xt3200 trouble

[BOONESTED]

I have 2004 xt3200 72" , since day one I have had trouble with the cut & dishcharge. It leaves a strip of grass between the trim & center blade. My dealer has put magic mulchers, baffle kit, and various blade configurations on it with no help. The baffle kit seemed to help the most, until you get into a good fertilized yard, where it builds up so much grass under the deck it balls up grass between the blades and leaves a strip of grass. I have owned several choppers & have had nothing but great results from them. Also this mower wants to dishcharge the clippings in front of the rear wheel instead of throwing them 20' like the other choppers. I was wondering if anybody had any ideas or similar problems.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

Good morning Boonested and welcome to LawnForums. There are a couple of things to check concerning this problem. You are doing good with Magic Mulchers on there. I recommend either standard blades or X Blades coupled with the new flat blade for this time of year. If you are trying any type of mulching blades, get rid of them. Early spring growth, combined with wet conditions, will produce cole slaw if you are using Gators or something similar. Check your deck pitch. You would get a better cut with the current conditions with at least a level deck, or even better, a quarter inch reverse pitch. (lower in back) Try these suggestions and let us know what happens.

[BOONESTED]

My dealer has tried X blades (no help) & checked the deck pitch, said it was fine.. I called him back the other day & they ordered some of the flat blades, should be here today. I've had this mower for almost a year & haven't found a complete fix yet. I know a couple of others that have had the same problems, but not to this extent. They seem to have their problems solved. Will try the new blades and post results.

[BOONESTED]

Got my blades today, my dealer was wrong, they were dixie chopper high lift blades. Put the new blades on, same result. This is what somebody at chopper said to do. Had to try this he said before they would order the flat blade. Haven't tried the X blades with the baffle kit, may try that tomorrow. It just seems that the double blades steel alot of horsepower.

[2manymowers]

I have 2004 xt3200 72" , since day one I have had trouble with the cut & dishcharge. It leaves a strip of grass between the trim & center blade. My dealer has put magic mulchers, baffle kit, and various blade configurations on it with no help. The baffle kit seemed to help the most, until you get into a good fertilized yard, where it builds up so much grass under the deck it balls up grass between the blades and leaves a strip of grass. I have owned several choppers & have had nothing but great results from them. Also this mower wants to dishcharge the clippings in front of the rear wheel instead of throwing them 20' like the other choppers. I was wondering if anybody had any ideas or similar problems.

When you say "a strip of grass", do you mean clippings or uncut grass?

[BOONESTED]

It leaves a strip of uncut grass.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

Boonested, don't let anyone tell you the deck pitch is fine. The pitch can be forward, level, or reverse. "Fine" is not one of the pitch settings. With the situation that you are experiencing, the pitch should be reverse, 1/4 inch.

[BOONESTED]

I will check the deck pitch first thing in the morning. The dealer has checked it several times. He talked to chopper and got several diffrent answers, I'm not sure where it is right now.

[2manymowers]

Boonsted,
How did your streaking problem work out? I am having the same problem with my 2005 XT3200-72. I just raised the front deck skirts up, and checked the pitch. It has quite a bit of reverse pitch.(rear of deck is lower than the front). Did you try the new flat blades paired with X blades?

[cclllc]

Dang. I thought they had this problem fixed. I am still looking at getting a 32hp. When is the new deck coming out?

[2manymowers]

Dang. I thought they had this problem fixed. I am still looking at getting a 32hp. When is the new deck coming out?

cclllc,
I searched some old posts and from what I read, the deck can be fine tuned to eliminate the streaking. I have just started this process. Need some 1/2" spacers next.

[John D]

Mine used to do the same thing,it was the deck pitch,once that was adjusted it cut good. Good luck

[2manymowers]

Well gentlemen, the results are in! Leveled the deck, lowered the blades a little, raised the front skirts, and presto! It cuts great, NO STREAKING !!!!!!
Can you tell I'm impressed? :D

Many thanks to Fine Lines Lawn and DC Service for all the help and knowledge they share with us rookies on the forum.

[Mr.Mow-It-All]

Well gentlemen, the results are in! Leveled the deck, lowered the blades a little, raised the front skirts, and presto! It cuts great, NO STREAKING !!!!!!
Can you tell I'm impressed? :D

Many thanks to Fine Lines Lawn and DC Service for all the help and knowledge they share with us rookies on the forum.

Well I am still having the same problems as all of you and are at my witts end, very frusterated and upset that my $9K investment has such a poor cut. I do have the reverse pitch, maybee a little help but not much, have the X blades and can't seem to get my dealer to get me the flat blade, but never the less, it stripes better but no help with the uncut grass.

I haven't lowered the blades, how do I do that, and haven't raised the front skirts, what is that and how do I do that. Like I said above, I am about ready to take this back to my dealer and try something else. I NEED HELP!!! :cryer: :cryer:

[DC Service]

You can lower your blades by purchasing longer blade bolts (part # B101L) and blade spacers (part # 30242 for 1/2") both available from your local dealer.Just keep in mind that you DO NOT want the blades lower than the lip of the deck.Your dealer should have no problem getting the flat blades,and the skirt adjustment is simply loosening the bolts,adjusting the skirt,and re-tightening the bolts.P/M me if you need further assistance.