I've been using a 20" Scotts Classic for two seasons and have had only limited success with it. I'm wondering what I am doing wrong. The back end of the mower has a tendency to pick up whenever I hit more heavily thatched areas and I have to go over them repeatedly to make any progress. I have even attached small weights to the back end of the mower in an attempt to keep the wheels on the ground.

What am I doing wrong? I keep the blades sharp and cut twice a week at 1.5". Is my grass type inadequate? Most of my yard is a thick, tall fescue. I will be overseeding this spring, so any suggestions for grass type would be great. Do I need to de-thatch? I'm planning on renting a power rake this weekend.

I don't want to buy a new mower but I'm out of ideas. What should I do? Thanks.

hope this helps.

I've had the exact same problem w/ a Sears version of your mower. I think it's an issue w/ the weigh & design of the mower and the levelness of your lawn (my guess). My mower would bounce up when it hit dense Bermuda or when it hit a bump in the lawn. The rear wheel design along w/ the light weight of the mower contributes to this bounce. I think NEWORLEANS suggestion on the Mascot sounds good as it's a heavier mower and its design has a roller on the back very close to the blade so bouncing is minimized. You might also consider the Fiskars Momentum as it is also heavy, but I think you would need to raise the cutting height as I'm guessing by your problem that your lawn may be a little bumpy to cut that low. Check out the thread below for a review of the Fiskars.