Bag Or No Bag??

[whos_the_master]

I just wanted to know. I have a 48" bob cat walk behind. And I wanted to know on most residental accounts do you guys bag the grass clippings or no? Because mine came without a grass catcher.

Thanks guys,
Looking forward to your insight!

[JB1]

Its been a lot of years since I bagged, I guess it was my dumb years.

[fiveoboy01]

I never bag unless the customer insists on it. If they do, it's extra $ because there's more time involved, you have to stop periodically to empty the catcher, and you have to haul and dump the clippings.

I've never had a complaint discharging. The discharge is very good on my mowers, so there are almost never any visible clippings left laying on the lawn. If there are, I hit them with the blower to scatter them.

[Tadams]

The only time that we will bag is during leaf clean-ups. The rest of the time we mulch everything! We can go any direction, around beds, cars, the house, cats, dogs, and play areas and not have to worry about throwing grass all over everything. It may not work for everyone and I'm not telling you that it is the only way to go and that bagging and discharging sucks, because they don't, but mulching just works for us.

[lurch]

say no to bagging...charge extra if you do

[M&SLawnCare]

Make that desision for yourself based on the needs of the lawns you service, your desired quality level, and how easy you can dispose of the clippings. Around here (new jersey) i bag almost everything, expecually in the spring. The grass just grows to fast and thick to mulch or S/D without leaving a large amount of clipings lay or cutting it more than twice (and most likly causing thatch problems by summer). I frequently get new clients simply because their previous service provider didn't bag when they should and left a lot of clippings lay, and a few times even started to damage the lawn due to severe thatching.

In the summer i'll S/D a lot more when the grass slows down though. All three methods have their purpose and place, and which is best for you depends on the conditions of the area you service.

[WHIPPLE5.7]

Around here people flip if you don't want to bag. They will hire someone else.

[Vikings]

What about bagging around a pool area?

[Roger]

I agree with M&S's comments. We cannot make blanket assertions about what do to in areas other than our own.

My situation sounds much like his, bagging is a must. At this time of the year, any discharge in smaller area would leave the beds a mess with clipping cover. And, many areas would look like a hay fields with discharging the clippings. Mulching is never a consideration because of the heavy growth and the sappy condition of the turf. The mower would pack out with debris after a short distance, to say nothing of the clumps and rows.

Clearly, those who are able to discharge or mulch through all, or most of the season, have much different mowing conditions that some of us. Therefore, your question pertains to what conditions are right for your area, and also what your customers expect.

[MOWEMJEFF]

Around here every company and their mothers are running walkers with a bagger, you have to in these parts to keep up with the growth rate. But I also don't have to pay to bring grass to my local dump and my minimum rate for bagging a residential is 30 and 25 for discharging.

[Woody82986]

All the hispanic guys around here seem to be bagging, but I hardly ever see white guys who bag... I bag one client and it is of my own choice.

[TwinKatDaddy]

Speaking of bagging, here is a nebie story all of you can laugh at. It is long so be warned.. I just started my business this spring. I have a new 32 inch Redhawk walkbehind Which isn't the best mower but I got it free under the condition I cut the owners grass this season to pay it off. Ayway My brother in law calls me and asks me if I can cut his grass yesterday-I wasn't told it hadn't been cut in 11 days and it has rained here for a week. My mower blade is set pretty low and to adjust it is a pain in the ass. I don't have a catch so the clippings discharge. So I cut the front no problem then I start on the back and it is a total mess. I should have quit but It was after 7. I raked clippings until after 9pm in the dark and his back yard looks like crap. I have to go back today to run over the areas that I didn't get because the clippings were so damn thick. I am going to raise my blade a little. Stupid is as Stupid does I guess. Have a good day!:hammerhead: :hammerhead: :hammerhead:

[jdlawn]

twinkat that is pretty funny but at least you care about quality and are going back. i was called to cut this repo house last summer and the guy said it should have been cut "yesterday" which is code for stop what your doing and mow it. well i went down and i had a friend with me and the back yard was around 2-3ft tall. i had to cut it with the weed eater and then go over it with the mower. it didnt look the best but all that mattered was that it was cut.

[Dave_005]

i never bag unless i have to and then i will charge extra for bagging

[Mow It All llc]

HELL NO TO BAGGING, TAKES TO MUCH TIME, makes a mess in the truck and if the dupm closes your stuck. Its not worth it, and its extra work. I use gator blades and block my discharge....some customers ask for bagging and dont know the difference