GearHead36
Well-Known Member
True, but not enough other people were agreeing with this. I thought it warranted repeating.That's basically what I said above.
What Is the Best Blade Setting for a Healthy Lawn?
- Thread starter pexaj
- Start date
Auto Doc's
Lawn Addict
First thing to realize is that your mower deck height selector is just reference numbers, it is for reference only. For my area, most grass is cut at the #4 or #5 level setting. Any shorter and the grass dies after a few days of excess heat.
Deck pitch and level are what's important for a consistent cut height. Test cut and then find out what the actual measured length of your grass is.
Next is the grass type. Some grasses do not hold up with short cut lengths. The length above ground exposed to sunlight and rain is what strengthens the root system in the ground.
A local AG extension agent can best advise you about what grass types you have.
Deck pitch and level are what's important for a consistent cut height. Test cut and then find out what the actual measured length of your grass is.
Next is the grass type. Some grasses do not hold up with short cut lengths. The length above ground exposed to sunlight and rain is what strengthens the root system in the ground.
A local AG extension agent can best advise you about what grass types you have.
@Auto Doc's
As you probably know, it's best to set up the deck as soon as someone takes delivery of a new mower. Some dealers don't have the best PDIs . When my new Gravely was delivered, the deck was not set according to the manual. I had to do it correctly. The first thing that I noticed were blade spacers between the blades and spindles. I called the dealer and asked about it. The answer that I got was it was set to do a better job on Bahai. Man, were they wrong. The spacers made the blades lower than the baffles. The deck setting didn't match the height of cut. I ended up taking the spacers out and got the front blade tips to match the deck setting. I then raised the back of the deck 1/8". Now, when I select any setting, the actual cutting height matches.
Stripes? I don't need a stripe bar.
As you probably know, it's best to set up the deck as soon as someone takes delivery of a new mower. Some dealers don't have the best PDIs . When my new Gravely was delivered, the deck was not set according to the manual. I had to do it correctly. The first thing that I noticed were blade spacers between the blades and spindles. I called the dealer and asked about it. The answer that I got was it was set to do a better job on Bahai. Man, were they wrong. The spacers made the blades lower than the baffles. The deck setting didn't match the height of cut. I ended up taking the spacers out and got the front blade tips to match the deck setting. I then raised the back of the deck 1/8". Now, when I select any setting, the actual cutting height matches.
Stripes? I don't need a stripe bar.
Auto Doc's
Lawn Addict
Hello M.,
Most dealers don't have good PDI's because they leave it to chance and poorly trained people who never read the actual procedures. Dealers barely make any profit on new mower sales these days.
When I was a service manager at a local JD dealer, I often frustrated my guys because I inspected every PDI for every piece of equipment. It did not take long after I took that job before we eliminated most of the embarrassing delivery problems that many dealers incur.
I even made a "nurse tank" for fuel to test run them so we never dealt with fuel sitting too long in the mowers on display.
What I really did not like was a salesman trying to rush anyone through a PDI just because they made a sale. I would talk to the buyer and simply tell them that the rider would be ready in a couple of hours. (Especially if was still in the shipping crate.)
Needless to say, Lawn and Garden equipment were my biggest headaches.
Most dealers don't have good PDI's because they leave it to chance and poorly trained people who never read the actual procedures. Dealers barely make any profit on new mower sales these days.
When I was a service manager at a local JD dealer, I often frustrated my guys because I inspected every PDI for every piece of equipment. It did not take long after I took that job before we eliminated most of the embarrassing delivery problems that many dealers incur.
I even made a "nurse tank" for fuel to test run them so we never dealt with fuel sitting too long in the mowers on display.
What I really did not like was a salesman trying to rush anyone through a PDI just because they made a sale. I would talk to the buyer and simply tell them that the rider would be ready in a couple of hours. (Especially if was still in the shipping crate.)
Needless to say, Lawn and Garden equipment were my biggest headaches.
Another thing that the dealer didn't check was the engine RPMs at WOT. It was delivered at 3,300 RPMs. The service manual states 3,600 RPMs. I fixed that too.
Skippydiesel
Well-Known Member
Why did you ask, if you are just going to go ahead and mow at height, that will not do your grass any favors (assuming it survives without continual watering)
Tiger Small Engine
Lawn Addict
I have tried over the years, to educate and encourage people to mow at a proper height. In my area, the grass is primarily fescue, so around 4” is right.Why did you ask, if you are just going to go ahead and mow at height, that will not do your grass any favors (assuming it survives without continual watering)
People love to mow too low. It doesn’t matter what type of grass it is. Height of mow, along with a properly leveled deck, and sharp blades is how to get a great cut. Many people are 0 for 3.
Everyone doesn't have suburban sodded lawns. Some folks live in rural areas that are former farms, pasture, or groves. Those who live in rural areas likely have seeded yards or reclaimed farm land of some sort with a variety of pasture grass.
Everyone doesn't have the same class or variety of grass.Know your grass types and variety. Do you have cool season grass? Do you have warm season grass? Do you have a mix of warm season grass? Do you have a mixture of cool season grass?
If you know what grasses you have, you're halfway home. Your state university has an extension program and has lots of information on their turf grass website.
If you don't know your grass type, every county has an extension agent and they should be contacted to advise you.
Everyone doesn't have the same class or variety of grass.Know your grass types and variety. Do you have cool season grass? Do you have warm season grass? Do you have a mix of warm season grass? Do you have a mixture of cool season grass?
If you know what grasses you have, you're halfway home. Your state university has an extension program and has lots of information on their turf grass website.
If you don't know your grass type, every county has an extension agent and they should be contacted to advise you.
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Skippydiesel
Well-Known Member
So?
With the exception of some very specialised lawn grases (bowling green, golf tees, etc) the advise for 100mm (4") holds good for almost all cultivated grases.