[PristineGardens]

Before buying my own mower i'd used Kubotas (diesel G21 series) in my previous job with collection systems which worked GREAT in all weathers, all lengths of grass and even for picking up leaves and other debris such as small twigs.

However, my little lawnflite 604 (think it's probably called a yardman over in the states) just does not like picking up grass unless it's absolutley bone dry and only about 1inch to come off. Anything other than that, every few hundred yards i'm stopping and un-clogging the collection chute...even though the bag itself has only a handfull of clippings in.

The write up for these machines is pretty good, stating it's got patented fan-assisted direct collecting system etc. and customer reviews have said it's great for picking leaves and collecting grass with.

my question is, am I just expecting too much from this machine having used more powerfull tractors previously, or is there somthing wrong with it?

 

[Gethome]

Could be you need a 'Hi-Lift' type blade. I don't know if they make them for your mower. They are available for my mower.

 

[munderhill]

Can you take a picture of your machine? Like to see the setup and determine if something obvious is missing. I have a fan-assist turbo on my Simplicity that works very good. It utilizes the same blades either bagging or not.
Are you certain that the fan assist is functioning (spinning) properly and not slipping etc.?

MU

 

[PristineGardens]

yeah I'll take a pic, anythin in particular...on its side looking at the underside of the deck? From the back looking at the chute?

not sure to be honest, still pretty new to this machine so it may have not been working from the start if its not. any idea how i'd tell if the fan's working?

 

[PristineGardens]

don't know if this pic's any help...?

 

[Gethome]

I would remove the blade, sharpen, balance then replace it after cleaning the deck by hard brushing off all loose material.

I would also "paint" the underside with old or new motor oil using a paint brush - lather it on. Let it soak in and re-coat again.

 

[munderhill]

That blade looks pretty worn. Can't tell from the picture the condition of the wings. My guess is they're worn too as the edge is far from square anymore.
Replace it and I'd bet it'll SUCK!

Take a shot of the tractor upright from the rear where the fan assist mechanism is.
MU

 

[PristineGardens]

Had a closer look at it myself, yeah the blade is pretty well worn. will replace it at some point, but being that the machine's used on a daily basis on large lawn with mole hills I can't see the blade staying fresh for that long.

The fan mechanism, it's a plastic fan that's connected above the blade...behind the grass gunk on the pic, so yeah a good clean up may well cure it. Had a chat to a guy who knows a thing or two, said these MTD's are renowned for dodgey picking up. Said the plastic fins on the fans are always snapping off with stones and twigs etc. getting sucked up.

So I've also got a new fan on order for it.

In the mean time, i'll get my hands dirty n give it a good scrub down, let you all know how I get on.

Any further comments / advice welcome

Thanks

 

[PristineGardens]

...the wings, have noticed that the very tips have snapped off, probably due to stones etc. So yeah, new blade may well help with the sucking when i think about it...thanks

 

[PristineGardens]

Ride-on struggling to collect grass - the culprit

pretty sure i've found the reason for my problems struggling to collect grass. As you can see from the pic, the plastic fan behind the blade which is supposed to create a vacumm for the grass has been totally trashed by stones etc.

Ran my hand round it and not one of the 'blades' was in tact, pluss there were gaping holes in it as seen in the pic.

so got a new one on order, along with new hi-lift blade.

Can't see them lasting long though, **** mole hills area everywhere!!!

Looking to buy a second machine and using this MTD as a back-up, any advice for what to look for. Like a design which could avoid this problem.
Been looking at Husqvarna CT151 and Kubota's of a similar size. Cant go for anything too beefy as my trailers only 4 x 6 foot. Any thoughts would be welcome.


Dave

 

[PristineGardens]

It's been a while...but eventually recieved my new hi-lift blade and fan today. Popped them on this morning and had a great day's mowing, even though it was tipping down with rain and grass was 6-8 inches long...at least, but it was still getting bagged up without a prob.

One happy tractor owner

 

[Fcubman]

Great to hear! Thanks for the update.

 

[Simon Smith]

I don't know where you are in England, but I would go for the Kubota or look at the Simplicity range. Both stronger than Husqvarna and better parts availability. Personally I like the Simplicitys best.

 

[PristineGardens]

near Birmingham area, i know there's a store called "global" in solihull that retail kubota, had quite a few dealings with them in my previous job.

Would you say the small Kubota's are any good? As my current trailer's only 4 ft wide and vehicle can only tow upto an extra half tonne, once weight of trailer, other tools, staff etc. are taken into account. So another small tractor like the 604 would be ideal, though splashing out quite a bit of cash on a new one i'd want to make sure i got a gooden. Not really got a budget, as i know you get what you pay for.

Any advice?

Thanks

 

[Simon Smith]

All Kubotas are well built, and you do get what you pay for. The 604 is only intended for fairly light domestic use, so a Kubota should last you a very long time.

 

[PristineGardens]

In that case i'm deffo getting my money's worth out of £200 for that mower, a good 15 hrs a week thrashing through the lawns. Done well since March, just a few minor maintenance jobs required.

Am leaning towards Kubotas smallest tractor (t1670?), for ease of transportation and storage.