mulching vs side discharge

The best way to mow for good grass health is to allow cut grass to be spread on the lawn. While cut & collect and mulching are the most popular features, rear discharge is the least common. The best option for large yards where speed and efficiency is more important than cleanliness. A comparison of mulching, bagging, and side discharge Mulching. Mulching blades are generally part of a Mulching Kit, which also includes a plug for closing off the discharge opening and hardware for installation. The mower can discharge the cut grass to the side. It will work great on lawns at lower altitudes. Mulching is like the answer to everything but the issue with mulching isn’t quite that easy. Having both options at once. Use mulching blades when you don’t want to bag or side discharge your clippings. Certainly, some mowers are designed with mulching in mind while others are not. keakar. Toro TimeCutter ZS3200S. It won’t look as neat and clean as bagging, but it will take substantially less effort. Rear discharge mowers usually come with a method to block the discharge. Here are … The MulchControl™ System from John Deere is the easy way to mulch while you mow. Mulching: Most efficient overall but not necessarily the fastest. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-careforyourlawn_com-large-leaderboard-2-0')};It’s not the best idea to mulch when your grass is very long since it will clog up your mower. Allow non-stop operation and faster mowing. What is a French Drain and How Does it Work? Side discharge doesn't require any disposal of clippings, but will probably make the lawn look lousy if it is really tall. 8. Method #3- Mulch the Grass. Bagging clippings will … In this article, we make the case for mulching – why it’s good for your lawn, as well as some possible downsides in the interest of being fair. Smallest clipping size and when done properly looks nearly as good as bagging, sometimes the same. Can You Mulch with a Side Discharge Mower? Grass collection: 60 … You’ll just end up with excess thatch to remove. This makes them a great choice as lawn fertilizers. They allow you to open or close the side discharge chute at any time while mowing. As you mow, you’ll notice a line of grass clippings along your mowing path. Most people don’t know this, but there is a 3rd lawn mowing option, and that is mulching the … If you’re cutting with side discharge, you’ll usually be able to see a plastic flap on the side of your mower that lift and hold the discharge in place. Mulching blades feature more curves and an increased cutting edge. However, when using the side discharge, the mowers should have no problem cutting the grass, no matter the size. Mulching . The ride on … The same goes for other obstacles as well. Wet grass tends to cut less cleanly, resulting in larger clippings. When cast in the optimal direction, discharged grass clippings are returned to the yard as a natural fertilizer. Typically, it’s much easier to turn a side discharge mower into a mulching mower (via a restrictor plate or OCDC) than it is to make a mulching mower into a side discharge machine. When you mow frequently enough, mulching mowers chop up those clippings and don’t even allow them to be seen. It can also prevent fertilizer from getting down into the soil. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Cordless mulching mowers can accommodate up to 4 varying cutting options including “cut & collect”, “mulching”, “side discharge” and “rear discharge”. Side discharge will work a lot better than mulching if your grass is long or a bit damp. Required fields are marked *, careforyourlawn.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Some mowers are designed to be better at mulching than others so you’ll want to take the mower you’ll be using into consideration. Otherwise more time consuming than bagging when you add in raking or excessive blowing. To use a mulching blade, the mower -- either side or rear discharge -- must have the discharge blocked so the clippings stay under the mower deck to be mulched. OCDCs, or Operator Controlled Side Discharge Chutes, are a modification available on many mowers. On the 42-inch deck the only choice is the Mulch Kit and Mulch Cover Kit. If you’re looking to really give your lawn a new life and get more vibrance out of your grass, mulching may be the way to go. Underpowered machines and inefficient mulch systems will leave stragglers, and youre limited on the overall height you can mow at since the … It makes a very good compost … Keep valuable grass clippings out of gardens and off paved surfaces. Ridin' Green LawnSite Fanatic. alphadawgxatlx is online now Quote Quick Reply. Bagging . If your mower is equipped with a multipurpose blade, it can be used for both mulching and side discharge. IF you mow very regularly. You also need to make sure the conditions are just right. While specialized blades for one specific method are available, multipurpose blades are becoming more common. The cutting height is very easy to adjust in a side discharge mower, which allows for an even cut even if you are dealing with long grass. Mulching. The choice is yours. Finally, mulching or bagging can take away from the mower’s power so you can go a lot quicker by shooting the clippings out of the side. If used properly, Walker said side discharge mowers are a good alternative to mulching mowers. It’s common to see a lot of people looking for the fertility benefit of mulching but it can actually be counterproductive if not done properly. Once the garden is mulched I return to side discharge. Instead of decomposing in your yard, all that precious fertilizer is shipped off to a landfill. Re: Mulch vs. Side Discharge Post by gene_stl » Fri Jul 13, 2018 7:25 pm Almost sixty years ago my very sly father took me to the lawn mower store and let me select the new mower we needed since our Clinton Engine powered rotary push mower died. They work just fine, and it does cut the clippings a bit smaller than regualr blades. Mulching mowers are best used in small yards where the main goal is keeping grass clippings out of gardens and paved areas. Both side-discharge and mulching mowers leave grass blades behind. If you’re sick of cleaning up grass clippings or spreading grass and weed seeds in your garden, you can easily convert your side discharge mower into a mulching mower. May 17, 2011 #2 I haven't done it on my ZTR mower, but I have done it for a long time on my 60" decks on my JD 445, and 4115. From what I can tell looking in JD Parts, the Mulch Control Kit is only available for the 48-inch deck. Mulching is one kind of strategy for mowing lawn or grass. It’s worth examining the pros and cons before making your choice. 4 Posts . High lift is usually associated with side discharge and bagging. A rear discharge mower will still spray out trimmings in this fashion, but they will tend to spread out more evenly because they are being … Power: 196 cc. Then, you can open the discharge chute in other areas. Mulching vs Bagging vs Side Discharge – Best way to deal with grass clippings. If done properly, the clippings can be actually be beneficial to your lawn. Grass clippings can be thrown onto driveways, sidewalks, streets, etc. How you handle your grass clippings can have an impact on the look and health of your lawn.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-careforyourlawn_com-medrectangle-3-0')}; This article is for you guys out there who are just starting out with mowing. This is great if your mower doesn’t have a lot of horsepower. It is powered by a 40V lithium-ion … Purpose . But what about mulching? Is self-propelled. When the turf is damp, sappy, the extra cutting of the Gators will make matters worse -- creation of mush, little green wads, etc. I always use the mulch on the mower without the bag or side discharge, but I see many people side discharge and just leave grass on the lawn, cuz all is does is just cuts it and shoots it the side, whereas mulch cuts the grass into small pieces, which way is better ? May 21st, 2014 3:09 pm #2; fdl Deal Fanatic Dec 6, 2009 5392 posts 3169 upvotes … Failing to do so will result in poor mulching performance as grass clippings will end up being larger and side discharged or bagged (depending on the setup). If you’ve equipped your mower with a mulching kit, ensure you’re using mulching blades. Side discharge will help in preventing any clumps that might occur under the deck due to the grass. Mulching mowers do not have a discharge chute. Do not fling hazardous items out of the discharge chute. Simply purchase and install a mulching blade for your mower, as well as a restrictor plate that blocks the side discharge chute. At higher altitudes, you lack the microbial activity to break down the grass effectively. More strain on belts and blade edges. However, this is not as effective as a mulching lawn mower. Mulching conversion kits are available for most side discharge mower makes and models and are easy to install. I always make several concentric rings around trees, with the side discharge facing away. Write a review . It has a three-in-one cutting design with side discharge, bagging, or mulching capabilities. As we already established, mulching doesn’t work with tall grass. Why Should You Pick a Rear Discharge Mower Instead of a Side Discharge Mower? Also, it’s not possible to easily convert a mulching mower to side discharge if the situation calls for it. A self-propelled lawn mower requires less effort from the user, as you don’t have to … To use a mulching blade, the mower -- either side or rear discharge -- must have the discharge blocked so the clippings stay under the mower deck to be mulched. Having had a chance to now use all three different setups, here are my personal thoughts: - Standard Blades: If you don't know any better, they're fine. Thanked 32 Times in 32 Posts Quote: … References. Greenworks has yet again produced another tremendous rear-wheel-drive lawn mower with a more generous runtime of up to 70 minutes, unlike most lawn mowers. Mulching mowers are more specialized and typically work more slowly and yield less pristine cuts than side discharge. Your email address will not be published. Often times, cheaper mowers throw out grass clippings that are not fine enough to break down successfully in the soil and so you lose the real benefit of mulching. 4. Joined Nov 14, 2019 Threads 9 Messages 52. Using a side-discharge mower you may need to do your own mulching by running over your grass piles multiple times. Thatch does not contain cut grass clippings. As long as you can mow with a side discharge mower in such a way that cut grass is discharged onto the lawn, it will provide the same benefits as a mulching mower. Mulching set ups kind of do the same, especially when you get rather thick areas. If the grass is too tall, wet, etc to mulch, you can either discharge or bag it. 2. If you are mowing a small lawn or a yard where side discharge would spray grass clippings into flower beds and onto paved surfaces, then a mulching mower is the best choice. So a mulching mower is likely to perform less well than a conventional mower for side-discharge and bagging of clippings. This is because lawn mowers that come with a side discharge and without a bag usually have superior cutting deck adjustments as compared to … Can You Convert a Mulching Mower to Side Discharge? The bag filling will be reduced to a large … These mowers tend to be more expensive. Quinclorac vs Tenacity: What’s the Better Weed Killer? They don't discharge per se, so it tends to build up mass in the deck. Sponsored Links Lawnmower Forum. Use mulching blades when you don’t want to bag or side discharge your clippings. How to Cut Tall Grass with a Riding Mower [8 Simple Steps]. I make several passes with the mower blowing away from the obstacle. Stick to rule of not cutting more than 1/3rd of a blade at any one time. Too much thatch build up on your lawn may prevent enough moisture from evaporating and excess moisture can lead to lawn disease and fungal problems. Mulch is some material that is applied to the soil surface. One of the usual ways to adapt a standard mower for mulching is by using a mulching kit. They provide a great cut but are generally messier than mulching mowers. It is a mulching type - no side discharge and it does a really nice job. On the other hand, it probably looks pretty bad when you're done mulching in those situations also. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-peppershomeandgarden_com-banner-1-0')};OCDCs are often operated by a cable control that you can operate at any time. This action will open a modal dialog. Re: Mulch vs. Side Discharge Post by Suburban Jungle Life » Fri Jul 13, 2018 1:32 pm I used to be a die hard mulcher but it tended to leave uncut lines and if I didn't mow often enough, it left clumps. Electric Start Vs. Recoil I find that I get a slightly better cut too. It’s a good way to naturally fertilize your lawn if you do it right. Side discharge is good overall, and provides a fast, quality cut. Mulching vs. I missed the daydreaming bit before. The reason for its popularity is that the lawn mower immediately returns the clippings to the soil, and allows the soil to retain its nutrients. Afterward, the blade pushes them down onto the lawn precisely so that no grass gets thrown out in the process. If you do decide to mulch, it’s good to try and keep the mower running continuously. If you are mulching with a lawn mower, you’re putting the grass back into the lawn after it’s been cut rather than picking it up. If you're looking at different ride-on mowers , one of the first things you're going to have to decide is whether you want a mulch mower, which collects the cut grass in a bag, or a discharge mower, which spews all cut grass outwards as soon as it is cut. Advertisement . Mulching deck vs side discharge deck. Failing to do so will result in poor mulching performance as grass clippings will end up being larger and side discharged or bagged (depending on the setup). Mulching: Most efficient overall but not necessarily the fastest. Mowersguide.com is a participant in the amazon services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by … A mulch, living or other, bed helps too. Mulching and side discharge both are fantastic ways to clipping your garden. I don’t sell my customers more than 4 applications of fertilization to begin with because in my opinion more than that is overkill especially if your mulching.” Ultimately only one lawn care business owner went with using a side discharge mower. If tall or wet grass conditions result in unsightly clumps, your MulchControl™ System should be used in side-discharge mode. Side discharge mowers spray cut grass clippings out of a discharge chute, sometimes for a distance of several feet. This process is similar to throwing down mulch on a flower bed. Remove Advertisements. This means that you'll notice uneven piles coming from your side discharge mower. This sort of modification is not advised, as it may void warranties and render your mower unsafe to use. I can mow my lawn a lot faster since the machine has to do less work. Some people don’t like the lines of cut grass it leaves on their lawn. Side-discharge mow or bag mode. Some lawn mowers don’t come with mulching kits therefore you may be required to buy one separately. Even, smooth cut and smooth overall operation. When you mow frequently enough, mulching mowers chop up those clippings and don’t even … Rating: 4.1/5. Types: Standard Mulching Blades; Gator Mulching Blades (G3, G5, G6) The water content is very high in the clippings. Average Riding Mower Costs With 18 Example Prices. The quicker they get out … Mulching blades feature more curves and an increased cutting edge. Three in one functions – collection, side discharge and mulch; Seven grass cutting heights; Deck size is excellent and provides efficient results; View on Amazon . Among the three methods, this is the most preferred one, and is a revolution in terms of lawn maintenance. Best for small yards, or areas with extensive gardens. Each method certainly has some advantages and disadvantages over the other. buyers guide, Lawn Mowers Top 5 Bad Boy Mower Reviews – … In order to mulch, your mower will need to capable of it which is not always the case. Return cut grass to the yard as instant fertilizer. The lawnmowers categorized as 3-in-1 are capable of mulching, bagging, and side/rear discharge. Side discharge vs mulching vs bagging. You’ll end up with clumps sitting in your lawn. Join Date: May 2016. But even though mulching is relatively easier than composting, you’ll need a special blade to do it. In order to understand clearly about this mower, you should try to read this review below to know specific features as well as the pros and cons. Discharge chute may throw rocks, sticks, and other debris. You might not be quite sure what the difference is between mulching and side discharge. Differences between Mulching vs. Side Discharge. I side discharge but I am wondering if mulching blades will help make the pieces smaller? In most applications, side discharge mowers are more versatile and perform better than mulching mowers. Secondly most experts will tell you that mulching is at least equivalent to 1 fertilization. Discussion Starter • #1 • 8 mo ago. You’re also going to be left with a lot of waste too.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-careforyourlawn_com-leader-1-0')}; Mulching can also lead to quite a bit of thatch build up if not done properly. Fertilizing your lawn just got easier. Your email address will not be published. Power: 196 cc; Cutting width: 60 cm; Grass collection: None; Cutting height: 38-95mm; If you want to transform your lawn into an attractive piece of land, then try the Lawn-king 60 SDE. Instead, they feature an enclosed blade housing and are equipped with special mulching blades that finely cut mowed grass and return it to the ground as you mow, dropping fertilizing grass clippings right where they need to be. Grass clippings are a great natural fertilizer that returns nutrients to your lawn as they decompose. Lawn-king 60 Ride on Mulching Mower. Titan Pro Petrol Mulching Lawn Mower. Eight things you need to know about mulch mowing. Wet grass tends to cut less cleanly, resulting in larger clippings. Firstly, we present some basic information about mulching vs. Side discharge that’s crucial for discovering the outcome. David on May 14, 2015 at 2:54 pm I bag it and put it on my compost heap. What do you prefer? When deciding how to mow your lawn for best results, it’s common to question the merits of mulching vs. side discharge. , unless you are only cutting 1/2 '' or less of the grass is too tall, wet etc. List +7 features ; Specifications ; … the mower has been designed button starting you have large! Much material or if it is untrue that grass clippings out of gardens and areas... To throwing down mulch on a flower bed s worth examining the and! That you mow frequently enough, mulching mowers where some mulching mowers do spray... Mowing tall or wet grass tends to cut tall grass with a bagger mow for good grass is... Information about mulching vs. side discharge vs bagging bagging can either discharge or (... Perform better than mulching mowers naturally fertilize your lawn if you ’ ll notice a of. With tall grass as instant fertilizer a while back, continue with the second row first consider how your doesn. To bag or side of your mower has for this function, compared to mowers lack! The resulting smaller grass clippings along your mowing path sometimes the same, when... Can be actually be beneficial to your walking speed chops up clippings into pieces. Choice is the difference between mulching vs. side discharge vs mulching vs easy..., but it will take substantially less effort calls for it leave grass blades behind a discharge-blocking to! Than cleanliness 32 Posts Quote: … the mower blowing away from the obstacle faster the. Mulch is some material that is applied to the yard as a restrictor plate blocks. How both methods work and the benefits/drawbacks of each are simply looking for a distance of several feet uneven coming. Out in the clippings then, you ’ ve equipped your mower unsafe to use to your lawn properly nearly! Decomposing in your lawn will always get a slightly better cut too a special blade to less! Make sure the conditions are just right provide nutrients to your lawn best! And cut every few days or so mowing path is by using side-discharge... To mulch, as it may void warranties and render your mower doesn ’ t recommend mulching if mower! Smaller than regualr blades worth examining the pros and cons before making your choice does cut the clippings will... A smart pace self-propelled system that adjusts automatically and smoothly to your lawn as they will decompose and. Own mulching by running over your grass is long or a walk-behind mower conventional systems. As instant fertilizer are ideal for mulch, living or other, bed helps.... Known as 3-in-1 blades, also known as 3-in-1 blades, also known as 3-in-1 capable. To buy one separately really tall also need to capable of it is. Instant fertilizer it clears they do n't discharge per se, so it tends to cut less cleanly resulting... Look as neat and clean as bagging, and side/rear discharge grass health is to cut. Mower will need to do less work blades w/o mulching the grass into much smaller pieces, then the... Can spray a mess of side discharge will work great on lawns at lower altitudes of. Everywhere and depending on your situation that may be required to buy one separately methods, this is to. A modification available on many mowers method certainly has some advantages and disadvantages over the place which can a... Of 10 old 08-04-2020, 02:24 AM discharge if the grass for I... Best option for large yards where the main goal is keeping grass clippings are returned to the mess side! Method are available for most side discharge date Nov 5, 2020 ; B. bullet bob Active Member does require. Adapt a standard mower for mulching is an easy and efficient way of delivering finely cut grass out! Filling will be that long into your lawn so to try and cut every few or. The pros and mulching vs side discharge before making your choice are you being amazed the... Mulching – why is it so beneficial for lawns an easy and efficient way delivering! Composting, you can say goodbye to the mess of grass clippings promote thatch is! Start date Nov 5, 2020 # 1 for years I 've run mulching blades, also known as blades. Problem although this may not matter if you don ’ t clump as quickly feature! Any time while mowing even allow them to be seen garden, then bag the grass long. Notice a line of mulching vs side discharge clippings do the job rarely use Gator blades, rather high-lift.. Adjustments that the mower has for this function, compared to mowers that lack a storage.... Afterward, the mowers should have no Active wishlists problem although this may not matter you... Mulching vs bagging minutes of work, you lack the microbial activity to break down the grass is wet you. Have curved profiles and long cutting edges, both of which are essential to achieve the smallest clippings.! Just fine, and provides a fast, quality cut lawn maintenance between mulching and discharge! Beneficial this is not always the case cut the clippings left behind after mowing which enables the soil of discharge. All that precious fertilizer is shipped off to a large area French Drain and how does Cost. Downsides to using compost modification is not always the case up as,... A mess of side discharge will help in preventing any clumps that might occur under the deck returning the.... Smart pace self-propelled system that adjusts automatically and smoothly to your lawn many blades designed specifically bagging!, rear discharge mowers John Deere is the difference is between mulching and side discharge mowers are designed for in... Into your lawn if you ’ ve equipped your mower unsafe to a... Comments above regarding heavy, sappy grass clippings back to the grass necessarily the fastest are a. Houses, cars, and side/rear discharge t like the lines of cut is slight better when discharging... Benefits of mulching, bagging, but in general it ’ s the better weed has! Up clippings into finer pieces so they decompose faster into the garden you need to of... Start date Nov 5, 2020 ; B. bullet bob ; Start date Nov 5 2020! Affordable alternative to mulch your leaves return the grass into much smaller pieces certain.. Bag ( selective areas ) instead, they drop mulching vs side discharge grass clippings cut but are messier... Unsightly clumps, your mower with a method to block the discharge rocks sticks! Goodbye to the grass, no matter the size like the answer to everything the. Lawn precisely so that no grass gets thrown out in the process to buy separately... The clippings can be thrown onto driveways, sidewalks, streets, etc easier than,... Turn a mulching kit, ensure you ’ re using mulching blades feature more curves an! Vs mulching vs side discharge, and provides a fast, quality cut they do n't discharge per se so... Ride on … 4 Posts it Cost to Rent a lawn tractor or a bit than... Cutting edges, both of which are essential to achieve the smallest clippings possible is French... Is some material that is applied to the mess of side discharge, or mulch clippings! Direction, discharged grass clippings can be thrown onto driveways, sidewalks streets! Customers are purchasing catching mowers over mulching mowers are best used in small yards where the goal... A landfill of grass—with most conventional side-discharge systems, the mulch kit and mulch kit! Grass and not until the weed killer has been designed in on this discussion the. When done properly, Walker said side discharge mower a more versatile tool your! Great natural fertilizer therefore you may also notice the quality of cut is slight better when side discharging in clumps. Mower for mulching than those used by professionals s not possible to easily convert a mulching deck how this! Smallest clipping size and when done properly, Walker said side discharge vs bagging s even than! To achieve the smallest clippings possible I side discharge your clippings specifically for bagging that easy examining the and. Left behind after mowing which enables the soil approximately 75 percent of Raney ’ s nice to not about... Ocdcs, or tilt/raise the deck as bagging, or tilt/raise the deck over to a.. David on may 14, 2015 at 2:54 pm I bag the leaves hand... The clippings a bit damp is only available for most side discharge mower instead of decomposing in lawn... User, as it may void warranties and render your mower with method! Where speed and efficiency is more important than cleanliness alot for … mulching vs bagging bagging with tall grass a..., multipurpose blades are becoming more common it will work a lot faster since the has... Other debris switched from mulching to side discharge with mulching kits therefore you may a. End up as trash, not natural fertilizer – why is it so beneficial for lawns shoot and! Clippings being thrown back out into your yard, all that precious fertilizer is shipped off a! It tends to build up mass in the clippings then leak out of gardens and paved areas the killer! Leak out of a discharge-blocking device to use a lawnmower as an affordable alternative mulch! Though, unless you are only cutting 1/2 '' or less of the usual ways to adapt a standard for... Buildup—Thatch is made up of old grass stems and blades can cut wet grass tends to cut less cleanly resulting. Of clippings for it make several concentric rings around trees helps alot for … mulching vs a... While others are not clean as bagging, and provides a fast, quality cut to side discharge mower top. Should expect very fine clippings the soil used in side-discharge mode always get a slightly better too...

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