Grass Catchers

[kutnkru]

We have talked about mulching vs. bagging. So here's my question:

If you bag what materials are they made of?? steel, platic bottom w/cloth bag, mesh sides?? And is it an e-z dumper or rear door set up??

Thanks for your input.
Kris

[pace lawn care]

Mine is a mesh bag, plastic bottom, doesn't hold much (5 bushel),and will dust you out. It does pick up really well, sit's on the side, and only takes 5 seconds to attach and 5 seconds to dump. Work's good for trash in ditches. I try not to bag. Next year for leaves I will own something larger. All in all, it is worth owning though just for the trash.

[RB]

Grass Gobblers all the way.

[RYAN]

Gotta go with the cloth bag. It holds a lot and is a lot lighter than the metal bags and is easier to take off mower, empty, and put back on. I used metal bags for years and will never go back.

[HOMER]

44 Gallon trash can, comes standard with the TRAC-VAC. Looks funny but holds quite a bit!

[RB]

Ryan,

that's funny, I'm the opposite. I used cloth bags for a couple of years before switching to metal.

My complaint with cloth was not the bag, but the metal back that always seemed to catch the turf when going over uneven ground. the grass gobbler is not that much heavier and I think it's more durable.

That's just my opinion.

Hey Ryan -- Go CSU!

[ETturfman]

Kris,

I use an Accelerator grass catcher that's aluminum and it works great. Easy on and off. I use the standard size but a friend of mine just bought the extra large capacity size and he says it's fantastic. I use a Honda 36" WB.

Jarrell

[Esby]

Thats what I use, it dumps very easily with the back plate removing. Realitively light, but heavy duty, and holds alot. I do apply a coat of paint now and again to keep it in good condition, preventing rust.

[kutnkru]

We are contemplating replacing the dump style, metal catchers that we are currently using in the spring and fall.
I did like the accelerators. I believe those were 1 of the 4 in the turfhq forum. We too have experienced the divots that the "plates" leave in the ground from uneven terrain and are looking for a better design.

Kris

[lawman]

I use the accelator on my emark wb. It is like the gobbler. The gobber was not made for the 99 48 wb. Open the back and dump. very easy.

[mdb landscaping]

i use a grass gobbler as well

[kutnkru]

lawman:
Thanks for the insight on the newer exmarks. I will keep that in mind when we make our decision.

Thanks again all.
Kris

[DeepDivot]

----- I use an Accelerator grass catcher that's aluminum and it works great. Easy on and off. I use the standard size -----

Can you tell me what you paid for the Accelerator grass catcher?

[gene gls]

If you are going to collect get a unit designed for that purpose, Walker 48" GHS..

Gene

[Esby]

I believe he is only going to be bagging occasionally, not all the time. Otherwise the Walker might be a good idea.

[DeepDivot]

While I'm not a commercial guy, my 'yard' is about 7 acres, with quite a few trees. I've been looking for the past several months for a heavy duty mower with 'some' bagging capability. I'll only be bagging about 1/4-1/3 acre, but it's zoysia grass where bagging as a must, as it's too thick a grass to mulch. Plus zoysia grass clippings don't 'degrade' well. The rest I'll either discharge or mulch. If I needed to bag the whole area, the Walker would be my first choice, but with the small amount of bagging, there seem to be better (faster) options. With all its great reviews, was leaning toward an Exmark HP until I saw the Hustler. While the Exmark is no doubt a top notch machine, the Hustler seems better on several marks. Beefier frame, automatic parking brakes, 60" vs 52" cut, higher top speed, larger tires, easier to use height adjustment, all at a lower cost (per local dealers). Another advantage (for me only) is the local Hustler dealer is also a John Deere dealer, and is excellent. The biggest negative for the Hustler was the cost of their bagging system, which is why I was interested in the 'low cost' designs that fit right at the discharge. With the minimal bagging I'll do, the 4 cu ft models shouldn't have to be dumped more than a couple of times.

[HOMER]

I would suggest buying a leaf sweeper for what you need. I have one and it would be great for you since it won't be leaving the house. It works good and you wont be stuck with a bagging attachement, just hook it up and pull it as you mow the zoysia. They hold a bunch of grass clippings and last a long time. For $199.00 you couldnt go wrong.

[lawrence stone]

Originally posted by DeepDivot
Plus zoysia grass clippings don't 'degrade' well.


This type of grass needs to be dethatched twice a year. You don't need a bagger you need a tine rake.

[GLM]

Grass Gobbler, the big one goes along way on my 36 WB. Steel is tough and easily repairable. Plus it works great and has never torn up any turf on me. Two thumbs up.

[accuratelawn]

I use an Accelerator XL. Works on my 60 Lazer or 48 inch Kees walk behind. Easy on easy off. $400

[DeepDivot]

Originally posted by HOMER
I would suggest buying a leaf sweeper for what you need.

Homer, I appreciate that idea. Hadn't thought about a sweeper, but for my purposes, it may be the best solution. Oh well, something else to research.

[DeepDivot]

[/B][/QUOTE]

This type of grass needs to be dethatched twice a year. You don't need a bagger you need a tine rake. [/B][/QUOTE]

Agree zoysia needs dethatching. At my previous residence, had almost an acre yard, all zoysia, and dethatched once a year and that was a job! Zoysia thatch or clippings don't degrade well. Each year, when I dumped the thatch, the previous years was still mostly there. Also, zoysia gets so thick, like plush pile carpet, that the clippings just stay on top. IMHO, short of using a golf course reel mower at 1/2" or less, and mowing every 3 days, bagging zoysia is a must. HOMER did mention a sweeper, which I need to look into.

[guntruck]

Kris the only time we bag is if we its easier for us which is very rare. But we blow everything together than hit it with our chariot and peco leaf vac. Its on our pics., works out real well. =)

[65hoss]

I disagree with you guys about zoysia. It may be different in your areas. Here in the midsouth zoysia is about the lowest maintenance grass there is. Its also the most expensive. I have a very thick lawn in it. It does look really bad if you side discharge, but its all gone if you mulch it. I have no trouble with thatch. It decomposes very quickly. Although, we have very high temps and humidity.

[brucec32]

I've used cloth and steel baggers. I prefer the cloth type on my Exmark. I originally did get "dusted" by the clippings (it's much worse when sitting on a mower than when walking behind one) but I rigged up a cloth cover that reduced the blowout on top. When that wore out, I bought an aftermarket cloth cover built to fit my frame, and wow....no blowout at all. Very happy with it. Also, plastic bottom pans on the bags seem to cause less wear on the turf than the steel. The only negative is that it fills up fast in heavy turf. Models built for riders, like the accelerator XL, have an advantage here. But I try to avoid bagging large lawns, anyway. Just too inefficient and tiring.

Alas, the frame broke on my bagger system. I can replace the frame for about $80, or buy a new one. I like the idea of the accelerator with its large capacity, but it's too expensive. I only bag a few lawns year round, and mulch most leaves rather than vac them, so it wouldn't justify the extra cost.

Steel baggers are ok, but they do require some installation to fit on many mowers, and they are heavy. They also rust out if you don't clean them. Finally, their capacity isn't great.

[TFL]

I use mesh bags very dusty. baggers are great for trash on highway frontage.

[TheKing]

I could not be more pleased with my acceleratot catcher. While I currntly on have a hrc 216 I am looking for a large 36" mower,,and I have also been shoping the accelerator cathcher for it. I have noticed that accelerator has stopped puting on those little stands at the bottom of the bagger that some of you have complained leaves divets on uneven ground. When I buy my 36 I will buy an accelerator. I have used them before when I worked for a different landscape company,,and just like everyone is saying,,,easy on easy off.
I cant beleve that people are still buying gobblers,,they are heavey and they rust. No disrespect to anyone using that type of metal catcher,,:alien:

[morturf]

Anybody use a Grasspacker? It is the pastic catcher that looks like a barrel. If so, what was your impression?

Mike