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Craftsman 54" mower grass buildup in deck

#1

F

fred93

I have a 17 year old YS4500 mower. I have about 2 acres of grass to cut. I am using mulching blades. My problem is that the deck gets a buildup of grass clippings. I know that if the grass is wet this buildup will always happen. But this happens even of the grass is fairly dry.

The pix below was after cutting about one acre of slightly wet grass. But like I said this happens wet or dry.

Am I just needing to clean the deck after every time that I cut the grass?IMG_2712.JPGIMG_2713.JPG


#2

P

POW123

fred93 said:
I have a 17 year old YS4500 mower. I have about 2 acres of grass to cut. I am using mulching blades. My problem is that the deck gets a buildup of grass clippings. I know that if the grass is wet this buildup will always happen. But this happens even of the grass is fairly dry.

The pix below was after cutting about one acre of slightly wet grass. But like I said this happens wet or dry.

Am I just needing to clean the deck after every time that I cut the grass?View attachment 66376View attachment 66377
Click to expand...
This is normal for units that have a lot of wear and tear on the under assembly. I have a craftsman Lt1000 and LT2000 that I bought 14 years ago after a year the buildup started underneath. So, I pulled the deck turned it over and cleaned the surface area fixed any dings then torched it lightly and as it was cooling down, I sprayed clear Teflon on the underbody of the deck, and I do this once every 2 years. You're running three blade set up so I would also put a sharper cut on the blades with a grinder. By doing that also it will not allow your grass to chunk up and your mulching will be more finer cut grass.


#3

StarTech

StarTech

And it is because you are using Gator blades. Mulching always produces a lot of wet grass. Just us grass is usually full of water. Personally I switch back hi lift blades and side discharge. I got Toro in the shop now that is a worthless mower to me as it is setup as full time mulcher and any over grown grass just clogs the deck so bad that you can only just barely move.


#4

Cusser

Cusser

I use my 2005 year LT1000 (42", 2-blade) to cut weeds and tumbleweeds in a 1.5 acre horse pasture. Yes, there is some horse poop in the pasture too. I typically have to clean out the deck bottom and sharpen/rebalance or change blades after each mowing, much tougher on mower than using on grass.


#5

GentlemanFahmah

GentlemanFahmah

Yikes! Maybe a bit too obvious, but do you prop up the plastic deflector on the discharge side when you mow? I use a bungee and drilled a hole in the deflector and I can hold it up at a 45 degree angle which throws the cuttings way off and helps keep the deck from building up a bunch of clippings. There is definitely a lot of wet grass in the photos, and, the three blade deck has to work perfectly to eject those cuttings. I run Gator/G3 mulching blades and love them! They are great. It could be you need to go over the field with deck as high as it can go and then go back and do it again with the deck lower. I have to do that on high grass in my fields and sometimes I have to go over it a few times to get it cut. If you go over it with the deck all the way up on day, then let that cut grass dry for a day or two, it's a lot easier on the second lap.


#6

S

SeniorCitizen

If you want to discharge and have a cleaner deck that's easier to clean , remove any baffles and pitch them in a dumpster .


#7

Cusser

Cusser

GentlemanFahmah said:
Yikes! Maybe a bit too obvious, but do you prop up the plastic deflector on the discharge side when you mow? I use a bungee and drilled a hole in the deflector and I can hold it up at a 45 degree angle which throws the cuttings way off and helps keep the deck from building up a bunch of clippings.
Click to expand...
I use a length of chain for that, on my 42" LT1000


#8

R

Rivets

Couple of things I see. First, may be just the angle of the picture, but those blades don’t look like mulching blades. Don’t see a very big wing on them. Second, can you post a picture of your chute blocker? Third, what size deck do you have, as I’m only finding 2 blade decks? Finally, please start raising the unit from the front. Raising the rear will cause oil to enter the cylinders. When you post back please include unit numbers from under the seat.


#9

M

MParr

Typical results of using Gator blades.
Plus, those blades are heavy duty blades and are thicker and heavier than OEM or aftermarket equivalent blades.
Buy you some OEM or aftermarket equivalent blades and side discharge.


#10

Tiger Small Engine

Tiger Small Engine

MParr said:
Typical results of using Gator blades.
Plus, those blades are heavy duty blades and are thicker and heavier than OEM or aftermarket equivalent blades.
Buy you some OEM or aftermarket equivalent blades and side discharge.
Click to expand...
If you can, take mulching plug out, raise exit chute to 45 degree angle, and let the grass fly. Do not mow when wet, make sure blades are sharp and underside of deck is clean. Mulching is for the birds.


#11

M

MParr

Running 1/4” blades on a machine designed to be fitted with 1/8” blades adds extra drag on the engine as well.


#12

C

Cajun power

I have this problem also, and here is how I solve it.

1. I do not use mulching blades. I understand the purpose, but I've never had good results. I use the blades with a slight lift. Nothing radical. It's just a personal preference based on what has worked well compared to any other "exotic" blades. Simple light light blades.
2. if the grass is wet (sometimes unavoidable as I have a very large piece of property that must be cut rain or shine every single day), then I make two passes. the initial higher pass and another at the lower level. I do not follow the same line. It takes longer but that is what it takes sometimes to get a good clean even cut...sometimes working the second flight at 45 degrees!
3. I keep the blades sharp DAILY. Your mileage may vary, but one of the keys to a good cut and proper discharge = sharp blades! Make sure also the belt is NOT SLIPPING. check that belt pulley tensioner. If the belt is slipping, you end up cutting but not properly discharging. You want those blades to cut fast and keep the momentum to move it OUT!
4. A slight deck tilt that is lower in the front than the back is a good way to make a very clean cut..However, if that pitch angle is TOO sharp, then you end up "digging" and that can create buildup. For my 60 inch deck, the pitch is only 1/3 inch less in front than rear. That's all it really needs. Anything more than that and you run the risk of "carving" and the cut grass isn't getting ejected correctly.
5. always check the tire pressure in front and rear...if you have front tires flat or leaking, this will change the pitch of the deck.


#13

MyGrassHasCrabs

MyGrassHasCrabs

I have gator blades and a mulching baffle on my JD. In March I pressure washed underneath the deck & sharpened the blades, then treated the bottom with this:


61SssDXatqL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

I have mowed my 2-acre yard every week since then without cleaning or sharpening, and it passes the yard boss's (my wife) critical inspection.

That spray Teflon is pricey ($20), but I should get a few treatments out of it assuming the nozzle doesn't clog up. D@mn stuff was likely 10 bucks 3 years ago.

Good luck & Happy mowing!


#14

G

Gord Baker

That is a lot of build up. Yearly I remove the deck, clean it and when deck is upside down I slosh Used Oil over all surfaces. Use a device to hold up the discharge chute. Bungee works well for me. Do not wait until the grass is long before cutting and make sure the grass is very dry. Sharp Single Blades. Forget the Mulching.


#15

S

STEVES

When mulching only cut when grass is dry and no more than an inch at a time. This is the law of mulching and everyone is breaking the law! :eek::rolleyes::)


#16

R

rdedrick

Iv'e been using mulching blades on my Ferris 61" deck for years. Wet or dry. Iv'e never seen this kind of build up


#17

007

007

My 54" clogged every time I mowed. I eliminated the high lift blades. End of problem.


#18

D

Davenj4f

fred93 said:
I have a 17 year old YS4500 mower. I have about 2 acres of grass to cut. I am using mulching blades. My problem is that the deck gets a buildup of grass clippings. I know that if the grass is wet this buildup will always happen. But this happens even of the grass is fairly dry.

The pix below was after cutting about one acre of slightly wet grass. But like I said this happens wet or dry.

Am I just needing to clean the deck after every time that I cut the grass?View attachment 66376View attachment 66377
Click to expand...
If the underside of the deck is not smooth, the grass will not circulate very well. Make sure the uplift on your blades are not worn down. If they are worn down, the blades should have been discarded long ago. Keep your blades sharp and balanced.


#19

T

Timbuktu

Mulching blades don't work very well in tall grass. Need to mow more often when using them.


#20

T

Timbuktu

Mulching blades don't work very well in tall grass. Need to mow more often when using them.


#21

F

fred93

I have a similar set u
GentlemanFahmah said:
Yikes! Maybe a bit too obvious, but do you prop up the plastic deflector on the discharge side when you mow? I use a bungee and drilled a hole in the deflector and I can hold it up at a 45 degree angle which throws the cuttings way off and helps keep the deck from building up a bunch of clippings. There is definitely a lot of wet grass in the photos, and, the three blade deck has to work perfectly to eject those cuttings. I run Gator/G3 mulching blades and love them! They are great. It could be you need to go over the field with deck as high as it can go and then go back and do it again with the deck lower. I have to do that on high grass in my fields and sometimes I have to go over it a few times to get it cut. If you go over it with the deck all the way up on day, then let that cut grass dry for a day or two, it's a lot easier on the second lap.
Click to expand...
I have a similar set up on my mower. And I move the deflector up all of the way as much as I can depending on the wind!

Attachments





#22

F

fred93

SeniorCitizen said:
If you want to discharge and have a cleaner deck that's easier to clean , remove any baffles and pitch them in a dumpster .
Click to expand...
So I should remove the baffles in the attached photo?

Attachments





#23

R

RayMcD

fred93 said:
I have a 17 year old YS4500 mower. I have about 2 acres of grass to cut. I am using mulching blades. My problem is that the deck gets a buildup of grass clippings. I know that if the grass is wet this buildup will always happen. But this happens even of the grass is fairly dry.

The pix below was after cutting about one acre of slightly wet grass. But like I said this happens wet or dry.

Am I just needing to clean the deck after every time that I cut the grass?View attachment 66376View attachment 66377
Click to expand...
Exactly the same kind of results I had on my Bobcat 48". No more Gator or mulching style blades for me. Cheers, Ray


#24

F

fred93

Rivets said:
Couple of things I see. First, may be just the angle of the picture, but those blades don’t look like mulching blades. Don’t see a very big wing on them. Second, can you post a picture of your chute blocker? Third, what size deck do you have, as I’m only finding 2 blade decks? Finally, please start raising the unit from the front. Raising the rear will cause oil to enter the cylinders. When you post back please include unit numbers from under the seat.
Click to expand...

Rivets said:
Couple of things I see. First, may be just the angle of the picture, but those blades don’t look like mulching blades. Don’t see a very big wing on them. Second, can you post a picture of your chute blocker? Third, what size deck do you have, as I’m only finding 2 blade decks? Finally, please start raising the unit from the front. Raising the rear will cause oil to enter the cylinders. When you post back please include unit numbers from under the seat.
Click to expand...
Here are some photos. The deck is 54" (three blades). Good suggestion about raising from the front-thanks. 2023.08.09 LOF CLEAN & PAINT DECK REPAIR WORN PARTS (10).JPG2023.08.09 LOF CLEAN & PAINT DECK REPAIR WORN PARTS (12).JPGmower deck showing blades.JPGIMG_2736.JPG


#25

F

fred93

RayMcD said:
Exactly the same kind of results I had on my Bobcat 48". No more Gator or mulching style blades for me. Cheers, Ray
Click to expand...
Can you give me a blade name?


#26

F

fred93

Davenj4f said:
If the underside of the deck is not smooth, the grass will not circulate very well. Make sure the uplift on your blades are not worn down. If they are worn down, the blades should have been discarded long ago. Keep your blades sharp and balanced.
Click to expand...
What is a good blade for my 54" deck. Where can I buy a balancing tool?


#27

F

fred93

007 said:
My 54" clogged every time I mowed. I eliminated the high lift blades. End of problem.
Click to expand...
What are the blades that you are using now?


#28

F

fred93

Cajun power said:
I have this problem also, and here is how I solve it.

1. I do not use mulching blades. I understand the purpose, but I've never had good results. I use the blades with a slight lift. Nothing radical. It's just a personal preference based on what has worked well compared to any other "exotic" blades. Simple light light blades.
2. if the grass is wet (sometimes unavoidable as I have a very large piece of property that must be cut rain or shine every single day), then I make two passes. the initial higher pass and another at the lower level. I do not follow the same line. It takes longer but that is what it takes sometimes to get a good clean even cut...sometimes working the second flight at 45 degrees!
3. I keep the blades sharp DAILY. Your mileage may vary, but one of the keys to a good cut and proper discharge = sharp blades! Make sure also the belt is NOT SLIPPING. check that belt pulley tensioner. If the belt is slipping, you end up cutting but not properly discharging. You want those blades to cut fast and keep the momentum to move it OUT!
4. A slight deck tilt that is lower in the front than the back is a good way to make a very clean cut..However, if that pitch angle is TOO sharp, then you end up "digging" and that can create buildup. For my 60 inch deck, the pitch is only 1/3 inch less in front than rear. That's all it really needs. Anything more than that and you run the risk of "carving" and the cut grass isn't getting ejected correctly.
5. always check the tire pressure in front and rear...if you have front tires flat or leaking, this will change the pitch of the deck.
Click to expand...
So what blades should I buy?


#29

M

MParr

fred93 said:
So I should remove the baffles in the attached photo?
Click to expand...
No.


#30

M

MParr

fred93 said:
Here are some photos. The deck is 54" (three blades). Good suggestion about raising from the front-thanks. View attachment 66554View attachment 66555View attachment 66556View attachment 66557
Click to expand...
Max Power Commercial Mulching Blades are not the answer. You will get the same results as pictured above.


#31

M

MParr

For a 54” Craftsman

195-072

195-072
www.rotarycorp.com www.rotarycorp.com

Mower Blade, 100 Series, 18-7/16" | Oregon Products

www.oregonproducts.com www.oregonproducts.com

340-226 Hi-Lift Blade

www.stens.com www.stens.com


#32

R

RayMcD

fred93 said:
I have a 17 year old YS4500 mower. I have about 2 acres of grass to cut. I am using mulching blades. My problem is that the deck gets a buildup of grass clippings. I know that if the grass is wet this buildup will always happen. But this happens even of the grass is fairly dry.

The pix below was after cutting about one acre of slightly wet grass. But like I said this happens wet or dry.

Am I just needing to clean the deck after every time that I cut the grass?View attachment 66376View attachment 66377
Click to expand...
Exactly the same kind of results I had on my Bobcat 48". No more Gator or mulching style blades for me
fred93 said:
Can you give me a blade name?
Click to expand...
www.expressmowerparts.com

B1BC1201 XHT 16-1/4'' High Lift HD Blade

XHT 16-1/4' High Lift HD Blade B1BC1201 for several different brands of 48' mowers, from Ariens, Gravely, Bad Boy, older Exmark, Ferris Husqvarna, Snapper, older Toro and more. Blade Spec: 16-1/4' x 2.50'W x .250'TH x 5/8'CH
www.expressmowerparts.com


#33

Cusser

Cusser

One can get a balancing tool at Home Depot or similar, inexpensive. Or use a large bolt.


#34

F

fred93

MParr said:
For a 54” Craftsman

195-072

195-072
www.rotarycorp.com www.rotarycorp.com

Mower Blade, 100 Series, 18-7/16" | Oregon Products

www.oregonproducts.com www.oregonproducts.com

340-226 Hi-Lift Blade

www.stens.com www.stens.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. However, the links that you have attached are only for a dealer. How can I purchase these blades if I am not a dealer? I did find one on Amazon but I don't know if they are the same as what you posted. Here is the link https://www.amazon.com/Stens-340-22...ns+hi-lift+blade+ayp+594892901,aps,380&sr=8-1
Please reply-thanks!


#35

M

MParr

fred93 said:
Thanks for the info. However, the links that you have attached are only for a dealer. How can I purchase these blades if I am not a dealer? I did find one on Amazon but I don't know if they are the same as what you posted. Here is the link https://www.amazon.com/Stens-340-226-Hi-Lift-Blade/dp/B001OK8R2I/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14P4ULCT74M9G&keywords=Stens+Hi-Lift+Blade+AYP+594892901&qid=1693761192&sprefix=stens+hi-lift+blade+ayp+594892901,aps,380&sr=8-1
Please reply-thanks!
Click to expand...
I gave you three different makers and three different part numbers. Enter those brands and corresponding part number into your search bar.
FINIS


#36

B

bertsmobile1

All of the aftermarket parts wholesalers have a "find a dealer " search tool on their sites
So go there, slip your zip code in and see who is near by
Using a Stens, Rotary, oregon, X-treme part number as a search criteria will genearlly find some one supposedly selling that item on EvilPay or Scamazon where they may be genuine, scrap metal genuine or fake


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