A lawn mowing routine not only involves mowing but making sure that the lawn is free of visible grass clippings as well. Just mowing is fun, but having to walk the entire lawn one more time to remove the mess seems like a hassle. Cleaning the area after mowing is especially a major problem for people with big yards. Using a grass catcher attached to your mower will collect all the grass clippings as you mow, saving you the trouble of cleaning the mess afterward. There are different types of grass catchers, depending on your mower type and situation. Many sit on lawnmowers already have a fixed collection bag on the back, others can use a removable solution on the back or side. And there are also solutions that you can town on the back of the lawn tractor. Whatever the solution, you can easily attach a grass catcher to your riding or push mower yourself.
How to Attach a Grass Catcher to your Lawnmower:
Attaching a grass catcher to a lawnmower is relatively easy but depends on the type of lawnmower and the type of grass catcher.
- Attaching a rear grass catcher to a riding mower involves three main steps. First of all, you need to attach a bracket for holding the catcher bag to your lawnmower. After that, place the catcher bag on the bracket, locking it in place. Finally, connect the catcher bag to the side-discharge of your riding mower using a tube.
- To attach a rear grass catcher to your push mower, open the rear discharge cap. Then open/snap the catcher bag’s hooks. Attach the catcher bag to your push mower’s rear discharge, locking it in place with the hooks.
- Attaching a side grass catcher to a push mower is a bit different. First of all, locate the install area for the side discharge with all its hooks and clamps. Then install the discharge chute and assemble the catcher bag. After that, install the catcher bag, connect it to the side-discharge, and locate it in place with the hooks and clamps.
Attaching a grass catcher to any lawnmower will take you 30 to 45 minutes max. Following the step by step guide will make it much simpler for you. So, let’s go through the step by step procedures for the three categories mentioned above.
Contents
Things to Consider before Starting the Grass Catcher Installation:
Before starting with the grass catcher installation, you first have to consider some things:
- Where to attach the grass catcher: All lawnmowers have designated areas for attaching new attachments. For different makes and models, these areas are in different locations. To find the right area for the right attachment, consult the manufacturer’s manual that came with the mower or attachment where possible.
- Safety first: Some of the attachments are installed close to the blade. It is a good idea to wear protective gloves to avoid injury due to sharp edges in those circumstances.
- Tools: Keep the basic tools, such as a socket wrench, a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers close to you.
Attaching a Rear Grass Catcher to your Riding Mower:
There are several types of rear grass catchers. Some models are connected to the back of the mower and use the backend discharge. Usually, these are fixed and part of the mower. If your mower uses a side discharge port, you can use a tube to connect a rear grass catcher with the side discharge port. The last type is the one that is towed behind the riding mower or lawn tractor. Those units work separately from the mower and remove the clippings and other debris from the grass. There is no need to mow for this last category. Just driving on the grass at a certain speed is enough.
We will now look at the 2nd type, the rear grass catcher working with a side discharge port. Before starting with the installing, make sure that you have the following things ready:
- A bracket to hold the catcher bag/bags.
- The catcher bags you want to install.
- Nuts or screws for holding the bracket and bags in place.
- A tube to connect the grass catcher to your mower’s side discharge.
- A socket wrench.
With these things ready, start the installing procedure:
● Step 1: Preparation:
Park your mower on a flat open area and turn it off. Ensure that the parking brake is engaged because you don’t want your mower rolling while you are attaching the catcher. Make sure you have your gloves on.
● Step 2: Install the Bracket:
To install the bracket, you first need to attach the bracket screws to your riding mower rear. Locate the area for attaching these screws for your particular mower model. Use a socket wrench to tighten the screws. After the screws are tight in their place, attach the bracket to your mower’s rear with the screws holding it in place.
● Step 3: Install the Bag Attachment and the Bags:
The next step is to attach the bag attachment to the bracket and then put it in it. The bag attachment comes with a cotter pin. Remove the cotter pin, and place the attachment in the bracket’s middle. Use a socket wrench to tighten the bolt that locks the bag attachment on the bracket.
After that, put the cotter pin back at its previous location. With this, the bag holding assembly is attached. All you got to do now is to place the bags in the bag attachment.
● Step 4: Connect the Catcher to the Side Discharge:
Use a tube to connect the grass catcher to the side-discharge so that the grass debris from the discharge flows straight to the catcher. The tube has two ends. Attach one of its ends to the side discharge, locking it in place with the hooks.
Insert its other end in the hole on the grass catcher, and lock it in place with the two hooks. With this step, the installation procedure is finished.
Make sure that the attachment is firm by applying a jerk to it with your hand. If it wobbles or falls off, it means that the bracket screws or bag attachment nut were not tight. These screws and nuts should be tight so that the catcher doesn’t fall off because of the weight of grass debris.
Attaching a Rear Grass Catcher to your Push Mower:
Follow the step by step guide to attach a rear grass catcher to your push mower.
● Step 1: Preparation:
Park your mower on a flat open area and turn it off.
● Step 2: Locate the Installation Area:
Locate the area where the catcher assembly will be attached. You can consult the manufacturer’s manual to locate the correct area, but visual inspection would usually be enough. The installation area will have hooks, bolts, or hinges to hold the assembly. Clean this area with a cloth.
● Step 3: Assemble the Grass Catcher:
The grass catcher will have two main parts, a bag and a frame for holding the bag. You need to assemble these two parts. The hard part, i.e., the frame should be at the bottom, holding the bag, and the bag’s handle should be pointed upwards so that you can easily grab it.
For the most accurate and clear info on how to assemble the grass catcher, refer to the instructions that came with the catcher. If you do not have it, try to find it on the internet.
● Step 4: Install the Grass Catcher:
Uncap the rear discharge of your push mower and attach the catcher to it, holding it in place with hooks, bolts, or clamps.
Make sure that the catcher doesn’t fall off when a force is applied to it. With the catcher firmly in place, your mower is ready for action again.
Attaching a Side Grass Catcher to your Push Mower:
Follow the step by step guide to attach a side grass catcher to your push mower:
● Step 1: Preparation:
Park your push mower on a flat open surface and turn it off.
● Step 2: Install a Side Discharge Chute:
If your mower doesn’t already have a side discharge chute, attach a new one. For this, first, locate the area for attaching the side discharge chute, uncap the side-discharge area, and then install the chute in this area, holding it in place with its bolts and hooks.
Make sure that the chute is firmly attached.
● Step 3: Assemble the Grass Catcher:
Like a rear catcher, a side catcher has two parts, a frame, and a bag. The difference is that for a side catcher, the frame goes inside the bag.
Insert the frame into the catcher bag. The bag has vinyl bindings to hold the frame’s hooks. The catcher’s hard part should be at the bottom, and the handle should be pointing up and outward so that you can grab it easily.
● Step 4: Install the Grass Catcher:
Attach the catcher bag’s hanger to the mower’s handle. While attaching the grass catcher to the mower, make sure its opening fits directly with the chute with either a twist or some hooks or clamps to lock it in place.
Ensure that the grass catcher is firmly attached and won’t fall off when a force is applied to it. With this done, your mower is ready to mow again, without spreading grass clippings all over your lawn.
Advantages of Using a Grass Catcher:
The most obvious advantage of using a grass catcher is that it will save you the trouble of cleaning the lawn after you are done mowing.
You can use the grass clippings collected in the catcher to make compost. So, a grass catcher allows you to reuse your lawn’s grass.
Furthermore, a grass catcher can protect your lawn from the spread of disease. It is well known that grass clippings can cause fungus and other problems. With the clippings getting collected in the catcher safely, you won’t have to worry about your lawn’s health.
Final Remarks:
Having to clean your lawn thoroughly after mowing takes effort and time. A grass catcher attached to your mower helps to collect the grass and results in a friendly and clean lawn. There are multiple options, depending on your lawnmower type and situation. Attaching a grass catcher to your mower is not difficult. This blog helps with some guidelines on how to attach a catcher for different kinds of machines.