Buying Guides

Why use a side discharge mower deck?

A side discharge mower deck is designed to discharge grass clippings to the side of the mower deck. This type of mower deck can be an excellent option if you have a large mowing area, not many obstacles on your lawn and you can allow the grass to blow in any direction. But this is not the only reason why you should or shouldn’t use a side discharge mower deck. This article discusses the main advantages and disadvantages of a mower deck with side discharge, so you can determine whether this mower deck type is right for you.

Advantages of a side discharge mower deck

The main benefits of using a side discharge mower deck are:

A side discharge mower deck is less prone to clogging up

This is because the design of the deck allows for a larger volume of grass clippings to be discharged at once, which means that the deck can handle a higher volume of grass clippings without getting clogged. This is particularly useful when mowing extra-long or wet grass.

Good distribution of grass clippings across your lawn

The side discharge chute expels the cut grass to the side, which spreads it evenly over your lawn. This creates a uniform appearance on your lawn, as well as preventing the build-up of large clumps of grass, which reduces the need of raking or bagging.

Disadvantages of a side discharge mower deck

Besides advantages, a side discharge mower deck also has disadvantages. The main backdraws of using a side discharge mower deck are:

Grass clippings can fly out and cause a mess

A side discharge deck expels the grass clippings out of the side of the mower, which can send them flying in all directions. This can create an unsightly mess on your patio, driveway or flowerbed. Not only grass clippings can fly into your flowerbed, but seeds as well. This can cause the unwanted growth of weeds and grasses. In addition, the discharge chute may throw rocks, sticks, and other debris. Therefore, the direction of your mower’s discharge will always have to be in the back of your mind, especially when mowing alongside your house, windows or fences.

You can only mow past obstacles in one direction

Since the grass clippings are expelled out of the side of the mower, you need to mow in a specific direction to avoid expelling the clippings towards obstacles such as flower beds, fences, or parked cars. This means that you can only mow past obstacles in one direction, which can be a challenge for those with irregularly shaped lawns or complex landscaping.

In conclusion, a mower deck with side discharge can be a great choice for certain situations, such as large open lawns with few obstacles. It has advantages such as less clogging and even distribution of grass clippings. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as the potential for grass clippings and debris to create a mess and the limitations on mowing direction around obstacles. In the end, it is important to consider both the pros and cons when deciding whether a side discharge mower deck is the right choice for your lawn care needs.

Are you convinced that a mower deck with side discharge is right for you? Then check out our side discharge lawn tractors or side discharge zero turn mowers.

Doesn't a side discharge mower deck suit your needs and wants after all? Perhaps a rear discharge mower deck or mulching will suit you better.