DEFCON 1

[farmer 1,075]

While cutting my grass this afternoon I've arrived at setting 3 on the deck (42"RD) which is the level I will stay at unless we get a period of dry weather, if so I'll go back up to setting 4. (Takes about a month to get down to this level). 

Anyway the question that prodded in my brain was   Does anyone actually use setting1..... Did  put 1 and 2 on as way of poking fun at us or is it like the DEFCON count down where they hope it's use would never arise. 

How low do you go? 

 

[russellmc301 600]

4 is the key 5 for really tall.

only 1 and 2 for scalping i think

[muz123 1,182]

When i mow with my 520-H i go down to level 4 at most. 

[cleat 4,936]

I don't know why Wheel Horse decks cut so low.

 

I use level 3 or 4 on all of my decks from 42 to 60".

[squonk 38,848]

THREE for ME 

[Wishin4a416 2,185]

4 & 5 for me.

[953 nut 51,541]

I once used #1 setting to blow a light snow fall off the driveway, worked great. Not enough to plow but was melting while temps were plunging; needed to get it off so it wouldn't freeze over night.

[SylvanLakeWH 24,093]

There are some species of grass in some areas of the country that like a brush cut...not my neck of the woods but...you golfers may be aquatinted with a few...

[Phatboy 565]

Level 3 for me,, seems to be right at about 2 3/4 inches,,, just log enough to keep the moister in the ground long enough so grass doesnt dry out..

[WVHillbilly520H 10,369]

The place I lived at in West Virginia where/when I bought my 520 I used #2 almost entirely through out the year and whatever grass was planted there never burned/browned in the 8 years I mowed at that setting and usually got how do you get your yard looking like a golf course, now here in Virginia is 3 and 4 depending where I mow close to the house or out in the rough "field" (neighbor's paid mowing service last year asked me to quit mowing so low that it made them look bad like they weren't cutting the grass low/good enough for the price they asked I said you don't pay for my gas and my highest setting is still lower than their cut height)for 18 years since new IMHO it has never mowed worth a dang on 5 even with brand new blades seemed to streak but 4 or lower no streaking (the Xi deck has 7 settings), Jeff.

[Retired Wrencher 4,874]

I have never been below 2. I use 2 in the fall so the leaves are easy to move.

[TDF5G 2,051]

I've always mowed in the center notch, 3 as you call it.  I've used the lowest setting a couple of times to mow the weeds in the gravel drive.  

 

I've seen people that mow their lawns way too low.  I don't get that.  I guess they like the look of it that way. 

[stevasaurus 22,229]

If you are just starting a garden, that lowest setting is great for scalping the sod so the rototiller works nicer with out clogging up. 

[cleat 4,936]

Yes, I see people mow really low and leave clumps everywhere. Looks terrible.

 

I also have lots of rocks, roots, ditches, uneven ground so I can't go too low without hitting something.

 

[cheesegrader 433]

Here at Bushwood Country Club, we mow at 1 on the greens and 2 on the fairways.

For the unwashed masses that don't live on a golf course, 

4 or 5 might be the necessary settings.

[Tankman 3,515]

Cut low in spring, dethatch, clean up the lawns.

 

Allows air circulation, light, promotes grass growth.

 

Never cut more than a third of the grass off.

 

One reason to own a Horse, mow often, more seat time. 

[c-series don 7,773]

Ahh, Bushwood. Is Judge Shmaills still on the greens committee? 

[cheesegrader 433]

He's the Cinderella story, from out of nowhere

Oh...Wait...It could be...It's in the hole! It's in the hole!

[farmer 1,075]

Having a bath on a Sunday and using setting 3 must mean I just elevate myself above 'unwashed masses'  

And of course you right, if I had to make a 20ft putt on my lawn I'd need a wedge. 

[DougC 2,641]

When Bill Murray stops by to shoot the sh@t and talk about groundhogs and gophers he always tells me mowing at the highest level is not golf course regulation height. Then he grabs his shotgun and whispers........ I got this...... Shhhhhh.....