Side discharge to rear discharge?

[MicroPilot]

Less (almost none in my case) grass clippings left laying on top.

Doesn't seem to shoot debris as far, and if it does it goes out behind the tractor.

Easier to vary the mowing pattern to avoid ruts and, well, a pattern in the lawn.

 

[billbill1]

My rear discharge J-Bar finish mower is open all the way across the back of the mower. It lays the clippings down very evenly without any piling up. I'm happy with the way it cuts so far. I think it cost $1200 when I bought it, there are probably better finish mowers out there for the same money but I got it with the tractor and it was delivered to my door.

 

[djradz]

I'd start by just covering up the discharge opening and see what you get. Likely, there will be a little bit of windrowing, but not enough to make a big deal.

 

[Bowhunter]

Just me, but before I went to all the trouble of trying to reinvent the wheel I'd check with local dealers and see what they would give you for trade-in on the side discharge model toward a rear dischage model.