Factory blades are KING, they're engineered for that specific mower. Whenever you're adding another blade on something that was designed for one, its just going to ware down quicker and give you problems in the future. -lazerstripes
@americandream_89 I agree with you. As though a mower manufacturer does not have the resources and engineering expertise to design blades specific to their deck design, specified HP, RPMs, torque curve and cutting speed. Always have used genuine "Toro" blades on my... "Toro" ZTR mower and the cut I get could not be better - it is perfect!
Another great video, you have confirmed what I was thinking with the 6 blade set up. Personally, I think it's too much hassle and just another expense to keep up with 6 blades for not enough return on investment.
Very lovely family, and I am sure you are crazy about your children. Please tell me your precious little girl had hearing protection when riding with you with blades on your monster mower activated. Loud noise, particularly for a child, can result in hearing loss that can plague them their entire lives. Please do not take my post as criticism, but as a simple reminder. Very lucky man you are!
I currently have the X blade high lift and mulching blade as well. Ancient xone with 22hp Honda, vx4 60” deck. Same issues, slowed the blade, engine working harder, fuel use went up and discharge was actually less, especially in high grass. If just taking off. 1/2 “, does a great job. Absolutely stellar if double cut. However, planning to put the regular high lifts back on. Not seeing any real benefit- equal results at best.
I never put the factory 3” on it, only 2.5” has been run on it. They would work, never ponied up for them- can just about get 2 sets of 2.5 for one set of hustler. Just for giggles, going to try 2 sets of high lift to see what it does. I’ll let you know what it does. Curious- what is the max rpm yours runs at? Would like to see apples to apples rpm. You have much thicker and taller grass- so the HP difference should be minimal on my thinner grass.
I will stick with my high lift blades made by exmark on my exmark. The only thing is that it uses a little bit more fuel. Other than that it's fan fricken tastic in every way. I love high lift blades.
@@shawndubay4050 the other day my dealer brought me a exmark high lift. It’s so close to the Ballard high rise blade. I was surprised at how high the lift wing was on the exmark OEM high lift. It’s honestly one of the highest I’ve seen on a mower from factory
@@americandream_89 they really make a big difference in cut quality and really help with making your stripes shine. I am eventually going to get the steel roller/stripe kit that goes on the back of the deck. But the high lift exmark blades is where it's at as long as you have the horses to spin them. My new customers ask how does that mower not miss even one blade of grass and what is your secrets on those beautiful stripes?? I tell them the blades turn my mower into a vacuum that pulls the grass blades straight up and cuts them cleanly. The stripes are a result of the direction of travel, the high vacuum of the blades and the design of the mowing deck.
Sound like a broken record, but great video as always! I have not used the Ballard “X” blade system, but have used each of those blades, including the Ballard Golds. I am a fan of Ballard Hi Lift blades, but taking into account “all cutting conditions” I still prefer Deere OEM hi lifts for my 950r. The X system may be the ticket for mulching, bit who knows?
My neighbor has a 920 and I told them last month to try the Ballard high rise. They haven’t yet. I’ve seen good results from the high rise as well. Should I tell them to skip trying them?
@@americandream_89 No sir, I think they are definitely worth trying. Most people probably couldn't tell a difference in the QOC between the two. The Ballard blades seem to be made of a softer steel than the Deere OEM, but I'm not certain of this. Either blade produces excellent results. The 920 has a 23.5 Kawi, the owner may notice more of a power drag with the Ballard Hi-Rise due to the extremely high sail.
Do you feel like it’s better than just a high lift on your Deere? Also what grass type do you have? I’d be curious to hear from others just like you with different mowers. Thanks for the info
@@americandream_89 I had the 740r 60-in deck before and the fx730v struggled more than the FX850v, especially with the 60in deck. I tried the x blade with two mulch blades and honestly it wasn't til I tried the high lift in x blade but you do seem to need spare power. I've seen guys with bigger motors that don't flinch at the extra weight etc. But like many things, you do seem to find a bunch of different opinions on what works in that configuration. Mostly tall Fescue
You sweating yet ?? It’s in the 90’s ,very humid weather, no breeze, and you’re out in the heat giving us info 🙌🏼 Good video very informative, Thank you for sharing!!!
With the blades being stacked doesn't it make one blade 1/8" or so higher than the other? Yes i agree, it bogged engine and blade tip speed down. I like the high lifts myself. Marketing gimmick more than likely lol
Yeah the blades will have a height difference between them being stacked. This gives the bottom and top set 2 blade sets chopping together. It’s just not effective enough without proper blade speed and velocity
Factory blades are KING, they're engineered for that specific mower. Whenever you're adding another blade on something that was designed for one, its just going to ware down quicker and give you problems in the future. -lazerstripes
I agree mostly. I’ve seen great results from the Ballard high lift. Factory blades are 100% the best option though.
@americandream_89 I agree with you. As though a mower manufacturer does not have the resources and engineering expertise to design blades specific to their deck design, specified HP, RPMs, torque curve and cutting speed. Always have used genuine "Toro" blades on my... "Toro" ZTR mower and the cut I get could not be better - it is perfect!
Another great video, you have confirmed what I was thinking with the 6 blade set up. Personally, I think it's too much hassle and just another expense to keep up with 6 blades for not enough return on investment.
I figured this the whole time but many have said it’s the bees knees. So I thought I’ll give it a go and it no go 🤣
Very lovely family, and I am sure you are crazy about your children. Please tell me your precious little girl had hearing protection when riding with you with blades on your monster mower activated. Loud noise, particularly for a child, can result in hearing loss that can plague them their entire lives. Please do not take my post as criticism, but as a simple reminder. Very lucky man you are!
I currently have the X blade high lift and mulching blade as well. Ancient xone with 22hp Honda, vx4 60” deck. Same issues, slowed the blade, engine working harder, fuel use went up and discharge was actually less, especially in high grass. If just taking off. 1/2 “, does a great job. Absolutely stellar if double cut. However, planning to put the regular high lifts back on. Not seeing any real benefit- equal results at best.
What’s your thoughts on factory blades vs Ballard? Does the XOne run a factory 3” wide blade?
I never put the factory 3” on it, only 2.5” has been run on it. They would work, never ponied up for them- can just about get 2 sets of 2.5 for one set of hustler.
Just for giggles, going to try 2 sets of high lift to see what it does. I’ll let you know what it does.
Curious- what is the max rpm yours runs at? Would like to see apples to apples rpm. You have much thicker and taller grass- so the HP difference should be minimal on my thinner grass.
I will stick with my high lift blades made by exmark on my exmark. The only thing is that it uses a little bit more fuel. Other than that it's fan fricken tastic in every way. I love high lift blades.
@@shawndubay4050 the other day my dealer brought me a exmark high lift. It’s so close to the Ballard high rise blade. I was surprised at how high the lift wing was on the exmark OEM high lift. It’s honestly one of the highest I’ve seen on a mower from factory
@@americandream_89 they really make a big difference in cut quality and really help with making your stripes shine. I am eventually going to get the steel roller/stripe kit that goes on the back of the deck. But the high lift exmark blades is where it's at as long as you have the horses to spin them. My new customers ask how does that mower not miss even one blade of grass and what is your secrets on those beautiful stripes?? I tell them the blades turn my mower into a vacuum that pulls the grass blades straight up and cuts them cleanly. The stripes are a result of the direction of travel, the high vacuum of the blades and the design of the mowing deck.
Sound like a broken record, but great video as always! I have not used the Ballard “X” blade system, but have used each of those blades, including the Ballard Golds. I am a fan of Ballard Hi Lift blades, but taking into account “all cutting conditions” I still prefer Deere OEM hi lifts for my 950r. The X system may be the ticket for mulching, bit who knows?
My neighbor has a 920 and I told them last month to try the Ballard high rise. They haven’t yet. I’ve seen good results from the high rise as well. Should I tell them to skip trying them?
@@americandream_89 No sir, I think they are definitely worth trying. Most people probably couldn't tell a difference in the QOC between the two. The Ballard blades seem to be made of a softer steel than the Deere OEM, but I'm not certain of this. Either blade produces excellent results. The 920 has a 23.5 Kawi, the owner may notice more of a power drag with the Ballard Hi-Rise due to the extremely high sail.
I've got the High lift with their Hybrid Gold mulch in X -blade on my 760r 60in and its great.
Tried the mulch on demand kit and hated it.
Do you feel like it’s better than just a high lift on your Deere?
Also what grass type do you have?
I’d be curious to hear from others just like you with different mowers.
Thanks for the info
@@americandream_89 I had the 740r 60-in deck before and the fx730v struggled more than the FX850v, especially with the 60in deck.
I tried the x blade with two mulch blades and honestly it wasn't til I tried the high lift in x blade but you do seem to need spare power.
I've seen guys with bigger motors that don't flinch at the extra weight etc. But like many things, you do seem to find a bunch of different opinions on what works in that configuration.
Mostly tall Fescue
You sweating yet ?? It’s in the 90’s ,very humid weather, no breeze, and you’re out in the heat giving us info 🙌🏼 Good video very informative, Thank you for sharing!!!
Not gonna lie it was hot 🥵
I’m thankful to be alive and able to do this. Hopefully it will save others time and money 💰
With the blades being stacked doesn't it make one blade 1/8" or so higher than the other? Yes i agree, it bogged engine and blade tip speed down. I like the high lifts myself. Marketing gimmick more than likely lol
Yeah the blades will have a height difference between them being stacked. This gives the bottom and top set 2 blade sets chopping together. It’s just not effective enough without proper blade speed and velocity
BALLARD STUFF IS OVER PRICED
The right side looks better
I agree 👍 I don’t think there’s any replacement for air velocity and blade tips speed. Once you change those two very much cut quality diminishes.
No question the right side is much better!
For sure