Mowing Mowing With Discharge Chute Up

[glennmac]

Many times I never think about the commonest things. Now I'm thinking about about what's wrong, if anything, with mowing with the discharge chute of a side discharge mower in the up postition.

I never thought about discharge chutes when I used a lawnmower. I always left the chute flap down in the so-called mulching position. Now that I have a 72" side discharge belly mower, I find that I always have to mow close to things things only with the left (non-chute) side of the deck and that I can't fit between some trees. So, the last time I mowed, I flipped the chute up for the entire 2 acre operation. I could mow close with both sides and I could fit between some spots I couldn't before.

I also noticed something else that seemed to be beneficial. When you put the chute up there is no mulching flap; the opening is still there. The cuttings dispersed in more amorphous pattern than with the chute and seemed to result in less windrowing. (Not that there is a lot of windrowing with the chute.)

So, what am I missing? All the effects seemed to be positive. Is there some benefit of a side discharge chute that I am forgetting. Yes, I know there is more chance of sticking your foot into the blades with the chute up, but I take other precautions to avoid that.

 

[Knight9]

I believe part of the purpose of the discharge shield is to prevent objects from being thrown out from under the mower at high velocities toward people or objects of value! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Kevin

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

<font color=blue> toward people or objects of value </font color=blue>

Would that be, oh let me see... maybe the neighbors barking dog?

Now how do you lift that shield?

SHF

 

[b8200hst4wd]

On my Mower I've took the chute off totaly. It's fine expect Don't aim the shoot at windows if you can help it

Alex (B8200/HST/4WD/FEL/MidM/Tiller

 

[watersjj]

My discharge chute is off because that is where the grass catcher hose is attached; however, the chute is designed to propell anything thrown by the mower blades into a downward position in an effort to avoid the possibility of injuries or damages. Objects such as wire thrown by a mower blade can be very dangerous. Mowing machines along highway right of ways often have links of chains hanging down around the edge to stop objects from being thrown, but sometimes this does not prevent a car windshield from being broken.

 

[skent]

I too, have found that the clippings are spread better, but I only mow with it 'up' when I out in the meadow, far far away from people/breakables. Also seems to be less of a 'load' on the engine.

Steve

 

[Gomez]

I too, mow with the chute up. I found it sprays the clippings and raking is rarely necessary. Of course, I only get on/off from the left side since the blade is right there.

 

[toddler]

Funny timing,
Our grass has been growing fast, and with my wife on a tough rotation, it was getting cut only every other week. Two weeks ago I drilled two holes in the deflector, put a U-bolt on, and chained it to the sub-frame for the loader. Discharges much better, and nothing's boomeranged back at me yet. I just won't mow when anyone is around anymore, or I'll detach the chain (easy since I used a mini carabiner). Even better, if I'm lazy and lift the deck to travel but don't stop the blades, the deflector goes back down.
Todd

 

[JonLeonard]

In addition to deflecting thrown objects into the ground, the shute also serves as protection from the blade. Sort of like a pto shield, making is more difficult to come in contact with a very dangerous moving part.

You get less grassclumping with it up, but you take safety risks. You'll have to decide based on your own situation weather the risks are worth it or not. For me its easy, with children, animals, and lots of visitors at my house most any time of day, its essential to keep the shute in place.

 

[scotd1]

This was the part of your mower designed by the lawyers. I have mowed many a yard in the last 20 years and have never used the chute. When I get a new mower, part of the set up is to remove this as it doesn't let the mower discharge grass cleanly (especially in wet or damp grass), keeps you from getting close to objects and makes the mower harder to get into tight spots. I have never had a problem or hint of a potential problem due to removeing a chute. Do not allow people to be in close proximity when mowing, mow so that the chute is pointing in a safe direction, wear eye protection, etc,etc. The best safety device is between your ears and if you don't use that one properly all of the others save you from yourself. Lawyers and liberals will disagree.