Abstract: A mower deck includes a blower to lift blades of grass or vegetation for cutting. The blower may be mounted above and to the rear of the mower deck, and may rotate on a vertical axis spaced from the axes of the cutter blades. A passage or duct extends from the cutting chambers under the mower deck to the blower. Cutter blades may be used having essentially flat or planar surfaces to reduce noise, or the mower deck may be used with conventional blades. The mower deck may be configured with several alternative discharge modes, so that clippings and debris may be collected in a container, or may be dispersed to the rear or side of the mower.

Abstract: A mower deck having movable chamber gate members that permit the deck to selectively operate in either a discharge or mulching mode of operation. The deck includes a control structure that operates the gate members to permit the operator to quickly and easily switch between the discharge mode and the mulching mode while mowing.