Rear Finish Mower side or rear discharge finish mower

[ray_reilly]

I'm looking at getting a finish mower 5ft and was wanting opinions on side verses rear discharge looking at King Kutter price 1095 and 1195 I have 5 acres mainly pasture already have 4 ft brush mower but looking for beter cut. Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[KennyV]

Get a rear discharge, very nice to get close on both sides when cutting around obstacles, also little or no clumping of grass … no windrows. You will love the finish cut over your rotary cutter /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif. KennyV.

 

[MrSteve]

More or less what Kenny has said, but I'll post my thoughts.

If it was me I would get the rear discharge…

Reasons…

Opening is much bigger to get rid of grass.

“I” think it gives a better looking cut because the grass isn’t in a straight line like it would be on a side discharge (mostly a problem when cut to long), BUT it could go a bit to the left of the opening because of blade rotation

IF you cut the grass when “wet”, less likely to get stuck in the discharge

Not as wide as a side discharge

“Maybe” lighter in weight (not sure on that one).

You don’t always have to cut the grass going in the same direction (left hand turns all the time with a side discharge)

Don't know if you were looking for cons, only thing I can think of, RD cost a bit more.

LOL I could come up with more if I think about it.

 

[jcmseven]

Ray,

I have had both and would echo the feelings of the other two posters. RD is better on a large RFM as it can trim well on both sides, and gives a great cut quality, and I do not think strains the engine as much as the clippings do not have to be discharged at high velocity out one side, making it easier on the engine, in most cases. The other factor is that most quality RFM companies focus on RD mowers more in the larger sizes, so they have more experience with them.

John M

 

[chim]

I like the side discharge decks. My first tractor had one, and now I have two on my current tractors. One thing the side discharge does is allow "raking" the leaves in the Fall...........chim

 

[sweettractors]

Our mowers have rear discharge and like the other posters have said, windrowing is not a problem. We have not had a customer request for a side discharge in over 3 years. We have 2 hold over display 5 ft mowers in red color with solid tires for $995 each + shipping. (normal price is $1295)--Ken Sweet

 

[GaryM]

I have a LandPride 60" rear discharge and wouldn't trade it for a side discharge. As said earlier, no windrowing and trim on either side.

 

[CTyler]

Both have advantages depends on what you want in the long run.

A side discharge is good for blowing leaves etc.. and if you want to connect a collection unit to it. Don't think you can do either with a rear discharge.

 

[sweettractors]

Our rear discharge mowers have the dovetail at the back and is on the verge of being a leaf mulcher, however, if a person wants to rake/windrow leaves for mulch or putting on the garden, the mower that we sell would not work as well as the side discharge--Ken Sweet

 

[TCarey]

I like the rear discharge because it thows the cutting "behind" you. So many times when I have worked with a side discharge, the dust and other cutting can get wrapped back to you by wind. I have found that I do not get any "blowback" from the rear discharge......