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Discharge or mulch?

#1

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

Up until now we had been using two Toro Timemaster walk-behinds to cut all of our yards. We have only mulched with them so far. Well I just bought a ztr and had the mulch kit put on it. I was almost ready to return the thing one it's firs day because it seemed to be cutting so poorly.

Well a while into my day I came to the conclusion that I was just cutting grass that was way too thick, way too low. That along with the fact that the grass had nowhere to go creates a problem I assume.

Then throughout the day, every lawn care guy I saw was using the side discharge on their ztr. Which is more common. I'm going to start with raising my deck level but want to know whether to keep the mulch kit on. About half of my yards get really thick and the other half are not bad.

I also noticed that 2" on the ztr does not equal 2" on the walk behind. Because it's heavier and I'm weighing it down I assume? I'm going to have to do yards that I previously did at 2" on 2.5 from now on.


#2

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

You will find most zero-turns will not mulch as good as a Honda or Toro "push" mower. I don't like side discharge because it can still clump and you can only go one direction around flower beds. I would raise the cutting height, try to mulch, and see if that helps, If it doesn't, you might have to discharge. A lot of the pros in our area bag. I mulch, but I use 21" Honda's.


#3

Ric

Ric

twoguyswithmowers said:
Up until now we had been using two Toro Timemaster walk-behinds to cut all of our yards. We have only mulched with them so far. Well I just bought a ztr and had the mulch kit put on it. I was almost ready to return the thing one it's firs day because it seemed to be cutting so poorly.

Well a while into my day I came to the conclusion that I was just cutting grass that was way too thick, way too low. That along with the fact that the grass had nowhere to go creates a problem I assume.

Then throughout the day, every lawn care guy I saw was using the side discharge on their ztr. Which is more common. I'm going to start with raising my deck level but want to know whether to keep the mulch kit on. About half of my yards get really thick and the other half are not bad.

I also noticed that 2" on the ztr does not equal 2" on the walk behind. Because it's heavier and I'm weighing it down I assume? I'm going to have to do yards that I previously did at 2" on 2.5 from now on.
Click to expand...

Can I ask what you prchased for a ZTR? The next question I'd ask is what type of blades you are running? You very seldom find that Height settings between a push mower and a Ztr will match up, in some cases you can come real close if the mowers are of the same make. You'll also find that most of the lawn care guys will use the side discharge and use a set of Gator blades and they generally if they know what there doing do not remove anymore than 2 inches of grass at a time.


#4

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

Ric said:
Can I ask what you prchased for a ZTR?
Click to expand...

He got a Gravely ZT 34.

16013d1374798951-need-somethimg-get-me-through-next-few-years-gravely-jpg


#5

Ric

Ric

lawn mower fanatic said:
He got a Gravely ZT 34.

16013d1374798951-need-somethimg-get-me-through-next-few-years-gravely-jpg
Click to expand...

That stamped deck could be a problem. Mine never mulched as good as the Fabricated deck. He can try a set of the 3 in1 gator blades and they may help.


#6

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

lawn mower fanatic said:
He got a Gravely ZT 34.
Click to expand...

Yes. And I'm not exactly sure about the blades. Whatever blades the dealer put on as part of the mulch kit.


#7

Ric

Ric

twoguyswithmowers said:
Yes. And I'm not exactly sure about the blades. Whatever blades the dealer put on as part of the mulch kit.
Click to expand...

Well if your not happy with the kit they installed and isn't doing the job and from what your saying it apparently isn't, I'd take the mower back and tell them to remove the thing and get my money back. You may want to try a set of the Gator Blades first and see if they help or not it's up to you.
You can do what you want but I can tell you both of my CC Z Force mowers 44" & 48" cut a lot better with the Gator Blades and both my Toro Mowers came with Gator Blades installed and I've never had a problem with cut on any.

Is this what they installed



#8

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

Pretty similar. Looks like just one side piece and the blades.

image-1999123872.jpg



image-3573365007.jpg


#9

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

twoguyswithmowers said:
Pretty similar. Looks like just one side piece and the blades.

View attachment 16039



View attachment 16038
Click to expand...

It looks like you need to clean the underside of the mower deck! But if you continue to mow tall grass it will get clogged up again so you might want to try some mower non-stick spray. Just make sure the mower is cool when you spray it on, and DON'T get it on the belts. And if grass still sticks after 2 coats, it will make it easier to clean the grass off.

Clean Machine Non-Stick Mower Protectant at Good Vibrations lawn mower accessories


#10

Carscw

Carscw

I could be wrong but the blades do not look like mulching blades to me.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))


#11

exotion

exotion

Carscw said:
I could be wrong but the blades do not look like mulching blades to me.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
Click to expand...

They look like hi lift blades


#12

jimrs

jimrs

Looks to me that the grass is kinda wet as it's sticking to the mower. My mower is on the second year and checking the deck there is no grass stuck to the underside of the deck. There is also no grass stuck to the sides of the deck.


#13

Ric

Ric

Carscw said:
I could be wrong but the blades do not look like mulching blades to me.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
Click to expand...

Carscw I think your right there not mulching blades, look like regular High lifts to me.


#14

Ric

Ric

jimrs said:
Looks to me that the grass is kinda wet as it's sticking to the mower. My mower is on the second year and checking the deck there is no grass stuck to the underside of the deck. There is also no grass stuck to the sides of the deck.
Click to expand...

The grass is sticking because it's not being cut up and it has no place to go because it can't be discharged. I'd take that kit out and throw it away and go with the Gator blades. I think he will end up with a better cut and less of a mess.


#15

exotion

exotion

I think you need to take your "mulch kit" back to the dealer and tell him to get you the actual kit not just a discharge cover... its hard to mulch without blades that actually are able to.


#16

Carscw

Carscw

I second it go with the gator blades.

And go talk to the dealer

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))


#17

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

jimrs said:
Looks to me that the grass is kinda wet as it's sticking to the mower. My mower is on the second year and checking the deck there is no grass stuck to the underside of the deck. There is also no grass stuck to the sides of the deck.
Click to expand...

Yes it definitely looks wet! :confused2:


#18

Ric

Ric

Carscw said:
I second it go with the gator blades.

And go talk to the dealer

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
Click to expand...


I'd go with the Gator Blades

And Find another Dealer.


#19

exotion

exotion

Ric said:
I'd go with the Gator Blades

And Find another Dealer.
Click to expand...

Regardless the current dealer needs to make it right with him... he cheated him with a "mulch kit" that's incapable of mulching.


#20

A

afoulk

Does a zero turn with a stamped deck like that still have the same blade tip speed as one with a fabricated deck?


#21

TaskForceLawnCare

TaskForceLawnCare

Those are not a mulching blade or high lift blade. I'm kinda confused at why you want to mulch so bad with your ZTR. I run an an X blade on my inner spindle all 4 blades are high lift blades. I only run gator blades on my mowers in early spring and fall when the leaves are starting to cover the lawns. I never bag leaves but i close my ICD and mulch leaves. They are almost a powder and become compost. I run dixie choppers so I'm not familiar with your brand. I'm also kinda confused at why your cutting thick grass at 2"s try raising your cutting height to 4" and i think you'll get better results. Also I'm positive a fabricated deck with baffles will cut better then a pressed deck but it'll also cost you more for the initial purchase.


#22

twoguyswithmowers

twoguyswithmowers

I'm new to all this and for some reason I came in thinking that mulching was the way to go and is what everybody did. Since I started this post I have taken the mulching kit off and started using the side discharge. I also realized there was a pretty decent difference in the settings on my new mower than from my last. So I had to raise it up some.
I'm cutting most yards at 3 inches according to my new mower and it seems to be working much better.


#23

CauZey

CauZey

I have a stamped deck with a mulch kit. At first I had gator blades on it and I think they are okay. Now I run straight blades with the kit , a lot flatter cut and it still mulches up just fine in the summer months and excess leaves and pine straw after a clean up job. I may put on some mulch blades in the spring or fall but idk.

As for tall grass yeah it sucks cuttin it . ESP it it's wet . It all clumps up in my deck and I hve to drive the mower somewhere off to the side and cut the blades off to drop it all


#24

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

twoguyswithmowers said:
I'm new to all this and for some reason I came in thinking that mulching was the way to go and is what everybody did. Since I started this post I have taken the mulching kit off and started using the side discharge. I also realized there was a pretty decent difference in the settings on my new mower than from my last. So I had to raise it up some.
I'm cutting most yards at 3 inches according to my new mower and it seems to be working much better.
Click to expand...

I like to mulch because 1) bagging takes too much time and 2) side discharge is messy. I don't like how you can only go one way around flower beds. So I like mulching, but I only have push mowers. I also cut at 3 inches on almost all my lawns.


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