Ride On Mower Tips: Reducing or Eliminating Blocking
You buy a ride on mower because you have realized there is a better way to mow than by pushing a walk behind mower around for hours. You want to sit and enjoy yourself from the ease of a comfortable seat, not huff and puff around the garden pushing a mower. In your dreams however, one thing you don't plan for is problems. The problem I'm specifically referring to is blocking. It's not difficult to understand why it happens. It's a complicated task involving lot's of moving parts, cutting and collecting grass over speed. In this article we'll discuss the key points about blocking and what can be done to reduce this issue. You may even find it useful to read before you buy as it may help you buy the right machine for your job.
Blocking occurs due to many factors, three big ones are grass building up in your cutting deck, too much grass being squeezed into the catcher, and the competence of the driver.
Grass build up can occur during the spring when frequent rain leaves grass mixed with mud and this heavy concoction builds under the deck till no more grass can get through and a blockage occurs. In situations like this it's important to watch your grass cutting length - if it's too low you may have this problem.
Overloading the grass catcher or bin happens when the driver, not knowing the bin is full, keeps mowing until a blockage occurs as the grass has no where else to go. Sometimes it may just be a matter of finishing the end of one run that may prove the tipping point for the mower. There are some features available like an audible alarm that sounds when the bill is full, and/or a cut off switch that disengages the blades from the collection system when the catcher is full. These are useful as they take the problem out of the operators hands and simply mean you have to stop and empty before continuing cutting.
Finally, the third reason is also one of operator error. If the ride on mower is driven at speeds to fast for the conditions, especially when grass is heavy and lush with new growth, the grass will build up under the deck simply because the machine is not given time to process the intake.
So what can you do to prevent blocking? The top three points concerning the design of the cutting deck, mowing technique and ongoing care and maintenance.
Fantastic collection begins at the first point in any collection system, the cutting deck. The purpose of a cutting deck is to enable the grass to move unencumbered from blades up through the chute and into the catcher bin. Grass can get stuck in sharp corners and over time cause a build up which creates a blockage. Well designed decks will reduce corners and and streamline areas in the deck where grass can build up.
In order to get the grass from the cutting deck and into the grass catcher you need some mowing air. This can either be generated by the draft the blades provide from their revolutions or by a fan or blower. While they are working, fans and blowers are great but as another moving part there is more that can potentially go wrong. When blade draft is the main source of propulsion, it's important for the grass to travel the path of least resistance, so having a tube that avoids corners, bends is a must.
The engine is the next big consideration. A lot of ride on mower decisions are based on very large horse power. Well engineered ride on mowers are designed to get the most out of power ratio to blade speed. The cutting deck width impacts this as it controls the size of the blades and how much grass is being cut. The equation for successful collection is not how much power you have but what you do with what you've got. Decks engineered to maximize power to blade speed will do a better, faster job because they are being used efficiently. Decks that aren't specialized like this will suffer blocking problems and poorer finishes. In terms of horsepower....biggest isn't always best. You have to look at the system as a whole. If a ride on mower blocks it won't be fixed by more horsepower or a bigger blower. You have to consider the shape and design of the deck, the blades and also the collection system as a whole.
The main results you require from a collection ride on mower is that it picks up the grass without leaving a mess of clippings all over the ground, and preferably to do this without having a blockage. Ask your local dealer to show you where the common places a blockage could occur and the best way to remove it. A ride on mower that is easy to access into the deck and tube and catcher bin will make removing blockages vastly easier when your in the middle of your mow.
Open up your catcher bin when it's full, what you want is a even dispersed collection with good coverage in the bin, not just all lumped in one corner. If your still to have a working demonstration make sure you make this one of your tasks to do. Not every ride on mower will be able to oblige.
In times of wet grass, or lots of thick, lush new growth you'll have to watch your speed. Driving too fast for the conditions will cause unnecessary blockages. To avoid this problem during these times keep the ride on mowers revs up, and forward motion down and you'll allow the mower to process the grass effectively.
Regular maintenance is important to keep the ride on mower mowing and collecting effectively. There's more jobs to consider than on a push mower, as it has a larger cutting deck. These cutting decks can also have a very hard life thanks to corrosion, and the probability of hitting objects not seen in long grass. Regular maintenance is the key to optimizing the life of your ride-on mower.
Dulled blades will tear grass rather than cut it and tall or wet grass places stress on the PTO and mower belts as the motion tries to discharge the grass from the deck.
The deck should be removed and scraped clean at the middle of each mowing season and at the end of it to remove dried caked-on grass. Best use is to clean your cutting deck after each use and nowadays there are several available deck cleaning devices to perform this task easily without removing the deck. This practice will prevent the caked-on grass and mud buildup that occurs. Remove and sharpen the blades at the end of each mowing season. Replace the blades every other year for optimum cutting performance.
While you're never going to completely remove the risk of blocking, following these best practices can reduce the problem and also your frustration. Selecting the right ride on mower to begin with will also contribute to your success and enjoyment, and the quality of finish on your lawn.
About the author: Mike Welch is full of great advice, including how to prevent blocking your collection ride on mower. If you're experiencing blockages and you're getting frustrated then visit his site for everything you need to know about the best ride on mowers for collection.
