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zero turn mower
#1
uk gardening
uk gardening
Hi guys.
Does anyone know if a zero turn mower has been made which gives you the option of rear discharge or side on same machine ?
Surely manufacturers like bobcat etc have thought of it ?
Sides great but it would be superb if you could change in a matter of seconds to rear by shutting side with a mechanism and use rear. Near cars, buildings etc to stop mess.
Does anyone know if a zero turn mower has been made which gives you the option of rear discharge or side on same machine ?
Surely manufacturers like bobcat etc have thought of it ?
Sides great but it would be superb if you could change in a matter of seconds to rear by shutting side with a mechanism and use rear. Near cars, buildings etc to stop mess.
#2
BlazNT
BlazNT
The way I know it and my knowledge is lacking. Rear discharge the blades go opposite of each other and side discharge all go the same way. If this is true and I don't know that for sure you could not do both on the same mower. This is only my limited knowledge of the few rear discharge mowers I know of.
#3
djdicetn
That's very interesting....I've seen a few posts by users who have a rear discharge ZTR(I think most of them were either Hustlers or Scags) but there was never any mention of the blades turning in opposite directions. How would that work on a 3-blade deck??? Seems like if the outer blades went opposite directions the middle blade would have to be the same as one of the outer blades. Do you have any more details about how that works(I understand you said you aren't extremely knowledgeable about the rear discharge)???
P.S.
To answer the OP....I've never heard of a "dual discharge" ZTR.
djdicetn
The way I know it and my knowledge is lacking. Rear discharge the blades go opposite of each other and side discharge all go the same way. If this is true and I don't know that for sure you could not do both on the same mower. This is only my limited knowledge of the few rear discharge mowers I know of.
That's very interesting....I've seen a few posts by users who have a rear discharge ZTR(I think most of them were either Hustlers or Scags) but there was never any mention of the blades turning in opposite directions. How would that work on a 3-blade deck??? Seems like if the outer blades went opposite directions the middle blade would have to be the same as one of the outer blades. Do you have any more details about how that works(I understand you said you aren't extremely knowledgeable about the rear discharge)???
P.S.
To answer the OP....I've never heard of a "dual discharge" ZTR.
#4
L
LoCo86
The only thing I can think of that can help you is an OCDC chute. Or the MOD deck on the John Deere Z Trac mower.
L
LoCo86
Hi guys. Does anyone know if a zero turn mower has been made which gives you the option of rear discharge or side on same machine ? Surely manufacturers like bobcat etc have thought of it ? Sides great but it would be superb if you could change in a matter of seconds to rear by shutting side with a mechanism and use rear. Near cars, buildings etc to stop mess.
The only thing I can think of that can help you is an OCDC chute. Or the MOD deck on the John Deere Z Trac mower.
#5
M
MRCo.
M
MRCo.
None that I know of, the counter rotating blade needs different belt routing, etc. for those who don't know RD decks, the Hustler web site has good info. The best alternative I can imagine is a side discharge deck with mulch kit / plug you can add and remove.
#6
BlazNT
BlazNT
Walker mowers are the limit of my knowledge of rear discharge mowers. They are gear driven not belt driven. I looked at their 3 blade decks but all are side discharge.
#7
djdicetn
Thanks...found the details of the rear discharge deck on the Brochure PDF on the Hustler website(see below for those interested):
"Limited Lifetime warranty on the leading edge
of the decks. See dealer for details.
54 and 60 available on X-ONE model and 60
and 72 available on Diesel Z, Super Z & Super
Z HD models.
Industry exclusive counter rotating blade for
the best finished appearance in it's class.
Dual trim capabilities for increased productivity
and greater protection from thrown objects.
Deck is noticeably quieter in operation.
Rear discharge requires less horsepower
to operate because clippings are not being
passed through each blade.
Same durable construction Hustler is known
for.
Heavy duty ductile iron spindles with sealed
bearings for unmatched durability and life."
Seems like Hustler may be exclusive in the counter rotating blades and there is a picture on the brochure of how it works. Here's a link to the brochure which gives a very good overall picture of the complete Hustler line:
http://www.hustlerturf.com/images/Brochure_PDFs/2014_Brochures/FullLineAccord_2014.pdf
djdicetn
None that I know of, the counter rotating blade needs different belt routing, etc. for those who don't know RD decks, the Hustler web site has good info. The best alternative I can imagine is a side discharge deck with mulch kit / plug you can add and remove.
Thanks...found the details of the rear discharge deck on the Brochure PDF on the Hustler website(see below for those interested):
"Limited Lifetime warranty on the leading edge
of the decks. See dealer for details.
54 and 60 available on X-ONE model and 60
and 72 available on Diesel Z, Super Z & Super
Z HD models.
Industry exclusive counter rotating blade for
the best finished appearance in it's class.
Dual trim capabilities for increased productivity
and greater protection from thrown objects.
Deck is noticeably quieter in operation.
Rear discharge requires less horsepower
to operate because clippings are not being
passed through each blade.
Same durable construction Hustler is known
for.
Heavy duty ductile iron spindles with sealed
bearings for unmatched durability and life."
Seems like Hustler may be exclusive in the counter rotating blades and there is a picture on the brochure of how it works. Here's a link to the brochure which gives a very good overall picture of the complete Hustler line:
http://www.hustlerturf.com/images/Brochure_PDFs/2014_Brochures/FullLineAccord_2014.pdf
#8
S
Shughes717
That is not true. Exmark also has a rear discharge deck with counter rotating blades.
S
Shughes717
Thanks...found the details of the rear discharge deck on the Brochure PDF on the Hustler website(see below for those interested):
"Limited Lifetime warranty on the leading edge
of the decks. See dealer for details.
54 and 60 available on X-ONE model and 60
and 72 available on Diesel Z, Super Z & Super
Z HD models.
Industry exclusive counter rotating blade for
the best finished appearance in it's class.
Dual trim capabilities for increased productivity
and greater protection from thrown objects.
Deck is noticeably quieter in operation.
Rear discharge requires less horsepower
to operate because clippings are not being
passed through each blade.
Same durable construction Hustler is known
for.
Heavy duty ductile iron spindles with sealed
bearings for unmatched durability and life."
Seems like Hustler may be exclusive in the counter rotating blades and there is a picture on the brochure of how it works. Here's a link to the brochure which gives a very good overall picture of the complete Hustler line:
http://www.hustlerturf.com/images/Brochure_PDFs/2014_Brochures/FullLineAccord_2014.pdf
That is not true. Exmark also has a rear discharge deck with counter rotating blades.
#9
S
Shughes717
S
Shughes717
The main obstacle I see as to why there are no combination rd/sd decks on the market is air flow. The baffles would be configured different for each type deck and would have to be moved when swapping from one to the other. Too complicated. I don't think it would be impossible, because there are some talented engineers working at these companies. I just don't think it would be practical enough for them to put much time or money into it. The jd mod deck does something similar to what you are asking about, and look at the complaints it is getting from customers. Even the die hard jd supporters on this site don't like it.
#10
djdicetn
Yep, even user Jwatson99, who just bought a JD Z960R, started to get the MOD deck and then decided not to after demoing it.
djdicetn
The main obstacle I see as to why there are no combination rd/sd decks on the market is air flow. The baffles would be configured different for each type deck and would have to be moved when swapping from one to the other. Too complicated. I don't think it would be impossible, because there are some talented engineers working at these companies. I just don't think it would be practical enough for them to put much time or money into it. The jd mod deck does something similar to what you are asking about, and look at the complaints it is getting from customers. Even the die hard jd supporters on this site don't like it.
Yep, even user Jwatson99, who just bought a JD Z960R, started to get the MOD deck and then decided not to after demoing it.
#11
S
Shughes717
Nwatson99 is one of the members I was talking about. He wrote about testing one then swapping back to the 7iron. The deck must have some issues if he doesn't like it. He may be able to get on here and give some input as to the problems he had with the deck. He could give some insight as to the hurdles that would have to be crossed for the deck to achieve what the op is requesting.
S
Shughes717
Yep, even user Jwatson99, who just bought a JD Z960R, started to get the MOD deck and then decided not to after demoing it.
Nwatson99 is one of the members I was talking about. He wrote about testing one then swapping back to the 7iron. The deck must have some issues if he doesn't like it. He may be able to get on here and give some input as to the problems he had with the deck. He could give some insight as to the hurdles that would have to be crossed for the deck to achieve what the op is requesting.
#12
djdicetn
I meant to type Nwatson99....thanks for the correction:0)
djdicetn
Nwatson99 is one of the members I was talking about. He wrote about testing one then swapping back to the 7iron. The deck must have some issues if he doesn't like it. He may be able to get on here and give some input as to the problems he had with the deck. He could give some insight as to the hurdles that would have to be crossed for the deck to achieve what the op is requesting.
I meant to type Nwatson99....thanks for the correction:0)
#13
S
Shughes717
No problem. I misspell things all the time on here. I knew who you meant. I just sent him a pm requesting his input on this subject.
S
Shughes717
I meant to type Nwatson99....thanks for the correction:0)
No problem. I misspell things all the time on here. I knew who you meant. I just sent him a pm requesting his input on this subject.
#14
Nwatson99
What exactly are you interested in doing with the deck where you want side and rear discharge? I do not know of any, but of course I have not looked for any either.
The MOD deck from JD well it is a good deck for mulching, operating around obstacles and stuff like that and the MOD deck really truly works, however JD was unable to take the 7 Iron and MOD function and get them to work as they should in both scenarios of MOD mowing and open lawn mowing.
Here is a write up on the MOD deck I purchased, kept it for almost a full month and had to return the mower for a new one.
MOD Deck:
My thoughts on the JD MOD 7 Iron Deck, this deck is a very clean cutting deck and yes it works exactly as advertised you push the handle forward for MOD and that is exactly what you are getting this mower mows, mulches, and discharges the clippings back into the lawn with very few clippings exiting the discharge chute so yes it works when mowing around your home, buildings, landscaping, etc.
Now the MOD deck does not stripe as good and prominent as the 7 Iron deck, I spent several hours comparing different set-ups with the MOD deck and I was unable to get it looking like my old Z930.
The first three mows I performed with the MOD deck had the blades that came from factory TCU15881 which are High Lift blades and commonly used on 7 Iron and 7 Iron Pro decks.
Now the parts replacement list calls out different blades these designated MOD blades TCU18990 were installed and mowed with around the home, building, driveways, etc using the MOD feature with the different blades this machine still mows like a dream and works exactly as advertised.
If I was commercial business and mowing multiple yards say 2 acres or less this is the ultimate set-up to use especially around sensitive areas where you do not want grass clippings to be, I know I would at least have 1 if not multiple MOD decks in my fleet.
Now the Con to the MOD Deck:
We have a portion of our front lawn located between trees immediately in our yard in front of the house and Cleveland Pear trees which are located about 30 feet back from the road, this lot is 2.5 acres and then we have another lot behind our pond which is 1.5 acres where I have no obstacles or nothing stopping me from letting the machine eat while mowing these two areas.
I cannot mow with my machine at half throttle or wide open due to stragglers of grass and some uncut grass left in the lots, if I mow slowly I have no issues with uncut grass and have a beautiful cut minus the prominent striping?
I have studied the deck thoroughly underneath it and determined the baffles for the MOD chambers are too close to the blades, thus not allowing proper air flow and vacuum for the deck to lift and cut all grass and causing this issue.
Also the MOD doors that close to create the mulching chambers are manufactured with additional angle iron under the deck, this angle iron even though it is far enough from the blade tips will also have a slap effect knocking grass and where they are lower than the edge of the deck I also think this contributes to the issues I am having mowing at faster speeds.
Nwatson99
Hi guys.
Does anyone know if a zero turn mower has been made which gives you the option of rear discharge or side on same machine ?
Surely manufacturers like bobcat etc have thought of it ?
Sides great but it would be superb if you could change in a matter of seconds to rear by shutting side with a mechanism and use rear. Near cars, buildings etc to stop mess.
What exactly are you interested in doing with the deck where you want side and rear discharge? I do not know of any, but of course I have not looked for any either.
The MOD deck from JD well it is a good deck for mulching, operating around obstacles and stuff like that and the MOD deck really truly works, however JD was unable to take the 7 Iron and MOD function and get them to work as they should in both scenarios of MOD mowing and open lawn mowing.
Here is a write up on the MOD deck I purchased, kept it for almost a full month and had to return the mower for a new one.
MOD Deck:
My thoughts on the JD MOD 7 Iron Deck, this deck is a very clean cutting deck and yes it works exactly as advertised you push the handle forward for MOD and that is exactly what you are getting this mower mows, mulches, and discharges the clippings back into the lawn with very few clippings exiting the discharge chute so yes it works when mowing around your home, buildings, landscaping, etc.
Now the MOD deck does not stripe as good and prominent as the 7 Iron deck, I spent several hours comparing different set-ups with the MOD deck and I was unable to get it looking like my old Z930.
The first three mows I performed with the MOD deck had the blades that came from factory TCU15881 which are High Lift blades and commonly used on 7 Iron and 7 Iron Pro decks.
Now the parts replacement list calls out different blades these designated MOD blades TCU18990 were installed and mowed with around the home, building, driveways, etc using the MOD feature with the different blades this machine still mows like a dream and works exactly as advertised.
If I was commercial business and mowing multiple yards say 2 acres or less this is the ultimate set-up to use especially around sensitive areas where you do not want grass clippings to be, I know I would at least have 1 if not multiple MOD decks in my fleet.
Now the Con to the MOD Deck:
We have a portion of our front lawn located between trees immediately in our yard in front of the house and Cleveland Pear trees which are located about 30 feet back from the road, this lot is 2.5 acres and then we have another lot behind our pond which is 1.5 acres where I have no obstacles or nothing stopping me from letting the machine eat while mowing these two areas.
I cannot mow with my machine at half throttle or wide open due to stragglers of grass and some uncut grass left in the lots, if I mow slowly I have no issues with uncut grass and have a beautiful cut minus the prominent striping?
I have studied the deck thoroughly underneath it and determined the baffles for the MOD chambers are too close to the blades, thus not allowing proper air flow and vacuum for the deck to lift and cut all grass and causing this issue.
Also the MOD doors that close to create the mulching chambers are manufactured with additional angle iron under the deck, this angle iron even though it is far enough from the blade tips will also have a slap effect knocking grass and where they are lower than the edge of the deck I also think this contributes to the issues I am having mowing at faster speeds.
#15
S
Shughes717
S
Shughes717
Nwatson99, my thoughts on the op's question was that the big issue would be changing the baffles from rd to sd to get the desired air flow. I read your review of the mod deck a while back, but couldn't remember what exactly was the issue. Thanks for re posting it.
#16
Nwatson99
You are exactly correct the baffling would be a nightmare and to reroute the discharge I just cannot see proper air flow and suction, especially from side to back.
If uk gardening has a mowing business and does smaller yards and properties then the JD MOD deck would work great for him, but out here in the country where I live and really get to mowing on long passes with no obstructions the MOD deck failed due to the air flow restriction of the baffling system.
uk gardening do you mow weekly or do you have grass you mow that is 2 weeks or more growth?
Nwatson99
Nwatson99, my thoughts on the op's question was that the big issue would be changing the baffles from rd to sd to get the desired air flow. I read your review of the mod deck a while back, but couldn't remember what exactly was the issue. Thanks for re posting it.
You are exactly correct the baffling would be a nightmare and to reroute the discharge I just cannot see proper air flow and suction, especially from side to back.
If uk gardening has a mowing business and does smaller yards and properties then the JD MOD deck would work great for him, but out here in the country where I live and really get to mowing on long passes with no obstructions the MOD deck failed due to the air flow restriction of the baffling system.
uk gardening do you mow weekly or do you have grass you mow that is 2 weeks or more growth?
#17
uk gardening
uk gardening
I cut every 10 days and some sites grow real fast. Im really thinking of just staying with bobcat mind, and stepping up to the 37hp predator pro. Ive heard most rear discharge decks are messy at times, but are handy near parking areas, buildings etc. I will look up the john deere and check it out guys.