48 exmark blowout

[dlandscaping]

my 48 exmark blows out dust and grass and dirt from the front of the mower it collects on the deck and i am constantly being covered by it i cant take it anymore i was wondering if this happens to all mowers because i heard it was caused by a 3 blade design which causes an airflow causing debris to fly out i was wondering if this theory is true or not ??

[eXmark]

Dlandscaping,

Thanks for the question. The "blow out" is caused by airflow, that much is correct. That is caused by a 3 blade design might be stretching it a little. All mowers can exhibit "blowout" in the right conditions. The key is to know what can effect "blowout" so we can minimize it in a given operating condition or eliminate it in others.

What model 48" mower you have can even effect the amount of blow out. What model do you have? What is the serial number? Are you mulching bagging or side discharging? What height are you cutting at? How tall is the grass your cutting? What type of blade are you using? All of these can effect the "blowout" of a mower deck. Please let me know I'm confident we can help minimize it.

Thanks

Terry

[Shack]

I had the same problem with a Toro 44, added a baffle and problem was solved.

[Shack]

add a baffle that will solve the problem.

[dlandscaping]

i know this may be a dumb ? but i am rather new to walk behind mowers and somebody responded and told me that adding a baffle kit will help the problem of the dust and grass blowout. what is a baffle kit??

[Sammy]

dlandscaping, Please put your location in your profile.
Thank you. :)

[eXmark]

DL,

If you have a 48" fixed deck Metro or Viking with a serial number below 150000 there is a bolt in baffle available that will dramatically reduce the amount of blow out from the front of your machine. You can order the baffle kit under part number 1-401002 from your local Exmark dealer. However if your machine has a serial number above 150000 the baffle is already welded in place.

If your serial number plate is missing the baffle looks similar to a bird wing and runs across the front of the mower deck, on the underside, between the blades and the “V” that forms the front of the deck. Do not mistake this baffle for the round baffles that all decks have to the rear of the mower deck.

If you have the baffles in place I would begin by switching to a solid airfoil blade when side discharging or bagging. You may also need to adjust your height of cut, making sure that the front lip of the mower deck is not higher than the rear. This would also apply to mulching. You may also try lowering your height of cut.

By answering the following questions we may be better able to reduce the amount of blow out you are experiencing. Are you side discharging, mulching or bagging? What type of blade are you using? What height are you cutting at? Do you have a fixed deck Metro or Viking or do you have a floating deck Metro HP or Turf Tracer HP or a riding mower. If you have a fixed deck how many spacer to you have between the spindle shaft and the blade. What type of grass are you cutting and what region of the country are you in.



Thank you

Terry

[dlandscaping]

i dont know of the serial number so i need to check for the baffle next time i mow. i am using a fixed deck metro i am mowing with the factory installed blades and i have 2 spacers between the blades and spindle and 3 on the front casters i am thinking of lowering the mower since the summer heat is about over i usually bag but have been discharging a few lawns lately i am located in massachusetts and i cut all types of grass and weed

[eXmark]

DL,

My recommendation would be to first switch to the Exmark solid airfoil blade. If you are running a 48" deck order P/N 1-413438. The solid airfoil blade will reduce blow out in most conditions, with or without the baffle bagging or side discharging. I would be surprised if your mower did not have the baffle in it at this time.

If your bagging you should also be aware that all grass catchers must be able to "breath". The Exmark GC36 grass catcher utilizes a double layer mesh design, some aftermarket grass catchers are single layer or either aluminum, steel or plastic. In all cases the grass catchers are designed to let air out and grass in. If the pores, mesh, or weave of the catcher become plugged with dirt, grass etc. the bag will no longer allow the air to escape. When this occurs the airflow backs up and pushes it's way out the front of the mower deck carrying grass and debris with it creating blow out.

Thanks

Terry

[eXmark]

dlandscaping,

You should check to make sure that the blade tip is not higher in the front than in the rear. The reason I say this is that you said that you have 3 spacer in the front. That may put the blade tip too high in the front and this would cause a bad blow out problem.

Ideally you want the mower a little higher in the rear. I would measure the blades to make sure.

Thanks, Fred.

[Shady Brook]

Does the Baffle kit for the 48" Trivantage deck bolt on without drilling holes? Does it give nearly the same effect as the baffle for the 52 hp that people have been talking about? I am getting worn out trying to chase down leaves, and it is not even fall yet. Is 70 bucks a reasonable price for this? Is it possible to catch up to leaves if you put a mulch kit, or will the blowout with a 48 still mulching leaves an imposibility?

Thanks
Jay

[eXmark]

Jay,

At this time we do not have a production baffle available for the 48" decks.

Thanks

Terry

[Shady Brook]

Terry

You said....

"If you have a 48" fixed deck Metro or Viking with a serial number below 150000 there is a bolt in baffle available that will dramatically reduce the amount of blow out from the front of your machine. You can order the baffle kit under part number 1-401002 from your local Exmark dealer."

The dealer can get this baffle, just wondering if it will bolt right on, or require drilling, and if it is worth $70 :)

Jay

[eXmark]

Shady,

It varies. Back when the baffle was first developed (around s/n 115000) the demand was not high enough to warrant putting it on as standard equipment but enough to warrant drilling the holes from the factory on new units. All units built after s/n 115000 have the hole in the deck. Anything built before that would require drilling. The kit comes with a template, which makes the process very simple.

Personally I'd say it's a bargain at $70 especially if your bagging leaves or working in dry conditions. It just makes working in these conditions a whole lot cleaner, more pleasant and more efficient. I'd buy one for my machine for sure.

Thanks

Terry

[Esby]

I just installed my baffel for my 52" Lazer Z HP. It makes a big difference that I could notice the very first time I engaged the blades. It will now suck leaves off of pavement. Mine ran me $40 with shipping, I think it was like $35 before they tacked on the frieght.

[eXmark]

Guys,

I suppose I should add a little clarification to this thread. The baffle for the 48" is similar (nearly identical) to the "birdwing" or flow control baffle that is now standard on all Exmark mower decks.

The anti-blow out baffle is an additionall baffle that bolts onto the flow control baffle.

Thanks

Terry

[mike9497]

do they make one for a TTHP52 because im ready to sell this thing if the blow out doesn't stop

[eXmark]

Mike9497,

The anti-blow out baffle for the 52" deck is p/n 1-611277 and can be ordered from any Exmark dealer. A couple of the Lawnsite members have been using them on LHP's for a while with good reports.

Thanks

Terry

[Brian M]

Terry,
I have a 2002 Turf Tracer with the 52" Ultracut deck.
I am having a major problem with blowout.
I am presently doing alot of dethatching with the JRCO unit up front and bagging to an Accelerator bagger and this setup puts me right in the middle of a major dust storm, and when I'm not dethaching it only gets a little better but there is still alot of blowout from the front of the deck and alot of dust in the air, also instead of sucking in the leaves it blows them away from the machine, something just doesn't seem right here!!!
I've tried the Excalibur blades and the Gators as well, no difference, and the front blade tip is approx. 3/8" lower than the rear blade tip, and my cutting height has been at 2 1/2" & 3" So what could be wrong with this machine?
Should I operate at half throttle to try to reduce the blowout?
Is there a "blowout" baffle that I could put on this deck or would the mulch kit baffles do the trick or make it worse?


Thanks,
Brian M

[eXmark]

Brian,

The blow out baffle should help. My concern however is that the last time I was out your general direction it was fairly wet and blow out wasn't much of an issue.

Is the deck doing anything strange in the thicker more lush grass conditions? Are you still getting a good clean cut?

The p/n for the anti-blow out baffle is 1-611277 and can be ordered from any Exmark dealer.

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Thanks

Terry

[DieselDeere]

I switch from bagging dry dusty grass to mulching wet grass, how will this effect the performance with the baffle installed on a Lazer Z 52" 27 HP?

[Brian M]

Yes Terry it has been fairly wet, but the lawns that are causing me the most grief are parse and dry with some dry leaves.

No, the deck doesn't appear to be doing anything strange in the thicker more lush grass conditions, as a matter of fact it does a beautiful job in those conditions whether I'm running the Excalibur blades or the Gators!!!

What would you be suspecting though if the deck wasn't cutting well in thick grass???

Admittedly I am new to the Biz and was a little disappointed when I started dethatching and was totally covered in dust by the end of the job, what a #@$%&*^ mess!

Is there a better blade to use to cut down on all that dust or will the baffle you suggested solve the problem?

Also, will the mulch kit work or will it just make matters worse in those dry conditions?

Please let me know,
Thanks,
Brian M

[eXmark]

Brian M,

If the mower was not cutting properly in the wetter thicker conditions it could have indicated some belt slippage on the deck belt. Often this will cause one blade to spin slower than the other two creating a back log of air which causes increased blow out. From what your telling me it sounds like it's simply conditions but we can make it better.

The anti-blow out baffle will help and if it's that dry and sparse the solid airfoil or even low lift blade may give you adequate left for your clean ups without the dust and blow out your seeing as well.

You may want to look at the grass catcher. The Accelerator doesn't usually plug up easily but I'd make sure it's been cleaned well the next time you go out. If the holes in the aluminum mesh are plugged with debris the air can't get out and will prevent more air from coming in from the deck. If the air can't get out the discharge opening because the grass catcher isn't venting then it will push out the front of the deck.

I'd start simple. Clean the grass catcher, try the solid airfoils or the anti-blow out baffle.

Thanks

Terry

[eXmark]

Diesel Deere,

I doubt that switching from bagging dry to mulching wet will really effect the anti-blow out baffle. If the grass is too wet however the mulch kit can plug up more often however.

Thanks

Terry

[65hoss]

The anti-blowout baffle will help with your blowout problems. I've been running one for a while. I have it on with the vac unit during leaf season and sometimes leave it on with the mulch kit during grass season.