ZT1 50 issues

[ol'George]

If grass is thick,wet, lush and tall, it ain't ah gonna mulch.
Mulching is best accomplished when frequently cut and grass is left tall so clippings have a place to hide while they decompose.
looking at yer pictures I'd run a pair of calves on that place and have nice jucy steak's and burgers in 18 mo.
OR:
Take 3 cuttings of hay put into square bales and feed it or sell to someone that has horses, especially in a drought year $$$$ BTDT.

[cooperino]

When Mulching, I only up to about a 3rd of the total height. Or about 1.5 inches. Any more than that and I get the same result you have.

[Farmall450]

Originally Posted by ol'George

If grass is thick,wet, lush and tall, it ain't ah gonna mulch.
Mulching is best accomplished when frequently cut and grass is left tall so clippings have a place to hide while they decompose.
looking at yer pictures I'd run a pair of calves on that place and have nice jucy steak's and burgers in 18 mo.
OR:
Take 3 cuttings of hay put into square bales and feed it or sell to someone that has horses, especially in a drought year $$$$ BTDT.

Yeah, that grass is aggressively growing.

You should never mow more than a third of the grass's length, and you shouldn't be mowing wet. My uncle has a ZT1 50 Kawi and none of the issues you have...although he's known to occasionally bag if he lets it get out of hand.

[ZXR21]

Originally Posted by Farmall450

Yeah, that grass is aggressively growing.

You should never mow more than a third of the grass's length, and you shouldn't be mowing wet. My uncle has a ZT1 50 Kawi and none of the issues you have...although he's known to occasionally bag if he lets it get out of hand.

Well, then what is the solution? I put the mulching kit on last week at my dealers request. He even gave it to me. It’s not that I wanted to mulch the yard. As for wet, I don’t feel as though the yard has been all that wet when I’m mowing and certainly not every time. I try mowing once per week. Typically it gets done every 5-6 days. Why do my neighbors not have the same issues? The dealer agrees there is a problem. They simply don’t know what it is or how to correct the issue. They have exhausted every suggestion that Cub has provided. I simply don’t know which direction to head in going forward. This is my third zero turn. I’ve never had issues up until now.

[Farmall450]

Originally Posted by ZXR21

Well, then what is the solution? I put the mulching kit on last week at my dealers request. He even gave it to me. It’s not that I wanted to mulch the yard. As for wet, I don’t feel as though the yard has been all that wet when I’m mowing and certainly not every time. I try mowing once per week. Typically it gets done every 5-6 days. Why do my neighbors not have the same issues? The dealer agrees there is a problem. They simply don’t know what it is or how to correct the issue. They have exhausted every suggestion that Cub has provided. I simply don’t know which direction to head in going forward. This is my third zero turn. I’ve never had issues up until now.

From the picture you send, open up the chute (as advised above) and/or mow more often (as advised above).

[ZXR21]

Originally Posted by Farmall450

From the picture you send, open up the chute (as advised above) and/or mow more often (as advised above).

I can certainly open the shoot back up. It’s only been mowed twice with the mulching kit on it and I However, I don’t think I can mow more often than every 5-6 days. To be clear, those photos are of a 6 day cut without the mulching kit.

[Dart1917]

When Farmall450 mentioned opening up the chute I believe he meant more than just removing the mulch plate. Because of liability issues nobody on here will tell you to remove any safety devices. That said, I personally would start with raising the deflector and if that wasn't enough I would start looking at modifying the deck chute to allow the clippings to exit the deck easier. Anything you do is your decision. Good luck.

[Riverrat]

Originally Posted by ZXR21

I know this is my first post, however, I’m having issues with the quality of the cut of my ZT1 50. I purchased this mower early July or Late June of this year (2020). Mower now has 13 hours on it. My issue isn’t really how the mower mows, but rather the huge windrow that the mower leaves. I’m attaching photos of my last time cutting. This was 6 days from the previous cut. I also cut the entire yard twice and the worst of it 3 and 4 times.

I purchased this mower from a local dealer. Not a big box store. I’ve spoken with the dealer multiple times whom states they have never had an issue. The first time, they gave me new blades to try on the mower which did not help. The second time, I left the mower with them. They stated they couldn’t find anything wrong, though they suggested I try a mulching kit. Well... the reviews on the mulching kit from Cub Cadet are dismal. I went ahead and let them order it, though I haven’t received it in 3 weeks. This might help, though I doubt it. It also appears as though it takes tools to remove which isn’t good as I also have a 1/2 acre field that I mow once a month.

I can’t be the only one with issues. Please give me suggestions.

Well, here is my two cents. My neighbor has an empty lot between us 1/2 acre that I help him cut. With the mixture of fast growing grass he had the same problem, actually looks just like the pictures you posted. I have a Cub Cadet GT2000 20HP 42" cut. I was using Gator G3 blades on my mower and my grass deflector was higher than his, enough to let the grass discharge just below the bottom of the deflector. His deflector was lower to the ground. what a mess. My cut was better than his but not satisfactory. I ordered a set of Oregon Gator G5 blades (more lift on that G5 and thus more throwing power). There was a big difference in the cut, looked much better but not perfect in tall thick grass. I cut on a sunny day and by the time I finish cutting, (cutting the high grass spots first) the sun has had time to dry the clippings enough that I can run back over the bad spots and it really spreads out any pile-up although it is not that bad. You can go on the Oregon Website and they have a converter that you can use to see if they have a G5 to fit your mower. If not, then be sure to get a blade with the highest lift available for your mower. No one near me carried the G5 blades so I ordered from Amazon.