u/Silly_Knowledge_69

I have: a Ryobi 80v 42" tractor mower. The exit chute (see pics) is a full circle. The plastic chute guard itself has a safety of some sort on it that stops blades when it is lifted.

The problem: in thick grass the chute clogs and you stop to unclog it. I have seen pictures of many other zero turn and commercial style chutes that do not have anything covering the bottom to allow gravity to assist in unclogging. In my area there is tall thick Bahia grass that once cut, guts caught on that lip.

The proposed MOD: would be to cut the lower side of the chute (see pic with markings). BUT I dont want to screw up a safety or something. I'm not the smartest bear in the woods so maybe someone can point it out, but even the plastic chute guard has a safety... if I desect this piece with an angle grinder will it refuse to play ball when I try to start it...? Would this even fix my problem?

Concluding thoughts and things I've already accounted for:

I figured if the long grass has nothing to grab on or could be dragged out by the ground as I drive then problem solved. It just seels like this particular bar was put there by someone who hates customers with thick grass.

I usually hit my clippings at least once again anyways to make them smaller for faster decomposition. But I am so tired of the constant clogging, and stopping to unclog, then clogging again. Im not even getting half-tractor cutlanes and its cloggin.

Yes, I'm on the highest cut setting without having to hold it higher. Yes, new blades. Yes it is on highest speed. Yes I am moving slow enough for it to cut, chop, and discharge. Yes the mower has like 13 hrs on it. No, I did not crisco the under side to prevent sticking. And Charge level is irrelevant.

Bout to go buy a gas mower and GIVE this to the guy with a DUI down the road if this isnt a fixable issue.

THANK YOU TO ANY THAT READ THIS FAR. THANK YOU MORE TO ANY WHO PROVIDE INPUT! IF RYOBI WANTS TO SPEAK UP ON THE MATTER ID BE THRILLED.