Why does this mower need cleaned every single time I use it?

[Jim Gronewold]

Ok Folks.. Heres the issue.. I have an Esncore z48 that for some reason plugs every time I use it.. I'm talking the deck. after 3 hrs of mowing in decent conditions, I have to stop and raise it up with a cable hoist and clean the deck or the blades will simply come to a stop.. This has been an issue since day one, I've taken it to them, I've had another competitors Tech. look at it.. nothing helps,, No its not the type of grass, I can put my newer 48'' deck Encore mower beside it and mow for 3 weeks and never have to look under it till I feel the blades are dull.. This Mower is different. Its gonna plug in a couple hours of mowing for sure unless its bone dry dusty and 20% humidity or less.. I've tried every spray and coating on the market.. Yeah, some make a difference but it still will need scraped out withing a few hours. Every single time... Whats Up? Help.... Somewhere I read that it needs more airflow to help the grass blow out? I cant find any more info on that..

 

[Boudreaux In Eunice La.]

Ok Folks.. Heres the issue.. I have an Esncore z48 that for some reason plugs every time I use it.. I'm talking the deck. after 3 hrs of mowing in decent conditions, I have to stop and raise it up with a cable hoist and clean the deck or the blades will simply come to a stop.. This has been an issue since day one, I've taken it to them, I've had another competitors Tech. look at it.. nothing helps,, No its not the type of grass, I can put my newer 48'' deck Encore mower beside it and mow for 3 weeks and never have to look under it till I feel the blades are dull.. This Mower is different. Its gonna plug in a couple hours of mowing for sure unless its bone dry dusty and 20% humidity or less.. I've tried every spray and coating on the market.. Yeah, some make a difference but it still will need scraped out withing a few hours. Every single time... Whats Up? Help.... Somewhere I read that it needs more airflow to help the grass blow out? I cant find any more info on that..

Jim.... is the Esncore Z48 the same name brand as the newer Encore 48 in. mower, Is the S a typo ??????? There is no reason you should have to do what you are doing unless the blades are on backwards.......... Maybe a flaw in the deck ?? I sharpen my blades every 4 or 5th cutting with a push mower in my 1/4 acre.......

I sure am at a loss .....

 

[ILENGINE]

Do both mowers have the same type of blades. A blade with too high of a lift can and will cause deck plugging. they create enough force to pack the grass into the deck as opposed to throwing it out.

 

[Jim Gronewold]

Jim.... is the Esncore Z48 the same name brand as the newer Encore 48 in. mower, Is the S a typo ??????? There is no reason you should have to do what you are doing unless the blades are on backwards.......... Maybe a flaw in the deck ?? I sharpen my blades every 4 or 5th cutting with a push mower in my 1/4 acre.......

I sure am at a loss .....

Yes, the S is a typho. Sorry.. This mower is probably 8 yrs old or more. The blades are on correctly and have been replaced several times.

 

[Jim Gronewold]

Do both mowers have the same type of blades. A blade with too high of a lift can and will cause deck plugging. they create enough force to pack the grass into the deck as opposed to throwing it out.

Thats a good thought. No, the blades are slightly different. I'll compare the two and see, Maybe I can change blades in the older mower to ones in newer unit. I know the bolt is the same size, but better check the length for sure.. Thanks.. Cant hurt to try..

 

[Darryl G]

I agree that the blades could be the cause but I would check to make sure the engine isn't reving too high as well. You can try throttling down a tad to see if that helps.

Edit:. It could be the deck pitch too If the rear is lower than the front. You could just air up the back tires a bit if so and see if that helps.

 

[BlazNT]

Baffles on one deck and not the other?

 

[Jim Gronewold]

I agree that the blades could be the cause but I would check to make sure the engine isn't reving too high as well. You can try throttling down a tad to see if that helps.

Edit:. It could be the deck pitch too If the rear is lower than the front. You could just air up the back tires a bit if so and see if that helps.

Thanks Darryl... I've actually thought about taking a torch to the deck and removing a little bit off the back.. But now I've got a few "Non destructive" options.

 

[Rivets]

Three things come to mind as I read this thread. Blades not turning fast enough. Are you running the engine at full throttle and is the spindle brake on the deck releasing? Is the deck leveled properly front to rear? I set the front 1/4” lower than the back. This will help air flow under the deck. Wrong blades. As stated blades with too high of lift will pack a deck quickly.