Toro 4500-D Cancel The title field is required!

1. Ladd Klinton R

   
   7/5/2013 9:07 AM

   I am looking for a way to improve clipping dispersal on my 4500-D. I already have high lift blades that are set up at 2.5". This may have helped a little but I am not sure. It has looked ridiculous to cut with this machine all year so far as we have had unusually cool and wet weather which has caused accelerated growth of roughs. That said, we have battled this issue in the past also. This machine just doesn't disperse! Some clippings would be understandable but most days I have been forced to mow with my Lastec (rear discharge). Hoping someone out there has had similar issues and found a solution!
   
   Thanks,
   Klint Ladd
   Stillmeadow Country Club
   Cincinnati, Ohio

   
   
   
   
2. Ladd Klinton R

   
   7/5/2013 9:07 AM

   I am looking for a way to improve clipping dispersal on my 4500-D. I already have high lift blades that are set up at 2.5". This may have helped a little but I am not sure. It has looked ridiculous to cut with this machine all year so far as we have had unusually cool and wet weather which has caused accelerated growth of roughs. That said, we have battled this issue in the past also. This machine just doesn't disperse! Some clippings would be understandable but most days I have been forced to mow with my Lastec (rear discharge). Hoping someone out there has had similar issues and found a solution!
   
   Thanks,
   Klint Ladd
   Stillmeadow Country Club
   Cincinnati, Ohio

   
   
   
   
3. Jennings Dustin T

   
   7/5/2013 10:07 AM

   having the exact same problem with the same mower. I don't see any solution except hiring another employee so we're able to mow rough more often. The only other thing I can think of would be getting on a primo regimen.

   
   
   
   
4. Morozowsky Martin

   
   7/5/2013 10:07 AM

   Get a sweeper! or get a drag net! They both work.

   
   
   
   
5. Dustin Riley

   

   8 posts
   
   7/5/2013 10:07 AM

   I keep the mulch kits on year round.

   
   
   
   
6. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   7/5/2013 2:07 PM

   We have this problem whenever the turf is growing too rapidly and we use drag nets. The best solution that I have seen is to use Primo one a month, when we do that, we don't have any problems with clippings in the roughs.
   
   Regards,
   
   Steve

   
   
   
   
7. Kyle Fick

   

   4 posts
   
   7/6/2013 6:07 AM

   I"ve always felt the TORO contouring decks are the worst on the market for clipping dispersal. While demoing and purchasing this spring, we went away completely.
   
   We tried everything. No mulch kits with shredding blades, mulch kits with shredding blades, regular blades, regular blades with mulch kits. It was all a complete mess.
   
   Ended up going with another maker and am happy about that decision.
   
   Why don't you want to use your lastec vs the Toro 4500?

   
   
   
   
8. Greg Wadden

   

   1 posts
   
   7/6/2013 11:07 AM

   gator blades and mulching baffles here in the northwest all year round.

   
   
   
   
9. Jeff Knutzen

   

   0 posts
   
   7/6/2013 1:07 PM

   Various times throughout the season we deal with the same issue. I came across this the other day and feel it's definitely worth a try! Idea from Bob's shop http://www.golfcoursemechanics.blogspot ... s.html?m=1

   
   
   
   
10. Ladd Klinton R

    
    7/6/2013 1:07 PM

    While I really enjoy the cut and look of the rough mowed with the Lastec, we have a large amount of trim work on our course. This means we have to send out the 4500 to do the trim work regardless. It would be more economical to send one mower out to do everything if we could get an acceptable quality of cut.

    
    
    
    
11. Sellman Michael

    
    8/6/2013 11:08 AM

    I would try experimenting with different blades. I've never had a 4500, but I have had 3500s and 4300s. Both the atomic blades and low sails have given me better performance at different times when comared to high sail blades. The atomics do a better job of mulching the clippings for sure, but under dry conditions I prefer low sail blades. If low sail blades are kept sharp, they have given me the best quality of cut. The cleaner cut gets me individual blades being dispersed as opposed to clumps. I have a mulching kit for my 4300 that I never have tried to use, but that may be an option too.

    
    
    
    
12. Henry Heinz

    

    0 posts
    
    8/7/2013 11:08 AM

    I agree with the low sail-blades. I used some in the past from Precision, that are a spring or tool steel blade. Very flat, in fact I would mount them on my Foley 672 bedknife grinder and sharpen them similar to a bedknife. The only down side is, if you hit a root or rock they will shatter. They are much lighter and take some of the stress off the hydraulic motors and cut through thick grass a lot easier. My current fleet consist of JD 8800's and 7400 rotary mowers. To sharpen them I mill them on our milling machine so that I get the same angle on every blade, and a sharpened blade that looks like factory. I've been back and forth on grinding and milling, but after touching up blades that were ground, on my mill I see the inperfections and now prefer to mill everything I can. Good blades take about 3 to 4 minutes, and damaged and badly worn may take 5 to streighten out.
    
    Regards,