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Deck holding grass
#1
M
mcartwright865
M
mcartwright865
I've got a 2014 FasTrack 54 with 330 hrs. It has always packed the deck with grass when mowing and when it gets enough, it pukes it out in one big wad. I've always heard this was due to a poor deck/baffle design. Are there any fixes for this? I'm tired of having mounds of clippings all over my yard. Did the newer decks address this issue? Would a new deck of any manufacture fit my mower? Thanks for any advice in advance.
#2
R
Rivets
R
Rivets
Six things will cause clumping under a deck.
1. Not running the engine at full speed while cutting.
2. Try to cut with the deck set too low. Should be cutting no more than 1/3 of the grass height.
3. Grass is too long, see #2.
4. Cutting grass wet.
5. Dull blades or worn blades which will not lift the grass properly.
6. Worn deck drive belt. If belt is worn it may be slipping, not allowing blades to turn at proper speed.
1. Not running the engine at full speed while cutting.
2. Try to cut with the deck set too low. Should be cutting no more than 1/3 of the grass height.
3. Grass is too long, see #2.
4. Cutting grass wet.
5. Dull blades or worn blades which will not lift the grass properly.
6. Worn deck drive belt. If belt is worn it may be slipping, not allowing blades to turn at proper speed.
#3
M
mcartwright865
2. I cut with my deck set at 3"
3. I typically mow every week
4. I rarely mow in the morning. Typically I wait until 6p or later.
5. I have my mower serviced at the end of every season. LOF, blades sharpened and whatever else is needed. I average about 35-40 hours a season (2014, 325hrs)
6. This is the only thing I would be unsure of. However, I give the shop pretty much free rein on service/repairs.
It has done this for years. Gator blades, high lift or mulching doesn't seem to make a difference.
M
mcartwright865
1. I always run at full throttle.Six things will cause clumping under a deck.
1. Not running the engine at full speed while cutting.
2. Try to cut with the deck set too low. Should be cutting no more than 1/3 of the grass height.
3. Grass is too long, see #2.
4. Cutting grass wet.
5. Dull blades or worn blades which will not lift the grass properly.
6. Worn deck drive belt. If belt is worn it may be slipping, not allowing blades to turn at proper speed.
2. I cut with my deck set at 3"
3. I typically mow every week
4. I rarely mow in the morning. Typically I wait until 6p or later.
5. I have my mower serviced at the end of every season. LOF, blades sharpened and whatever else is needed. I average about 35-40 hours a season (2014, 325hrs)
6. This is the only thing I would be unsure of. However, I give the shop pretty much free rein on service/repairs.
It has done this for years. Gator blades, high lift or mulching doesn't seem to make a difference.
#4
R
Rivets
R
Rivets
I can’t see the your grass height so don’t know how much you are taking off when mowing . Should be no more than 1/3 of the grass height. Grass is 6”, height should be set at 4”. Two things I would try. First raise your cutting height to 3.5” or 4” and see if it makes a difference. Does it still clump and does the sound coming from the deck seem to be louder? If it sounds louder the blades are moving faster. Second would be to check the deck belt for proper tension and if it is worn. If it is more than three years old I would replace it. Finally, if you are able to do so, check to see if the underside of the deck is clean. If grass is building up under the deck it will not allow the clippings to be thrown out properly.
#5
M
MParr
Deck leveled properly.
Use high lift blades. Gator style blades will make a mess.
M
MParr
You missed a couple.Six things will cause clumping under a deck.
1. Not running the engine at full speed while cutting.
2. Try to cut with the deck set too low. Should be cutting no more than 1/3 of the grass height.
3. Grass is too long, see #2.
4. Cutting grass wet.
5. Dull blades or worn blades which will not lift the grass properly.
6. Worn deck drive belt. If belt is worn it may be slipping, not allowing blades to turn at proper speed.
Deck leveled properly.
Use high lift blades. Gator style blades will make a mess.
#6
M
MParr
Try leveling the deck properly. You want it level from side to side and 1/8” to 1/4” higher in the rear. Use OEM or equivalent high lift blades. Rotary #11856.
M
MParr
I replied before I saw yours.1. I always run at full throttle.
2. I cut with my deck set at 3"
3. I typically mow every week
4. I rarely mow in the morning. Typically I wait until 6p or later.
5. I have my mower serviced at the end of every season. LOF, blades sharpened and whatever else is needed. I average about 35-40 hours a season (2014, 325hrs)
6. This is the only thing I would be unsure of. However, I give the shop pretty much free rein on service/repairs.
It has done this for years. Gator blades, high lift or mulching doesn't seem to make a difference.
Try leveling the deck properly. You want it level from side to side and 1/8” to 1/4” higher in the rear. Use OEM or equivalent high lift blades. Rotary #11856.
#7
Tiger Small Engine
3” is very short, try at least 3.5” and preferably 4”.
If you have an exit chute, bungee cord it up at a 45 degree angle and throw the grass out as far as it will go.
Tiger Small Engine
I love Gator blades and run them all year.1. I always run at full throttle.
2. I cut with my deck set at 3"
3. I typically mow every week
4. I rarely mow in the morning. Typically I wait until 6p or later.
5. I have my mower serviced at the end of every season. LOF, blades sharpened and whatever else is needed. I average about 35-40 hours a season (2014, 325hrs)
6. This is the only thing I would be unsure of. However, I give the shop pretty much free rein on service/repairs.
It has done this for years. Gator blades, high lift or mulching doesn't seem to make a difference.
3” is very short, try at least 3.5” and preferably 4”.
If you have an exit chute, bungee cord it up at a 45 degree angle and throw the grass out as far as it will go.
#8
G
GearHead36
G
GearHead36
Sounds like you're not getting proper airflow through your deck. This could be caused by:
- Slipping belt
- Engine running too slow (even if you run at full throttle)
- Deck clogged with grass
- Mulching blades
- Bound up spindle(s)
To all the experts: Is there a way to measure the RPMs of each blade? That would tell a lot.
You didn't mention how high your grass gets before mowing. I mow at 3" every week, but my grass doesn't grow all that fast. What kind of grass do you have?
- Slipping belt
- Engine running too slow (even if you run at full throttle)
- Deck clogged with grass
- Mulching blades
- Bound up spindle(s)
To all the experts: Is there a way to measure the RPMs of each blade? That would tell a lot.
You didn't mention how high your grass gets before mowing. I mow at 3" every week, but my grass doesn't grow all that fast. What kind of grass do you have?
#9
bkeller500
bkeller500
A thick growth may also be a concern as a tall growth. Thick grass will slow blade speed and may be clogging the deck due to the additional amount of cuttings. I would also test a normal set of cutting blades vs hi-lift blades. I realize hi-lift blades will cause the grass to lift better but I question whether hi-lift blades will discharge better. You want the grass to be cut and a fast exit from the deck. Too much lift might be also retaining the clippings for too long. There is a reason most mower manufacturers do not ship units with hi-lift blades installed at factory. Ground speed could be a factor. Driving too fast and you are not allowing thigh deck to do it's job. Another approach is to mow twice a week and see if you have better results. My lawn is thick and In the Spring I need to mow my KB lawn every 3-4 days. If I wait a full week I get some clumping and occasional windrowing and double cutting becomes necessary to re-spread the clippings. I doubt you are driving in a circle and driving over an accumulation of cut grass thus compounding your problem. Lastly, you may need to scrape the deck after each mowing to release all of the accumulation and have a totally empty deck to start the next mowing session.
#10
I
ILENGINE
I
ILENGINE
Questioning high lift blades to discharge better. I have personal experience that they can actually cause deck clogging. Sold a set of extra high lift to a customer years ago, and he ran them about 10 minutes before putting his old blades back on because they turned his deck into a mulcher and clogging and clumping within feet of turning on the deck..A thick growth may also be a concern as a tall growth. Thick grass will slow blade speed and may be clogging the deck due to the additional amount of cuttings. I would also test a normal set of cutting blades vs hi-lift blades. I realize hi-lift blades will cause the grass to lift better but I question whether hi-lift blades will discharge better. You want the grass to be cut and a fast exit from the deck. Too much lift might be also retaining the clippings for too long. There is a reason most mower manufacturers do not ship units with hi-lift blades installed at factory. Ground speed could be a factor. Driving too fast and you are not allowing thigh deck to do it's job. Another approach is to mow twice a week and see if you have better results. My lawn is thick and In the Spring I need to mow my KB lawn every 3-4 days. If I wait a full week I get some clumping and occasional windrowing and double cutting becomes necessary to re-spread the clippings. I doubt you are driving in a circle and driving over an accumulation of cut grass thus compounding your problem. Lastly, you may need to scrape the deck after each mowing to release all of the accumulation and have a totally empty deck to start the next mowing session.
#11
M
MParr
Gator G6 blades my a mess on my Gravely. The OEM blades do a fair job. However, they don’t have enough lift to get all of the Dandelion flowers or Bahai grass seed stalks. I went to a notched high lift blade that works on Bad Boy, Dixie Chopper, and Exmark mowers and they give me a good balance of lift and discharge. The underside of the deck stays cleaner and I get zero clumping.
M
MParr
I hate Gator style blades. I don’t have the time to clean my deck after every 1/2 acre. I don’t have time to go over areas where big clumps havefallen from under the deck.I love Gator blades and run them all year.
3” is very short, try at least 3.5” and preferably 4”.
If you have an exit chute, bungee cord it up at a 45 degree angle and throw the grass out as far as it will go.
That’s a big no to extra high lift blades.Questioning high lift blades to discharge better. I have personal experience that they can actually cause deck clogging. Sold a set of extra high lift to a customer years ago, and he ran them about 10 minutes before putting his old blades back on because they turned his deck into a mulcher and clogging and clumping within feet of turning on the deck..
Gator G6 blades my a mess on my Gravely. The OEM blades do a fair job. However, they don’t have enough lift to get all of the Dandelion flowers or Bahai grass seed stalks. I went to a notched high lift blade that works on Bad Boy, Dixie Chopper, and Exmark mowers and they give me a good balance of lift and discharge. The underside of the deck stays cleaner and I get zero clumping.
#12
W
wekjo
W
wekjo
In the spring and on July 4th I clean my mower decks and spray with Fluid Film. The grass then does not hold long to the deck, it falls to the garage floor over the week and when I get the mowers out on the next weekend I sweep the fallen grass off floor which is easier than cleaning the deck.I've got a 2014 FasTrack 54 with 330 hrs. It has always packed the deck with grass when mowing and when it gets enough, it pukes it out in one big wad. I've always heard this was due to a poor deck/baffle design. Are there any fixes for this? I'm tired of having mounds of clippings all over my yard. Did the newer decks address this issue? Would a new deck of any manufacture fit my mower? Thanks for any advice in advance.
#13
bkeller500
bkeller500
I have tried fluid Film on a couple of occasions in the past but it never seems to last very long. I have scraped the deck spotless, applied multiple coats giving it overnight to dry before applying additional coats and it still comes off after 2 or 3 mowings. MowDeck had the same results. The deck still gets loaded but it comes off more easily.
#14
M
MParr
M
MParr
Just to add to my earlier post.
My mower is Gravely Pro Turn 260. It has the X-Factor 2 deck and is powered by a Kohler ZT740.
Yesterday, I mowed my three acres. When I started, there was still dew on the ground. The dew was gone before I finished. There were no clumps left on the lawn. There wasn’t a Bahia grass seed stalk standing and no dandelion flowers. On top of that, the underside of the deck was clean.
Tires: 12 psi all around.
Deck: Level side to side. The rear of the deck is 1/8” higher than the front.
Blades: Rotary 6083 with a 1/4” spacers between the blades and spindles. This allows for the offset on the OEM blades.
My mower is Gravely Pro Turn 260. It has the X-Factor 2 deck and is powered by a Kohler ZT740.
Yesterday, I mowed my three acres. When I started, there was still dew on the ground. The dew was gone before I finished. There were no clumps left on the lawn. There wasn’t a Bahia grass seed stalk standing and no dandelion flowers. On top of that, the underside of the deck was clean.
Tires: 12 psi all around.
Deck: Level side to side. The rear of the deck is 1/8” higher than the front.
Blades: Rotary 6083 with a 1/4” spacers between the blades and spindles. This allows for the offset on the OEM blades.
#15
G
Gord Baker
Plastic chutes are available for most mower owners who don't like the 'mulch' feature.
G
Gord Baker
If there is a Cover over the side Discharge Chute, ("mulcher") Remove it and try mowing without it.I've got a 2014 FasTrack 54 with 330 hrs. It has always packed the deck with grass when mowing and when it gets enough, it pukes it out in one big wad. I've always heard this was due to a poor deck/baffle design. Are there any fixes for this? I'm tired of having mounds of clippings all over my yard. Did the newer decks address this issue? Would a new deck of any manufacture fit my mower? Thanks for any advice in advance.
Plastic chutes are available for most mower owners who don't like the 'mulch' feature.
#16
D
davis2
D
davis2
It's kind of like blowing snow. You may have to spray every time.I have tried fluid Film on a couple of occasions in the past but it never seems to last very long. I have scraped the deck spotless, applied multiple coats giving it overnight to dry before applying additional coats and it still comes off after 2 or 3 mowings. MowDeck had the same results. The deck still gets loaded but it comes off more easily.
#17
J
jviews12
J
jviews12
I cannot assume you clean the deck and let it dry before re0use. After doing the above boys, clean under deck, let dry, and only cut when dry. Are blades wrong or dull?
#18
M
MParr
M
MParr
That’s all fine and well for a residential owner. A commercial owner doesn’t have time to clean the deck after each customer.I cannot assume you clean the deck and let it dry before re0use. After doing the above boys, clean under deck, let dry, and only cut when dry. Are blades wrong or dull?
#19
G
Gord Baker
G
Gord Baker
Remove the 'mulch cover' if your mower has one. Work at keeping the underside clean. Dry Grass is key.
#20
D
DeanP1962
D
DeanP1962
Why do you say that gator blades make a mess?? I mowed a cemetery for 30 years and gator blades are all I ever used when mowing it and I never had a problem using them. Mowed grass at 3&1/2 inches because that is what the board members wanted. To this day gator blades are all I ever use I’ve never had a problem with grass clumping up unlesss grass was too tall 4 inches or more then grass's would clump up in places .You missed a couple.
Deck leveled properly.
Use high lift blades. Gator style blades will make a mess.
#21
R
RevB
R
RevB
Chutes are cute if there's zero chance of chucking something far enough to damage/injure. Or in one instance had house in the NE that had a lawn that was above the level of the house. With a freeze thaw cycle glacial till pops out of the dirt...window didn't like it. Otherwise, bungee up. Mine will load up to the tune of 25# or more.....have to use an air hammer to break it all out....and it wasn't wet (OK Bermuda), so, there's that.I love Gator blades and run them all year.
3” is very short, try at least 3.5” and preferably 4”.
If you have an exit chute, bungee cord it up at a 45 degree angle and throw the grass out as far as it will go.
#22
7394
7394
Some use fluid film or cooking oil spray, after good underside deck cleaning..
#23
I
ILENGINE
I
ILENGINE
I have had a few this year that had to use the air chisel to break through the built up grass under the deck. Twisted knot wire brush trying to clean the buildup off the blades prior to sharpening just polishes it to a nice gloss finish.Chutes are cute if there's zero chance of chucking something far enough to damage/injure. Or in one instance had house in the NE that had a lawn that was above the level of the house. With a freeze thaw cycle glacial till pops out of the dirt...window didn't like it. Otherwise, bungee up. Mine will load up to the tune of 25# or more.....have to use an air hammer to break it all out....and it wasn't wet (OK Bermuda), so, there's that.
#24
smoothmower
smoothmower
My grasshoper 52" fabricated deck did that during my entire ownership, I was never able to resolve this issue, tried all the advise I've seen in this thread. I switched to an Ariens zoom 50 with a stamped mower deck and have not seen any clumping unless mowing on wet grass, which I avoid. I also got a Husky with a 46" stamped deck that does not have the issue. Both mowers do a manicured cut and do not hold clumps of clippings after each cut. In my experience, the stamped decks flow and discharge better than the fabricated deck of the grasshopper. I also had a simplicity tractor that had the issue, until it rotted due to the decaying clippings trapped inside. You should be able to fit a stamped deck of similar proportions, but it is quite a job to get it right.I've got a 2014 FasTrack 54 with 330 hrs. It has always packed the deck with grass when mowing and when it gets enough, it pukes it out in one big wad. I've always heard this was due to a poor deck/baffle design. Are there any fixes for this? I'm tired of having mounds of clippings all over my yard. Did the newer decks address this issue? Would a new deck of any manufacture fit my mower? Thanks for any advice in advance.
#25
Mr. Mower
I gave up on trying to prevent build up of grass, dirt, etc. from accumulating under the deck after each time that I mow the lawn (which is a little over an acre).
Since then, that is, after I am totally finished cutting the lawn I move the mower to a flat concrete spot, flip up the deck and.....you bet.....there are clots of a combination of grass and dirt all under the entire deck!
So what I have been doing is using a metal chisel and wire brushes to clean the entire underside of the mowers deck. Yes the process is a PITA having to do this each and every time after every mow but it has to get down.
You NEVER want to leave any clogged dirt and grass, etc. under you deck because once you do...over a period of time it hardens up and it really is difficult and hard to remove.
Just my $0.02......to each their own.
Mr. Mower
That is basically what I have had to do under my mower deck.I have had a few this year that had to use the air chisel to break through the built up grass under the deck. Twisted knot wire brush trying to clean the buildup off the blades prior to sharpening just polishes it to a nice gloss finish.
I gave up on trying to prevent build up of grass, dirt, etc. from accumulating under the deck after each time that I mow the lawn (which is a little over an acre).
Since then, that is, after I am totally finished cutting the lawn I move the mower to a flat concrete spot, flip up the deck and.....you bet.....there are clots of a combination of grass and dirt all under the entire deck!
So what I have been doing is using a metal chisel and wire brushes to clean the entire underside of the mowers deck. Yes the process is a PITA having to do this each and every time after every mow but it has to get down.
You NEVER want to leave any clogged dirt and grass, etc. under you deck because once you do...over a period of time it hardens up and it really is difficult and hard to remove.
Just my $0.02......to each their own.
#26
S
Skippydiesel
S
Skippydiesel
This is my experince: -
Cut at 100mm (4")
Always use full power/rpm BEFORE starting to cut and for a few moments after cutting
NEVER cut wet grass.
Do not collect grass clippings (unless you want to make compost) - spread it.
In long grass, lift the grass shoot out of action, to allow for quicker exit.
Only mowe at the speed that the mower can EASILY PROCESS THE GRASS (listen for engine labouring, look at the quality of the cut and adjust forward speed accordingly)
Used COMPRESSED AIR (never water) to clean ALL the chaff (grass clippings) off your mower after EVERY session. Pay special attention to engine & oil cooling fins, around deck spindles & every nook/cranny that you know where the grass tends to collect.
Over the last 30 + years, I have no recollection of grass clumping.
Cut at 100mm (4")
Always use full power/rpm BEFORE starting to cut and for a few moments after cutting
NEVER cut wet grass.
Do not collect grass clippings (unless you want to make compost) - spread it.
In long grass, lift the grass shoot out of action, to allow for quicker exit.
Only mowe at the speed that the mower can EASILY PROCESS THE GRASS (listen for engine labouring, look at the quality of the cut and adjust forward speed accordingly)
Used COMPRESSED AIR (never water) to clean ALL the chaff (grass clippings) off your mower after EVERY session. Pay special attention to engine & oil cooling fins, around deck spindles & every nook/cranny that you know where the grass tends to collect.
Over the last 30 + years, I have no recollection of grass clumping.