Dual Blades; also using Gator Blades

Something to consider for nicer mowing in my opinion is using six blades on your mower deck, two on each spindle at 90º, giving you 12 edges that cut and giving you finer clippings. Gator blades (eBay, Google) are available for all decks, (except 42" RD *)

* The Gator Blades that will fit and work excellent on the WH 42" Rear Discharge Deck, are:
OREGON #90-643 (13.9" long, 2.5" wide, 3/16" thick with a 3/4" center hole).
My original regular blades are used and worn, I get only 14.1" long, measuring diagonally.

On a 42" RD deck, Gator #90-643 works best & perfect, "trust me on this".
Did run a test, and these shorter Gator blades alone seemed to cut perfect, no gaps, except on the turns
there was a very slight thin gap, and I was being very fussy in judging.

Again, these Gator blades are slightly shorter than your original regular blades, but with the regular
blades on also, they work perfect, no gaps and very fine clippings. With the original blades on last,
positioned lower, you'll only need to sharpen the Gator blades about every third time, it is the
lower original blade that seems to wear and dull (dirt, stones, etc.).

There are many Gator blades listed on eBay right now, you need 3, be sure all the numbers are correct
and compare the shipping costs/total delivered prices very carefully.

Great tip Glen, thanks! :goodpost

I have never seen that before, makes perfect sense though, thanks Glen!

I like the concept, might have to try a set.

That would be cool. But did wheel horse use a star pattern to hold the blades? Or is it just on by friction. Because of it was on by a star, wouldn't that make it so the lower blade can go out of position if it hits a stick or something?

All the old decks I have are just a hole. I would weld them together.

On my decks up there, the black stuff is "Slip Plate" or Liquid Graphite, the same stuff farmers use to lubricate their grain chutes.
Keeps moist grass from sticking to the deck, available from larger farm stores ($12/qt, $7 spray can), a qt will do 3 decks, use the spray for the spindle housing ribs, I first cleaned and etched the deck, then painted a white enamel so I could see where the Graphite did wear off, but it does last the whole season, about 60 hours of mowing.

If you weld the blades together, it may be harder to sharpen on a grinder. Nick a notch in the blades to a spot weld on just one. I have found a minimum of blade movement, but then our lawn is very nice, flat, level, & clean. Also, that's a standard 'factory' issue Wheel Horse Blade Wrench given with new C-series tractors, really helps in changing blades as it fits under the blade to hold the large nut there.

You're just full of good tips Glen, thanks!