side or rear discharge

[Anonymous Poster]

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]

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]

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

 

[2thdoc]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[BobinCols]

Rear discharge is the way to go.

 

[Mosey]

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]

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.