Do you keep the discharge chute on your mower?

[wdfifteen]

I save a fair amount of grass for the compost heap. I have a trail behind vacuum that sucks the grass out of the mower deck to collect the grass.



To hook it up to my new mower I used the bracket that mounts the discharge chute to rig up a collector for the grass vacuum tube. A new bracket to let me re-mount the discharge chute is kind of spendy. My old mower never had a side discharge chute - I guess it's a safety item? I'm getting mixed messages as to the usefulness of the chute. A lot of guys take it off as soon as they get a new mower. What do you guys do? Leave it on or take it off.

The chute is always in the way and I've already rigged up a rope to lift it when I'm mowing close to something.

[greglepore]

Safety item. In theory it keeps feet out, and hopefully deflects a hit stone before it kills someone.
If you don't mow anywhere public, your call. If you mow near a road, sidewalk, kids or dogs in yard or low windows, leave it on.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Safety item. In theory it keeps feet out, and hopefully deflects a hit stone before it kills someone.
If you don't mow anywhere public, your call. If you mow near a road, sidewalk, kids or dogs in yard or low windows, leave it on.

It honestly has nothing to do with saving feet and everything to do with deflecting rocks and sticks.

[jwasbury]

Mine is held up/out of the way with a bungee cord. Bought the mower used and it came with the bungee already installed. I’ve left it there because the gets in the way, as you already noted.

[rfuerst911sc]

I agree it is a safety item to help control rocks and sticks downward . But because of that downward path if grass is just slightly damp you get a straight line of clumps . At least that has been my experience . I removed them or they were already removed on the used mowers I have purchased over the years .

My two JD garden tractors do not have discharge chutes . When I mow the dogs are inside . If we have the grandkids they stay inside until I am done . When I mow near the house or out buildings I " aim " away from them . It has never been an issue and the cut grass seems to discharge in a better pattern .

One last comment : in our litigious society when everyone wants to sue when someone farts if you happen to damage someone's property or hurt someone because the " safely chute " has been removed you will have a tough time in court .

[Baz]

I recycle so no discharge....deck is completely enclosed.

I think it's best to leave it on though if you don't recycle like me - just for safety concerns.

[asphaltgambler]

On my JD 430 restoration - I'm now doing major deck rust repair / fabrication. I cut the chute piece by 2/3 size ( where it hangs out sideways) and then welded it in place. I wanted some safety in place but not so much over- hang as vent the clippings in a win-row.

So it should 'spew' or fan out the clippings now even in heavy grass. We'll see, I'm committed at this point....

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Baz

I recycle so no discharge....deck is completely enclosed.

I think it's best to leave it on though if you don't recycle like me - just for safety concerns.

I am recycling, just not back onto the lawn. I mix the grass with leaves, compost it, and put the compost on my vegetable and flower gardens. We've been at this place two summers now and I've already turned the clay into half decent soil.
I had 23 years to develop my last garden. I could push my hand down into the soil up to my wrist - no tools needed.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I am recycling, just not back onto the lawn. I mix the grass with leaves, compost it, and put the compost on my vegetable and flower gardens. We've been at this place two summers now and I've already turned the clay into half decent soil.
I had 23 years to develop my last garden. I could push my hand down into the soil up to my wrist - no tools needed.

Sorry Patrick - I meant 'recycle' in the context of how the deck was configured.

Love what you are doing there - much respect!

[john70t]

Originally Posted by red-beard

It honestly has nothing to do with saving feet

I had an uncles missing a few toes..

[Jolly Amaranto]

I usually just "mulch" the grass in place and leave it on the lawn. I have awesome mushrooms. Occasionally if there has been a lot of rain and the grass is very long, the mower chokes if I try to mulch. I can't bail it so I attach the discharge bag to collect it and dump it on a much pile.

[pavulon]

yes. Since my dog chewed up the plastic mulching plate, the chute manages any yard shrapnel.

[masraum]

I had my mower set up to mulch, so the chute was there, but not actually doing anything.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Zeke

By the looks of that chute a rock could leave at a low profile at a high velocity. Better than a home run, I guess.

I've been hit by things like that more than once. Over the years I've had several hits to the legs while other folks were mowing. I remember one drawing blood when I was about 9.

Not exactly related, but many years ago, I was stopped at a stop light with a median and had what I assume with a bit of gravel hit me in the back of the head from a guy that was using a weedeater 20' away. That stung like hell.