What is the advantage

[John2189 445]

Of the side and rear discharge mower deck?

[Pullstart 62,807]

Side discharge seems to disperse the clippings across the yard, rear discharge seems to disperse them along the transmission.  With automatic rigs especially, the SD seems like the way to go.  If you prefer to sweep your lawn though, the RD tosses the clippings right into the sweeper’s path.

[lynnmor 7,302]

Wheel Horse made several different 42” rear discharge decks, some with partial baffles and some with the complete baffling that fully contains the clippings so they are recut many times. I have a completely open deck that leaves ugly windrows if not swept.  I use it for fall cleanup with a sweeper.

[stevasaurus 22,711]

They both have their pluses.  I had a 42" side discharge on a Rader 10.  It would throw the grass half way across the yard.  You always want to have the discharge facing the mowed grass and not into the grass that is not cut yet.  I did find that I had to usually mow the lawn a second time, running over the lines of cut grass to cut them again and spread out.  My 36 rear discharge desks also do a nice job, but if I let the grass get too long, I find it best to back the tractor over the long grass and then mow it forward.  If it is not long, I can just mow it and be done.  One plus with the rear discharge, when the leaves first start to fall, I can back over the leaves and the deck will actually mulch the leaves and then go forward.  

[WHX?? 48,799]

I prefer the rears as they don't have a tendency to thrown rocks and pinecones at warp speeds causing any grief. Yes you can run with a deflector on SDs but then the wind rows...   especially if the grass gets away on you abit. Almost have to bale it then! 

[Achto 27,511]

One advantage to a RD that I like is that you can mow close to objects on either side of the deck.

[peter lena 8,588]

@lynnmor, all my r/d decks do not have baffling , removed in two of them , have no debris lines or any build up , don,t use  a sweeper . always cut at highest setting , just me , pete 

[peter lena 8,588]

@Achto, agree with you that , have a series of property posts that are a non issue with the r/d decks , pete

[JoeM 7,871]

2 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

My 36 rear discharge desks also do a nice job, but if I let the grass get too long, I find it best to back the tractor over the long grass and then mow it forward.  If it is not long, I can just mow it and be done.  One plus with the rear discharge, when the leaves first start to fall, I can back over the leaves and the deck will actually mulch the leaves and then go forward.

Mowed with one for several years same same.

I have more now so went up to more bigger sidewinder.

[roadapples 6,983]

I've only ever used side discharge. My brother has a 36" rear discharge which throws everything at the left rear wheel. It's always black...

[peter lena 8,588]

@JoeM agree with the mowing backwards in the fall, added feature of that , is with dry leaves , it almost does a leaf blast on the deck cleaning . pete

[peter lena 8,588]

@roadapples he can always add the back of deck rubber deflector , could be worth a try , pete

[daveoman1966 3,745]

A rear discharge deck won't throw stones thru your brand new vinyl siding...don't ask how I know this.  

[varosd 1,185]

Agree with all above

had 36 RD and 42RD

but

loved my 48 SD…

[squonk 41,040]

RD or go home. I have a rubber flap on the back that keeps the tires and hydro clean.

[Handy Don 12,167]

42" RD with 4" flap. Mowing in a grove of trees it is SO much easier than its SD predecessor and we haven't noticed any particular accumulation of clippings anywhere on the tractor.