The BEST WAY to cut wet grass?

[cleverlandshark2001]

Any ideas/methods that work particularly well for you? I am concerned with these two lawns that I have in particular, that are very long, thick and wet. I went through a hell of a time last week trying to clean it up nice (customer wants it bagged). I had to just go over it one way, then the other, then criss-cross. What a headache!
I guess the smartest thing to do would be to get over there next dry and sunny day and knock the lawn down to a lower height so that it's easier to maintain.
Thanx bros.

[cleverlandshark2001]

Would side discharge blades help me when bagging more than the mulch blades? I just figured that with the mulch blades you can't lose, as if I were only bagging half of what I would with conventional blades. Any thoughts on this?

[Phil Nilsson]

What we did was to mow it and windrow the wet long stuff and face the fact that you can only go so far in bagging and double mowing wet grass. Windrowed ... in straight lines, "flicked" it onto a tarp, dragged it away went over it again without bagging. What a MESS!!!!!!!!

[cleverlandshark2001]

Using conventional blades or mulch blades? Are my mulch blades ONLY good for maintaining, like when it's at a reasonable height and dryness?

[Seascape]

My opinion mulching is unjustified. Some decks mulch better than others also. Yes mulch blades are primarily for situations that under control. This spring probally hasnt been nice to mulching systems. I let my guys pick thryre own blades but personally i like a light blade in dry conditions. Reason lesson wear on spindles and more rpm. Also rpm is going to create better lift on the turf. Ive found that a heavier blade 1st will will knock out a majority of deep wet growth. than running a a light"faster" blade over it will "fluff" and "level" the furf while cleaning up the tops. The less radical the blade the faster it is. keep that in mind. However the less radical the less lift. Make any sense?
mike

[Woody]

Shark:

I would be running stock blades with the discharge chute flipped up. You want to throw that stuff out as hard, and as far, as you can. Most mulching blades are designed to keep the grass under the deck to keep recutting it, thus making them a BAD choice for cutting wet grass. The only exception would be the Exmark Excaliber, in my opinion. The Gators, and similar blades, shred the grass, which only makes matters worse in wet conditions.

Oh, and their ain't NO way I would be bagging if I had to cut wet! If you are going to do that, make them your first stop of the day, cut it, and let it dry out a bit through the day. Come back as your last stop, and cut and bag it.

When a customer wants it bagged, I let them know that I DON'T bag. I explain that it is ecologically wrong, etc. Then, if they keep insisting, I let them know that there are some additional fees for bagging. Like double the normal mowing cost, plus a $125.00 disposal fee. That usually gets them to either let me mulch or side discharge, or, they call someone else. Either way, the headache and hassle of bagging is something I don't want to deal with. It tends to interfere with my primary reason for being in business. PROFIT!

Just my 2 cents.

Woody

[cleverlandshark2001]

Thanks.
I am planning on using my conventional blades to cut after all this rain. I will put the mulch blades back on when the lawns are under control and a bit drier to cut.

[Jack D.]

Use 2 low-lift blades on each spindle with one high-lift on top at the discharge. This will throw the grass further, reduce clumping & under deck build-up.

Cut a center strip first & then cut in a clockwise pattern blowing all clippings inward.

Or send your crews out with 21"as so they can easily tip & scrape throughout the day.

[cleverlandshark2001]

2 blades on each spindle???

[cleverlandshark2001]

?

[mariner]

I use 2 blades on each spindle. I use a high lift on the bottom and a mulcher on the top. This gives it the suction it needs to pick up anything in the grass and then the gators shred it. I don't bag any lawns and have cut very thick blugrass that was wet with no problems. Those that I cut every 2 weeks I usually only have to cut once with this set up. With mulchers only, I was cutting 2 and 3 times to dispers clippings. I will never go back to single blades again.

[grasspro]

2 blades on each spindle?

Is your equipment made to do that or is that
something special you do?
If so, how is that achieved, I considered doing it but
don't want to tear up my equipment doing something
off the wall. Longer bolts or same bolts with locking
washer or what? Do you position them paralell to each
other or criss/cross?

[cleverlandshark2001]

Yes, this is an interesting concept...please elaborate!

[Jack D.]

Here is some info from one of my better pupils. Sadly he is no longer with us.

As stated the bracket is not necessary.

http://www.elm********.com/double_blades.htm

[mariner]

I remove one spacer from the blades and add a second blade. The blade is about the same thickness as one spacer. I put them in a + position and tighten. No bracket is used. They will only move if you hit something. I don't have any special spindles or equipment for this, I just do it. I have been doing it for a couple of months now and has saved me much time. Keep your spindles well greased and you should'nt have a problem. You will probably have to get some ear plugs if you don't wear them already cuz the double blades make the noise much louder.
P.S. I'm doing this on a 36" Lesco belt drive walk behind that I use a velke x2 on. I weigh about 170 LBS and it still has no problem pulling me up hills.