Rear Finish Mower multi deck mowers

[DemcoEd]

I have a fairly large open area that I mow. This area used to be pasture. Presently I am using a 7' Land Pride rear mount finishing mower. The pasture has a couple of springs that tend to keep the grass growing well. I travel for my work and am only able to mow once a week and there are times the grass is longer than I would like when I mow. The 7' mower will leave windrows in those wetter areas which I don't like.

I'm told that a smaller deck doesn't windrow as bad as a larger deck. My thoughs are to look into purchasing a mower such has the Land Pride 4811. It has three 4' decks. This would allow me to cut down on my mowing time and also have the smaller decks that don't windrow as bad. (if that truly is the case)

Have any of you had experiences with a large mower like this. There are several brands such as Land Pride, Bush Hog, Woods and others Please give me pros and cons on your experience with these.
thanks

 

[JoeL4330]

"windrows" ? sounds like a side discharge mower ...might consider rear-discharge mower ...and/or, add a mulching kit and blades and you won't leave anything noticeable (although you must keep speed around 2mph)...

if grass is too high and mower cut-height too low, clippings build up underneath and "belch" out the rear spasmodically by pushing the deck up to disgorge...

 

[DemcoEd]

yes, windrows and no it is not a side discharge. As I said in my earlier post, I KNOW I am mowing the grass when it's too long and should have been mowed earlier, but it's pretty hard to do when you 300-600 miles from home.

Even with a rear discharge mower all the blades turn the same way and the grass clippings will discharge heavier on the side that it is being thrown too, even though it does discharge out the back.

I have tried standard lift blades, high lift blades, and mulching blades, all with minimual results.

 

[JoeL4330]

yes, windrows and no it is not a side discharge. As I said in my earlier post, I KNOW I am mowing the grass when it's too long and should have been mowed earlier, but it's pretty hard to do when you 300-600 miles from home.

Even with a rear discharge mower all the blades turn the same way and the grass clippings will discharge heavier on the side that it is being thrown too, even though it does discharge out the back.

I have tried standard lift blades, high lift blades, and mulching blades, all with minimual results.

I have a mulching kit (!) and mulching blades on my Befco...I just mowed 2ft high grass (been away) and goin' slow (~2mph or less, per instructions) I don't leave windrows ...I'm sure you know that just using mulching blades isn't the whole story: the "mulching kit" makes three circular "wind tunnels) that keeps the grass in motion for the "second" cut from the (two-level) mulching blades. Incidentally, I always cut with the deck set at the highest level (about 4-6 inches).

 

[DemcoEd]

there lies the big difference. I am wanting this to look like a lawn so I'm cutting in the 2.5-3" tall. Mowing at your height gives the grass clippings room to fall into the uncut grass. Yes, I have the mulching "kit" on as well.

Something I guess I didn't mention in my first post is how thick this grass is. I don't know what kind of grass it is but I wish my whole lawn was as thick as this stuff is.