Clogging bagger

[Barry J]

Hi, I have a LT 42, XT1, riding kawn mower. I replaced the original blades with a MTD mulching blade which states it is compatible with my mower. Now the grass gets clogged up in my shute and deck of my mower. What blades would you recommend to be able to get the grass past the shute and into the bags.

Should I go with an “extreme type”. A “high lift” type.
Or should i look at other problems for the clogging. The grass is dry

Thank you for any suggestions

 

[sgkent]

not a riding mower guy but if the original blades worked well, I would have used originals or tried to match them as close as possible. Other than health and aging issues that we all face, a good portion of my problems these days come from new things that work worse than the old ones I am replacing.

 

[GearHead36]

Mulching and high lift blades are opposites, other than they both cut grass. High lift blades are designed to cut and evacuate the grass from the deck as fast as possible. Mulching blades are designed to keep the grass in the deck as long as possible. If you're using a bagger, get high lift blades.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Compatible and correct are not the same. If you are using a bagger, you need hi-lift blades.

 

[Lawn Ranger Don]

I'm using mulching blades with a bagger and its works real well. I too had cutting blades and would fill up six recycle cans of cut up leaves. I changed the blades to mulching blades and what a difference. I would fill up only two cans. The mulching blades would cut the leaves up into a powder substance.

 

[Auto Doc's]

The key factor is the higher lift wing made into the waste side of the blades. Blade designs vary.

 

[LMPPLUS]

What are the moisture conditions when you mow? If the grass or ground has much moisture in it this also will contribute to plugging, and I agree with other the high lift is the way to go for bagging. Good luck.

 

[bentrim]

Are you running the engine "wide open" and is the speed set at manufactuerers specification?
Depending on mower deck and mulching blade design it may not produce enough air flow for a bagger.
Is the deck clean and the boot and tube clean? Is the screen clean in the bagger so air can get out?
Mulching blades take more power than other blades is the deck belt tight and the idler working properly.
When I was working for a dealer and a bagger was mounted there were blades designed for the bagger included and installed.

 

[RevB]

Bagger. Mulcher.

 

[GearHead36]

Mulching blades take more power than other blades

Only if the deck is a mulching deck, or is set up for mulching. One set up for side discharge or bagging... just replacing high lift blades with mulching blades won't take more power. A deck set for mulching is designed to not allow air and grass to escape quickly. THAT takes more power.