A lot of mowers give you the option to add a bagger to catch grass clippings. Baggers are a great addition to your mower because they make clean-up easy, that is, until you get a clogged mower. Usually, all you have to do is empty your clippings bag, and off you go again. However, there are several reasons your bagger can get clogged and start leaving a trail of clippings on your lawn. I’ve put together three easy tips to help prevent your lawn mower bagger chute clogging so you can focus on mowing.
This article may contain affiliate links, meaning I may get a small commission if you make a purchase through links on this site at no additional cost to you. Visit our affiliate disclosure page to learn more.
Why Do Lawn Mower Bagger Chutes Get Clogged?
Several factors can cause a bagger chute to become clogged. In order for the bagging system to work properly, the mower blades need to generate enough airflow to pull the clippings up and into the chute, and the bag needs to allow sufficient air to pass through. Therefore, if this process is obstructed and all conditions aren’t met, it can cause a bagger chute to become clogged. These are four common reasons why lawn mower bagger chutes get clogged:
- Wet Grass
- Obstruction in the Cutting Deck or Chute
- Using the Wrong Blades
- Limited Bag Airflow
Wet Grass
Mowing the grass when wet can clog your bagger chute. Because wet grass tends to clump together, it creates a block in the bagging system that prevents clippings from blowing through. In addition, once wet clippings get in the bag, they drastically reduce the airflow by clogging up the netting material.
Obstruction in the Deck or Chute
Dirt and clippings buildup or an obstruction like a branch in the deck will lead to your bagger chute becoming clogged. Clippings need a clear path to circulate in the deck so they can blow through the chute.
Using the Wrong Blades
Bagging systems need enough airflow to work correctly. The cutting blades create the needed airflow. In addition, different blades create different amounts of airflow. For example, there are high-lift blades and low-lift blades. As a result, a low-lift blade will prevent your bagging system from sucking up the grass clippings, potentially clogging up the chute.
Limited Airflow in the Bag
The netted material that makes up the bag needs to be clean for the bag to generate enough airflow. With time, debris clogs the bag and limits the airflow. When airflow is low, the clippings can’t blow through the chute and into the bag.
3 Tips to Keep Grass From Clogging Your Bagger Chute
If you are struggling to get good airflow to pass from your lawn mower cutting deck through to the clipping bag, then here are three easy tips to help keep your bagger chute unclogged so you can get back to mowing your lawn.
Clean the Deck & Chute
You’d be surprised how quickly dried-up dirt and clippings clog your mower deck and bagger chute. As a result, I’d suggest regularly cleaning your mower’s deck and chute to keep grass from clogging your bagger chute and ruining a perfectly good cutting session. Therefore, get your hands on a 2-inch scraper, a flathead screwdriver, and some PTFE lubricant spray, and let’s clean up your mower.
First, scrape the inside of the deck with the scraper to get most of the dirt off. If there’s some dirt stuck in hard-to-reach places, dig it out with a flathead screwdriver. Then spray the inside of the deck and chute with PTFE lubricant spray. PTFE helps to prevent grass clippings from sticking to your deck and chute.
What You’ll Need to Clean the Lawn Mower Deck & Chute
Use the Right Blade to Create Good Airflow
If you don’t know the right blade to use with your bagger system, then a quick search in your mower manual should point you in the right direction. Also, if you haven’t changed your blades since buying your mower, then it probably has a standard blade installed. Therefore, once you’ve purchased the right blade for your mower, the blade will create enough lift for your bagging system, and it’s time to install it.
Steps to Remove & Install a Lawn Mower Blade
- Disconnect the spark plug cable
- Tilt the lawn mower the right way
- Stop the blade from spinning by bracing it
- Remove the center bolt on the blade
- Remove the old blade
- Install the new blade
- Install the center bolt onto the blade to the correct torque
- Take off the blade brace
- Turn over the lawn mower
- Connect the spark plug cable
What You’ll Need to Remove & Install a Lawn Mower Blade
- Blade Brace
- Socket Wrench
- Torque Wrench
- New Blade
Clean the Mower Clipping Bag
Keeping the bag clean will help prevent your lawn mower bagger chute from clogging. For this, I like to quickly clean my clipping bag with my leaf blower before I head out mowing. Also, when I mow wet grass (sometimes you can’t help it!), I make sure to clean the bag afterward.
Cleaning the bag is super easy, and you only need a hose with a jet nozzle and a leaf blower. First, begin by spraying water on the insides and outside of the bag until the water runs clear. Then dry the water with your leaf blower. Alternatively, you can let the bag air dry in the sun if you don’t have a blower. Just don’t put it away wet, as it will probably go moldy.
