ZTurn Rear Discharge Deck

[BackRoad]

Researching options for a new ZT. Leaning strongly towards a rear discharge deck to maximize flexibility with mowing direction.

Searched some old threads on Rear Discharge decks on Zero Turns...nothing conclusive.

Is there any downside with rear discharge?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Id love it.... But my Xone doesn't have it. So much better for mowing around areas you don't want to throw clippings sideways.

 

[RandyT]

Front deck ZT with rear discharge can have issues with grass buildup in the engine area and especially the radiator on the water cooled engines. So as long as you maintain and keep the cooling system clean they have their advantages.

 

[zzvyb6]

I have both on JD front mowers. Besides the covers & flaps needed to protect the underbelly from crud off the rear, there is a difference in the cut look. Rear discharge gives me a 'pasture' look. side discharge produces that golf course look.

 

[BackRoad]

I have both on JD front mowers. Besides the covers & flaps needed to protect the underbelly from crud off the rear, there is a difference in the cut look. Rear discharge gives me a 'pasture' look. side discharge produces that golf course look.

Now that's interesting - better looking results with side discharge...

Do you think that is from maybe having mulching blades on your side discharge, or are they both set up the same?

I was hoping there would be an even dispersion with the rear discharge...I get some grass clumps with my current lawn tractor's side discharge...especially spring grass with fast growth between cuts.

 

[BackRoad]

Thanks for the other comments also...very helpful.

 

[zzvyb6]

Now that's interesting - better looking results with side discharge...

Do you think that is from maybe having mulching blades on your side discharge, or are they both set up the same?

I was hoping there would be an even dispersion with the rear discharge...I get some grass clumps with my current lawn tractor's side discharge...especially spring grass with fast growth between cuts.

Same blades. Rear discharge clippings spend less time in the whirlwind so exit larger. Also, the side discharge can't handle 18" field grass & weeds. No problem with the rear discharge. Same reason.

 

[BackRoad]

Thanks Mr. ZZ

 

[stevem5215]

I had a Woods 73" rear discharge finish deck on my Ford 1900 tractor. It never cut as good as the side discharge and the clippings were always laying on top of the grass when especially high. The ZTR Citation XT is far better at cutting and discharging out the side. Especially when the grass is high.

 

[ruffdog]

Every deck will cut different so you must see and try them for your self. My side discharge decks lay the grass out nice if I removed the chute. The Bobcat finish mower is rear discharge and it does very well too. Some machines with a rear discharge have been known to fill the machine with clippings as earlier stated.

 

[mikester]

Researching options for a new ZT. Leaning strongly towards a rear discharge deck to maximize flexibility with mowing direction.

Searched some old threads on Rear Discharge decks on Zero Turns...nothing conclusive.

Is there any downside with rear discharge?

The big downside is more grass clippings buildup on the mower deck and mower chassis. The other things I noticed is more grass clumping. Side discharge throws and spreads the clippings, rear discharge tended to leave piles and clump trails under a ZTR.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have always preferred side discharge decks for better clipping distribution. When I need to, I can close the chute cover around flower beds etc, but chute covers definitely leave a windrow. I just spread it out on the next pass.

 

[BackRoad]

Seems the lean is towards side discharge...

 

[Runner]

I think you can probably buy a mulching kit for just about any ZTR. Wouldn't that pretty much function the same as a rear discharge? Seems like having side discharge AND a mulching kit allows you the flexibility to go either way, which is why I bought the mulching kit for my ZTR.

Also, I agree that side discharge leaves a better looking lawn than rear discharge because the side discharge sprays and distributes the clippings more evenly. After having used a rear discharge for 17 years and now using a side discharge, I prefer a better looking result of a side discharge to the convenience of being able to mow any direction with the rear discharge.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I think you can probably buy a mulching kit for just about any ZTR. Wouldn't that pretty much function the same as a rear discharge? Seems like having side discharge AND a mulching kit allows you the flexibility to go either way, which is why I bought the mulching kit for my ZTR.

Also, I agree that side discharge leaves a better looking lawn than rear discharge because the side discharge sprays and distributes the clippings more evenly. After having used a rear discharge for 17 years and now using a side discharge, I prefer a better looking result of a side discharge to the convenience of being able to mow any direction with the rear discharge.

I don't disagree with your choice at all. But I did go ahead and install the mulching kit on my Kubota ZTR. True, it does inhibit chopping down very tall weeds, but I don't have to do that but once per season. In that case I simply cut down to 4" on round one, then recut to 2.5" next time. Fortunately I don't have a real large area of tall weeds to maintain.
The mulching kit chops all the cutting up into fine particales which not only feeds the lawn but also doen't leave trails of cuttings. Money well spent.

 

[bigtiller]

I like my side discharge but it is always windy here and when finished mowing, the mower and me are filthy dirty. So I lust for a rear discharge.

But the RFM on my 3039R is rear discharge and it leaves big clumps of grass that are not pretty.

So it's a toss-up of which way to go.

 

[BackRoad]

I was mowing yesterday with my 8' finish mower - rear discharge behind my tractor...I can see where the side discharge may be the better call for a ZT.

 

[sklunk]

As others have said a side discharge will disperse the clippings better. You can buy a chute cover (or for Deeres you can get the MOD deck) to stop most clippings from flying to beds, but they definitely leave a windrow.

Side discharge also gives that "manicured" stripe look. Rear discharge decks don't do this as well because of the way the airflow stands up the blades of grass. Some companies have tried to make striping kits for RD decks but it's tough because it wants to block the discharge area.