R1000 Grass catcher stays empty

[Cheapoldfart]

I have a cheap “Craftsman” rider. It seems to be considered the red headed stepchild of rider mowers based on multiple forum posts, but it does what we need it to do. Or, it did until now…

I noticed it was tearing the grass as much as cutting it, so I removed the blade and sharpened it. It gives a much cleaner cut, but it no longer catches any grass. I get maybe a couple fistfuls after mowing the whole yard, when I used to have to empty the bags at least twice.

The only change is the sharpened blade. Cut height is the same, gear and engine speed are the same. The mower sounds the same.

Does anyone have any ideas on what might be causing this? Leaving all the cut gras laying in a path behind the mower doesn’t look good.

Thanks!

 

[slomo]

Grass chute might be clogged.

Blades on upside down.

RPM too low.

Blades not spinning.

 

[Cheapoldfart]

Grass chute might be clogged.

Blades on upside down.

RPM too low.

Blades not spinning.

I’ve verified all of that except the blade being upside down. I’ve just assumed the blade is correct because the grass is shorter where I’ve run the mower compared to where I haven’t been.

I’ll check it to be sure. Thanks.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

I would say clogged bagger or need new blades. Love the user name BTW lol.

 

[Cheapoldfart]

I would say clogged bagger or need new blades. Love the user name BTW lol.

Another vote for the blade it seems. I’ll get it lifted up tomorrow and check it out. I distinctly remember flipping it over a few times to verify I wasn’t getting it upside down. But it wouldn’t be the first time I pulled a dumb move and put something together wrong after studying it.

I figured my user name should be at least a little bit indicative of who I am.

 

[Cheapoldfart]

Checked the blade this afternoon and it’s installed correctly. No blockage in the chute from the deck to the bags.

 

[slomo]

Grass wet or cutting too much at one time. Speed too fast. Poor deck and blade match.

 

[Cheapoldfart]

No wet grass (no rain since August), no change in mowing speed or engine speed. And I’ve tried slowing and faster, also.

What do you mean by poor deck/blade match? The only change there is the sharpened blade.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

Just get some new high lift blades and call it a day.

 

[slomo]

What do you mean by poor deck/blade match?

You have to match the blade to the deck type.