Abstract: A rear discharge mower deck has at least two cutting blades mounted on vertical spindles in cutting chambers, a fan in a housing mounted on the deck over the cutting chambers, and an inlet opening between the cutting chambers and the fan housing. The surface area of the inlet opening may be between about 50% and about 80% of the surface area within the fan diameter. A stripper plate may be on one edge of the inlet opening, and each cutting chamber may have an upwardly sloping tunnel to the inlet opening.

Abstract: A rear discharge mower deck has at least two cutting blades mounted on vertical spindles in cutting chambers, a fan in a housing mounted on the deck over the cutting chambers, and an inlet opening between the cutting chambers and the fan housing. The surface area of the inlet opening may be between about 50% and about 80% of the surface area within the fan diameter. A stripper plate may be on one edge of the inlet opening, and each cutting chamber may have an upwardly sloping tunnel to the inlet opening.

Abstract: A mower deck level gauge and procedure are provided to level and align a mower deck suspended from a vehicle and covering at least one rotary cutting blade. The mower deck has a deck height adjustment control indicating the cutting height, and the rim of the mower deck has deck level measuring points marked thereon, and a bracket at the front of the mower deck having a deck level measuring point marked thereon. A one-piece gauge is dimensioned to fit under each deck level measuring point at a specified cutting height.