Rear Finish Mower Finish mower, rear vs. side discharge

[Harper]

I have a 72" Woods finish mower model 7200 (I think) rear discharge. Structurally it is a very fine machine. It is 3 years old and in great shape. I am mowing about 3.5 acres of fairly healthy coastal bermuda (North Texas) about every 5 days. It has been a fairly cool and wet summer, at least as far as N. Texas goes. My problem is that when I mow the thicker grass it leaves clumps. I know.........mow more often, No Way; mow slower, I do; take a smaller bite, in the thicker parts I am only cutting about 3 feet; keep blades sharp, they are probably as sharp as anyone else; it still clumps. As my yard has become healthier and more lush, these clumps are starting to bother me. I took my little John Deere 165 (an 18 year old tractor with a 38" side discharge) out the other day and mowed with no clumping. Time consuming but it looked nice, and still does 5 days later. So here is the questions:
Have any of you had the same problem? Is another rear discharge better than my Woods? Is a side discharge better? If so, which brand do you have? Thanks in advance.

 

[Freds]

Here are a couple of things I'll say... take them as you want.

A friend of mine that used to own a landscaping business told me you'll never see a landscaper using a rear-discharge mower. Something about the grass getting recut on its way to the side discharge.
The Brush Hog RFM that I used to have used to leave a lot of clumps until I took the rear chain guard off.

There is a lot already mentioned on this topic that I've read since being a member, but I don't feel the need to tell you to do a search. Just thought I'd mention what I've experienced.

 

[texbaylea]

I have a ten year old Land Pride side discharge that mows very well unless I let the grass get over about 7". Then leaves windrows. I like a side discharge since I can also sweep with it after I have cut the grass.

Vernon

 

[OhioGuy]

I've used a Woods RM59 for one season now and my experience has been that it discharges(side) much better in the tall grass than any of the 3 Cub Cadets I own. (60", 50", 44").I suspect it's a blade speed thing but I can cut 8" tall grass and it throws it probably the full width or more of the last row cut. I've been wanting to try it on my more manicured lawn the next time it got away from me due to rain.

Good Luck,
Curt

 

[Zoomie]

Harper,

I live north of Denton on a bit over 5 acres, my yard is also burmuda, and I have been mowing weekly as well.

I use a King Kutter 72" finish mower that is side discharge, and don't have a problem with clumping, even mowing the thick lush coastal that adorns the dam on my pond.

My mower cuts the grass pretty fine, and I'm happy with the side discharge style I have.

 

[MicroPilot]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...My problem is that when I mow the thicker grass it leaves clumps....)</font>

How big are these "clumps"? Is the underside of the mower clean, anything that could be obstructing the grass from exiting the mower and causing it to clump up?

I prefer my rear discharge because it allows me more more flexibility in the direction I mow. I dont have to worry about throwing cut grass into the uncut areas, or which side the discharge chute is on when mowing near a structure, etc. I haven't noticed any clumping, and it seems there is less grass cuttings in the yard versus using my neighbors Land Pride side discharge.

 

[JN4310]

I've had both, and would have to say I prefer rear discharge. When the grass is really long, either will leave clumps, but I find the cut quality is better with the rear discharge. The right side blades (next to the chute) on the side discharge decks seems to cut poorly when it gets overloaded with the discharge from the other blades. This happens when cutting more than 6", with a cut height of 3.5 to 4" in heavy bahia grass. 6" is less than a week's growth in summer.

 

[Harper]

Thanks for all of the advice. Freds may have hit on something when he mentioned the chain guard. Now that I think about it, that makes sense. Grass very wet right now so it will be a couple of days, but next time I mow it will be without the chain guard. Hope I don't lose a dog in the process. I will post the results.

 

[nitroxn]

Harper,
One more thing to try. I have the front about 3/4 inch higher then the rear on my finish mower. It is also a rear discharge. Grass clippings are cut 3/4 inch higher by the front of the blade then again but the rear of the blade. Makes grass clippings shorter, so they fall between grass easier.

Curtis

 

[Harper]

I don't know if anyone is interested however here are the results of my testing some of the suggestions.
1. There was some old grass stuck under mower, but not much. I removed that and made a pass. No improvement.
2. Operating manual said to raise the REAR to help the grass escape. May have helped a little but not much.
3. Put mower back to level and removed the rear guard chain. That did it! Still clumps slightly in the thick stuff, but big, big improvement. I did not see any significant debris coming out of the rear, however I did not hit any rocks.
Thanks for everyones suggestions.