Z-track grass clippings

   / Z-track grass clippings #1  

bigtiller

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Joined
Feb 1, 2006
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6,411
Location
central Iowa
Tractor
John Deere 2720 John Deere 3039R John Deere Z545R
A 60" mower deck with side discharge on my ZTR, leaves the machine and me covered head-to-toe with grass clippings.

I'm debating purchase of a rear discharge ZTR for that reason only.

Are the rear discharge decks any better at keeping the operator cleaner?
 
   / Z-track grass clippings #2  
A 60" mower deck with side discharge on my ZTR, leaves the machine and me covered head-to-toe with grass clippings.

I'm debating purchase of a rear discharge ZTR for that reason only.

Are the rear discharge decks any better at keeping the operator cleaner?
Be cheaper to buy the mulching kit for what you have, I would think. If available.
 
   / Z-track grass clippings #3  
I purchased my first ZTR last summer and got a bagger kit with it. Tried it out on some Cottonwood leaves that fell early in September due to dry weather. It was hot so I was sweating. I swear, I looked like a tree trunk when I got off that machine. Completely covered in dust and leaf grindings.

Hoping for a little rain before I start fall leaf pickup in earnest....
 
   / Z-track grass clippings #4  
Hoping for a little rain before I start fall leaf pickup in earnest....
I've heard of rain :)
Came down from Virginia to Fulton, Ms. about October 1st. We have not gotten a drop of rain yet. And Weather Underground is only predicting 0.02" on the 30th.
 
   / Z-track grass clippings
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Be cheaper to buy the mulching kit for what you have, I would think. If available.
I purchased my first ZTR last summer and got a bagger kit with it. Tried it out on some Cottonwood leaves that fell early in September due to dry weather. It was hot so I was sweating. I swear, I looked like a tree trunk when I got off that machine. Completely covered in dust and leaf grindings.

Hoping for a little rain before I start fall leaf pickup in earnest....
I bought the Z new last year, and have already checked with the dealer.
A bagger isn't offered for my mower deck.
And a mulching kit is not for me, my yard is about 3 acres.

I imagine with a tail wind it will get a little dusty but I'd like to hear from some owners about just how bad it actually gets.
 
   / Z-track grass clippings #6  
Try changing mowing patterns to blow swarf away from you? Are you using the deck chute?
 
   / Z-track grass clippings #7  
Theres no point in bagging when you can just mulch everything in. I would try a mulching plug before you do anything else.
 
   / Z-track grass clippings #8  
I bought the Z new last year, and have already checked with the dealer.
A bagger isn't offered for my mower deck.
And a mulching kit is not for me, my yard is about 3 acres.

I imagine with a tail wind it will get a little dusty but I'd like to hear from some owners about just how bad it actually gets.
What does the size of your lawn have to do with a mulching kit? I cut at least that much grass and both of my ZTRs have mulch kits. I've been running them since 2002 and wouldn't own a mower without it. The best part is how it makes leaves disappear.
 
   / Z-track grass clippings #9  
We have a 60" rear discharge on our Z930M, it was a $1k upgrade over the side discharge & took a custom build order to get in our area.

A flap across the back directs clippings & dust down but you can still get some accumulation from wind blown trash. Much less, however, than side discharge with the deflector removed or open.
 
   / Z-track grass clippings
  • Thread Starter
#10  
I cut at least that much grass and both of my ZTRs have mulch kits. I've been running them since 2002 and wouldn't own a mower without it. The best part is how it makes leaves disappear.
Total time spent mowing.

Aren't we supposed to mow more frequently when mulching?

I live on a knoll in a corn field, leaves are not a problem.
 

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