] Modified cutting edge OEM #613250 solid foil high lift. (very sharp)

2] Same as above but with "as purchased" cutting edge (pretty dull)

3] Modified cutting edge OEM #633483 notched foil high lift. (very sharp)

4] Same as above but with "as purchased" cutting edge. (pretty dull)

5] Aftermarket mail order (don't remember where) notched foil (notice smaller width lift foil)

6] Gator type with outside flow shredding tips.

7] Regular Gator that has inside flow shredding tips.

8] OEM # 613112 factory mulching blade.

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