Are Lawn Mower Bags Universal?

If you are looking for a bagger or grass catcher for your rider mower, one question that is probably stuck in your mind is, which one do I choose? Is the bagger you have in mind compatible with your mower? Or can you choose any type of bagger and it will work just fine? In this guide we will answer that question and other related subjects about lawn mower baggers.

Lawn mower bags are not interchangeable. While you should be able to attach almost any bagger to your mower, it may not run effectively. Always choose a bagger that is compatible with your lawn mower make and model.

Why Lawn Mower Baggers are Not Universal

Can you connect any type of bagger to a lawn mower rider? Probably. Most baggers are hooked up to lawn mowers the same way. But it is not 100% guaranteed. Even if you can plug any bagger to any rider, you should look for on that is fully compatible. Here is why.

Mower bagger mechanisms are not identical. If you shop for lawn mower bags online, look at the specifications. All the mower makes and models the bagger is compatible with are listed.

Take the MTD Double Bagger for instance. It is compatible with Craftsman, Troy Bilt and Cub Cadet rider mowers with 50-54 inch cutting decks. Can you hook this up to another mower brand? Maybe, but why take the risk when you can buy a bagger that is guaranteed to work with your lawn mower?

Capacity requirements differ. Lawn mower bagger capacities range from 3 bushels up to 10. The number of bins can be two for small mowers and up to 3 for larger models.

If you have a large yard, a 10 bushel, 3 bin bagger is ideal. If you have a small yard, a 3 bushel grass catcher will be enough. From a practical viewpoint, there is no need to us a 10 bushel bagger if you have a small to mid-sized yard. If you have a big yard it does not make sense to use a small bagger.

Another benefit of installing a certified compatible bagger is peace of mind. If you know that the bagger is compatible, you can feel confident about installing it. If the bagger is not and something goes wrong, fixing will be harder.

What Lawn Mower Bagger Do I Need?

The simplest way is to check your owner’s manual. There should be information detailing what grass catcher type and size works best with your mower. You can also go to the manufacturer website. Chances are the company sells baggers that are guaranteed to work with your rider.

If you are in a hurry, use this quick guide to get started. These are the typical bagger sizes for these mowers, but yours might be different. To be certain, refer to the manufacturer.

Suggested Bagger Size for Mowers

Mower Deck Cutting Size	Bagger Capacity	Number of Bins	Good For
50-54 inches	10 bushels	3	Large rider mowers
42-46 inches	6 bushels	2	Medium rider mowers
30 inches	3 bushels	2	Small rider mower

These are the most common mower deck sizes. If yours is not included, go with the next larger bagger. But that should not be necessary because most manufacturers make their own grass catchers.

The size given above is for rider and tractor mowers only. Walk behind lawn mowers use simpler ones like the Braveboy Grass Bag. It is usually made of nylon mesh. As the mower cuts the grass, the clippings are sent into the discharge chute and into the bag. When the bag is filled up, you detach it from the mower and empty the contents.

The baggers or grass catchers used on rider mowers are made from hard plastic or composite materials. Like those found on walk behind mowers, the clippings are sent to the discharge chute and into the bins.

As technology advances, more and more types of lawn mower baggers will appear. The compatibility may improve as well. As it is, there are third party baggers that work with many poplar lawnmower brands.

What to Look For in a Lawn Mower Bagger

Aside from the capacity, there are a few more things you need to consider.

Leaf bag attachment. If your lawn mower has an existing bagging system and you work exclusively with leaves, a leaf bag is the best option. These are basically just bags with a large capacity – 40 bushels or more – and compatible with any rider mower. This will only work with a bagging mechanism in place, but if yours has one this is worth considering.

Efficiency. The larger the grass catcher, the more debris it can hold. This also means fewer times required to empty it. This is something to consider if you have a large yard. The same applies to the bins: the more bins the less time needed to empty.

Ease of use. A well-made bagger should be easy to install. Use a discharge chute to connect the bag to the mower deck. If necessary, point it to the bins at the back of your mower so the debris and clippings fall straight in.

Ventilation and handles. A good bagger system should have well-ventilated bins for air circulation. Ergonomic and comfortable handles are also essential. This might not seem important, but if you have to empty the bins reputedly, comfort becomes paramount.

Chute size and transparency. The larger the chute opening, the less likely it will clog up. Transparency is optional, but it does make it easier to check if debris are blocking it.

Durability. What material is the bagger made of? Can it withstand rigorous use? Check the product description. This is important if you have a large lawn and have to conduct several mowing sessions.

Why is My Lawn Mower Bagger Not Working?

You finally bought a bagger but for some reason it is not working. There are many reasons this can happen, and these are the most likely.

Check the installation. Baggers have belts that ensure grass clippings go into the bin. If the belt is loose or too tight, the clippings might not fall into the bin. This can actually damage the bagger system so adjust the belt tension right away.

Wet grass. Wet grass is going to stick to the blade and the bagger. It can clog the chute as well. The solution is to wait for the grass to dry before mowing again. Wet grass is not only sticky, but it is heavier due to water and will fill the bins more quickly.

Loose bins. Mower bagger systems are easy to install and secure. But constant use can cause some parts to loosen. If this happens, the clippings could end up all over the place. It can also end up clogging the blade.

Clogged bagger system. Over time, grass and other debris will clog the bagger up. It will reach the point when the system may no longer be able to function correctly. Regular maintenance will fix this problem. Clan your mower bagger and those clogs will disappear. There could also be problems with the spark plug gap.

Mowing too fast. We all want to get mowing done as soon as possible. But if you are too fast, the debris and grass might overshoot the bagger and scatter clippings everywhere. The best option is to drive at a regular pace.

Dull or damaged blades. It can also be due to the blade. No matter how large the bagger is, it is no use if the blade cannot cut grass. Make sure they are sharp enough and that they are properly installed.

You can make things easier by checking out the accessories or attachments that can be used with your lawn mower. Gang to the official manufacturer website should provide the info you need. A lot of third party bagger brands also create products for the most popular rider mowers and tractors.