Rear discharge

[wrangler]

Wondering what advantage if any with a rear discharge deck. I run a RSD 48" side chute.
Is there less build up in the deck since it wouldn't have to throw as far. My grass is white clover and crabgrass. Very high moisture. I'm using Gator G6 blades which I really like.
Considering moving up to a 54" Fastrak which has rear discharge as an option.
What's the pro's and con's .
Thanks for your input.
Kerm

 

[RhettWS]

To me the primary advantage would be not throwing clippings into beds, etc.. You might be able to trim a little closer too. I was considering a rear discharge with various brands but decided against if for now. If your search the forum some folks like them and others don't. Apparently there are issues with even spread of the clippings. With no experience I couldn't comment.

 

[Carscw]

I have a couple rear discharge mowers. They are fine if you cut less then half a inch. Any more and they leave rows of clippings.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Not a big fan of rear discharge.
They look nice with the catcher on the back but that makes them almost as cumbersome as the side discharge with bagger.
You can mow closer on the RHS but no closer than you can mow close left going the other way.
Emptying the bag while still on the mower is good and they do not cover the opperator with as much dust as the baggers tend to do.
Very prone to packing the tranny solid with debris and in particular if you don't pay close attention to the chute also packing the brake with debris.

 

[wrangler]

Thanks for the info. Hadn't even thought of the clippings getting on the hydro's. Makes sense. I clean mine off with a air hose every cutting but a rear chute really be dirty on the engine to I suppose.
Probably just stick with what I know.
Kerm

 

[Mad Mackie]

My X-ONE is a 60" rear discharge machine that is used for cemetery mowing. As the cemetery is mowed 5-6 times a season, the grass can tall and wet.

Advantages of rear discharge:
Close trimming can be done from either side.
No chute sticking out the R/H side.
Quieter operation.
Generally the air filter and the machine stay cleaner.

Disadvantages of rear discharge:
More expensive than same size side discharge machine.
The R/H blade is left turning. The blade bolt is left hand thread.
The center and L/H blades are right turning.
Stock blades are the only option.
When mowing tall grass there will be rows of clippings left behind the machine as it is rear discharge.
No collection system available.
The machine frame is longer and setup differently for the rear discharge deck, swapping to a side discharge deck would be a problem.
Just some thoughts!