ZD331 Zero turn mower - side or rear discharge decks?

[Knifemaker]

I currently have a Kubota side discharge, 60" deck, ZD331 that was purchased 6 years ago. It has been an incredible mower. I've used it to mow my yard as well as small horse paddocks. My only complaint has been having to deal with the dust and clipping debris that blows all over me when mowing in breezy weather or when making turn backs. I have dealt with the piles of grass that are discharged if the grass gets a little too long and I have dealt with clippings that manage to blow onto the driveway, the sidewalk, flower beds, etc. They don't make me happy but I have means of dealing with the issues. Roughly 1 1/2 years ago I bought an 11 acre property about 5 miles north of Orange Beach, Alabama. The property has now been cleaned up with a tractor, a couple hundred fruit trees have been planted, and I need a good lawn mower to keep the grass and weeds mowed. My original plan was to buy a new zero turn mower (perhaps a Gravely) to keep at the coast. BUT, I started thinking about the possibility of purchasing a new REAR discharge mower (probably a Kubota ZG327R) to use at home and sending the ZD331 to South Alabama. I've tried to read earlier posts about the pros and cons of the side discharge vs. the rear discharge. In addition to the ZD331 I have a Kubota L4740 tractor with a Bush Hog finishing mower that I normally use in the larger horse pastures. I really like the way it distributes the heavy clippings behind the tractor. It seems as though with the side discharge mower I have to overlap the inside 6" with every pass in order to obtain an even cut. Please weigh in and help me make an informed decision.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've bought "several" Kubotas and several side and rear discharge decks.
I owned a Kubota F 2680 60" read discharge deck for about 4 years and also bought a F3080 72" rear discharge deck for home hillside mowing. Sold/traded to Barlows the F2680 and got another F3080 72" side discharge deck. I only hate the side discharge deck every time I use it. If I'd never owned a rear discharge deck I'd be living in ignorance and probably be OK. I thought I'd try the side discharge and just see like I've tried several different models of Kubotas to decide which better suits my needs.
The rear discharge laid/lays the cut grass (mowed Wed with rear discharge deck and Thursday with side discharge deck) level out over the ground and it doesn't matter which direction you mow, like in a circle or to the end of the long row and back on the right or left un cut part. It just lays it cut in the middle. At home my sid eone has big clumps of grass all over my yard after it blowing all over me every time the wind shifts and cut a couple more trees with the discharge chute edge which can't/don't happen with the rear discharge.
Wish someone locally would order a new F3080 and request a side discharge 72" deck and Barlows tell them they can get a slightly used one for $100 less. I'd take the new rear discharge deck in a heart beat and give my side discharge and $100 and feel great all the way home.
Oh, did I say how bad I hate the side discharge deck?:thumbdown:

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I'd buy them a brand new set of blades to go on their slightly used deck also, the blades on it have 6 hours on them since I bought a new set when I recently bent one of the blades when I was mowing a hillside trail and the deck came down on top of a big rock. Bad for blades.

 

[marks146]

Rear discharge on my ZD326P lays the clippings smoothly to the rear. Nothing shoots into the flower beds or onto the sidewalk. The main reason for rear discharge is to stop flying debris in a crowded area like a school or park, but they work great in a home setting.

Keep the under deck clean and you'll like the performance. Let the grass build up and you'll start to see a windrow.

I cut about 5 acres. I use to use a 48" JD garden tractor, but the 60" ZD326P is a winner. Took some time getting use to the tiller steering but now I would never turn back.