Wheelhorse mower deck question

Keith True · Jul 3, 2022

I use Wheelhorse tractors to mow with,and have one that was new here in 1973.I use the rear discharge decks,but I hear a lot of people that seem to just hate them.I really don't know why,when I press them on it,they just kind of shake their heads and mumble something.Some like the side discharge because they use baggers,but they have an actual valid reason.I leave a 3 foot wide swath,but it is always fine,and the next day there is no trace.Windrows from a side discharge tend to stay around a while.Is there an actual reason some seem to dislike them so much?

J Hamilton · Jul 3, 2022

The ONLY time I prefer a side discharge is for leaf cleanup to mow/blow them out in the open to mulch them. Myself, I prefer a rear discharge for mowing. Like you said the clippings are spread out more evenly and it's less likely to throw an object through a window or something if you mow around buildings, cars or areas where people may be nearby. Just my opinions on them, as I have been looking for a rear discharge deck for my machine.

steve_in_mo · Jul 3, 2022

The clippings from a rear discharge deck can get stuck
up inside the frame or the inside of the rear wheels.

Keith True · Jul 4, 2022

My experience with them has been that the heavier and moist grass will lay out on the ground.The fine,dry tops can blow up into the box under the seat,and into the rear wheels.I have a 71 with the original hubcaps,and the fine dry grass will build up in there.Damp drass NEVER winds up trapped in there.I have an air tower at the corner of my garage so I always stop near it to blow things out anyway.I've always found it odd that some people have an almost fervent hatred of the read discharge deck.I listened to a man carry on about them a few days ago,and I strongly suspect that the ones that didn't like them are the same people that complained about tractors taking over from horses.Change just has to be bad.

T.R.K. · Jul 6, 2022

It depends. They guys who cuss rear discharge decks usually mow much less often. So the grass is taller. A rear discharge mowing in thick grass can leave a 'windrow' on the right side of the discharge opening, or the spread of cut grass will be noticeably thicker on the right side.

Keith True · Jul 9, 2022

I'm one of the guys that doesn't mow much.I don't mow for pretty,I mow to keep the grass and weeds down.Sometimes I have to mow twice,once with the deck all the way to the top,and then again with it at normal height.I have one deck with the diverter on the right missing,that one does leave a little more on that side.Nowhere near the windrow that a side discharge would leave.I have a like new deck that I've never used.It has a mulching accessory.Three steel rings,about 3 inches tall,one around each blade.I was told it takes good HP to use it though.

gab · Jul 11, 2022

I've had two rear discharge mowers, don't want any more although ones been laying under a bench for over thirty years. I'm pretty satisfied with the job my 48 inch decks do.

tractorguy2 · Jul 11, 2022

I've never used a rear discharge deck. Thinking about it a rear discharge would be good for my cemetery mowing job. My 54 side discharge deck blows all the clipping all over the monuments. Would also fit in tighter spots without the side shield.

ASEguy · Jul 23, 2022

On riders, no. On walk behinds, yes because they chuck stuff back towards the operator. I use an old Gravely L series walk behind to mow my trail through the woods and I have been hit a couple of times with decent size rocks.

dramsey · Sep 3, 2022

I use both Rear and Side discharge on my Horses, the side discharge if I want to just make a quicker job of it or cut for bagging since it is a larger unit, the rear discharge appears a lot cleaner which I use more often. As long as the grass is dry either option looks and works good. Letting the grass get tall between mowing the side discharge leaves more of a windrow than the rear discharge.

Wheelhorse mower deck question

Keith True

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J Hamilton

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steve_in_mo

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Keith True

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T.R.K.

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Keith True

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gab

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tractorguy2

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ASEguy

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dramsey

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