How to Attach a Grass Catcher to your Lawnmower. Lawn mower side bag

How to Use a Lawnmower Without the Bag

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If you have ever had to mow a lawn and put the bag up the clippings, you know that it can be the most challenging part of mowing a lawn. Thankfully, the bag isn’t always required. From having to get the bag in place correctly to detaching and reattaching your catch, it can be not very pleasant to do over and over. You can forgo the clippings catcher, or the bag, on your lawnmower. To use your lawnmower without the bag, you can have the clippings redistributed into the yard via mulching. Or, you can use the side discharge on your mower to blow them out into the lawn. While the process of using your lawnmower without a bag may seem straightforward, there are some aspects that you need to consider to keep yourself safe and to help your lawn. Properly using your mower without the bag can yield excellent results for your lawn, but doing so improperly could seriously harm your lawn or your person. To make sure you do it properly read on.

Using a Lawnmower Without the Bag

If you are planning on using your mower without the bag, you may be wondering what other options there are. There are two primary options outside of bags that most people use: mulching and side discharge. Each of these come with their benefits and deficits, just like bagging does. So, let us go over those.

The Good and Bad of Side Discharge

Side discharge was perhaps the most common type of lawnmower before the bag became the standard for homeowners. Side discharge is still widespread, though, especially amongst professionals. The main appeal of side discharge is the nutrients it cycles back into your lawn. Some people have raised concerns that lawn clippings left out result in higher levels of thatch, but studies have shown that is not the case. The leading cause of thatch is poor aeration, over-fertilizing, and too much pesticide. Lawn clippings that are cut to the proper size can recycle nitrogen back into your lawn and encourage microorganisms and earthworms to decompose the clipping into additional nutrients for your lawn. This recycling is not only great for your lawn but can also save you money by lowering the amount of fertilizer you need to purchase. However, some issues arise with side discharge. The primary one is that the lawn clippings can cause a mess. If you have neighbors or a small yard, you may end up leaving clippings in places they are unwanted such as your neighbor’s yard or the road. Additionally, you will need to make sure your blade height is correct to ensure you are getting the proper size of lawn clipping needed to help your lawn. The last thing to consider with side discharge is speed. Side discharge allows you to go through your grass very quickly, which can be a great benefit if you want to get the yard done.

The Good and Bad of Mulching

Mulching, like the side-discharge method, is desired for its ability to redistribute your lawn clippings into your lawn. However, the difference here is that your lawn clippings are not shot out of a side port. Instead, they are cycled around where the blade is located and dropped back onto the ground. This means you get the benefit of side discharge without having to worry about upsetting your neighbors or making a mess. However, mulching comes with its problems. For starters, you will need a particular mulching mower for this. So, if you plan on mulching your lawn, keep in mind that you will need to purchase a mower specifically for it, and replacement blades will also need to be mulching blades. Additionally, you will still need to make sure you are cutting your clippings to the proper length. By the way, the robotic lawn mowers that are becoming more and more popular use mulching. Cutting your lawn regularly with one of these prevents weeds and recycles the clippings naturally. The video below is a great resource and explains the pros and cons very well.

The Bagless Process

Now that you know your options, it is time to cover the process you will need to follow to ensure you are getting the best results from using your lawnmower without the bag. As stated earlier, if you want to go the mulching route, you will need a particular mulching lawnmower, but if you plan on going the side-discharge route, you will only need an adapter. However, regardless of which method you choose, there are some basic rules to follow to make sure your lawn stays healthy. Let’s go over those, and then we will cover how to modify your mower to fit a side discharger.

Basic Rules to Follow if You’re Not Bagging

I have mentioned that you will need to make sure your lawn clippings are the proper size a few times in this article, and you may be wondering what that size is. The answer will depend on what type of grass you have and what season it is. In spring, when your grass first arrives, you will want to cut your grass at least once a week and make sure that your clippings are no more than 1″ in size. If your clippings are more extensive than this, be sure to mow more regularly to break them up and keep them from clumping. Cutting your grass shorter in the spring results in a greener yard and reduces the risk of thatch forming. As the year progresses, you will want to adjust your blade height to get longer blade clippings over time. Eventually, in the fall, you will want your blade clippings to be around 2″ to 2 ½” in size. Throughout the whole year, however, you must keep your blades sharp. Doing so will ensure you are getting clean cuts and will prevent the grass from becoming diseased.

Modifying your Mower for Side Discharge

Most mowers will be easily modified to fit a side discharge. However, the exact method of doing so will differ depending on your specific mower. To make sure you do it correctly and that you get an attachment that fits, I recommend looking at the instructions and manual for your mower, or if you do not have access to this, contacting the manufacturer of your mower. The main things you will need to look for is a plate on the side of your mower that can be removed by removing a few bolts or can be lifted. Once you have removed or lifted this side panel, you will have access to the blade. You should make sure your mower is off before doing this. Next, you will attach the side discharger through the designated method. This will probably be through attaching the bolts onto it or merely hooking it into place. The other thing you will need to consider is the place where your bag was attached to. You will need to place a plug or plate designated for your mower to keep the clippings from flying out onto you. With that, you can start mowing your lawn and reaping the benefits of recycling your grass.

Why Use a Lawnmower without a Bag?

Bagging is perhaps the most common method of lawnmower currently for homeowners. The reason that bagging is a great option is that it will pick up whatever is in your lawn and put it in one place. Additionally, by bagging it, you will not need to worry about making sure your clippings are a specific size like you will with mulching and side discharge. If you have neighbors or a small area, bagging can be a great way to contain clippings from going everywhere. However, once you have collected the clippings, you have the issue of having a whole catcher bag full of clippings to dispose of. There are a few options for what you can do with your lawn clippings. Some people will put them in a compost bin to use as fertilizer for their flower beds. However, along with all the other options for disposing of lawn clippings, there is a lot of extra work that comes with bagging. Besides composting, you can also redistribute your lawn clippings over your yard, but if you do so, you will need to make sure your clippings are the appropriate size to avoid damage to your lawn. Of course, there is the option of simply throwing your clippings away, but this is the most damaging to the environment and gives you none of the benefits.

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How to Attach a Grass Catcher to your Lawnmower?

A lawn mowing routine not only involves mowing but making sure that the lawn is free of visible grass clippings as well. Just mowing is fun, but having to walk the entire lawn one more time to remove the mess seems like a hassle. Cleaning the area after mowing is especially a major problem for people with big yards. Using a grass catcher attached to your mower will collect all the grass clippings as you mow, saving you the trouble of cleaning the mess afterward. There are different types of grass catchers, depending on your mower type and situation. Many sit on lawnmowers already have a fixed collection bag on the back, others can use a removable solution on the back or side. And there are also solutions that you can town on the back of the lawn tractor. Whatever the solution, you can easily attach a grass catcher to your riding or push mower yourself.

How to Attach a Grass Catcher to your Lawnmower:

Attaching a grass catcher to a lawnmower is relatively easy but depends on the type of lawnmower and the type of grass catcher.

• Attaching a rear grass catcher to a riding mower involves three main steps. First of all, you need to attach a bracket for holding the catcher bag to your lawnmower. After that, place the catcher bag on the bracket, locking it in place. Finally, connect the catcher bag to the side-discharge of your riding mower using a tube.
• To attach a rear grass catcher to your push mower, open the rear discharge cap. Then open/snap the catcher bag’s hooks. Attach the catcher bag to your push mower’s rear discharge, locking it in place with the hooks.
• Attaching a side grass catcher to a push mower is a bit different. First of all, locate the install area for the side discharge with all its hooks and clamps. Then install the discharge chute and assemble the catcher bag. After that, install the catcher bag, connect it to the side-discharge, and locate it in place with the hooks and clamps.

Attaching a grass catcher to any lawnmower will take you 30 to 45 minutes max. Following the step by step guide will make it much simpler for you. So, let’s go through the step by step procedures for the three categories mentioned above.

Things to Consider before Starting the Grass Catcher Installation:

Before starting with the grass catcher installation, you first have to consider some things:

• Where to attach the grass catcher: All lawnmowers have designated areas for attaching new attachments. For different makes and models, these areas are in different locations. To find the right area for the right attachment, consult the manufacturer’s manual that came with the mower or attachment where possible.
• Safety first: Some of the attachments are installed close to the blade. It is a good idea to wear protective gloves to avoid injury due to sharp edges in those circumstances.
• Tools: Keep the basic tools, such as a socket wrench, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers close to you.

Attaching a Rear Grass Catcher to your Riding Mower:

There are several types of rear grass catchers. Some models are connected to the back of the mower and use the backend discharge. Usually, these are fixed and part of the mower. If your mower uses a side discharge port, you can use a tube to connect a rear grass catcher with the side discharge port. The last type is the one that is towed behind the riding mower or lawn tractor. Those units work separately from the mower and remove the clippings and other debris from the grass. There is no need to mow for this last category. Just driving on the grass at a certain speed is enough.

We will now look at the 2nd type, the rear grass catcher working with a side discharge port. Before starting with the installing, make sure that you have the following things ready:

• A bracket to hold the catcher bag/bags.
• The catcher bags you want to install.
• Nuts or screws for holding the bracket and bags in place.
• A tube to connect the grass catcher to your mower’s side discharge.
• A socket wrench.

With these things ready, start the installing procedure:

Step 1: Preparation:

Park your mower on a flat open area and turn it off. Ensure that the parking brake is engaged because you don’t want your mower rolling while you are attaching the catcher. Make sure you have your gloves on.

Step 2: Install the Bracket:

To install the bracket, you first need to attach the bracket screws to your riding mower rear. Locate the area for attaching these screws for your particular mower model. Use a socket wrench to tighten the screws. After the screws are tight in their place, attach the bracket to your mower’s rear with the screws holding it in place.

Step 3: Install the Bag Attachment and the Bags:

The next step is to attach the bag attachment to the bracket and then put it in it. The bag attachment comes with a cotter pin. Remove the cotter pin, and place the attachment in the bracket’s middle. Use a socket wrench to tighten the bolt that locks the bag attachment on the bracket.

After that, put the cotter pin back at its previous location. With this, the bag holding assembly is attached. All you got to do now is to place the bags in the bag attachment.

Step 4: Connect the Catcher to the Side Discharge:

Use a tube to connect the grass catcher to the side-discharge so that the grass debris from the discharge flows straight to the catcher. The tube has two ends. Attach one of its ends to the side discharge, locking it in place with the hooks.

Insert its other end in the hole on the grass catcher, and lock it in place with the two hooks. With this step, the installation procedure is finished.

Make sure that the attachment is firm by applying a jerk to it with your hand. If it wobbles or falls off, it means that the bracket screws or bag attachment nut were not tight. These screws and nuts should be tight so that the catcher doesn’t fall off because of the weight of grass debris.

Attaching a Rear Grass Catcher to your Push Mower:

Follow the step by step guide to attach a rear grass catcher to your push mower.

Step 1: Preparation:

Park your mower on a flat open area and turn it off.

Step 2: Locate the Installation Area:

Locate the area where the catcher assembly will be attached. You can consult the manufacturer’s manual to locate the correct area, but visual inspection would usually be enough. The installation area will have hooks, bolts, or hinges to hold the assembly. Clean this area with a cloth.

Step 3: Assemble the Grass Catcher:

The grass catcher will have two main parts, a bag and a frame for holding the bag. You need to assemble these two parts. The hard part, i.e., the frame should be at the bottom, holding the bag, and the bag’s handle should be pointed upwards so that you can easily grab it.

For the most accurate and clear info on how to assemble the grass catcher, refer to the instructions that came with the catcher. If you do not have it, try to find it on the internet.

Step 4: Install the Grass Catcher:

Uncap the rear discharge of your push mower and attach the catcher to it, holding it in place with hooks, bolts, or clamps.

Make sure that the catcher doesn’t fall off when a force is applied to it. With the catcher firmly in place, your mower is ready for action again.

Attaching a Side Grass Catcher to your Push Mower:

Follow the step by step guide to attach a side grass catcher to your push mower:

Step 1: Preparation:

Park your push mower on a flat open surface and turn it off.

Step 2: Install a Side Discharge Chute:

If your mower doesn’t already have a side discharge chute, attach a new one. For this, first, locate the area for attaching the side discharge chute, uncap the side-discharge area, and then install the chute in this area, holding it in place with its bolts and hooks.

Make sure that the chute is firmly attached.

Step 3: Assemble the Grass Catcher:

Like a rear catcher, a side catcher has two parts, a frame, and a bag. The difference is that for a side catcher, the frame goes inside the bag.

Insert the frame into the catcher bag. The bag has vinyl bindings to hold the frame’s hooks. The catcher’s hard part should be at the bottom, and the handle should be pointing up and outward so that you can grab it easily.

Step 4: Install the Grass Catcher:

Attach the catcher bag’s hanger to the mower’s handle. While attaching the grass catcher to the mower, make sure its opening fits directly with the chute with either a twist or some hooks or clamps to lock it in place.

Ensure that the grass catcher is firmly attached and won’t fall off when a force is applied to it. With this done, your mower is ready to mow again, without spreading grass clippings all over your lawn.

Advantages of Using a Grass Catcher:

The most obvious advantage of using a grass catcher is that it will save you the trouble of cleaning the lawn after you are done mowing.

You can use the grass clippings collected in the catcher to make compost. So, a grass catcher allows you to reuse your lawn’s grass.

Furthermore, a grass catcher can protect your lawn from the spread of disease. It is well known that grass clippings can cause fungus and other problems. With the clippings getting collected in the catcher safely, you won’t have to worry about your lawn’s health.

Final Remarks:

Having to clean your lawn thoroughly after mowing takes effort and time. A grass catcher attached to your mower helps to collect the grass and results in a friendly and clean lawn. There are multiple options, depending on your lawnmower type and situation. Attaching a grass catcher to your mower is not difficult. This blog helps with some guidelines on how to attach a catcher for different kinds of machines.

Lawn Mower Grass Catcher Troubleshooting

Stopping every 5 minutes to clear the underside of the mower isn’t much fun! Grass catcher problems can be so annoying.

Troubleshooting a lawn mower grass catcher? Common grass catcher problems like clumping, clogging, uncut grass, and a grass bag that won’t fill are caused by:

In this guide, I will cover all the most common grass catcher problems and their solutions.

Very often, a bad or blunt blade is the root cause of bagging issues. Sharpening or replacing a worn blade will improve bagging performance.

The sharpening video covers safely sharpening the blade both on and off the mower. It also includes balancing the blade and torquing the blade bolt to specification.

What Is Mulching?

I live in Ireland, and it rains a lot; sometimes, it rains persistently, and if you need to cut grass, then you have to cut wet grass. Grass chute clogging is usually caused by cutting conditions but is also commonly caused by a worn cutting blade.

The blade is the business end, and it needs to be in tip-top condition.

Chute – A clogged chute can, of course, be a symptom of an underlying problem. So clearing the chute may not solve the problem. Check the chute for damage or old dry grass build-up.

Clean – Old grass on the deck can cause problems. Regular cleaning will prevent build-up and prolong the life of your mower.

Sharpening – A sharp blade will solve lots of cutting and collecting issues.

Wet Grass – It’s much heavier than dry grass, obviously, and won’t be thrown as far into the grass bag/box by the laboring engine. It also sticks to the underside of the mower, causing clogging and preventing the grass catcher from filling. Mowers don’t cut damp/wet grass very well, especially if it’s tall.

Height – How about the cutting height? It may be set too low. I know this sounds obvious, but try lifting the deck height, and if you want a tighter cut – drop the deck and cut again. Ideally, your mower shouldn’t be cutting more than an inch of grass; ask it to do more, and cut quality suffers.

Try cutting more regularly, and keep your mower deck clean and free from dry grass. Consider coating the underside of your deck with Teflon Non-Stick coating; it helps reduce grass clogging.

Tallgrass – Tallgrass is hard on a mower, especially if you’re asking it to cut the lawn tight with just one cut. Tallgrass will cause the mower to clog.

• Option 1 – Quick fix is to spray the deck with WD40; it does help, but it won’t last.
• Option 2 – Spray deck with DuPont Teflon coating.
• Option 3 – Spray the deck with bed liner, my preferred option. Works on tractors, riders, and walk-behind mowers.

How to Attach EGO Mower Accessories

Mulching

As you know, mulching blades chop grass very finely and drop it back onto the lawn, where it helps feed the lawn. Mulching blades are designed specifically for this task, but they can cause lots of clogging problems, especially if the grass is long or damp.

Mulching blades just don’t move grass efficiently because they’re not designed to. They work best when the grass is cut dry, regularly and in small amounts.

Mulching Blades aren’t designed to collect.

Mulching tall wet grass won’t work; the blade is designed to cut just small amounts of grass at a time.

Hybrid Mulching Blade

As you know, a true mulching mower doesn’t collect; its function is to finely chop and drop the clippings. This type of cutting is convenient; it’s a lot less work than emptying a grass bag, which gave mower manufacturers an idea.

The Hybrid Blade (3 in 1) – a mower blade that does it all, collects, mulches, and discharges. Well, it does an OK job, but if conditions become challenging, the quality does suffer, especially if conditions are wet.

The complaint I hear most with the 3-in-1 mulching blades – won’t fill the grass catcher. The solution – remove the mulching blade and fit a lift blade.

If you don’t want to mulch, change your blade for a lift blade; you will eliminate lots of clogging, clumping, and half-filled grass bags.

3 in 1 – The Hybrid mulching blade is kind of ok at everything.

Quick push mower grass bag. DIY

The lift blade is also known as the 2 in 1, so-called because it bags and discharges. The lift blade vacuums the grass upright before cutting and moving clippings to the bag.

They’re designed for collecting grass and are available in low, medium, and high lift. A higher lift blade will require a more powerful engine. The lift is created by curving upwards of the trailing edge of the blade. The higher the lift, the better the bagging. If you love bagging – You need a lift blade.

Honda 3 in 1 – The Honda Hybrid mulching blade is the best in the business. Unfortunately, it can’t be fitted to other mower makes. The reason the Honda is so good at mulching and collecting – twin cut blade setup. Twin stacked blades working together allow blades mulches and move the clippings. Smart!

Grass Bag Won’t Fill

A grass bag/box that doesn’t fill has a few likely causes. The obvious ones: are clogged chute, thatched grass bag, damaged or worn blade, insufficient throttle, and poor engine performance.

Thatched – A thatched grass bag is a common problem. Mowers often get cleaned at the end of the season (well, some do), but bags rarely do. Examine your bag/box as a guide; when held to the light, you should be able to see through it. If the air can’t pass through the bag, then grass won’t be carried into the bag.

A stiff brush will remove the old thatched grass, or better, use a power washer. Cleaning – Stiff brush or a power washer does the job.

Chute Clogs – A clogged chute can be a symptom of an underlying problem. So clearing the chute may not resolve the issue. Check the chute for damage or old dry grass build-up. Grass build-up or damage to the underside of the deck can cause the grass to catch and clog.

Deck Coating – The underside of the deck should be smooth so that the grass moves freely around the deck, up the chute, and into the bag. DuPont makes a Teflon Non-Stick coating which helps reduce grass clogging.

Cleaning – Move your mower to a suitable location, as it leaves a bit of a mess. Just attach and turn on the garden hose. Start your mower to engage the blades.

Why The Grass Trailings?

Grass trailings are commonly caused by a poorly fitting or damaged grass catcher. If you find your grass catcher is damaged, consider buying a new one, they’re available to purchase with or without the metal frame.

Check if the bag/box sits correctly against the mower body. If it’s loose or damaged, the air and grass flow to the bag is compromised.

If all is well with the grass catcher, go ahead and replace your blade.​

Trailings are really annoying; check the bagger is closing snugly.

Check For Blade Damage – A defective blade can cause vibration, uneven cutting, and poor grass collection. Examine your blade, checking for damage, misalignment, or bent or broken trailing/leading edges.

Sharpening

Blades need to be kept sharp. I recommend about twice per season or more, depending on the terrain. Obviously, if your blade is dull, it can cause all sorts of problems, including blocked chute and grass catcher issues. Check out blade maintenance tools here; they make the sharpening process a ton easier.

And if you need a video on the process, it covers it here, sharpening blade on and off the mower.

Impact – When blades hit something hard, well, you know! The damage causes vibration and all sorts of cutting issues.

Bent – Bent blades can’t be repaired; just go ahead and replace them.

What Is PTO Slip?

The blade clutch or PTO (Power take-off) won’t be fitted to all lawn tractors, but it’s easy to locate; it lives right under the engine. A clutch system isn’t common on walk-behind mowers, but Honda and Toro offer them on the higher-end models.

It may be manual or electric; either way, its job is to lock the engine crankshaft to the blade deck pulley when you engage the blades on a button or lever. The clutch, like a clutch in a car, will wear out, and when it does, it causes the connection between the engine and deck to slip.

Symptoms include poor grass collection, uncut grass, and sometimes a burning smell.

PTO – Check the PTO system. The manual version is engaged by a cable. It lives on the crankshaft, right under the engine. Check that the cable is pulling the PTO lever all the way.

Fitting – Replacing the PTO isn’t difficult, but air tools would make it really easy.

Check Deck Belt Condition

Belt wear is also a common reason for a chute to clog; check the deck-cutting belt for damage and general wear tear. A new belt will transfer more of the engine power to the cutting blades and will improve the cutting and bag filling performance.

Belt types and lengths will be specific. Some brands will only work well using OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) belts; check out “Mower belt replacement.”

If you need walk-behind or ride-on mower blades, bearings, sharpening tools, etc., check out the Amazon.com link below.

Worn – A cutting deck belt that’s slipping will be less efficient at collecting.

Check the belt for proper tension, cracking, glazing, or contamination.

Damaged – Damaged belts will cause vibration and poor general performance.

A typical deck belt might last 4 – 5 years.

Check Engine Performance

It’s also worth considering, is the throttle set correctly? It should be set to fast/run when cutting. Is the engine running as it should? If the engine power is reduced, the mower may still cut well but will be less efficient at collecting.

A small-engine tractor or walk-behind mower should have a tune-up at the beginning of every season, regardless of how well it might be running.

Belt types and lengths will be specific. Some brands will only work well using OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) belts; check out “Mower belt replacement.”

Bad Gas

Old fuel is the number one cause of poor engine performance, use a gas stabilizer over the winter to help protect your lawn mower carburetor; check out “Carburetor troubleshooting.”

Tune-up – Mowers like a tune-up at least once per season.

Related Questions

How does grass catcher work? A grass catcher works by collecting the grass that is thrown into the bag by the force of the mower blade wings. The grass catcher works best when the walls of the bag/box are clear so that the forced air from the blade can pass through it quickly.

Hey, I’m John, and I’m a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience.

I’ve worked on all types of mechanical equipment, from cars to grass machinery, and this site is where I share fluff-free hacks, tips, and insider know-how.

So which is best mulching vs bagging vs side discharge?

It’s no secret, there are many ways to handle lawn clippings.

And, with all choices, there are pros and cons for each method.

But don’t worry, we made things simple with this guide.

What Do The Pros Say?

We surveyed 880 of GreenPal’s lawn care pros to see which grass clipping management method that they preferred.

• 620 said they preferred to mulch the clippings.
• 180 said they preferred to use side discharge.
• 80 said they preferred to bag them.

According to our survey 70% of lawn care professionals prefer to use a mulching kit.

However, it is important to note: One big reason more lawn care professionals do not use a bagging system instead, is that many clients are simply unwilling to pay more for the time involved.

However there is much more to the story!

Method #1- Bag Your Clippings

The first method we will mention is the second most common method for handling grass clippings among homeowners. Use a bagging attachment on your lawn mower.

Look, bagging lawn clippings is simple.

Install a bagging system on your mower, and all you need to do is find a place to dump the clippings.

importantly, there are huge benefits to bagging your grass clippings including; the ability to cut grass in nearly all conditions, and best of all it can remove weed seeds from the lawn.

If you do bag your grass compost your clippings!

• Can help reduce weeds by removing seed heads from the lawn.
• Provides the most professional appearance.
• Works even when the lawn is wet.
• Remove all debris from the lawn such as grass clippings and leaves.
• Less likely to throw a rock or other object which can cause damage.
• Takes longer due to having to dispose of the grass clippings throughout the mowing process.
• You need to have a place for dumping grass clippings.
• Removes free nutrients from the lawn.
• Requires a lawn mower with high enough HP to cut effectively.

Bagging in a Nutshell

Hands down, bagging grass clippings is the all around best method for most homeowners, especially if your lawn is full of weeds or not that well established.

But that is still not the whole story.

Method #2- Use the Side Discharge

Perhaps the most popular among homeowners is using the side discharge.

For many homeowners the side discharge works just fine, and since it is the default for most mowers, most simply use this method.

Best of all, cutting tall grass is not a problem.

Using the side discharge is easily the fastest method to use.

• Throws clippings everywhere.
• Less powerful mowers can leave clumps of grass in the lawn which can leave brown spots.
• Can throw seeds and grass into flower beds.
• Anything that gets under the mower deck can be shot into cars, homes or people.

Side Discharge in a Nutshell

Side discharge is good overall, and provides a fast, quality cut. IF you mow very regularly.

However, there are some significant downsides to using a side discharge system, including throwing grass and other debris everywhere.

Method #3- Mulch the Grass

Most people don’t know this, but there is a 3rd lawn mowing option, and that is mulching the grass.

Get this, this type of mulching has nothing to do with the mulch you use in a garden bed.

Instead, mulching grass involves a closed mower deck and mulching blade.

Rather than discharging grass. Mulching mowers chop up the grass, and even leaves, into tiny pieces which quickly break down into the lawn.

Now, there are some downsides to mulching the grass. The biggest problem is that tall grass can be difficult to cut.

Additionally, low HP mower may not have the power required to mulch the grass properly.

• Little or no visible grass clippings.
• Keeps nutrients in the lawn.
• Non-stop mowing.
• Can mulch fall leaves into the lawn.
• Less likely to throw a rock or other object which can cause damage.

Mulching in a Nutshell

Mulching is a great all around option for homeowners that cut their lawn regularly.

Not only does mulching keep nutrients in the lawn, mulching also reduces the risk of throwing a rock or other object into a car, home or person.

Bottom Line on Side Discharge vs Bagging vs Mulching

The way you should handle your lawn care clippings greatly depends on your individual goals and lawn.

Using this infographic on how to handle lawn clippings can help you decide which grass clipping method is best for you.

Best of all, if you don’t feel like taking the time to figure it all out, reach out to the pros at GreenPal, and they will handle it for you!

Hi, I’m Gene Caballero and I’m the co-founder of GreenPal. At GreenPal, we’re helping hundreds of thousands of Americans solve one of the trickiest problems: a reliable, fast, and affordable way to get lawncare taken care of. On behalf of GreenPal, I’ve been featured in the Indianapolis Star. the Sacramento Bee. Entrepreneur. Inc.com. and dozens more. Please feel free to say hi on or connect with me on LinkedIn.