Rear Finish Mower Bush Hog Finish Mower

[T Nichols]

I have decided on a Bush Hog brand Finish Mower 60". Now I need help deciding between the RDTH rear discharge or the ATH side discharge.

Thanks in advance

T

 

[RoyJackson]

Rear discharge spreads the clippings out more evenly.
Suggest you get the anti-scalping roller too.

 

[MikeInEburg]

Rear discharge lets me get close on either side without discharge chute getting in the way - thus it is my preference.
Mike

 

[07 LMM LTZ]

I would go with the rear discharge makes getting around objects a little easier no chute to have to worry about.

 

[Bird]

I bought the RDTH60 in 1999 and the salesman at the time told me he'd sell me either one for the same price, but he had the rear discharge in stock, but would have to order the side discharge. Of course this was a long time ago, but at that time he told me that a couple of years earlier he couldn't sell the rear discharge models; no one wanted them. And by 1999, he said it was just the opposite; none of his customers would buy a side discharge mower.

 

[easygo]

For the first time I mowed last weekend using a new to me Bush Hog FTH 720. It is a side discharge mower.

First of all the discharge chute folds up and out of the way for those who say that is a problem. It is not in the way at all.
Second the deck pumps out air at a volume that is just crazy. With the discharge chute up it spreads grass so well that I could see NO clumps.

Previously I mowed with a Kubota mid-mount mower and there is a big difference in the volume of air moved. The Kubota did leave some clumps of grass.
That said. I prefer a side discharge so I can mow and create windrows of grass or leaves so I can collect it for composting.

If you never want to collect grass or leaves this way you would probably be happy with the rear discharge.

 

[tillboy2001]

I had the RDTH72 rear discharge. I wouldn't even call it 'discharge' because with the chains hanging down back there, it doesn't discharge at all. Not a problem on reasonably short grass, but if you cut some taller stuff, you won't be happy with the look. It'll leave little piles/clumps. If I had it to do over a again, I would have gotten a side discharge and just kept the discharge chute up all the time for clearance. I didn't use it near any people or cars, etc. Mostly in the field. I got rid of it in favor of a rotary cutter since we didn't really need a finish mower anymore.

 

[Rickstir]

I have the 84 inch RDTH. I have not had any problems with it. Really like it.

 

[devildog1]

As you can tell by the reply's people sit on both sides. I have had both, side and rear discharge RFM's, also had a 60" mmm and what I can say is I prefer the rear. Because it seems to me that the grass clippings seem more uniformed and there is no clumps behind. Also you have to be careful with the chute so you don't hit it on anything when cutting close to an object. Yeah I know as others have said you can tie it up, but why have it then?
DevilDog

 

[Bird]

I prefer a side discharge so I can mow and create windrows of grass or leaves so I can collect it for composting.

If you never want to collect grass or leaves this way you would probably be happy with the rear discharge.

Good point. I used to have a Cub Cadet lawn tractor (mower) with the side discharge and each Fall I used it under my pecan trees. I'd start right at the tree trunk and go around the tree in circles mowing the grass just as short as possible and blowing the discharge out away from the tree; i.e., cleaned up under each tree to make it easier to pick up the pecans.