Which riding mower has the most suction?

[DHargrave]

Trying to find a riding mower with the best ability to pick up leaves, clippings and yard debris. Tried the JD L-111 and am testing a JD LTR-180. OK tractors but weak on suction. Does anyone have experience with the JD power flow option or have an opinion on what brand/type of mower has the best bagging air flow system to pick up lawn debris like leaves etc?

Thanks,

 

[slowrev]

Any rider with a convertible mulching deck ?
Ben

 

[Gatorboy]

The blades under the mower deck create lift, I'm not sure about suction. They do make vacuum units that you can mount to a tractor which can attach a chute to the discharge portion of your mower deck and bins mounted to the back of the tractor to collect the clippings, leaves, etc.

 

[slowrev]

I have heard that some brands really suck. But due to anti bashing rules I can't say more /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ben

 

[_RaT_]

Without a doubt, of all the mowers I have owned or tried, the Snapper's have haved the best vacuum ability. The problem with Snapper was the old riders used a "disc" drive that in my opinion was mediocre at best. I still have my Snapper 21" purchased in 1976 and a Snapper ride on purchased in 1988. Both really suck, but if I were buying a rider, I don't think Snapper would be in my future. The push mowers are still quite good and available with Honda engines.

 

[beenthere]

I have had the power flow on the 400 series and now the X series Deere, and manage to pick leaves and debris up quite well. Debris includes pine needles, pine cones, some acorns, wet and dry leaves, and some pretty good size sticks.

As to the question, how could anyone have such vast knowledge to be able to answer which has the most suction? How would one measure it? Too many variables to pin that down to a specific answer.

What I have works, and works good. But no way could I or would I say it is 'the most' even tho I might think that /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. I have no experience with any other.

I suspect (don't know) that the pick-up systems with the auxillary engine driving a separate 'blower' could have more suction as long as the mower deck and blades can deliver the grass and leaves over to the inlet of the 'system'. Mulching systems doubtfully can do that as they are designed to drop things down and chopped up.

You don't have an easy question to figure out. Good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[slowrev]

I have a self propelled mulching walk behind mower. It has a chute to convert it to a bagger or blow the stuff out the side. With a bagger it picks up everything. Mulchers are designed with high lift to keep sucking up the clippings and reducing them into finer and finer pieces.
Ben

 

[beenthere]

I agree /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[fig]

Like Gatorboy said; I think it really deals with your blades. I have a 42" and a 46" Murry mower with baggers and the OEM blades are crap. I can't remember the brand name of the blades I went to, but I purchased them from HD. They are better thicker blades and provide more air movement under the deck (suction) and hold an edge longer.

The OEM blades (supposed to be for bagging and mulching) would clog the chute with dry leaves. These blades will allow the mower to pick up acorns, small gravel, and leaves without much fuss.

If you are trying to bag grass clippings; you will have to slow your speed of travel down quite a bit. Just my experience.

Fig

 

[wushaw]

I have a Snapper 28" hi-vac rear engine rider that I use to mow thorns and junk (mini bushhog) and it will pick up everything and that's why I use it to shred Mesquite and Honey locus thorns after removing trees.
I just use the standard OEM style blade.

 

[_RaT_]

I use the Snapper high lift blade which is nothing more then the standard blade with wings bolted on. Perhaps its the design of the deck with its rolled under edges, but the 33" I have can pull, push and bag wet grass quite well.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I had the same set-up as Rat. Snapper 30" cut with wings bolted on the blades to provide more air folw. This thing would pick up about anything.
After 18 years I replaced it with a JD LX277, 42" cut and it bags great.

I don't think any one mower would be the "best" but I do think it is a combination of the deck and blades. A good dealer should be able to show you this.

We I was looking at the JD I was advised that if I go larger than 42" deck I would need the attachment (JD power flow) to assist in bagging.

IF we are talking about the same type JD power flow there is a belt that runs from the deck to the attached fan. I have never used one but I have talked to people who have them and they say they work excellent. If I had bought the 48" deck I would have gotten one but could not justify the cost for 42" vs 48". And I did not like the fact that the belt wes exposed.

 

[georgeT]

I also have a snapper hi-vac riding mower. I have found that the only limiting factor to how well it will vacuum is the collection bag feed tube. When going through large piles of wet leaves or very tall grass, this tube will clog up on me. But other than that, it will pick up just about anything small enough to make it under the deck, including sticks and the occasional black walnut.

 

[KentT]

The one with the most suction surely must be either a Husqvarna or a Sears, since both are made by American Yard Products (AYP) a division of <font color="red"> Electrolux </font> /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[DHargrave]

Wow. I'm really impressed with the speedy and helpful responses. I'm not at all familiar with Snapper line of mowers but will make some net checks to see their offerings. The JD LTR-180 has a set of blades with enormous wings and the blades are counter rotating and fixed in relationship by the use of a cog belt drive. Since debris exits through the back of the tractor I had expected some spectacular clean up of clippings leaves needles and the like. Sorry to say it's no better than my old tired worn out MTD.

For what it's worth, my experience with the JD L-111 with 42" cut was worse. Only the left side of the deck would pick up stuff. The air flow tends to push out the front on its way to the exit chute on the right hence it blows leaves on the right side of the mower deck away from and not into the mower deck. Thanks again for the input.

David.

 

[Boog]

I had an LT133 Deere with 38" 2 blade deck that was GREAT on "suction" (lifting things from the ground.) I recently replaced it with a GT235 with 48" 3 blade deck. I love the 235 but the cut quality and "suction" is nowhere near as good as the 38" on my old LT133. That small deck would make a louder whirring noise than the 48 inch deck and it would throw things out the chute with more force than the 48 incher. I don't know about the L series department store Deere decks, but I am a believer in the smaller ones on the real Deeres.

 

[Ford850]

The higher the blade speed, the better the suction. Commercial Z style mowers have the highest speeds. Ask about blade speed when you are researching.

 

[Wannafish]

My old MTD really sucks...though I don't think that is what you were referring too... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Kevin Krieger]

I had an LT133 Deere with 38" 2 blade deck that was GREAT on "suction" (lifting things from the ground.) I recently replaced it with a GT235 with 48" 3 blade deck. I love the 235 but the cut quality and "suction" is nowhere near as good as the 38" on my old LT133. That small deck would make a louder whirring noise than the 48 inch deck and it would throw things out the chute with more force than the 48 incher. I don't know about the L series department store Deere decks, but I am a believer in the smaller ones on the real Deeres.

I have a Deere Lt155 which is similar to the Lt133 except it is hydrostatic. The Lt155 has a 38 inch deck and ever since I bought it (14 years ago) I do not rake at all. I blow all leaves off of concrete and gravel on to lawn where I can bag them all. I'm talking a lot of leaves also. I've kind of looked for a new mower and have heard the new Deere's don't bag as well as mine, and the dealer said they were redesigning bagger for next year. I guess I will wait since my Lt155 has been bulletproof.

 

[ASTROENG2011]

I have a Cub Cadet GT3204 with a 48" deck. I have replaced the standard blades with higher lift blades from Oregon "Gator" brand. It will pick up cleanly a standard swath of 3" tall St. Augustine grass and any acorns under it if I go slow enough. Just depends on the mower deck, travel speed, how much you are trying to pick up and how far you are trying to push it.