Mower Leaves Strips

[Carscw]

This mower is very capable of handling this job.

You are cutting to high. Cut at a lower setting or don't wait do long in between cuts.

High lift blades will help but will leave bigger clippings.

Try setting the deck 1/4 inch lower then the front. This way the front if the deck does not lay the grass down.

Do a test mow a pass in reverse. I bet it cuts better.

 

[djdicetn]

Higher lift blades might help.

Or maybe a mulch kit.

 

[djdicetn]

This mower is very capable of handling this job.

You are cutting to high. Cut at a lower setting or don't wait do long in between cuts.

High lift blades will help but will leave bigger clippings.

Try setting the deck 1/4 inch lower then the front. This way the front if the deck does not lay the grass down.

Do a test mow a pass in reverse. I bet it cuts better.

I agree completely....I didn't consider heeling the deck, but that also could help!!

 

[Shughes717]

There could also be a couple of other problems. The pulley may be spinning on the spindle under a heavy load (unlikely but possible). The first thing I think of though is debris build up under the deck. If wet grass and dirt builds up around the blades under the deck it changes the air flow preventing the blades from lifting the grass. It doesn't take long for build up to happen. You may try cleaning under the deck every couple of times you mow.

 

[mqs]

Thanks for all the input--I mowed yesterday and what worked best was overlapping more (keeping one front wheel out of unmowed grass), means a few more rounds but the job looked a whole bunch better. This time of the year when grass is heavy, even when dry, I get a lot of build up under the deck and scrape it out after each job. I have one section, about 1 acre, of what amounts to old pasture that has a lot of bromus, in addition to overseeded blue grass, that was a real bear. Nasty clumps of chewed up grass. Yes probably should have cut it twice, but needed to beat the next round of rain!!! Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[Retiredcarguy]

Glad to hear. Sometimes, the most complex problems have the simplest of solutions.

 

[djdicetn]

Thanks for all the input--I mowed yesterday and what worked best was overlapping more (keeping one front wheel out of unmowed grass), means a few more rounds but the job looked a whole bunch better. This time of the year when grass is heavy, even when dry, I get a lot of build up under the deck and scrape it out after each job. I have one section, about 1 acre, of what amounts to old pasture that has a lot of bromus, in addition to overseeded blue grass, that was a real bear. Nasty clumps of chewed up grass. Yes probably should have cut it twice, but needed to beat the next round of rain!!! Thanks again for all the advice.

Yep, wet grass or cutting more than 1/3 the total height(my owner manual actually states never cut more than 2" at a time, in addition to the 1/3 rule) are contributors to leaving uncut grass. But as pointed out to me in another thread....buildup underneath the deck can also result in leaving uncut strips where the buildup is(the grass/dirt clumps prevent proper "lift" of the grass blades when cutting the grass under that area of the deck).

P.S.

I was just on the Gravely Support webpage asking a question about their deck heeling instructions in my Owner manual and I ran across this QUick Answer Link info:

"Why does my mower leave an uncut strip of grass?

Traveling too fast for conditions or cutting too much off at once, are common reasons why there is uncut strips of grass left behind. Therefore try slowing down and/or take less off the top of the grass.

The following are things to check, if you are confident that is not the case:

1. Make sure that the correct blades are installed on your mower and that they are installed in the right direction. It's possible to install blades upside down.

2. Check that mower blades are sharp and not overly worn.

3. Ensure that deck pitch (front-to-back) and deck level (left-to-right) is adjusted correctly, per the directions in your Owner's Manual.

4. Check that all belts are in good condition and adjusted properly.

5. Check that the deck is clean and that there is no buildup of grass clippings."

Sounds like that covers most of the advice that's been given here!!