Chute blocker for Toro 42” fabricated deck model 75747

[Blaine B.]

The plastic chute will flip up and down. The issue is regarding safety. I have included a picture of the discharge area of the deck with the diverter removed. You can see that the one blade is largely exposed and to me sets up an extremely unsafe condition. I don’t have a clue why Toro would design the deck this way except perhaps for airflow to a bagging system. I’ve also included a picture of the mock-up in aluminum which I now see is going to receive a major rework.

Wow, I didn't realize the blade would be so openly exposed for complimentary Toro toe amputations without the chute like that.

 

[BudLight72]

Wow, I didn't realize the blade would be so openly exposed for complimentary Toro toe amputations without the chute like that.

The chute blocker that I’m fabricating is going to have two parts. One part is going to be a flat piece of steel that covers the open top of the deck and will be stationary while the top part will be used to block discharge of the clippings. When I rotate the blocker up, the flat steel will remain in place. I’m not only worried about injury or damage from anything going in the open top, I’m worried about the blades picking up something and launching it vertically.

 

[BudLight72]

At this midpoint to completion, I have come to the conclusion that I won’t need a flat sheet of steel covering the top opening, the chute blocker at an open angle will effectively cover that area and I think minimize the safety issues. Everything is bolt up, I don’t have access to equipment to tack this together.

 

[BudLight72]

Here is what the final looks like. Fabricated from a small sheet of 22 ga. that I picked up at Lowes. The throttle cable came from NAPA. I had no idea what length I needed but got really lucky. I ran the cable through the frame into a big loop under the floorboard.

 

[Lawn Ranger Don]

BudLight, My Toro is built the same. I'm thinking the same thing its built that way to lift the clippings up through the bagger. I have the same problem cutting between mulch areas that one side is going to get hit with clippings. Right now, I'm using a leaf blower to blow them out but when I get my bagger it won't blow in the mulch areas. That part of my yard I'll use the bagger and take it off for the rest of the yard. I do think a company name Ballard makes a chute blocker for the Toro time cutter with a notched deck.

Ballard Home Page

Mower Blades - Ballard Inc

www.ballard-inc.com

 

[BudLight72]

BudLight, My Toro is built the same. I'm thinking the same thing its built that way to lift the clippings up through the bagger. I have the same problem cutting between mulch areas that one side is going to get hit with clippings. Right now, I'm using a leaf blower to blow them out but when I get my bagger it won't blow in the mulch areas. That part of my yard I'll use the bagger and take it off for the rest of the yard. I do think a company name Ballard makes a chute blocker for the Toro time cutter with a notched deck.

Ballard Home Page

Mower Blades - Ballard Inc

www.ballard-inc.com

Found it. Thanks for the link. Looks like the whole setup would be around $250. I’m sure it works better than mine but I’ve got less than $50 invested. I have a bagger for mine as well but prefer to alternate bagging/not. Get some of the clippings recycled back into the lawn especially now with fertilizer prices going through the roof.

 

[Lawn Ranger Don]

I got this today and it wasn't easy to put on. Its missing the rubber strap on the hood to lock down the hood over the bags. I will may a phone call to Toro to send me a rubber strap to lock it down. Notice I'm using a bunge cord to hold it down. Second picture, I didn't focus.

 

[BudLight72]

I have the same unit. Luckily, mine came with the strap which I rarely use. It’s a pain to stretch down far enough to pull over the end of the steel hold down rod. I don’t think I have that much leakage of clippings to make a difference. The strap needs to be longer for reasonable use.

 

[bkeller500]

I made a chute blocker ( similar to the template in photo #!) out of a piece of aluminum I bought at Home Depot. I only use it in the fall for mulching leaves. It attaches by 2 small bolts I installed in existing holes in the deck ( so no drilling ) on my Simplicity ZT. It worked quite well. Now I am thinking I could possibly add a hinge and use a rope or heavy string to open/close as needed. I do not intend to mulch full time but for leaves or to protect discharge near flower beds it does the job. MY right side blade is not exposed like the Toro shown but I would not run the deck without the blocker or the flap either way. Its amazing that even with a factory flapper how stuff flies out of there. A rock or stone or stick can break a window or possibly strike a passing vehicle or a kid on a bicycle. SAFETY OVER CONVENIENCE!

 

[Lawn Ranger Don]

Do you know I was blowing leaves in my front yard out towards the street and it can blow out as far out as 20 feet. I had to stop about 20 feet from the curb without them going out in the street.