Power Flow for 48" deck on 1999 314-8?

[rwmastel 47]

Hi.  I just picked up my first lawn/garden tractor and it's a '99 314-8 with a 48" mower deck side discharge.  If I end up not liking the side discharge, can I fit a Power Flow to this deck/tractor combo?  This was the best pic I got of the mower ID sticker, if that helps.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,032]

The 1990 model 15-48SC02 deck will accept the 07-4XVC01 replaced by 79301 vacuum bagger.

 

Garry

 

[rwmastel 47]

Garry,

 

Thanks for the info!  I'll keep this in my notes in case I get tired of the side discharge.  I imagine next autumn there will be so many leaves that side discharge won't be practical.

 

I guess another option to bagging would be mulching.  If I wanted to do that, what is required?

- Changing blades and blocking the side discharge opening.

- Replacing the deck with a different type?

- Something else?

 

Is mulching reasonable in autumn with lots of leaves, or do you really need to bag?

Thanks!

Rodd

[JAinVA 4,619]

I use an Agrifab leaf vac in the fall to harvest leaves.Yes I actually harvest the leaves for use as garden mulch in the spring.This particular unit has been modified to not only vacuum but shred the leaves.I live in a heavily wooded area and,leaf collection with a tractor mounted bagger alone would not do any good for me.If you want to mulch leaves in place then you should make some type of plate to block the discharge chute.I don't think there are any commercially available so you have to get creative.JAinVA

[Jerry77 1,218]

1 hour ago, rwmastel said:

Is mulching reasonable in autumn with lots of leaves, or do you really need to bag

I live in front of 20 acres of woods and have lots of leaves.... I usually wait for the wind to carry most of them on east, and then just windrow them with the mower and keep running over them until they are gone - good stuff for the grass too..just not interested in picking them up to dispose of.......

[can whlvr 993]

I too have many trees,i just keep on blowin them into the bush,the 160 never bogs as long as the leaves are dry

[dcrage 627]

I also have woods on all sides of my yard -- When there is a heavy leaf layer I have found that it takes about 3 trips over the yard to have 'mulch' size leaf litter (this is with no additional mulching attachment on my 37" SD)

[rwmastel 47]

On 11/7/2016 at 4:47 PM, JAinVA said:

I use an Agrifab leaf vac in the fall to harvest leaves.

Which kind of leaf vac?  Gas powered one that sucks leaves out of side discharge into hard plastic container or the simple tow-behind with mechanical brush and cloth dump bin?

[JAinVA 4,619]

Gas powered tow behind.Type in   leaf harvest 2015   in the search box above and its pictured.JAinVA

[rwmastel 47]

That might be a bit overkill for my new place.  (By new, I mean we just planed grass in October and we don't move in until December.  But, I bought my WH last weekend!)  I'll try just using the side discharge to blow leaves, then I might try a lawn sweeper like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Agri-Fab-45-0320-42-Inch-Lawn-Sweeper/dp/B0001YAY42

I don't think I'll ever need a big rig like you're using.

 

When blowing leaves with the side discharge, do you drop the deck down, but adjust it up to not cut the lawn?  Then go around again with it lower to make the cut?

Sorry for stupid questions, this is first riding mower / lawn tractor.

[JAinVA 4,619]

A sweeper like the one you show will work well.If you have lots of leaves it will need to be emptied often.To blow leaves with the deck just set it to cutting height and go in left hand circles.Start in a mid point and go in increasingly larger circles.Once you see how far the leaves will travel you'll get the hang of it.Hope this helps.The only stupid question is one that isn't asked.Luck,JAinVA

[rwmastel 47]

I guess the next question to ask is about mulching.  I think I read elsewhere on this forum that mulching blades only work with rear discharge.  Is that correct?  Can I close the side discharge chute and make it a mulching deck?  Having a new toy to learn about is so much fun with great resources like this site available. Can't wait for the spring!

[JAinVA 4,619]

Mulching blades are most effective on the rear discharge deck.The discharge area on them is wide and not very tall.This tends to keep the whole leaves under the deck until chopped up.As I posted earlier the SD deck work also but to be the most effective the discharge chute must be blocked.Without some restriction the leaves blow out before being thoroughly chopped.Since you would have to make

your own blocking plate most folks will choose the RD deck for mulching.JAinVA