Can You Operate the Toro Model 20334 Lawn Mower Without the Bag?

Mower Overview

• The Toro 20334 Personal Pace mower is a gas powered, self-propelled, rear wheel drive electric start lawn mower with a 22-inch rotary blade cutting deck. Capable of collecting, discharging or mulching grass clippings, the Toro Model 20334 can be operated with or without the included bag. Grass clippings can be discharged via the side discharge chute for tall grass applications, or mulched in place if the rear and side grass deflectors are both secured in the down position.

Mulching Lawn Mowers

• Mulching lawn mowers, such as the Toro Model 20334, allow users to recycle grass clippings back onto the surface of the lawn in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. Older models included side discharge chutes, which sprayed coarsely chopped grass clippings on lawns in an unattractive fashion, or bags, which collected grass and contributed to landfill accumulation and removed valuable nutrients from lawns. Newer models have been engineered to process cut grass into extremely fine clippings that are virtually unnoticeable on lawns. Mulching lawn mowers incorporate blades with upswept edges to create lift, longer cutting edges and removable plates that prevent clippings from being discharged.

Converting to Bagless Operation

• To prepare the Toro Model 20334 for bagless mowing, first move the Bag-on-Demand lever rearward to the recycling position. This closes the rear grass discharge plate. Raise the rear deflector plate, remove the bag and allow the plate to fall back into place. Lift the side discharge chute, and ensure the deflector is securely in place. For side discharge operation, remove the side deflector plate and ensure the rear deflector plat is secured in the down position.

Benefits of Bagless Operation

• Mulching lawn mowers offer a number of benefits over their older counterparts. Grass clippings and leaves processed by mulching lawn mowers are finely chopped and returned to the lawn surface, rather than being removed. This provides lawns with a valuable source of slow release nutrients as the clippings decompose. Grass clippings contain potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen, all of which are essential plant nutrients. According to a report issued by the Ohio State University Extension, lawns that incorporate recycled clippings require 20 to 25 percent less fertilizer to maintain turf health, compared to areas where clippings were removed.