scag air flow

[dwigh1]

i have a scag 61" walk behind and since i've owned it, it doesn't discharge good, kind of creates a whirl wind effect right at the discharge. any suggestions what to do? i've changed types of blades ran it with chute up and down no better or worse!!

[Eric ELM]

Try double blades, that might help. If you have never heard of this, go to my website and read about them and how to install them. Click on my red house below and then the Double Blades link. This might help your air flow problem. Worth a try. :)

[Evan528]

Very common with scags! every scag I have used had done this. They leave a trail of clipping right by the discharge chute! To me it looks like it happens because the deck is poorly designed.... right at the discarge the deck curves in wich cause the grass to get caught and not flow properly!

[John DiMartino]

I watched 2 guys on 48 WB's mowing a thick industrial property,both had 14 kawi's one was a brand new scag 48 hydro,the other an older ransomes bobcat ,the scag was clumping noticably,the bobcat cut much cleaner at the same speed,and seemed to throw the grass further while the engine labored less.I talked to them as they loaded,sais they scag just doesnt cut good no mater what they do to it.My one commercial account manager told me that my job was far superior to the last contractor-who used a scag Saber tooth tiger-he always left clumps,I never,ever do.Humm,gotta wonder if its the nature of the beast.

[Richard Martin]

It sounds like you need to get a "Turbo Baffle" for it. See it at http://www.scag.com/walkbehinds/SWZaccessories.htm

[HOMER]

Now I wonder how that is supposed to work? I agree with everyone about the discharge, I own an older version and it does the same thing. What I did was put the mulching plate back on and install a second set of blades and now I couldn't be happier, makes a cleaner cut and I can actually see a slight "striping" affect!

[Richard Martin]

I guess it breaks up the swirling effect at the discharge chute. My Dixie and my Exmark came with "turbo-baffles" from the factory and neither one of them have clumping problems. My Gravely <i>had</i> a terrible clumping problem until I added trianglular shaped gussets to the front of the rear baffles. Problem fixed.

The Scag Turbo Baffle should be cheap enough to buy where even if it doesn't work you still haven't lost much.

[little green guy]

I had the same problem with both of my 52" scag's. I put double blades on it and put like another one or two blade spacer on the spindle to lower the blades and it works better now. Still not the best cut in the world but it works. One of the mowers used to leave a windrow of grass right next to the deck even in short grass.

My exmarks throw grass like two or three rows.

[edward hedrick]

Iown an STHM which is thesame as the 61 wb Some things to try, turbo baffle works fairly well, another change the bolts that hold the castor arms from 5/16 hex to 3/8 x 3/4
carriage bolts with the round head under. check for other
bolt heads. Ipurchased a baffle kit for the new Husq rider
looks like it will fit. will let you know.
ED

[Runner]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Richard Martin
My Gravely <i>had</i> a terrible clumping problem until I added trianglular shaped gussets to the front of the rear baffles. Problem fixed.

Richard, Can you explain these gussets and where they are at? Thanks! :)

[Richard Martin]

The gusset keeps grass from building up at the front of the rear baffles where they come together. You see that at the spot where the baffles meet it forms a sharp angle where grass can build up. With the gusset installed the grass hits the gusset and slides down instead of just sitting there. I keep refering to baffles when in fact there is only one baffle. Just think of each blade as having it own baffle and you will see what I'm talking about. Or, if you have a newer Exmark around look under it and you will see the gussets installed from the factory. Don't forget the gusset at the discharge opening.

[edward hedrick]

update on putting a baffle on a scag.I got a baffle from the HusQy dealer for the 60" rider for $50+20 to change a bracket, Seems to work well, the cut seems better less clumping, also put a turbo baffle on.

[Wood Lawn Man]

Scag's new "advantage deck" is a major improvement in the blowing capabilities of their' mowers. If you don't want to spend the extra money on a turbo baffle or upgrading to the advantage deck (which is well worth it), you can try going to a local welding shop and have them weld a piece of steel in the deck by the exit chute to keep cut grass from recirculating back into the deck. Also, try using the new Gator Magnum Mulchers. They work wonders for side discharge.

[turfguy33]

I have a scag turf tiger with the advantage deck, and I can not see what what makes this an advantage.......My Great Dane will run circles around it, and still leave a better cut....As you may already know, the deck on the danes are the same as the older scag decks, or at least very close to the same....the only thing different is the dane has better baffleing system that directs air flow better, or so it seems.

[Wood Lawn Man]

Lawnguy....As you may well know Dane's are made by Dane Scag, who originally started Scag mowers. The design of the decks is nearly identical. My lawn crews use 2 walks and 2 riders with the advantage decks, along with several older style walks and riders, and we've been very impressed with the knew decks. What kind of blades are you using and what size engine with what size deck? I've recently become an authorized Scag dealer, so I'm interested to get some feedback.

[edward hedrick]

I have a 1999 Sthm 61" Ihad considered changing to the new deck
estimate $1000. Since the Husqy baffle cost 70 and the turbo 25
at 95 is alot of money dif. With std Lesco 21" blades cut Quality
has been improved so much that I'll forget the Advaantage. Ihave
a 22 koh. Iadded an EngineAir precleaner also. The other change was
change the bolts that hold the casters from hex hd to carriage bolts
:)