Now now, no need for that! I obviously wrote all that out before adding the link etc. Sometimes its good to have something to back up what you already know besides, they explained it much better than I did! Now, if anyone searches on here about striping, they can get real facts!
Stripes are there no matter what time of day, yes, your correct but why is that? It because the grass is bent! Which line is green will depend on which way your looking at it at a time of day! If the suns behind you, the stripe will stand out more, or are you disagreeing with me on that?
Your lawns look very nice, no doubt about that but which ones look the best? Answer, the ones with the sun behind you when you took the pic! The shade from trees, the photographer etc is a dead give away!
I bet the ones that are in complete shade (which does negate the sun to a certain extent) would stand out much more had the sun been out. They do look good all the same I'll give you that!!
I have no doubt some people heel the deck, like yourself but have you actually or anyone, really tested it on the same day?
Look, its well worth trying out these things no doubt but you have home owners get on here and dont know any better. Its on the internet, it must be true! I can imagine dealers scratching there heads thinking, WTF's going on with these people wanting these adjustments!
As far as the cut down from 4' (feet mind you) to whats in that pic, I would like to see the before pic! Im going to call a big BS on that and I'll tell you why! I dont know of ANY grass that puts out 4' leaf without the stolon or stem right behind it. What is that grass? St Aug or something?
If that was 4 feet as you say, it would be scalped to hell but beyond that, St Aug or any lawn grass getting 4' tall is complete BS! 4 feet, please!!!!
Wanna see 4', actually, more like 6' in places and not spindly stuff but thick, dense matted stuff. No stripes here but this is what cutting truly long grass looks like..
But ok, lets say you messed up and ment this pic http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attac...l-deck-leveling-question-image-1121288544-jpg
I could certainly do as well as that without heeling the deck! Just standard deck setting! Unfortunately I dont have pics to prove it so theres a way to have a go back!! But lets look at your pic. I see a lot of green there. If that was truly all 4' tall as you claim then it would be scalped. I dont call a lawn X high because of a few weeds. Its much harder to cut super thick grass than tall spindly stuff!
But Ive included before and after pic of a lawn below. This grass wasnt 4', more average 8" but like 15"+ in places, super thick, damp to wet. You can see the rain in the distance! Yep, clippings on top but thats the way it is sometimes. But its not about that, its about creating stripes out of cr@p! I think it was successful if your into it. Again, deck set at spec, normal blades etc. It was double cut though as Im sure your 4' lawn was at least!
But anyway, getting back to the sun etc, take these pics below. One will have stripes, the other wont. That is purely because of the sun! There are technically stripes there, you just cant see them!
These 2 pics are taken within minutes of each other. I had done NOTHING to the deck. In fact, I dont even try and get stripes! This lawn was cut at 2 and quarter inches!
But look, none of this is about whos stripe is bigger or better. I could careless about stripes, they are purely accidental and I NEVER said I was an expert on them. In fact, I said I wasnt. Its about facts. And as far as Im concerned, there is no real reason to heel a deck. Sure, give it a try but try it on the same day as with a spec deck on the same lawn. Otherwise its pointless. You just wont know for sure if it makes a difference or not.
But people need to be aware of the downsides. It WILL put more draw on the engine, belts, pulleys and clutch. Friction! The grass is rubbing on the blades the entire time from front to back. Thats friction!
You'll say, BS to that I know but, its true and home owners or just people in general need to know that!
