lawnmower cuts like dump

[nitro640]

I have a 50 inch cut zero turn, no matter how sharp or who sharpened the blades it leaves two strips that look like it blew it over before it cut it, then it springs back up, if I go over it twice it cuts it good, any ideas?

[MuleShack]

First I would make sure that you have the correct size blades on.

Second, deck angle is also a big contributor to success.

With the blades pointing front and back, the front of the blade should be 1/8" to 3/16" of an inch lower than the back.

If you adjusted tire pressure having the rear tires considerably higher than normal, then the blades would be spinning at too high of an angle.

Third, keep your speed down in long grass

Fourth, make sure to clean your deck out after cutting moist, damp, wet grass. Any build up under the deck will deteriorate the final cutting product.

[randerson]

Are you sure the stripes are not from the tires running the grass down first with this weather we been haven with the damp grass this is a common problem even with a push mower

[Down2Earth]

Sounds just like the JD 345 I had. Per the dealers recommendation I bought new blades, still didn't work, then I got the blade angle suggestion, brought it in to them and they set it up, still didn't work. The only thing that worked was mowing before the grass got very tall and going slower then I could walk and no matter how slow one went it always left the two strips when turning. Finally got rid of that thing and now I can mow at any speed and not as often. I always thought too bad JD couldn't make a deck as well as they made the tractor.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Biggest thing I would check would be cleaning out the bottom of the deck.

After that, I would check the flail on the blades. This is the upturn of the blade on the outside edge.

A high lift blade will almost always work best.

Also, all decks are not created equal. In this weather, it is almost impossible to get a clean, quality cut.

Most northern grasses are very weak this time of year, where then the front wheels drive over the grass, it pushes the grass down into the ground. The biggest issue is getting this grass to stand back up so the blades can cut it correctly.

[nitro640]

deck is clean, went from mulching blades to high lift blades, the strips are not where the tires run, one is just inside the tire the other is almost in the middle. slowing down doesn't make much difference, I'm going to take the belt off and see if there is a bad bearing, will also check level and blade angle.

thanks,

[LwnmwnMan2]

How many blades do you have on your deck?

[nitro640]

3 blades, I dropped the front of the deck a little bit today before I mowed, it made a big difference.

thanks