Side vs rear discharge mowers

[Charlie175]

I have a rear mount KingCutter 60" finish mower that is rear discharge and I find it leaves most of the clippings to the left side and clumps the grass if I go to fast. My Cub Cadet 1811 50" deck is a side discharge and throws it a long ways out spreading the clippings nicely.
I've spoken to several dealers who say that the rear discharge mower is better once you reach the 5' foot width.

What is your experience with these types of mowers?

I'll add that it does cut the grass nice and clean.

Thanks

 

[MikeInEburg]

I prefer rear discharge for two reasons:
1. You can mow close on both left and right - no chute to get in the way.
2. It tends to not "windrow" the clippings - generally dispersing better.
Mike

 

[daBear]

I was having problems with my rear discharge bush hog finish mower leaving windrows of clippings. After a long and aggravating trouble shooting process we found out it was from the rear safety chains. They were raking the clippings up into little piles and clumps. I removed the chains and all is well now. Except I don't have safety chains hanging down.

 

[Retired Iron Peddler]

I use a Bush Hog 6' finish mower behind my L3830. I've found that if I cut the grass more often, travel slower, and keep the mower near the rated 540 PTO rpm, it does a very good job and distributes the clippings evenly.

I mow part of our place with a John Deere 345 with a 54" mid-mount side discharge mower and part with the Bush Hog finish mower. The rear discharge Bush Hog mower does a better job of distributing the clippings evenly.

Bill

 

[Charlie175]

Doesn't have chains in the back, but it does have a rubber strip mat for safety. I'll have to watch and see if that is blocking the outflow of the grass.

 

[radman1]

I previously had a rhino 6' side discharge which I traded in on a 7' rear discharge. I never like the cut of the 6' and it struggled more in the heavier grass and would clump at the discharge chute. With the rear discharge, I can cut at a faster pace and get a better cut, especially in taller grass. I think it is in large part because the clippings can get out faster and are spread more evenly. Also without the side chute, I can mow any direction and don't have to watch out for obstacles with the chute.
I bought the 6' rhino at an auction for $800 and it was in very good condition and used one year. I bought the 7' rear discharge new for $1800 and the dealer gave me $1200 for trade in on the 6'. I nearly screwed up the deal. The dealer looked in his book at his cost for the new 7' mower and looked at mine. Then he said it would be $600. I thought he meant $600 for my 6' used mower. I said I was hoping for a little more. He said "You want to pay more than $600." I tried to cover up by saying I misunderstood what he said.
I still have a 60" KK side discharge which always seemed to cut better than the rhino in the same mowing conditions.

 

[Charlie175]

I'll have to test it more to see what the deal is.

Thanks for the help.

 

[radman1]

Doesn't have chains in the back, but it does have a rubber strip mat for safety. I'll have to watch and see if that is blocking the outflow of the grass.

I don't have a flap or chains on the back of my 7' rhino. The metal is slightly angled down but otherwise open.

 

[schmism]

my 72" MMM is a side discharge. the rear discharge decks are built a lot diffrent as to not haveing to toss all the clippings out the right side.

If i leave the discharge flap down, it windrows so bad it looks like ive raked it and am going to bail it.

IF i had to choose i would pick rear discharge.

 

[zzvyb6]

My 84" LandPride is rear discharge, no complaints. My 72" side discharge mowers (MMM and F935 front) also work well. Chute issues near fences.

However, I hook my leaf and grass vac up to the side dischargers and it looks like a golf course. No such ability with the rear discharge. Grass vac is my own version of weed seed control: Suck them up..

I just ordered Gator blades for the 72" mowers. Promise is for smaller size of clippings and (theoretically), no windrowing.