Service & Maintenance Question
#RZ3016. I added the mulching kit. I like the machine very much
but there seems to be one engineering flaw where as when the side discharge
is blocked off by the mulching kit the grass all shoots straight up and
covers your feet and completely covers the deck and even works it's way
into the battery compartment. There is grass every where because of the
five large holes that are circling the deck. I do not see any other brands
of lawn mowers with large holes in any of there decks so I'm thinking this
to be either a engineering flaw or there might be more parts to the
mulching kit beside the blade and the side discharge blocker. The grass
build up is really a big problem and the only problem I have and if you
could help me with it I would really appreciate your help. I would even be
willing to purchase a deck that would be made with out the large holes if I
could. I purchased my mower from Sell's Equipment at 19185 West Road, Woodhaven, Mi. 48183. That's all I have for now and thanks.
Best Answer
Answer
- posted August 24, 2010 by Brandon M.
- Permalink
Roger,
Thank you for the posting a picture of you on your new RZ3016. We are glad to hear that you are enjoying the mower. The stamped deck on these mowers do have some holes around the spindle. These were designed for the purpose to air cool the spindle and help air flow for discharge.
For future readers of this post, when mulching grass, clippings are being cut several times and need to eventually find an exit. In most cases the clippings are thrown out the bottom of the deck and left behind to help provide nutrients to the ground. For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades. For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut and mow slowly. These tips may help limit the amount of the clippings escaping through your deck, but from your picture it seems you are taking the correct steps.
Once again, thank you for your comments and the picture!
- posted August 24, 2010 by Brandon M.
- posted August 25, 2010 by Roger Lee Hills
- Permalink
In answer to your answer you must think I'm really stupid to believe that the holes in the deck were put there to keep the spindle cool. What about the hundreds of companies that sell mowers with out holes in there decks they don't seem to have any problems keeping there spindles cool. And my clippings are not being cut several times. Most of the grass that comes up through the holes have only been cut once. There is a real design flaw here and until it's fixed I don't think this mower will ever win any awards and that's for sure.
- posted July 16, 2015 by Bob Chaney
- Permalink
Roger
I too, just purchased in June 2015 a RZ3016. A number of questions arise.
1. Yes, I do get just a little grass coming up through the holes.. though I try to cut only a 2" off grass while using the mulching plug - I do not have the mulching blades. However, I blow off the grass from the deck and foot rest area prior to washing deck via deck plug. OF course, the engine is at top RPM while mulching.
2. I have an issue with not knowing how much gas remains after a mowing.. tough to even figure how long the 3 gallon tank will last during mowing.
3. I also find it very difficult to set blade height properly........ my highest setting is too high but the next lowest two settings are two low........ I think the issue is that one 30" blade simply does not cut as well as two blades might.
4. I wish I could find a bagger system that is more affordable but designed for the RZ 3016
Good luck
Roger,
Thank you for the posting a picture of you on your new RZ3016. We are glad to hear that you are enjoying the mower. The stamped deck on these mowers do have some holes around the spindle. These were designed for the purpose to air cool the spindle and help air flow for discharge.
For future readers of this post, when mulching grass, clippings are being cut several times and need to eventually find an exit. In most cases the clippings are thrown out the bottom of the deck and left behind to help provide nutrients to the ground. For best results, adjust the mower cutting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades. For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut and mow slowly. These tips may help limit the amount of the clippings escaping through your deck, but from your picture it seems you are taking the correct steps.
Once again, thank you for your comments and the picture!