[quote=NormK]All good Too hard to get a blade off without going to a lot of trouble by I was able to measure the overall length which is 140mm[/quote]
Mr Norm,
Yeah I don't want trouble for you guys.
I was on the way up with the measurements myself Width: 50mm Total Length: 140mm Centre of hole to end length: 115mm Hole diameter: 16mm
Which lines up with the more detailed info on the GA Spares website for the HD blades, which is what I have: https://www.gaspares.com.au/products/BLS326H?q=h660&product_code=BLS326H&per_page=&product_page=&search%5Bcategory_url%5D=
Ok quick search on GA Spares by stepped blades, the Honda's are a tad long, but something like this might be the best idea - as essentially it's intended for the H660 and also has fluting which is handy for clearing the deck and getting a nice looking lawn: https://www.gaspares.com.au/products/BLS6394?q=stepped&product_code=BLS6394&per_page=24&product_page=5&search%5Bcategory_url%5D=%2F_product_types%2Fblades
Not sure of the effective step on it - I would imagine 5mm maximum?
Hmmm buggers to find, they'd also be the non-HD blades - so is the few mm in step worth the effort & lesser quality blades? Not sold on that.
I might have to give it a good thought as there's a significant chance that the H660, while a great machine just isn't a good fit for my needs here as she's too much of a cumbersome, hefty bugger. If it can't cut 10-20mm lower, she's also almost more of a pain than assistance - as yeah the SP is nice but I'm mowing a few days earlier due to it vs the utility & when it's a 5 day or so turnaround in peak Summer thats pretty significant.
Worst case I'll have to flog it on FB or Gumtree, but I can't say I'll be selling for as nice an offer as Norm does on his ones, ;-)
Have long thought that perhaps the hydrostatic SP on the Honda HRX217 might be a good match for the sloping terrain - but might chat about that in another thread.
The Honda blades here are roughly the same length at 143 mm but the stepped part is only 3 mm so not worth the effort to fit.
When I look up the Deutscher mower H660 there are already stepped blades available ,I don't know the measurement of the step you'd have to ask a seller.When I googled it I got 20 to 25 mm step?
Some other stepped blades I saw were for a 28 Cox Orion Stockman Ride on Mowers SKIT33 but I haven't compared the size.
[quote=maxwestern]Ok thanks for the specs Norm and Nick,
The Honda blades here are roughly the same length at 143 mm but the stepped part is only 3 mm so not worth the effort to fit.
When I look up the Deutscher mower H660 there are already stepped blades available ,I don't know the measurement of the step you'd have to ask a seller.When I googled it I got 20 to 25 mm step?
Some other stepped blades I saw were for a 28 Cox Orion Stockman Ride on Mowers SKIT33 but I haven't compared the size.
Cheers Max.[/quote]
Hi Max,
Ah you guys are very good at assisting - but I think we're finding the same things:
- concur the Honda's are too long and very little stepping - so not viable
- the stepped H660 blades are BLS6394, I'd linked earlier - as mentioned my reservation with these ws really only the stepping, but yes I could ask but I can't see anywhere much that has them in stock, even GA Spares seem out but I will email them so I can eliminate them and ascertain the effective stepping.
- the Cox Orion Skit33 blades are too long (150mm from hole to tip) and 13mm hole.
But much thanks for the recomendations
PS. Found a seller with them in stock: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/201457315689
Have messaged them & also GA Spares asking the size of the stepping and also the thickness of them. Will post up to assist others.
The Cox Orion blades would work ,there are some on ODK that the image shows the blade has a long fluted side so it could easily be cut down to the correct length and the smaller bolt hole is easily drilled or ported out with a small porting stone,these blades list the step at 10 mm.
That's if the images are correct as it always pays to ask first before buying but even if you shortened the blades and lost the flute they will still work on a slasher mower.
The Cox Orion blades would work ,there are some on ODK that the image shows the blade has a long fluted side so it could easily be cut down to the correct length and the smaller bolt hole is easily drilled or ported out with a small porting stone,these blades list the step at 10 mm.
That's if the images are correct as it always pays to ask first before buying but even if you shortened the blades and lost the flute they will still work on a slasher mower.
Cheers Max.[/quote]
Hi Max,
I put those ones in my cart earlier yesterday.....as yes they were the cheapest delivered and in stock, a good combo - waiting for GA Spares to reply with info on the stepping. The Ebay seller I also asked said,"All the info we have is in the listing" - lol so the good old days of checking your stock for a customer is long gone.
Yes, I did consider that with the Orion blades, but am hesitant to go cutting down blades etc unless theres no other option - the bolt hole being 13mm is also an issue as I don't have a 16mm cobalt bit, but I appreciate the suggestion.
Thanks again for the trouble and effort - its a credit to you and appreciated.
Got the reply from GA Spares about those blades, looks like they're a non-starter:
"it is only a slight step, its around 2-3mm."
So not viable at all for that type of tiny difference. So really it's either something like those Cox blades, which still will need the bolt hold enlarged and to but cut down in length. Or make some type of a spacer ring. Or perhaps just concede defeat with the H660 as a whole and move on from it to a smaller SP option for the sloping areas & in the hottest part of Summer.
Hi Nick, Do you have a Dremmel you can use to open the holes up, that is what I would be looking at, can't give up now after all that work you put into it
A small stone in a drill also works but I've also used Sutton High Speed Steel drill bits to drill broken drills,broken easy outs, high tensile bolts ,spring steel ,stainless ,hardened steel axles, mower blades, etc, Once I couldn't drill a truck clutch fork but it didn't have a hole to start with so I took it to a shop to drill which they didn't charge me for.
You just have to keep sharpening the drills.
I did see some other blades but would require more work as both ends would need cutting and will need a new hole drilled,they were 1/4 inch thick.
The step in these blades is 22 mm but you really need to see them to know if they can be modified as they are longer https://queenslandtractorspares.com.au/product/gessner-156-and-216-stepped-down-slasher-blade/
Thanks Max, yes I have a few of those types of stone sets, have used them before one some projects.
Yeah I'll have to look it all over - don't mind sinking more $$$ into it - but if I feel it's going to be still a big landbarge thats not overly handy I'll be batter off selling while it's nice and pretty and grabbing a lesser SP option (alas there's very few things on the market I'd really feel worth muster....perhaps a Honda HRX217 that has a hydrostatic SP system thats a tad more user friendly that the shaft driven HRU, or the Victa Mulchmaster 560, which I think they put a much better quality transmission in).
But don't want to get ahead of myself, so we'll see - thanks heaps for your assistance.
Hi Nick, Before you head off in another direction and are thinking of getting something else, I would look for a DeutscherY22 or 560, they are about half the size of the 660, they are a bit of a monster, the 22 is a baby beside them, much easier to use
The problem for me with using a Y22 is that it's only 1 inch bigger than a SuperSwift Big Bob , I guess at this stage if you can get the blades lower it's worth trying out the mower a few more times to see if you get used to cutting the grass with the H660 or decide that is too difficult and go for something else.
I've heard Honda had problems with the Automatic Compression release on Honda HRX217 with the hydrostatic SP mowers and have heard they fixed the problem on later models.The fixed mowers had a green dot on the cardboard box.
I found some stepped blades here ,9mm step , 172mm length , 3mm thick but I don't remember what mower I took them off.
I'd prefer a side throw when cutting a lot of grass as it's easier than constantly stopping to empty a catcher.
I tried lots of self drive mowers here and ride on mowers and push mowers and the $50. quad bike with a tow mower was the easiest on a hill.
There were a lot of different blades here https://www.jakmax.com.au/products/lawnmower/swingbackblades
Yes there isn't a lot of mowers with a tough driveline like Deutscher mowers.
I used an old Rover 21 inch Norm for years it was super reliable it was the later red one and I put a Quantum motor on it ,then I sold it as I stopped using it.
An old mower shop told me a lot of contractors used them when new as they lasted the longest when used every day compared to Victa and Honda.
I think there was a Big Bob 21 inch with a similar drive setup but I've only seen a couple of them .
[quote=NormK]Max, The thing with the Y22 is it has a decent gearbox in it, all the other self propelled have those dicky little fragile gearboxes in them[/quote]
Yes, the Y22's are well just a smaller H660/HE660 - so little tanks to be sure. Still bloody hefty things, IIRC around 80kg - but with that does come a lot of benefits.
Well the thing is and I am goign to word this carefully as I know I'm speaking with THE big boys of info on this site - but my understanding is there's perhaps a couple of SP mowers that are decently robust in their transmissions. but thats a tricky need to thread.
I've actually just written to Victas asking them to clarify the model of gearbox they have on their Mulchmaster 560, as I thought I'd read it'd been upgraded - as it initially was very looked forward to by Lawn Contractors (which I am NOT, but there's a few forums that they have which I've found invaluable for getting info and tricks on mowers - as well it's their stock and trade)...but while they'd initially hope it'd have been essentially a modernised and 4 stroke powered Mulchmaster 550 they had gearbox issues with them.
So tryign to clarify that one.
Same with the Honda HRX217, a lot of contractors seemed to like using it instead of the HRU216 - as having the hydrostatic gearbox this was seen as much more user friendly for use than the shaft driven 3 speed. Also had the nexite (Plastic deck) but crappier engine and bar blade rather than swingbacks - though easy work around to the latter.[quote=maxwestern]Yes there isn't a lot of mowers with a tough driveline like Deutscher mowers.
[quote]I used an old Rover 21 inch Norm for years it was super reliable it was the later red one and I put a Quantum motor on it ,then I sold it as I stopped using it.
An old mower shop told me a lot of contractors used them when new as they lasted the longest when used every day compared to Victa and Honda.[/quote]
I actually used something very similar back in the 1980's as a kid - side throw Rover with that drive setup, B&S engine on it - was a terrific mower. yeah hard to find things made like they used to , lol that goes for Max & Norm as well I'd imagine. ;-)
Give them credit Victa replied pretty quickly (a few hours) stated they use the GT-MC600 gearbox in the Mulchmaster 560, and they've used the same gearbox in it since 2016. https://generaltransmissions.com/en/products/mc-600-602/
Pretty ordinary gearbox, I must have mixed Victa up with the Maspot Contractor: https://masport.com.au/outdoor-garden-products/petrol-lawnmowers/contractor-/contractor-st-s21-3-n1-sp-k
I think it was masport who released and had to upgrade the Gearbox after issues. Seems they've used a superior gearbox to Victa, stating they use a 3 speed pro range gearbox from GT - Victa's one is from the residential range. https://generaltransmissions.com/en/product_category/gas-commercial/
Both are less robust than Deutscher but thats a very high standard.
Ok - going offtopic here, badly but hey in a small forum thats not modded to oblivion - I suppose we can do that. I can definitely rule out any future consideration of the the Masport, Victa or Honda HRX217. All seem to have major issues.
Is funny looking back at big brand SP mowers reminds me whiy I decided it was MUCH EASIER to push a 21" utility for the last 9yrs - rather than constantly repairing their overpriced and under spec'd junk.
Padding my post count here, I was just looking over the specs for the current Deutscher XF560, which carries a somewhat eyewatering $5000 pricetag (how is it Deutscher couldn't at that price spring for a better engine than the relatively vanilla B&S 850 or GCV190 Honda????? Seems a tad miserly).
Anyway noticed it's cut height is a low of 22mm.
Made me wonder what the H660 is rates and and oddly it claims 10mm! Which I'm not seeing in practice at all - will go measure on the floor of the garage but well off this - no idea why as the tyres are pumped up all to spec (20psi) etc.
A tad odd.
PS. Been meaning to ask this - when using the H660, I found the Low Speed terribly slow, whereas the Fast was a tad nippy, especially round obstacles (lots of Citrus trees) - is 'riding' the clutch(having in gear but applying varying levels of squeeze to the handle so the belt is pushed in/out a certain amount) in this style of gearbox an absolute no-no or vaguely acceptable?
I'd have thought it ok as the gears are engaged constantly, only the belt's tightness is altered.
