Do the rear discharge decks work good?

[Torino 15]

I love the idea of the rear discharge decks. With the wind blowing the other day I had more grass on me than the lawn when I was through mowing. I also like the idea of being able to get close to things on both sides. Do they work just as good as the side discharges. What about clippings. Does it leave a big trail of clippings?

[Stigian 1,234]

I use a rear discharge deck on my 'orse for all my grass cutting

Its handy being able to cut close to things on both sides of the deck

You guessed right, it does leave a wide-ish trail behind, but the wind soon blows most of it away :D

[Curmudgeon 28]

I love the rear discharges. Mow either direction, go either way around things, wouldn't have it any other way.

Downsides.

The grass winds up on your back in the wind instead of on your side.

The area around the shifter will be full of grass in no time.

They only come 42" wide, unless you build them.

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,882]

I'll throw in my 2 cents too. First, the rear discharge comes in 36" and 42" decks. The newer 42" models can be adapted with a recycler plate and bigger blades to mulch the clippings. This works well so long as the grass is dry and you're not cutting too much at a time.

Without the recycler kit, the 42" RD deck cuts well. It does better in taller grass as it doesn't clog. I am sure that others have problems with the area around the shifter, but in my experience there is much less clippings hitting the tractor than the 42" SD deck. I like the ability to trim on either side, and the RD deck is great for use with a sweeper.

I think that the 42" SD deck has a slightly better cut than the RD. The SD in my opinion, will shoot grass out the front, left side, right side and it just seems to go everywhere where as the RD just goes out the back.

In short, I like the RD deck better, but the SD gives a slightly better cut.

[Curmudgeon 28]

Ah, there you go, reading what I wrote instead of what I meant!!!!!!

I meant, they come NO bigger than 42".......

When it comes to those toy widths, I tend to forget they exist. LOL

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,882]

Hey, I read it this time :whistle:

[Teddy da Bear 11]

Yes, I have (1) 32" rear discharge deck (lawn ranger) (3) 36" rear discharge decks, one 42" (I never used) and one 42" side/rear discharge deck combination that is an oddball that comes with the elec trak wheel horse.

I have enjoyed the rear discharge decks and do want to experience the side discharge for a change.

Mike

Niles, Mi

[Rollerman 290]

I'll go along with everyone else & say I'm more in favor of the rear discharge design.

Just plain handy being able to work around objects on both sides of the deck.

No haveing to worry about launching an object out the side.

I have a samll yard & cut pretty frequently..."recreation" so I don't have to much of an issue with the grass clumps pileing up behind you as you mow.

Cleaning the trans area under the fender is pretty important as Dale mentioned...they can clog up & ruin a hydro for the (run them till there dead crowd)

Last fall was my 1st season with my Peco Vac though...gota love a vac when it comes to leaves.

But have to switch to a side discharge for it. :WRS:

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,610]

I can't comment on the RD design, as I don't have one. But, I would love to find one and give one a try. :whistle:

[GlenPettit 1,717]

I'm all in favor for the Rear Discharge, been using them for 30 years now. A big suggestion that Dale started is to have TWO sets of blades on it; the original set lowest and then a set of "Gator" or commercial blades just above it [notice that all of the new larger & better mowers, both push and riders, use these 'Gator' blades (with the 3

[MaineDad 87]

I'm a big RD deck fan too. I have a 8 speed so I do not woryy about the tranny getting all covered like those with hydros do. I think it's like cutting hay, it just lays down after it's cut with no big windrows.

I like the 4 blade idea though. May have to give that a try sometime...

[Nick 13]

The RD decks also very seldom throw a large abject any distance so you dont bounce rocks and sticks off the neighbors house. I have never used one but they say the RD deck works nice with a pull behind sweeper.

Dale, years ago we used our tiny 2 blade 36" RD deck to mow maybe 4 or 5 acres a week. :whistle:

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

I can't really say I favor one more than the other. As long as the grass is cut, and it doesn't look like a "blind barber" did it, I'm thrilled!

An equally sized RD deck could help speed up the mowing operation by allowing trimming from either side, but only if your lawn has many obstacles. I have also found that they work great for mulching leaves if you don't mind driving around in reverse for a while. The old gear-drive 2 blade RD decks from the 60's can do a wonderful job too, and the lighter tractors with narrower tires don't flatten the grass down as bad. (I'm sure you have all witnessed the "grass mohawk" before. )

I currently use a 48" SD deck on a 1990 416H, and the layout of the property allows me to throw all clippings in a single direction in to either a drainage ditch or a creek. If I have to rake when I'm done, it's my fault. :WRS:

[Curmudgeon 28]

The RD decks also very seldom throw a large abject any distance so you dont bounce rocks and sticks off the neighbors house. I have never used one but they say the RD deck works nice with a pull behind sweeper.

Dale, years ago we used our tiny 2 blade 36" RD deck to mow maybe 4 or 5 acres a week.

Uh, years ago we, as in siblings, had a single blade, 20" deck. AKA a push mower!!!!! Just cause I used to doesn't mean I want to again!

TT kinda beat me to it. I do prefer the rear discharge, but I have done a lot of "raking" with a side discharge. Probably their single biggest advantage.

No matter what style you go with, another style will do something better, it's all in what you prefer the most.

[KyBlue 655]

Ive got one. .. and Love it. My only gripe is the scalping. Im going to put a couple additional rollers on each side.

With the output of the deck bein so wide, I hardly notice any of the clippings, unlike with some of the SD models that seem to leave it in clumped rows.

[MaineDad 87]

I also notice a lot less dust if I go over grass-less areas. It does not create as much as a dust bowl like my former tractor used to. We do not have to shut the windows in the house now when I mow :whistle: