Mulching Lawn Mowers

Started by RobertW31 • 8 replies • 994 views

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RobertW31 (New York)
Posts: 41

Posted:

Hi, President of Townhouse HOA in Upstate NY. We are reviewing bids for new landscaping company. One of the bidders uses mulching mowers which finely chops the grass and puts it back in the lawn. I have read that it is good for the lawns but am concerned about clumping and other problems with this. Previous contractors have either bagged or sucked up the clippings with special equipment. I was looking for feedback on the mulching mowers. Thanks, Bob

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

I've heard these mowers chop up the grass extra fine so you don't see very much of it.

You should be asking for references and checking them on all the vendors anyway, and since this can save time and the environment (those bags of clippings have to go somewhere if not in a compost heap), why not ask for a reference where this mower is being used and talk to them about their experience. If you do select this vendor or another with the same equipment, you could do a trial run on a few areas in the community and see how it goes.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276

Posted:

We don't really do product reviews here.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Robert,

Our Contractor mulches the grass.

If the grass is too wet and clumps up, the clumps are raked into a pile and removed by the contractor.

suggest an internet search of to mulch or not to mulch grass for more information so your Board can make an informed decision about what type of process is best for your Association.

DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046

Posted:

We personally have a mulching mower and have few problems with clumping. I don't know if the landscaping companies around here use mulching blades or regular ones, but none of them that I've ever seen bag or collect clippings, they just leave them.

I think they all have the same motto: "Mow, blow, and go", preferably as quickly as possible.

Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Mulching better for everyone - less waste.

You should get a better price, since there is limited manual labor and haul-away/dump fees.

JanetB2 (Colorado)
Posts: 4,219

Posted:

In my HOA we are all on 2+ acres of land for our homes. My family during the summer will mow high and our riding lawn mower is set up for mulching during most of the summer. We also mow twice per week to avoid cutting more than potentially 1/3 of the grass blade. If you research you will find that it is best to mulch most of the year as those clippings will then break down and essentially feed nutrients back into the lawn. When it gets close to winter and the last month of mowings we then will bag because the clippings will not break down as easily when colder and you potentially do not want items which do not break down under any snow or excessive moisture as you can potentially then get fungus and other issues.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Our landscaper uses mulching mowers.

TimM11
Posts: 354

Posted:

Just another "us too" post for the mulching mower use. I've never seen issues with the ones used on our property.

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