"Harry Bloomfield" wrote in message
. uk...

I have given up on trying to get the tractor mower to collect the
clippings, it has just been far too wet the past couple of years - the
cuttings just stick in the collection duct and build up until it
extends into the cutting deck then jams the blade. The jammed blade
then wrecks the drive V belt.

My first mod, was to fit a flap diverting cuttings from entering the
duct, but even that choked up. So what I have done now is take the duct
off completely.

Anyone else having issues with their mowers jamming up due to the
constant wet weather over the past two years?



Technique......It's all about technique. (And a bloody sharp edge blade, so
file an edge on the bugger before starting to cut when wet!)

Set cut height to slice off about the top 1" of sward if it's very long.
Lower as required after a full area cut. Repeat.
If cut sward outlet is at RHS toward rear of machine then second line of cut
should overlap the first line of cut by only HALF the blade diameter to the
LEFT side. This allows sward to be flung better out of exit chute as you are
flinging it over an already cleared area and not across the top of uncut
sward. Simplez!

Empty after a few runs, listen to the engine, when it's labouring then
you've overdone it. Watch the excess cut sward behind, if there's lots
you're either full up in the bag or there's a blockage.

If you're on clay generally, over a period of time across the season, add a
thin (½") of 30/50 topsoil and mortar sand mixed evenly every so often
across all the worst areas after cutting to the desired height, this will
allow the grass to grow through and give a more drainable top layer. Take
time to keep it raked level, and you'll have a good surface building up that
will look better and be more managable. The more you do it, the easier the
surface will drain, the more level it will be and the grass will benefit.

After 10 years in the Golf industry sorting these problems on *very*
expensive mowers and idiot operators it's all about doing it right and
making it look nice, and it's easy, when you know how.

;-)