side or rear discharge

Anonymous Poster · Apr 30, 2002

I am looking at a new TC21D and can't decide what is better a 60" mmm side discharge or a 60" mmm rear discharge? Does anybody have any pro's or con's to either?

thanks in advance.

Mrwurm · Apr 30, 2002

I've never used the rear discharge deck, but it sure looks appealing to me. I could cut both ways around my wifes numerous gardens and not spray grass clippings into them. A rear discharge deck may be in my future.
Jerry

BKColeman · Apr 30, 2002

I believe a rear discharge is less likely to leave windrows when cutting taller grass too.

2thdoc · Apr 30, 2002

I've got a 6' rear discharge MMM on my 33D and love it. Can mow close to things on either side of mower; no windrows. Only foreseeable problem is they're supposed to be a pain to remove and reattach to tractor.

Steelfan · Apr 30, 2002

My wife is into composting, and if I didn't have a side discharge mower, I'd be shot. I can push clipping in a little row for her. I do think the rear discharge would be better, no clogging, no winrows, and better mowing. That would have been my preference. Kent

Steve_in_Ont · Apr 30, 2002

As Kent says... The disadvantage of a rear discharge is that it can not be used to windrow the clippings... And the advantage of the rear discharge is that it will not windrow the clippings...

I really like my 60" Farm King 3ph rear discharge mower. Tough as nails, cuts very well, and cuts very fast. It seems to bounce around less than the TC21D does... which leads to a smoother cut. Much cheaper than the the NH MMM option. And much easier to remove.

crown · Apr 30, 2002

Go with the rear discharge you won't regret it.
Happy Mowing!!

BobinCols · Apr 30, 2002

Rear discharge is the way to go.

Mosey · May 1, 2002

I have a rear discharge 3pt mower and definitely prefer it over a side discharge. There is only one disadvantage that I have come across, and that is a rare, if ever, situation. It’s mowing in reverse. I have an area where it’s faster and easier to back up into the grass rather than go forward and turn around each time. If the grass is very tall, it tends to be a problem because there’s no where for the clippings to go. But, the advantages mentioned far outweigh this.

GlennT · May 1, 2002

I wanted a narrow (48 inch) rear mount mower so I can get between trees and between trees and fences. The only one I could locate was a Bush Hog side discharge. However, after using it for a bit I took off the side chute and bolted a 3/16 inch plate over the hole. It's the same principle as the "mulching kit" that is sold for some lawnmowers. My grass is too sparse to clog the mower so this has worked well. Because they can't escape as soon the clippings are cut up into smaller pieces and spread out evenly--no windrows. This won't work for anybody with a lush, thick lawn, but it works well for me.

keithcom · May 2, 2002

Another consideration in favor of a side discharge is using a MCS (Materials Collection System) for either the grass clippings or leaves (spring and fall clean-up) if that is a concern for you. If it isn't then I think a rear discharge has more advantages as discribed in the post above.
Guess it all comes down to what type of yard you have and your priorities.

See these websites for more info on MCS's.
New Holland also sells their own.

http://www.trac-vac.com/

http://www.bluebirdintl.com/index2.html

http://www.cyclonerake.com/index.html

Keith

Anonymous Poster · May 3, 2002

Thanks for all the information. I will purchase the rear discharge 60mmm.

PLanger · May 3, 2002

I wish I had both - the rear discharge for the reasons stated above and the side discharge (which I have) for mowing the ~ 2 miles of walking paths in my woods - it blows the debris clear of the trail - a lot nicer for walking afterward.

Geoff · May 5, 2002

I see I am posting late but I just went through this myself.
If you are mowing a lawn that never gets more than 6"-8" tall and you want the clippings distributed, rear discharge is the way to go. If, however, any of the following apply to you:
Mow in thick or wet conditions.
Mow types of grass that lie down or are flattened down by your tractor tires that need a high vac deck to draw into blades.
Need material collection.
Need the fastest mow possible for a given horsepower.
Then you should consider an air tunnel side discharge mower. For maximum vac specify the highest lift blades you can get.

Mosey · May 6, 2002

Geoff – I agree with a lot of what you said, except that side discharge is not the only mower that has high suction. My LandPride FDR2572 has individual chambers for each blade and high lift blades that really lift the grass well. It works so good I have to throttle back when I go along the edge of the driveway or I’ll suck up the stones and throw them all over.

shade2u2 · May 6, 2002

Mosey,
I was quoted $1750 for a Landpride FDR2572. How does that compare? Are you happy with yours?

Kodiak · May 6, 2002

Shade2u2
I just received my new First choice GM30 (72") Finish mower, And other than the belt guards I'd swear that its an exact clone of the Land Pride FDR2572. $870 for the mower and $317 shipped to my door. Thats from North Carolina to Washington State. Took 4 days can't argue with that. And it took all of twenty minutes to assemble it. $1850 quoted locally versus $1187, who am I to argue.
If interested call Buy Smart Inc. at 1-888-945-3102.

shade2u2 · May 7, 2002

Thank you. I will check them out. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
I am travelling to NC next week... Maybe I will be near them.

shade2u2 · May 7, 2002

Kodiac,
I called Buy Smart Inc, but they asked if I was a dealer./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif They are a wholesaler only.
How did you order through them or are you a dealer?
Thanx for the help...