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avoiding 'clumping wads' of grass
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Posted by sailor86 zone7 DFW,TX (My Page) on Mon, Oct 26, 09 at 13:56
| I have an old-school 20" cut Montgomery Wards lawnmower that I got for a song and dance. It runs great and all but I do not like the wads of clumped trimmings it trails behind. Sears carries a 20" "mulching" blade. Should that take care of the problem? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: avoiding 'clumping wads' of grass
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| How much grass are you taking off when you cut. It might be that you waiting too long in between mowings. I think that a mulching blade would make it worse if that's the case. |
RE: avoiding 'clumping wads' of grass
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| Like nc says, try cutting more frequently and, when possible, when the grass is drier. If you still have a problem, a mulching blade should help get the grass chopped up finer. But, you can't get all the benefits of a good mulching mower, including deck design, with a cheaper model by just changing the blade. But, to repeat, you can probably avoid most of the clumping problem from the inexpensive/old mower with more frequent mowings. Whether you want to spend the money for a new one to avoid a few the need for more freqent mowings is a personal choice. |
RE: avoiding 'clumping wads' of grass
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| Don't know anything about your mower but is it a side discharge mower by any chance? If so you might want to find a way to plug the chute. I got a Gator Mulching Blade and have been very happy with it. |
RE: avoiding 'clumping wads' of grass
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No, it is no side discharge machine. One would assume then that it is a bag-type or mulching machine. Maybe this photo will help.
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RE: avoiding 'clumping wads' of grass
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| I would bet $100 you have Bermuda grass, and you are not mowing frequently or short enough. |
RE: avoiding 'clumping wads' of grass
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| What is the horsepower rating of the mower? A mulching blade would work great IF you have enough power. 4-6hp and you are probably fine, less and it's a tough call. Thatch buildup, wet grass, or trying to mow too much at one time can significantly hamper mowing. A sharp blade is also key as a dull blade will slow down in the grass and rip instead of cleanly cutting. I know when I dethatch and then mow my zoysia center-strip of lawn that is VERY thick the difference is night and day. Before the dethatching I have to mow 1/2 the width of the deck or it tries to stall, after dethaching I can mow the entire width of the deck without a hiccup. |
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