Center hole
Bow-tie (H-pattern) blade hole and Oregon's rectangular match
Bow-tie, also called H-pattern, is named rather than measured. Oregon replaces MTD-built bow-tie walk-behind blades with blades whose rectangular hole fits the adapter.
Also listed as H-pattern, bow tie, bowtie
Short answer
A bow-tie hole, which USA Mower Blades also calls H-pattern, is named, not measured. Oregon says MTD-built walk-behind blades with a bow-tie hole are replaced by Oregon blades with a rectangular center hole that fits the bow-tie pattern on the blade adapter. Troy-Bilt lets shoppers filter its blade adapters by bow-tie.
Key facts
- How to recognize it
- A hole shaped like a bow tie or the letter H: wider at the two ends than in the middle.[1]
- How to measure or name it
- Identified by name rather than measurement; USA Mower Blades treats H-pattern and bow tie as one name.[2]
- What it mounts to
- The blade adapter: Oregon says its rectangular hole fits the bow-tie pattern on the blade adapter of MTD-built walk-behinds.[3][4]Oregon's statement for MTD-built blades only.
- How catalogs name it
- Oregon's catalog records "bow-tie" (for example 98-094). Troy-Bilt offers "Bow Tie" as a filter for its blade adapters.[1][5]Troy-Bilt shows the pattern only as a site filter, not per adapter part.
- Blades made with it
- Oregon 98-094 is recorded with a bow-tie hole.[1]
- Mowers and decks that use it
- Oregon: MTD-built walk-behind mowers with bow-tie blade adapters.[3]No model list in the sources read.
- Common mix-ups
- Oregon's rectangular hole and a bow-tie are different shapes that Oregon pairs on MTD-built adapters. Do not extend that pairing to other makers, and do not read a supplier's claim that H-pattern holes suit several spindles as fit approval.[3][2]
- Not confirmed
- Not confirmedHole dimensions, model lists and which Troy-Bilt adapters carry a bow-tie.
Watch out for
- Never drill, grind or file a center hole to fit, and never fit a blade whose hole does not match your spindle or adapter.
- A bow-tie blade sits on an adapter; a worn or wrong adapter is its own part. Match the adapter part number too.
This page describes a hole shape. It is not a fit list: use the blade's part number and your mower's model.
Questions
Is H-pattern the same as bow-tie?
USA Mower Blades uses H-pattern and bow tie as one name, and identifies it by name rather than measurement.[2]
Will an Oregon blade with a rectangular hole fit my bow-tie adapter?
Oregon says its rectangular hole fits the bow-tie pattern on MTD-built walk-behind blade adapters. For other makers that is not established.[3]