Mower Questions

[fiveoh]

I have a 15 year old 160cc Honda mower. My grass in the backyard is getting really thick and grows really fast. Even with mowing once a week the mower is leaving clumps of grass everywhere.(using the mulching function) I've had the blade sharpened and that helped a little but it still had the same problem.

Will getting a larger/more powerful motored mower(190cc etc) help the mower be able to power thru and mulch this grass better? Or am I doomed to have to bag it(I HATE HATE bagging)? I don't want to spend the cash on a new bigger mower only to have the same problem.

 

[socapots]

Keep the mower and mow more frequently...
Or bag it.

 

[Jagmandave]

Sometimes you just have to mow over it again, or do it more frequently.....

A bigger more powerful mower might mow it faster, but it will probably still leave clumps......the only thing I know to do is mow it twice to make the bits left smaller.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Is the mower bogging down? Do you have to stop often and let the RPMs rise back up?

If your grass grows too thick, it doesn't matter how powerful the mower is you are going to get clumps. Sharp blades always help.

During the peak summer months I often have to mow twice a week to keep the grass at bay... Try mowing a little more frequently and see how it goes.

Also I know some people that usually mulch, but will bag like once a month.

 

[Packard V8]

Mulching mower is a contradiction in terms. I tried a Troybilt and the Honda as well as a Cub Cadet rider with a "mulch" blockoff plate before giving up and using a bag on the Honda and the Cub Cadet. Any of them only "mulch" if the grass is low and dry. High grass, at all damp grass, thick growth and there'll be clumps.

jack vines

 

[fiveoh]

Not really the answers I was looking to get. I do not enjoy mowing or bagging haha. I appreciate the answers though!

 

[TDLMOMOWERS]

If you are going to mulch, you have to mow more often. Grass that has a lot of moisture content will cause your mulcher to clump.
I gave up on mulching years ago and now bag. I don't have time to mow more than once a week.

 

[CWP1616L]

Get a high lift blade and start bagging. Not the answer you wanted to hear, but it's best for the grass.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Is the governor working right? Should be 3600 RPM, even so it'll clump on grass too wet or thick.

 

[jmm]

Take the blades off and make sure they're actually sharp (do it yourself). It's not hard.

This summer's been an anomaly if you live in the south. Since I can remember (I'm 26) we've had summers ending in drought. This summer it won't go 2 or 3 days without the bottom falling out for days on end.

 

[rsb1]

Have you considered setting the cutting height up one notch for a few weeks until the growing season starts to ease off? I've got the same Honda engine on my push mower. Had to do that a few weeks ago for the reasons you describe. Solved the problem and the lawn looks fine once it's done. Once a week is still working for me. No bogging down; no clumping.

 

[coolreed]

If your blade is sharp you are either not mowing often enough or you are mowing when there is a lot of moisture in the grass,...or both.

 

[RCStocker]

Keeping the mower bell housing clean and sprayed with something will keep it form sticking and gunking up.

Wet grass form rain, watering or morning due will make it lump. I gather you did not have the problem when the mower was new. 15 years might make it a little week and not having enough power to really cut the grass. I doubt that if it does not stall out.

My guess it is your mowing habits. Try mowing every 4 or 5 days when it is dry. If that does not help try a different mower to see if you have lost so much power in the engine it is not up to doing the job.

 

[padronanniversary]

Use PAM on your mower deck. It keeps the **** from sticking. Just buy something that is vegetable oil based. Also lift your mower deck up a notch.

 

[fiveoh]

Have you considered setting the cutting height up one notch for a few weeks until the growing season starts to ease off? I've got the same Honda engine on my push mower. Had to do that a few weeks ago for the reasons you describe. Solved the problem and the lawn looks fine once it's done. Once a week is still working for me. No bogging down; no clumping.

Use PAM on your mower deck. It keeps the **** from sticking. Just buy something that is vegetable oil based. Also lift your mower deck up a notch.

I only mow when its dry. My front yard grass was supplied by the builder and barely needs to be mowed after a week. The back I did myself and it's probably 4x thicker and grows way faster. After a week I have to literally stop every 15 feet or so and lift up the front end so it doesn't die since it starts to bog from the thick grass.

I'll have to try the pam trick. My mower is at the highest height.

 

[rancherbill]

Three things are necessary for the mulching function to work.

-The lawn should be dry.
-The underside of the deck has to be clean.
-The blade has to be in good condition. A mulching blade is sharp where it cuts grass and The TOP part of the blade must be up. I just replaced the blades on my Deere ride on. The TOP edge of the blade had worn from old age and was about 3/8" lower than a new one. It made a HUGE difference in the mulching. It really lifts now and mulches well.

 

[fiveoh]

Three things are necessary for the mulching function to work.

-The lawn should be dry.
-The underside of the deck has to be clean.
-The blade has to be in good condition. A mulching blade is sharp where it cuts grass and The TOP part of the blade must be up. I just replaced the blades on my Deere ride on. The TOP edge of the blade had worn from old age and was about 3/8" lower than a new one. It made a HUGE difference in the mulching. It really lifts now and mulches well.

I might try and get some new blades for it. I cant remember if I've replaced them or not since I've owned it.

 

[box]

you can try pushing the mower slower as well, give the blades more time to chop up the grass, and I always keep the blades sharp too

 

[gilbo]

Keep the mower and mow more frequently...
Or bag it.

Get a high lift blade and start bagging. Not the answer you wanted to hear, but it's best for the grass.

, what these guys said, go every 4 days or so or bag it and trash it

 

[bczygan]

You said your grass is "thick". If you mean that it is densely packed and there is no space for the mulched grass blades to fall into the turf, then you need to aerate to create spaces in the lawn.

 

[Givl Reggin]

the mower is leaving clumps of grass everywhere.

It's a yard, not a golf course. Don't worry about it.

 

[fiveoh]

I bagged it yesterday when I mowed. No bogging or dying at all. What a pain though. I think I'll try and mow every 4-5 days and bag every other time.