I hate grass raking! How can i avoid it? do i need a new tractor?

[JWR]

No shortage of opinions...Some observations:
-- 3.5 acres is big lawn to be mowing and there is no way I would get roped into doing it every 4 days. Has to be a better solution.
-- As people have said -- pull the discharge chute (actually I block mine pointed upward higher than normal) which works very well. Takes some playing with the chute and blocking angle innovations to get it optimum.
-- As one data point: I have a neighbor with a large JD riding mower who uses mulching blades. We alternate who mows a common area in a cul de sac. He can let the grass grow 3 or 4 more days and nearly twice as high as I can without causing any "hay rows." I have a Kubota BX2200 with 60" mid mount mower but standard plain smooth blades.
-- I am no fan of ZT mowers but that may be the fastest way to do the 3.5 acres (which I assume you want to look like a well kept lawn, not a meadow you mow once in a while.) No matter what you choose stay away from the big box store variety. There are several good brands of ZT (such as a Scag) and, with not so much $ concern, get a seriously good one with a wide deck like 72."
-- Seems like a good plan to wait and see on the B series compact tractors until you lease out the 11 acres (or know you can.) Then it makes sense to keep your attachments and replace the two B series compacts with a new one. I'd keep the 5ft rotary cutter too since leasing the 11 acres can have on again off again times in the future. You might also consider a 72" 3pt hitch finish mower when/if you trade up in tractors -- I hesitate to say that though because to me the MMM does a better job.

 

[shooterdon]

I have the height on the ZT set to 3”. Cut 1-1.5” off per cut. Never have clumps of grass. Use Gator blades. One hour to cut two acres.

KISS.

 

[workinonit]

Mulching blades don't do much without a mulch kit on your mower. I've run mulching kits on my mowers for 30 years and never have this issue. I cut at 1.5" so I don't cut but every two weeks or so.

 

[Hulk 101]

I do use the discharge chute and i do cut the grass very short! I work 11 hour days 6 days a week so it becomes a hassle to mow in the summer time, i don't get home until 6:30 pm so i eat dinner jump on the mower and try to be done before dark.

It seems like the ZT have deeper decks to. I don't really care how the yard looks i just don't like it tall and grass rows all over the place.

 

[Thomas]

If you can mow when grass good and dry,raise deflector guard more than half way,will take longer but mow little more than half deck....lawn sweeper???

 

[CH4Ohio]

I do use the discharge chute and i do cut the grass very short! I work 11 hour days 6 days a week so it becomes a hassle to mow in the summer time, i don't get home until 6:30 pm so i eat dinner jump on the mower and try to be done before dark.

It seems like the ZT have deeper decks to. I don't really care how the yard looks i just don't like it tall and grass rows all over the place.

There's the problem then. The discharge deflector takes 60" worth of clippings and lays them down in a thin strip. I've had several B mower decks and all of mine have had hinged spring-loaded deflectors. Just fold yours up and give it a try. I only use mine if I'm mowing an area where I'm concerned about throwing a rock, etc. Otherwise, mine is always folded up. (It's a safety device -- use it when needed.)

By the way . . . It doesn't matter whether it's zero-turn, etc. If there's a deflector it's going to windrow the clippings. I use a bungee cord to hold the deflector up on my ZT.

 

[RalphVa]

I've never raked grass unless I want it for mulch somewhere. Use all mulching mowers. Latest is a Ryobi ZT480e, 48v lead acid batteries. Will mow up to 2 acres on a charge. If you got an Ego with extra batteries, you could do 3 1/2 acres. However, gotta ask why you're mowing that much. Mow trails and then brush hog maybe once/yr.

Before the Ryobi ZT, we bought a Ryobi 40v "cross cut" 21 inch mower. Wive mowed our grass with it. With the ZT, I can do it (have neuropathy and a reattached left quad that has never stretched out).

Before going electric, we had an old JD self propelled mulcher and a Honda self propelled mulcher.

 

[deezler]

Don't cut your grass so low, is the simple answer. On my daily commute to work and back I pass a ton of nice estates that are mostly taken care of by the homeowners themselves. Some guys just insist on mowing at 2" high, scalping areas, throwing hay and clumps of grass everywhere, then not raking - frankly, it looks like **** and dies and turns brown easily. Taller grass is better for you, your yard, and the planet. Also guys, please don't mow 3+ acres every week, thats just an incredible waste of your life and gasoline.

I've only mowed my main "front" yard 3 times this year. My soil is sandy, but I mow at ~3.5" and let it get up to the ~6" range before mowing. It stays nice and green during droughts.

Other tips:
sharp blades (like, razor sharp)
keep your rpms up!
take the deck chute off like others said
never plan your yard paths so that you double down and re-mow past clippings - always blow away

There's no reason a Kubota mower deck shouldn't be useable - keep tweaking things until you sort it out. Yes, a zero turn has more blade speed and power, but you don't need to blow 8 grand when you already have a good mower deck. Sounds like you just need to change your perspective and approach more than your equipment.

 

[Ken45101]

Would a rear discharge rear mount mower help?

Ken

 

[newbury]

Rent a good sharp Manual Walk Behind Push Reel Lawn Mower (no bagger). Next time you need to cut grass use that for 1 hour. Use that to determine the size of your lawn.