JD mower questions

ed in cny

Member
My MIL has a JD mower she hates as it has a mulching deck. She would rather change it out for a side discharge. My BIL
just passed and I am helping here as he helped her do these things. The mowing isn't going well and this mulching mower
deck can't keep up. The deck likely needs short grass cut often I suspect. Well she is struggling using the mower. The
mower is good otherwise and would like to see if another deck fits. I didn't look at the model number lately so I'm not
positive on it. I believe it to be an LX173. Also I believe it has a Piranha mulch deck on it. If not that model I will
have to get the model.

So can I modify the deck to side discharge and if so how? If not is there a side discharge deck available if so what
model to look for. Thanks guys.
 
As long as the bolt holes line up, you should be able to put that engine on any deck. You are right mulching mowers do not like tall grass. Your local JD dealer may have a deck. My brother is a service manager for a dealership in FL and he gets them all the time.
 
ed
You can look it up on the JD parts on line web site. Just use 173 as the model. Their are several mowers shown, some are a bolt on to make them a mulching mower, check to see if you can remove one of the sides to change it over to a side discharge. If so you can order the replacement Safety shut parts from JD for to do so.
 
The Piranha deck is a dedicated Mulching deck, and was an optional deck available on the LX series lawn tractors. The blades have a cogged timing belt, and are timed. Its been awhile since i Worked on one, but I believe they also spin in opposite directions.

These mowers do require being setup properly as far as there front and rear height deck height, as well as side to side to cute level.
But, even then they won't do well in tall, thick or wet grass, unless you mow often.

If you have a friendly dealer around, you can check with them if they have any old decks laying around from old / traded LX series machines. You will probably need the hanger brackets that go with the deck, as well as the drive belt for it. They should be able to help you with all that.

They should also be able to order you a complete new side discharge deck with everything you need that fits, but make sure you have something to lean on, or sit on when you tell you the price.
 
Didn't finish my comment but I think I could turn that Piranha deck into some cash for similar money. That is if anyone would be looking for one.
 
The 38" deck that is shown working on the LX series mowers would work. It would ne a better deck for your needs. Your mulching deck is only worth about scrap price. I a have 4-5 of them out back. I sometimes find spindles or idlers that I can use and that is about it. JD did not have a good mulching only deck until the Freedom 42 came out. The Piranha deck just did not work well in taller wet grass.
 
Other thing to look out for are the blades. Mulching blades have the normal cutting sharp side on the end, but on the other side of the blade it curves way up; idea is to force the grass up, hit the deck and come back to the blade for another whack. Regular cutting blades are either straight all the way out to the end or if they have variances they are not exaggerated.
 
Forgot something. On one of my mowers there was a metal insert that was placed over the side discharge opening preventing the clippings from exiting. This was a removable hootus so that you could mulch or mow normally. Is it possible that your deck has such and is not mfgr'd as a mulch only deck. Actually, I don't have all that much experience with my 5 mowers and all, but I have never seen a deck that is mulch only.......rear exit where the clippings come out the center and fall between the tires yes, but not mulch only.
 
Thanks guys I may get to the JD lawn and garden to see it they have a mower deck that will work. Not New I already had a heart attack and don't need another. I'll be looking now I know what to look for. Thanks again.
 

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