Self-propelled lawnmower bagging question

[grapeapplepie]

So I have a two year old Craftsman walk behind mower with Honda engine on it. It's been a reliable starter/runner when not under power, but the thing really sucks when it comes to bagging grass and leaves. It seems as if the blade bogs down all the time and I find myself stopping and tilting the lawnmower up to let the blade speed pick back up. (The engine never falters...its as if the blade spreed really slows down) Once the blade RPMs are back up I can walk another 10-15 feet before I have to start the process all over. I took the bag off and tried mowing the lawn without the bag on and the symptoms are the same. It takes me twice as long to mow my yard now as it used to with my older (non-self-propelled) mower. Any suggestions on why it the mower does this?

[LwnmwnMan2]

Drop the front about 1/4" lower than the rear. Or rather raise the rear 1/4" more than the front, either way.

You're mowing too flat, or too short. Had the same thing with a Toro.

[grapeapplepie]

Thanks for the reply, I'll give that a try. I did try raising the deck all of the way up, but I think that it was mostly level at that point.

[grapeapplepie]

It was still under warranty with Sears, turns out it was a bad blade-brake clutch. I got it back just in time for the snow