Maybe someone here can give some advice concerning the relatively short life span of the blades on our riding mower. We have a Troy Built Horse hydrostatic 46" rider, the biggest Troy Built makes. The problem I’m having is very short life of the blades. Granted we do give the mower a workout as we have five acres and use it to mow about four of them. In the summer we are mowing just about every other week, the blades are only lasting about five out six mowing sessions.
What appears to be happening is severe wear on the leading outside edge of the blades. The end of the blade (about the last two inches of the blade end) up about half their thickness or less and rounded off at the end. My guess is the cause is the very sandy soil here in Florida, combined with the amount of mowing we do. I think the sand is acting like a sand blaster and just eating the metal down. How can I extend the blade life? Would sharpening every mow help?
I am aware that we are pushing this mower to it’s limit. But not by much, TroyBuilt recommends this mower for lawns up to four acres. We are in the process of buying a full sized tractor with a bush hog and that will be more than enough to do the job. But, we intend to purchase the full size in cash, so we have a bit longer to go until we can purchase it. Any advice would be appreciated.
Mow when the sand is damp ? Add topsoil of the sand ? promote the grass to grow in the areas where it is thinning out ?
You have at the moment, <sand , grass> , and I guess the grass isn’t growing well, and the sand forms sand dunes.
You want <sand , soil, grass> which would a. tend to remain level (once you levelled it), b, grow the grass well, and c. retain the soil/mud which sticks the sand down too.
johnpost’s suggestions are what came to mind first, for me. Mainly the ‘set the deck/mowing height, higher’. Isilder also offered a good suggestion, mowing in the early morning while the ground is still slightly damp should help prevent the blade from picking up a lot of sand. Other than that, the only thing I can think of would be what you’ve already thought of… More frequent sharpening of the blade.
If it were me, I would try the ‘higher deck and mow when it’s damp’ options, first.
YMMV
My old property was a sandbar in the Dismal Swamp, and the sand flew constantly. I was lucky to get 10 mowings out of a set of blades, 7 - 8 was more typical.
After moving to Maryland to a spot with much more clay content, I’m still using the original blade in my push mower well into the 3rd year, but it’s getting close to needing changed.
Reduce RPMs, and find some kind of groundcover that likes sand and holds it well; mostly get used to changing 2 or three time a year.
+1 for sand. I’ve got a friend who repairs equipment for a golf course. I help him out if he gets stuck on a repair. I’m a mechanic, he’s a grass guy.
Anyway, they dump a shit ton of sand on the course weekly, and it’s hell on blades. And they use reels, not blades. PITA to sharpen reels, and he has to do it weekly on 2 3-gang mowers.
Even though a bushhog’s blades are dull, they’ll still get worn down, and the grass - or whatever - will be rough cut instead of clean cut, although that may not matter.
Looks like a 20yo Ford 2 wheel drive and a hog will cost you about $25k.
You could pay a local service a $200 per month for 10 years with that! Make it their problem! You do the trimming, edging, and blowing so you don’t get nickel and dimed to death. And you can relax.
I’ve got 5 acres, 3 to mow. The first time I had some kid mowing the yard while I played in the pool with my son, I realized what was important!
These days I mow when I feel like it, and have it done if I’m busy.
That’s just it, there is a good covering of grass. No dunes. Still however, during mowing it’s like a mini sandstorm. The grass isn’t thick like sod, but typical of Florida.
