Question About Ariens 21" Commercial

[Mowingman]

I just bought an Ariens 21" Commercial mower with the Robbin engine. I like the mower's performance for the most part, but have a problem I need help with concerning the deck design.
The bottom of the deck has the bottom edge rolled under to form a horiz. lip on the inside of the mower deck. When mulching tall,overgrown grass and weeds, the cuttings jam up between the end of the blade and this lip and stall the mower. Also, if you run over a plastic bottle or an alum. pop can,these items jam in the same place. All the other mowers I use can chop this stuff up, or throw it out under the deck. Due to this problem, I can not use this mower on any of my Code Enforcement contract jobs.
Could I take a torch and grinder and remove this lip without harming the performance of this mower.

[gogetter]

Originally posted by Mowingman
I just bought an Ariens 21" Commercial mower<snip> Also, if you run over a plastic bottle or an alum. pop can,these items jam in the same place

Uh, why would you be running over bottles and cans? :confused:

[Mowingman]

They are buried in the deep weeds and grass along with all types of other junk. This is contract mowing for the City. Cleanup at abandoned houses,vacant lots,etc. There is so much trash,you just mow over everything. They just want it cut down to 4" or less.

[Eng Mwr Guy]

While running over bottles and cans would be considered abuse I will answer the question you posed.

It sounds like a flail mower would be better for this application.

The bottom lip helps to create vacuum and with mulching. Many mowers do not have this lip.

Barry
Gravely Guy

[Mowingman]

Thanks for your reply. I guess I better leave it alone.
By the way, I cant find a flail mower that fits through a 36" or 48" gate.;)