Weird, repeated phenomena related to new mower blades… ideas?

[SubieRubyRoo]

So, my Ariens Apex 60 is coming up on 6 years of use and I’ll eclipse 200 total hours next week. The original blades had been in use the whole time without a single sharpening, but the cut was still nice and even, so why mess with it?

Anyways, I finally decided to replace the blades. I ordered a set of the Oregon mulching blades since Ariens does not sell a mulching blade. Trying to reduce clumping and piles of grass. Anyways, when I got the old blades off, I noticed the Oregon blades are easily twice as heavy and probably twice as thick.

On to the main question. Can a heavier blade actually improve gas consumption due to a heavier centrifugal (flywheel) effect? I’d always use roughly 5.5 gallons each time of use (about an hour 40 minutes) and with these new blades, I’m consistently using about 4.25 gallons over the 5 uses since the new blades. The cut time is still within 5 minutes, and there have been no other changes to the mower. I’m at a loss other than the heavier blade actually “helping” the engine be more efficient after it’s spinning, even though it obviously takes more energy to get them spinning… blade tip speed is 18,000 fpm.

Has anybody else seen something like this, or does the heavier blade idea make sense?

 

[TCL]

Sharper blades.....

 

[RhondaHonda]

The design of the new blades is probably more aerodynamic. Could it be later season grass is less thick too or did you always use the same amount of gas throughout the entire season?

You could sharpen the old ones and put them back on to see if the edge sharpness makes a difference.

 

[Lubener]

If each set of blades are equally sharp, a heavier blade will not lessen fuel consumption.

 

[mrsilv04]

Are these new 'Oregon mulching blades' what Oregon refers to as Gator blades?

 

[BigCahuna]

I'm leaning towards the old blades being dull, compared to the new ones. Being heavier to begin with, I'd sharpen them and give it a real world test. They should last longer unless you bend them to no return.,,,

 

[PontiacHO]

Sharper blades creates less demand on the engine.

 

[ragtoplvr]

The original blade was probably a mulching dual air flow, out side lift, inside blows down. These use more power to spin. I have also seen conventional "high lift blades" use more fuel than normal lift blades but less than the dual air flow blades. I love gator blades. High lift second. Mulching dual air flow I hate. Sharpness has an effect too. Sharpen slowly, do not
change the color of the metal to blue, gator is heat treated. Not all of them are.
Rod

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Are these new 'Oregon mulching blades' what Oregon refers to as Gator blades?

Yeah I’m pretty sure what they were called.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

The mower has always used roughly 5.5 gallons since new. The original blades are flat center (no mulching/ second cut bend in the middle) and I would call the tip design a medium-lift. Some kickup on the trailing edge, but the Oregon is both higher and serrated.

Ariens is the smooth blade.

 

[mrsilv04]

Yep. Those are Gator blades...

 

[jhellwig]

The heavy gator blades take a noticeable amount of power to spin but hog through stuff much better.

 

[researcher]

I put Oregon's Gator blades on lawnmowers before, yes they are definitely thicker and heavier! They do use a little more fuel because well... they're heavier to spin. But.. They power through thick grass and hardly bog down! I think of that extra weight as muscle to power through! I think they're the best blades out there and they do NOT leave any clumps behind.

 

[Slick3914]

I put Oregon's Gator blades on lawnmowers before, yes they are definitely thicker and heavier! They do use a little more fuel because well... they're heavier to spin. But.. They power through thick grass and hardly bog down! I think of that extra weight as muscle to power through! I think they're the best blades out there and they do NOT leave any clumps behind.

Agreed, a Gator blade transformed an expensive Husqvarna push mower I have into something usable. It cut awful with the stock blade, which weighed less than half of the Gator blade.

 

[Pablo]

I put three heavy blades on the ZT and set it at shave. Cherry mess under tree problem solved

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Machine blades will get dull even if you don't hit sticks and rocks..Just like a scissor or knife will, eventually. The sharper the blade, the easier to cut, hence, better gas mileage. You should sharpen blades once a season. It will save you're spindles and is good for the grass. Grass likes a clean cut. Helps avoid damage and mold. Clean out you're deck too Grass buildup causes rust/ rotting of deck.