Underside plate only on one half of deck

raystone · Sunday at 12:27 PM

15 years after getting this mower deck new, I JUST realized it has only one "skid" plate attached to the deck. After reviewing other pics online, this appears to be the way they sent from the factory, as they all have only one, even though there are bolt holes for another. Does anyone know why they installed one plate covering half the deck?

JWR · Sunday at 12:41 PM

raystone said:
15 years after getting this mower deck new, I JUST realized it has only one "skid" plate attached to the deck. After reviewing other pics online, this appears to be the way they sent from the factory, as they all have only one, even though there are bolt holes for another. Does anyone know why they installed one plate covering half the deck?

I would like to hear several others comment! I just bought a BX2670 last year with VERY low hours in what looked like near-new condition (for my daughter.) Just turned it upside down last week due to a coax cable (irresponsibly left in the grass by local cable installers) and wrapped around her middle blades. It has exactly the same configuration you show in your photo -- that "leading edge underbar" is only there on one side. As you can see from the picture below what you described as a skid plate is only on one side. AND it is on the SAME SIDE your's has. I have to think this is 'normal' and 'as delivered.' Be interested to see other reports !!

Chewwy · Sunday at 2:50 PM

My guess, and it is purely a guess, is that it is only needed on the non-discharge side of the desk to facilitate flow out the side discharge. (Flow goes from higher pressure to lower pressure.)

diesel85 · Tuesday at 8:38 PM

My 2002 BX2200 is exactly the same way. Only one plate. Over the years this has been brought up on here. I've seen it mentioned in confusion.

Looking at the IPL, it is the same way, only one plate.

I agree with @Chewwy in regards to the non-discharge side to facilitate the clipping flow to the side.