Mower not Cutting
#1
07-24-15, 07:17 AM
Mower not Cutting
I have a Troy Built 21" push mower with 6.5 HP B&S motor and it doesn't quite get the job done. It mows my Zoysia grass just fine, but if my cool season grass (other half of the yard) is more than 5 or 6 inches, I have to go over it twice, which is extremely irritating. I don't use the bag or the side discharge, so I am always mulching (grass clippings coming out from beneath). Could this have something to do with it? I'm thinking maybe there is so much grass underneath that the blade can't cut sufficiently, and if I give the clippings somewhere to go (bag or side discharge) that the mower will cut in one pass. I'm going to try it this evening, but am curious what you guys have to say.
#2
07-24-15, 07:30 AM
Group Moderator
I think you're asking too much of the mower. If the grass is that tall, you should be raising the height of the blade anyway so you're removing no more than 1/3 the height of the grass.
#3
07-24-15, 07:45 AM
Member
I agree.
How sharp is the blade?
I've switched to Oregon brand Gator blades, makes a big difference in the cut.
15-1/2" Oregon® 95-614 Lawn Mower Blade to fit AYP, Sears, Husqvarna |
How sharp is the blade?
I've switched to Oregon brand Gator blades, makes a big difference in the cut.
15-1/2" Oregon® 95-614 Lawn Mower Blade to fit AYP, Sears, Husqvarna |
#4
07-24-15, 07:57 AM
Also do you clean the underside of the deck regularly? One of my stepsons had a mower he claimed was a piece of junk - there was so much caked up grass under it I was surprised it even tried to cut.
#5
07-24-15, 08:06 AM
Member
Grass
I believe your instructions for mulching mowing will tell you to mow frequently before the grass gets too tall. Opening the side discharge will help.
#6
07-24-15, 11:19 AM
It has a brand new 21" 3-in-1 blade on it. I realize I'm not supposed to cut more than 1/3 off, but grass grows like crazy around here so that's not always possible. And that guidance is to prevent thatch buildup isn't it, not because a typical mower can't cut more than 1/3. I haven't cleaned the underside in a while, so I'll do that as well as open the side discharge and see if that helps.
#7
07-24-15, 11:22 AM
Group Moderator
No, the 1/3 rule is for the health of the grass - it's traumatic to the grass to cut more than that.
I'm just using that as an example but regardless of the height of the grass, if you're cutting off several inches, I wouldn't expect your mower to handle that well.
I'm just using that as an example but regardless of the height of the grass, if you're cutting off several inches, I wouldn't expect your mower to handle that well.
#8
07-24-15, 12:39 PM
I cut my cool season grass to 3" to 3.5", so I'm only cutting off 2" or so. I would think any mower could handle that (evidently not). I'm sure a Honda Quadra Cut could. That will be my next mower, once I can stomach the expense.
#9
07-24-15, 01:01 PM
Group Moderator
I've never measured how much I can cut off before the mower can't mulch it all but 2" doesn't really surprise me. How fast you walk, how wide a cut you make and how sharp the blade is can all make a difference.
#10
07-29-15, 09:33 AM
mulcher wont cut
SOme mulchers are not designed correctly. The grass gets all caught up in the back of the mower and between the blade and the bottom of the deck.
The grass has nowhere to do, this is why when you side discharge or bag, all is well. grass leaves the underside of the mower.
Dont gut ut too short to avoid this. Its your only way out.
The grass has nowhere to do, this is why when you side discharge or bag, all is well. grass leaves the underside of the mower.
Dont gut ut too short to avoid this. Its your only way out.
