another finish mower question

[don123]

if i remove the chain guard from the rear of my rear discharge finish mower, would i get a better cut? slinging debris is not a problem, so safety would not be an issue.
thx
don

 

[shady1701]

95% of them don't have chains i've only seen it as an option on maybe a befco or some other high end model. i don't think it's a problem i hit a brick and several tree limbs and the baffling and angle of baffle on rear deflects everything pretty good plus the 1' from center blades seem not to be as potent in my opinion.

as always i'd just make sure there's no one in around 50ft area in and around mowing at least. But since the material is going rearward anyway it probaly wouldn't affect mower performance unless grass is high. my mower throws clippings around a foot rearward past the baffling so if it's clumping up it could be issue or too wet?

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I can't imagine why you'd get a better cut without rear safety chains on a rear discharge mower. By the time the chains get to the grass it's already cut unless you're backing up all the time. My Woods RD mower came with chains and I have no plans of removing them for any reason.

 

[yellowdog99502]

Gary,

What dealer did you get your RD mower from? Mine came out of Coldwater and we went round and round about the rear chains not being 'stock'.

Although Woods gives the buyer every impression that the safety chains are a part of the base unit, they turn around and maker them an option to the dealer. An option my dealer took.

Sorta like the front roller. The owners manual specifically shows it as an option while they remain silent about the rear chains giving one the idea the chains are stock. Their website and literature sure make it seem as though the chains are included with the base unit. I emailed Woods, their response was along the lines of "so?"

I ended up buying the guard, from a different dealer . . . . . and by the way, I love the mower.

Don

 

[Bird]

My Bush Hog finish mower came with the chain guard and of course I left it on. I agree with Gary; can't see how removing it would affect the quality of cut.

 

[don123]

would it not disperse the clippings better. mine seems to clump up a lot of grass, unless i cut it every week.
thx
don

 

[frank_f15]

i have a chain guard on my rfm, mabey if it was not on it would distribute the clippings a little more uniformly? i leave mine on , the only time i notice clumping is when the grass is wet(juicy) and the underside of the deck has a build up of dead grass. try it without it and see if it makes difference

 

[BradK]

I have a RFM, with the chains that and I was not happy about the way it was dispersing the clipping clumbs. i adjusted the rear of the deck a half spacer higher than the front and it appears to be working better. I also did not like the blades that come on it dulled to quickly so I got a new set slightly different design. it seems to cut better now.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Don,

I bought mine used so I don't know whether the safety chains came 'standard' or not. The New Holland dealer from which it was purchased new is closed and out of business after 58 years so I can't even call them and ask. Mine didn't have a roller on it, though. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[dixy1dog]

Gary, just wondering how much abuse a RFM will take. I run over alot of tree limbs with my JD 112 lawn and garden tractor. Some up to 3" in dia. They are usually dead and soft but on occasion I hit a hard one.Although it is not good for the mower there is not alot of damage.I did bend a spindle once. If I buy a RFM for my JD 4300 would this knock the blades out of time or do any other damage to it. I have heard of guys hitting bricks and other obstacles but no damage reports.Thanks Ken

 

[BrettW]

Also, what does the roller do for you? bw

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

The only way to really find out how much abuse anything will take is to go just beyond that level and break something. THEN you know where the line is... just behind you. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

If you're planning on mowing something like you described I'm not sure a finish mower is what you need. That's why there are rotary cutters out there. A finish mower is for mowing lawn-like areas, not areas with bricks, 3" branches, etc.

As to rollers, they are to help you eliminate scalping your lawn when the middle area of your mower would go over a slightly raised area.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[don123]

i am going to the dealer to have them look at the poor cut on the right side (see other post subject) and i will have them remove the chain and will report back as to the results. thanks to all for the input.
don

 

[dixy1dog]

I don't run over these limbs on purpose.But mowing trails through the woods ( in a couple weeks ) the grass and weeds get pretty tall. Limbs fall out of pine and poplar trees all the time .Its hard to see all of them and on occasion you hit one.I use a Woods 6' BH about once a month or less.But now and then you can still hit a rock thats worked its way up. I have never had a finish mower and have been mowing for about 38yrs.I was just wondering ----------if I bought a RFM ----- would hitting " something" once in awhile do alot of damage. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif