How to Install Side Discharge on Lawn Mower
Side discharge is an excellent option for mowing grass. It’s easy to use and has many advantages over the traditional bagging system. If you’re looking to convert your lawnmower to side discharge, read this full blog post on how to install side discharge on lawn mower! Side discharge is an alternative way of mulching the grass clippings back into the lawn.
Instead of storing them in a bag or collecting them with a catcher, they are shot out sideways from underneath the deck at high speed so that they can be left where they fall without making any mess. In addition, this reduces work time by about twenty minutes per hour compared with using a bagging system because it does not require emptying bags or removing cuttings from under the deck after each pass!
10 Reasons Why You Should Use Side Discharge on Lawn Mower:
In this blog post, we will be discussing how to install side discharge on lawn mower, but before that, you want to know why you should use side discharge on lawnmowers. So here are ten reasons we have provided.
1. Decreased Risk of Accidents:
When mowing your lawn, side discharge is also a safer option. If you have trees, rocks, or objects you need to go around in a regular yard, then a side discharge system is ideal for keeping debris from flying into the air and possibly hitting people, pets, or cars.
2. No Clumps:
When you bag your grass clippings, the dryer grass can more challenging to break down in your yard and can lead to clumpy brown spots. Emptying the hopper before it’s complete also allows for the re-growth of grass where clumps have formed.
3. More Grass in the Bag:
Since side discharge allows air to flow around the grass as it is being cut, this allows for less clumping and a greater volume of grass that can be collected in one bag, making trips to dump your bag shorter and freeing up more time for you to do something else.
4. No String Trimmer Line in the Grass:
After you mow, there is no string trimmer line left in your lawn because there is nothing to get in the way of cutting the grass with side discharge. This makes it easier to edge your lawn or weed whack around objects like fences, garden beds, trees, and rocks.
5. Less Chance of Getting Grass Stains on Clothes:
When you use side discharge, you are less likely to get grass stains or dirt on your clothes because there is no bag that the grass falls out into when it’s over-full after mowing. This can be especially nice if you have company coming over.
6. Can Mow Over Debris:
If you have sticks, rocks, or other debris in your lawn that might be an issue while bagging clippings, side discharge will allow you to mow right over these things without the grass blowing into the air and all over your yard.
7. Leaves More Time for Fun:
Using side discharge allows you to cut your lawn and still have time for other activities in the afternoon when you mow. In contrast, you might need to wait until the following day after work or on weekends in some situations with a bagger system.
8. Better Mulching:
Mulching your lawn with a lawnmower is a great way to keep your yard looking neat and tidy. To do this effectively, simply discharge the grass clippings to the side rather than bagging them up. This will ensure that the clippings are evenly dispersed around your yard, resulting in a much neater appearance.
9. Better for Your Yard:
Using a side-discharge lawnmower allows air to flow around the grass as it is cut, which helps with re-growth and results in a healthier yard.
10. More Flexible:
A side discharge system is more flexible when it comes to adjusting your lawnmower height. Many models allow the mower to be adjusted with a simple turn of a knob or pin, which will change how high or low your grass is cut each time you use your mower. This leads to less overlap and more precise cuts.
Instructions: How to Install Side Discharge on Lawn Mower
Here are some steps on how to install side discharge on lawn mower:
Step 1:
To ensure a proper fit, be sure to purchase a side discharge kit specific to your lawnmower model. Although you could opt for a universal kit, it will likely be more expensive and require more effort to install, as you’ll need to make measurements and cuts.
Step 2:
Remove the mulch plug from your current mower. Sometimes you will need to use a screwdriver or pry bar to remove it. Make sure that you keep all of the rubber grommets and hardware that go with the assembly as well as your old blade and guard, etc.
Step 3:
Take your old blade and cut a 4-5 inch wedge out of it to fit the height of the new blade. Then, from this wedge, take one 3/4″ wide strip of metal and make 8-10 notches on each side of the strip using a grinder with a cut-off wheel.
The notches should match up with the notches on your new blade. This will help account for a perfect cut in a different spot from what the old blade was hitting because of wear and tear.
Step 4:
You will need to purchase a 7/8″ spacer kit that allows you to install the side discharge assembly at the proper level so that the blades line up with the notches on the new blade.
Step 5:
Install your side discharge assembly and bolt it to your mower’s deck. Make sure that the spacer kit is at the right height so that your belt will turn your blades in unison. Sometimes you need to make minor adjustments, but this will ensure that your blades are turning in unison.
Step 6:
Test out your new side discharge assembly and ensure the blades are facing the correct way for discharging grass, etc. Make any adjustments necessary to achieve this goal.
Step 7:
Next, take some tape and attach it to your new blade so that you can use it as a template on the new blade to get an idea of where you need to cut. Then use a grinder or Sawzall with a metal blade on it and make your cuts accordingly so that each side of the notches is at least 1/8″ long.
Step 8:
Place your new blade in between the notches on the strip of metal you made earlier and, using a hammer, bend the strip of metal so that it can serve as an aligner for your blade. Make sure that each notch on the new blade lines up with its corresponding one on the strip of metal behind it.
Step 9:
Use an industrial adhesive to attach this piece of metal along with your old blade and wedge you cut out of it to the top of your new blade. This will help to keep it from warping and secure your blade.
Step 10:
Test out your new side discharge assembly and ensure the blades are facing the correct way for discharging grass, etc. Make any adjustments necessary to achieve this goal.
Things to Consider Before installing Side Discharge on Lawn Mower:
1. Please be aware that there are laws in certain states about side discharge. Side discharge may not be approved in your area, so make sure you check before installing this assembly on your lawnmower. It may affect the safety of yourself and others, making it illegal to use in specific communities.
2. Side discharge requires the removal of part of the engine guard or even mounted to a frame that was not initially designed for it. This modification may affect your warranty agreement with the manufacturer.
3. Removal of obstructions in the flywheel housing, which are present on most lawnmower engines, is necessary for proper side discharge.
4. Side discharge will affect your RPM some, depending upon the height of grass being mowed. Most operators find that they have to change their cutting speeds with side discharge versus without it. This may be a consideration if you cut pets or people regularly.
5. Side discharge will also scatter grass clippings onto the operator some, compared to rear bagging or mulching the clippings back into the lawnmower deck. If you are concerned about dirtying yourself with grass clippings, consider purchasing a good pair of pants that you can work in and still look professional. Or, stick with rear bagging or mulching.
6. Side discharge is noisy from the sound of the mower deck is exposed to airflow and wind resistance while you are driving it forward at slow speeds or just idling around. It may be deafening to some people when the mower is idled at full throttle with the side discharge engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you convert a mulching mower to side discharge?
Yes, you can convert a mulching mower to a side discharge. This is a relatively simple conversion that can be done by removing the discharge chute and replacing it with a side discharge system.
The benefits of using a side discharge system are that it will reduce the number of clippings that end up in your garden, and it will also reduce the amount of noise that is made when the mower is operating.
Is it better to bag or side discharge?
Bagging your garbage is the most common way to dispose of garbage in the United States. It is also the most environmentally friendly way to do it.
Siding discharge is a less common method of disposing of garbage. It involves dumping garbage directly into rivers, lakes, or oceans. This is not as environmentally friendly as bagging because it creates more pollution and waste.
Can you put a bag on a side discharge mower?
There is not a specific answer to this question as it depends on the make and model of the mower. However, if you are unsure, it is best to consult with a professional.
Do I need a side discharge mower?
Side discharge mowers are typically used for large areas such as lawns and gardens. They have a mulching blade that helps to reduce the need for frequent bagging or mowing. Side discharge mowers are also easier to operate than front-wheel drive mowers because they have a gearbox in the rear that transmits power to the blades.
What makes a lawn mower a mulcher?
A lawnmower is a machine that mulches grass. It uses blades to cut the grass into small pieces and then throws the pieces into a hopper where they are shredded by a rotating blade. This process helps to reduce the amount of time it takes to mow the lawn, which in turn reduces the amount of time you need to spend on your lawn and increases your productivity.
Conclusion:
Now that you know how to install side discharge on lawn mower, you are ready for the next step. We hope this article has been informative and helpful in helping you get started with installing the side discharge on your lawnmower.
If it is not clear what parts of these instructions need more details or has left out anything important, please feel free to contact us any time! We would be happy to answer any questions about this process so long as it doesn’t violate manufacturer guidelines.
