WALT
Gold Member
Perhaps I am telling you something that you already know, but I just finished chopping leaves at my folks 1 acre lawn, and continue to be impressed at the capabilities of this machine. The leafs in CT. are finally dropping, and are mostly oak and maple.
If you are blowing leafs instead of chopping them, you may want to give it a try. More seat time is never a bad thing.
First: You need to have a tree line or woods to blow them into, but if you pick them up, the remains will be much less than if you blew them.
Second: The leafs must be dry for good chopping action.
Third: It takes more time, but you must cut in only one direction. After starting, cutting in a lazy "C" method gives you the best chopping/ moving results. The first half of the lawn area, the leafs will pile over the mower deck. To deal with that, take a pass with the mower raised, then lowered. I use the 2" setting. Also, occasionally make random cuts through the pile, to spread out the discharge. By the final third of the lawn, the discharge is a fine mulch that continues to be easily dispersed. You do still need to rake around trees, house, etc. A side benefit is that the chopped leafs don't blow around, if you don't get a chance to pick them up right away. Be sure to keep the radiator grille screen clear.
Prior to owning the BX2200, I used to use my dad's 1969 Cub Cadet 125. It is now retired, as it would usually need $50.00-$100.00 worth of parts to complete the job. Diesel, 4WD and Shaft Drive, beats gasoline, spinning tires and belt drive any day.
Time was also reduced from 2 days to 3 hours, due to the lack of mower belt breaks and constant clogs.
If anyone could appreciate my story, I figured it might be you folks.
Happy Chopping:
WALT
If you are blowing leafs instead of chopping them, you may want to give it a try. More seat time is never a bad thing.
First: You need to have a tree line or woods to blow them into, but if you pick them up, the remains will be much less than if you blew them.
Second: The leafs must be dry for good chopping action.
Third: It takes more time, but you must cut in only one direction. After starting, cutting in a lazy "C" method gives you the best chopping/ moving results. The first half of the lawn area, the leafs will pile over the mower deck. To deal with that, take a pass with the mower raised, then lowered. I use the 2" setting. Also, occasionally make random cuts through the pile, to spread out the discharge. By the final third of the lawn, the discharge is a fine mulch that continues to be easily dispersed. You do still need to rake around trees, house, etc. A side benefit is that the chopped leafs don't blow around, if you don't get a chance to pick them up right away. Be sure to keep the radiator grille screen clear.
Prior to owning the BX2200, I used to use my dad's 1969 Cub Cadet 125. It is now retired, as it would usually need $50.00-$100.00 worth of parts to complete the job. Diesel, 4WD and Shaft Drive, beats gasoline, spinning tires and belt drive any day.
Time was also reduced from 2 days to 3 hours, due to the lack of mower belt breaks and constant clogs.
If anyone could appreciate my story, I figured it might be you folks.
Happy Chopping:
WALT