I bought a neww Z225 42" cut a couple years ago. Bought a mulch kit at the same time. The cut is terrible. I have tried new blades, aftermarket (Oregon?) blades, but nothing seems to help. Motor, belt, and tensioner are all good before anyone asks.....it seems the right blade always leaves a streak. It's like I have a 21" cutting mower. The mulcher paperwork says something about there being a left and right blade, but every time I order the blades are identical(either OEM or aftermarket). Any suggestions.....I am about ready to trade it in on a different brand. HELP!!!!!!!!
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z225 cutting problems
- Thread starter bgblk1968
- Start date
- Views: 21273
I looked up your mower model number and the deck they showed had 2 identical blades, not a left and right blade. There was no mulching attachment shown as available for your mower. So mabe the mulching kit you bought does not fit on your mower. Can you post the deck model number if it has one so the parts list can be rechecked? Other than that the only thing I can think of is the belt is on wrong or 1 blade is upside down or the blade is wrong for your deck.
Edit: If your deck does not accept a mulching attachment then you probably have all the cut trimmings trying to exit the deck on the side that is not cutting well (where you blocked it off) and the grass buildup is interferring with the cutting on that side. If that is the case you need to remove the mulching attachment and let the grass exit through the port opening that the deck was desinged for. To sum it up, that deck may not mulch grass. It is made to throw the grass out and that is the only way it is going to give a smooth cut.
Edit: If your deck does not accept a mulching attachment then you probably have all the cut trimmings trying to exit the deck on the side that is not cutting well (where you blocked it off) and the grass buildup is interferring with the cutting on that side. If that is the case you need to remove the mulching attachment and let the grass exit through the port opening that the deck was desinged for. To sum it up, that deck may not mulch grass. It is made to throw the grass out and that is the only way it is going to give a smooth cut.
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I could not find the deck serial number. All it says is "The Edge 42"....Mower model is Z225A..Serial number is MOZ225A023280....DOM 030807. When I purchased they said mulch kit was for this mower. I installed it myself and it seemed to be made for the deck. Let me know. Thanks for the help...can't seem to get much info on this problem.
OK, I am stumped here. Mulching kit is shown consisting of a cover plate for the discharge schute, which contains the cover and a a bolt to holdl it in place and 2 mulching blades to install. Was there anything else? So tell me how you put this togather when you installed it. Where did you place the mulching blades on the spindles?:confused2:
That is correct. A cover for the chute and a big plastic piece that installed on the bottom front underside of deck. Don't understand the blades....they just bolt on the spindles with the star shaped spline. I'm really confused also:confused2:
My next question. The mulch blades go above the regular cutting blades with the sharp cutting edge on the side closest to the ground. Then the cutting blades are installed below the mulching blades, closest to the ground. These blades are 90 Degres apart making a + sign. Is this how you installed them?That is correct. A cover for the chute and a big plastic piece that installed on the bottom front underside of deck. Don't understand the blades....they just bolt on the spindles with the star shaped spline. I'm really confused also:confused2:
I have a Paharnna 44 inch mulching deck, differant from yours. Mine has 3 blades instead of 2 like yours. But The mulching blades I have are only about 8 inches long and go above the regular blades, so I have a total of 6 blades under my deck. Three cutting blades and 3 mulching blades. Yours might be have differant mulching blades. If so they work differant from mine. But when I install my blades onto the shaft the mulching blades go on first. Then the regular cutting blades are next and are positioned 1/2 turn on the shaft so they form a 90 degree differance in rotation. Do you only have 2 blades under your deck instead or 4 (2 on each shaft)?No I don't have the original blades on there at all, just the mulch blades. I will check this afternoon, but I don't think there is enough shaft to mount both blades...are you sure that both blades go on? I understand the + part.
I got out my owners manual for the deck only. 44-inch Piranha. Looking at the blade diagrams. The mulching blades are the same length as the regular blades (correction from previous post). The mulching blade is built so the regular blade will nest into the mulching blade. Mulching blade = _______l----l_______ , the regular blade fits up into the ---- area of the mulching blade @ 90 degrees angle. They nest togather in a 90 degree configuration and once the bolt is installed there is no way the 90 degree angle will change. Check your blades to see if this design may be how your blades are made. You may need to visit a John Deere Dealer for information if yours are not made this way. Ray
