TECHNICAL


R


otary mowers have been with us from the very start of grass mowing, the cutting principle behind the design is basically that of the scythe. A sharp blade cutting the grass and moving away to clear the area for the next cut. Its simple layout allows most


manufacturers to produce a rotary deck. By contrast, the more complex design of the cutting cylinder and the cutting unit restricts production to just a few specialist manufacturers only. So, with the wide selection of rotary models on the market, it’s important to understand the options available.


Side, Rear or Mulch


There are three basic options on the type of deck or grass discharge you can choose from, and you can collect from two of them.


Side discharge decks are very popular in the US, the rest of the world and parts of


Europe. However, they are much less popular here in the UK to the restriction of close cutting on the discharge side of the deck, and the hazard of flying debris from the discharge chute.


Side discharge is certainly a very efficient deck design; the grass is cut at the front of the deck, thrown across (always to the right- hand side), and exits the deck via the right-hand corner. It is the minimal distance that the grass is moved, which gives it the efficiency, but this also allows stones and other debris to exit the deck at high speed, hence the potential hazard.


Rear discharge decks allow close cutting to either side, with all cut grass moved from the front of the deck through to the rear discharge chute; often with the assistance of some baffles under the deck. This increased movement does reduce the efficiency of the air and grass flow under the deck, but it greatly reduces the chances of thrown debris exiting the deck. For commercial


Rotary mowers The Rotary Club


Nigel Church, Product Trainer with Cutting Edge Training, an operating division of Ransomes Jacobsen, looks at the pros and cons of the various rotary mower systems


122 PC October/November 2018


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