Craftsman 42" mower deck - what is the purpose of this metal flap????

[kebo]

With all the rain we've had in the South this spring/summer, cutting grass has been a nightmare!! Even when the grass is dry (no condensation on the blades or recent rain) the grass clippings have so much moisture content, that the deck still gets grass clippings to stick and build up and start clogging underneath it. I only get to cut my parent's grass once a week and my dad is 82 so he's not able to do it by himself.

The 42" deck on my parent's Craftsman mower has a small metal flap on the leading edge of the deck. See the pic's. I can tell no useful purpose for it to be there, but I can tell you that when I cut the grass when it's wet it allows grass clippings to stick and build up in a big clump on top of the flap (with the mower in the normal cutting position). I believe that this inhibits the blade on the farside (from the discharge chute) to discharge clippings. So then the grass starts clumping up underneath the deck even worse, and it just snowballs from there.

I am tempted to take my sawzall and cut the flap off, just no idea why the designer put it there???? Anybody know?? Does it have something to do with the vacuum the blades create, maybe help generate more upllift for better cuts?? Anyone ever cut the flap off of their deck?? If so, notice any difference? It's been a real struggle to cut their grass once a week, so looking for any help to make it cut better!!!

 

[Gary Fowler]

It looks like it is supposed to channel the clippings toward the discharge chute. Carefully remove it if you want so you can weld it back on if a drastic change in flow occurs. I would think that it should work better if it is clogging now.

 

[wyeguy]

The "flapper" on my craftsman deck was mounted with 2 or 3 small bolts. I took it off because of the same clumping issue, but put it back on to better direct grass to the discharge chute. I don't like the design at all, but having it on was the lesser of two evils for me.

 

[djdicetn]

With all the rain we've had in the South this spring/summer, cutting grass has been a nightmare!! Even when the grass is dry (no condensation on the blades or recent rain) the grass clippings have so much moisture content, that the deck still gets grass clippings to stick and build up and start clogging underneath it. I only get to cut my parent's grass once a week and my dad is 82 so he's not able to do it by himself.

The 42" deck on my parent's Craftsman mower has a small metal flap on the leading edge of the deck. See the pic's. I can tell no useful purpose for it to be there, but I can tell you that when I cut the grass when it's wet it allows grass clippings to stick and build up in a big clump on top of the flap (with the mower in the normal cutting position). I believe that this inhibits the blade on the farside (from the discharge chute) to discharge clippings. So then the grass starts clumping up underneath the deck even worse, and it just snowballs from there.

I am tempted to take my sawzall and cut the flap off, just no idea why the designer put it there???? Anybody know?? Does it have something to do with the vacuum the blades create, maybe help generate more upllift for better cuts?? Anyone ever cut the flap off of their deck?? If so, notice any difference? It's been a real struggle to cut their grass once a week, so looking for any help to make it cut better!!!




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I'm not 100% certain, but I would agree with the user that recommended that if you remove it be prepared to weld it back if necessary. IMHO, one of the purposes of this is to ensure that "rotating grass clippings" STAY inside the deck enclosure(and ONLY exit via the discharge chute). What you may discover is that when removed and you are cutting 'dry grass" that you will end up with a "faceful of grass clippings" as you mow not to mention grass clippings all over the topside of your deck, engine, etc. Not exactly a better option to cleaning the grass clippings out from under the deck after mowing....right?:0(

 

[kebo]

I'm not 100% certain, but I would agree with the user that recommended that if you remove it be prepared to weld it back if necessary. IMHO, one of the purposes of this is to ensure that "rotating grass clippings" STAY inside the deck enclosure(and ONLY exit via the discharge chute). What you may discover is that when removed and you are cutting 'dry grass" that you will end up with a "faceful of grass clippings" as you mow not to mention grass clippings all over the topside of your deck, engine, etc. Not exactly a better option to cleaning the grass clippings out from under the deck after mowing....right?:0(

FYI, the mower deck is not "sealed" around the spindles. There are small vents around both spindles that already allows grass clippings to accumulate on the top of the deck around the spindles. Kind of a crappy design, imho. Not sure how I would end up with "a faceful of grass clippings" simply by removing that flap though. They can only discharge through the chute, and with the speed of the blades and the air flow, the clippings get thrown out horizontal. Now, on windy days when I turn the mower with the chute facing into the wind, I sometimes get a faceful of clippings lol.

 

[djdicetn]

FYI, the mower deck is not "sealed" around the spindles. There are small vents around both spindles that already allows grass clippings to accumulate on the top of the deck around the spindles. Kind of a crappy design, imho. Not sure how I would end up with "a faceful of grass clippings" simply by removing that flap though. They can only discharge through the chute, and with the speed of the blades and the air flow, the clippings get thrown out horizontal. Now, on windy days when I turn the mower with the chute facing into the wind, I sometimes get a faceful of clippings lol.

Yep, I had a 2006 Craftsman YS4500. The spindle design is supposed to help make the grass "stand straight up" from the air going up though those spindle vents/baffles, but shouldn't contribute to a LOT of grass clippings(although I did have to clean it out from around the spindle housings on top of the deck after each mowing). That was definitely "intentional" by design. If you remove that flap...I hope I'm wrong about it allowing grass clippings to escape from the underside of the deck out the front of the deck instead of being channeled out the chute opening:0)

 

[SSdoxie]

it just bolts on with 3 carriage bolts. I hit the lid of water meter box with mine and folded part of it back under the blade. Took it off to finish mowing and haven't noticed any difference in cutting quality. That was 2 months ago and still straightened it out to put back on, probably won't either.

 

[grsthegreat]

its what is referred to a vortex baffle, and according to my repairman, its main function is during mulching and discharge of grass clippings. Nice clog point.

It would probably work just great without it

 

[kebo]

it just bolts on with 3 carriage bolts. I hit the lid of water meter box with mine and folded part of it back under the blade. Took it off to finish mowing and haven't noticed any difference in cutting quality. That was 2 months ago and still straightened it out to put back on, probably won't either.

This is what I was hoping to find out!!!



Quote: "its what is referred to a vortex baffle, and according to my repairman, its main function is during mulching and discharge of grass clippings. Nice clog point.

It would probably work just great without it"


You've noticed that too, huh?? :laughing: Gonna take the baffle as soon as I can!