Need advice on baggers for mowers.

[Tx Bohemian]

I have two 42” Craftsman mowers (regular tractor style, not zero turn) and want to rig one up with a bagger. I’ve used side discharge and mulching mowers in the past but never a bagger.
Looking online the best I can tell is there is a bracket that is attached to the back of the mower which supports the bags (small trashcan looking things) and a huge tube that goes from the discharge on the deck to the bags. Plus, there needs to be special blades (I take it to help blow the clippings up into the bags).

My questions:
Is that it? Or am I missing something?
How well does this work?
Is it a major effort to go back to using the side discharge or mulching option?

1-1/2 yrs ago we moved into a place which was not taken care of, including the yard. Looks like the previous residents mowed only when they absolutely had to and did no yard care as far as watering, weed control, etc…
I have tremendous amounts of grass burrs that I’m going to go on an all out battle to get rid of them.
 In my research to eliminate them, part of it is you’re supposed to gather the mowed sticker buds (the sticker part) as these are the seeds that will produce more growth.
So unless I want to rake 2-1/2 acres I need to take a different approach.
Hence my questions on baggers.

To combat this infestation, I’ve applied a “Pre-emergent” herbicide (twice) earlier in the year ($750 worth, crap must be made of gold), am watering to get the “good” grass to grow to “choke” out the stickers, and mow frequently (keeping the buds from maturing to take root).
The wife and I actually go out and pull sticker plants (hopefully roots and all) when we have the time and weather permits.
With the horrendous infestation I have I understand it will take 3-4 yrs to get rid of them! (sucks for me!!)

Any other advice on controlling these burrs is appreciated!

[old2soon]

           Find a Sears store-I KNOW they are fading-and see if ANYONE knows your lawnmower. Have available the model # and the serial #. Far as the sticker stuff maybe Serk will chime in! I'd say check the mower on line but my gut feeling is to find a Sears with a good lawn and garden dept. RIDE SAFE.

[Reb]

I have two 42” Craftsman mowers (regular tractor style, not zero turn) and want to rig one up with a bagger. I’ve used side discharge and mulching mowers in the past but never a bagger.
Looking online the best I can tell is there is a bracket that is attached to the back of the mower which supports the bags (small trashcan looking things) and a huge tube that goes from the discharge on the deck to the bags. Plus, there needs to be special blades (I take it to help blow the clippings up into the bags).

My questions:
Is that it? Or am I missing something?
How well does this work?
Is it a major effort to go back to using the side discharge or mulching option?

1-1/2 yrs ago we moved into a place which was not taken care of, including the yard. Looks like the previous residents mowed only when they absolutely had to and did no yard care as far as watering, weed control, etc…
I have tremendous amounts of grass burrs that I’m going to go on an all out battle to get rid of them.
 In my research to eliminate them, part of it is you’re supposed to gather the mowed sticker buds (the sticker part) as these are the seeds that will produce more growth.
So unless I want to rake 2-1/2 acres I need to take a different approach.
Hence my questions on baggers.

To combat this infestation, I’ve applied a “Pre-emergent” herbicide (twice) earlier in the year ($750 worth, crap must be made of gold), am watering to get the “good” grass to grow to “choke” out the stickers, and mow frequently (keeping the buds from maturing to take root).
The wife and I actually go out and pull sticker plants (hopefully roots and all) when we have the time and weather permits.
With the horrendous infestation I have I understand it will take 3-4 yrs to get rid of them! (sucks for me!!)

Any other advice on controlling these burrs is appreciated!

Not familiar with the craftsmen, but depending on some models, they require weights to be place on the front wheel rim to counterbalance the added rear weight of the bagger system. John Deere's have the blower attachments that run of off the PTO to assist in throwing the clipping up the chute to the attachment bags.

[F6Dave]

I have an older Craftsman 42" tractor/mower.  After some research I discovered it was made by MTD.  That information has made it easier to find parts.

[Cyclejohn]

My questions:

1) Is that it?
 
2) How well does this work?

3) Is it a major effort to go back to using the side discharge or mulching option?

I have a Craftsman 42" riding mower with the bagger attachment. It would be my guess that it is 25+ years old.

1) Yes

2) The one I have works great. I only attach the bagger system to pick up leaves in the Fall (it bags grass just as good).

3) It is not for me. I only have 1 screw that holds the side chute to the mower deck discharge.

John

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Craigslist is your friend here. As people neglect their older lawn tractors and allow them to grenade the engine, parts, and whole tractors, show up somewhat frequently on Craigslist.

The bagger chute attaches to the deck with rubber bungy cords with hooks, and the tube is supported by this outlet and the bagger lid. Many of the Craftsman tractors (previoiusly noted as built by MTD) have 4 holes in the rear frame plate that are in a square pattern. These take special shoulder bolt that the bagger frame hangs on (easy on/easy off).

Ideally, you'd put on some high-lift blades, as this will help flow.

When trying to find a setup, you may find 2 bin setups and 3 bin setups. Also, there are hard bins as well as soft bags. If you find a used setup, make sure it's for the 42" deck. The 46" deck uses a different outlet at the mower deck, or so I've been told.

[oldsmokey]

A lot of the craftsman were made by EHP or "Husqvarna" some very old ones were Murray and most recently are MTD.
Most common 42 would use a double bagger yet a triple was optional. Side chute was 2 piece, lower section was attached with 2 bungee cords. Easy to remove chute, toss both sections in bagger and mow. A set of Hi Lift blades would be helpful in bagging. Unit may have "3 in 1" in place now. No front weights needed on double  unit.
Price for new may be  
Check "sears parts" online. Model number may be under seat starting with 917.????????

[Alpha Dog]

I would contact a local landscape expert. There may be one that does a specific show on a talk radio station, especially on the weekends.  Saturday morning seems to be common. On your stickers, not sure what that is but sounds awful.   The fastest  method may be to kill all the grass with round up, wait a month, then sow new grass at the time when fall provides cooler nights, which grass loves.

[Rams]

My only advice is, a controlled fire/burn is your friend.

Be sure you discuss this with your local Fire Marshall/Chief before lighting that match.

Rams

[baldo]

I've bought several used lawn tractors over the years. It seems there's always a local guy that has a yard full of old mowers and tractors. Look for a small engine repair place and ask around. You might get lucky....

[Atl-Jerry]

I mow about 5 1\2 acres and have found the big Agrifab sweeper is very efficient at sweeping up clippings, sticks and pine cones.  But the key is to play with it and get the sweep height set up right.  I pull it behind my 42" JD lawn tractor and the faster you go the faster the brush spins and the better it works.  AS someone said above, an early spring burn will help if you can.  When I bought this place in 2012 I had sand spurs too but regular cutting and care will eliminate them.

[Black Dog]

My brother has almost 3 acres under many, large, mature, oak and Maple trees...  Every fall, his yard is 'shin deep' in leaves    He spent every off day, and weekend raking, hauling and burning...

Last year, I purchased a Cyclone Rake for him (so we could spend more time fishing together, and I get to use it as needed  )

Cyclone Rake  site - https://www.cyclonerake.com/

They are a bit $$$, but built very well, Lawnmower specific ( for your tractor) and worth every penny, as it mulches to a powder, and the unit can hold a quite a bit before emptying is needed  

The turning, and backing, for dumping, all works pretty sweet, and cuts hours and hours off of 'Yard Time'.


Black Dog

[gregk]

I have a YS 4500 about 9 yes old. Your serial# should be under your seat bracket. Their is a site that will tell you how old it is. Ask on Craigs list for some one in your area that has the same mower and you might find somebody close that can help you. I have a bagger for mine but not used it yet, they are hard bags. If you want I'll send you a couple pictures through a text but not till its done raining . kittens are using the hood for a home but they'll have to move. Call me if you want me to send the pictures 715-577-5187.

[Tx Bohemian]

Thanks guys.
As always, this group has come through again!

F6Dave, thanks for the info on manufactures. The mower I want to install the bagger on is made by MTD I found out. 247- Preface #

Oil Burner, with your suggestion of “Craiglist” I did find a cheap used bagger but unfortunately it’s about 130 miles away (North Austin area), but close to where my sister is moving. So, might make a good trip…

Alpha Dog, really? Don’t know what stickers are? I was born and raised in S. Texas and been around stickers my whole life! To me it’s just a fact of life! I’m amazed there’s places that stickers don’t exist!

Baldo, thanks for the suggestion of “a local guy” that has a bunch of mower parts. We actually have a guy here that I’d describe as a “Lawn mower wrecking yard” and is very versed on mowers. Unfortunately he has no baggers.

Alt-Jerry, I do have a “yard sweeper” (at the old house I had 6 Oak tress that shed leaves twice a year, this did wonders gathering them) and that may be the next option but if I can get this bagger working that should eliminate the time having to hook it up and run over my yard again.

Blackdog, the cyclone rake looks like what my BIL has but his is a DR thing, and yea, a bit more than I want to spend right now. But, depends on how this plan of mine works, that may be something in the future.

gregk, I may take you up on the picture thing. It looks like your YS 4500 takes the same bagger as my PYT does.

[Alpha Dog]

The only weed I  get, that is best to be pulled with gloves, is called thistle.  They pull out easy in wet soil, root and all, however in dry ground the root will remain.

Best of luck in your endeavor to rid yourself of the problem.

[Tx Bohemian]

The only weed I  get, that is best to be pulled with gloves, is called thistle.  They pull out easy in wet soil, root and all, however in dry ground the root will remain.

Best of luck in your endeavor to rid yourself of the problem.

I know what you mean, we have them here too and you're right, comes right out w/ roots. I rid my whole yard of them by just doing that. And I had a slew of 'em...