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Side discharge is useful when grass is tall, coarse, or has been left to grow: it disperses clippings quickly without stopping to bag them. But it is not usually the best mode for a pristine finish. Husqvarna says side discharge suits taller, wilder grass and lawns cut less often, while frequent mulching—or collection when you want clippings removed—may leave a tidier-looking result. The right mower is one that gives you the discharge option for the conditions, not one that forces it for every cut.
When side discharge helps—and when it does not
A side-discharge mower sends cut grass out through a chute or deflector rather than keeping it under the deck for mulching or gathering it in a bag. That makes it practical for longer or coarser growth and for less-frequent mowing, when bagging every load can be inconvenient. Husqvarna’s guidance distinguishes that use from a pristine-lawn routine: frequent mulching may suit a frequently cut lawn, while collection avoids leaving clippings on the surface. Husqvarna explains the tradeoffs between mulching, side discharge, and collection.
Think of side discharge as a useful operating mode, not a finish guarantee. If your priority is a uniformly tidy surface, choose a mower configuration that supports the mode appropriate to the grass and cutting schedule—ideally side discharge plus mulch and/or collection, where those options are actually available for that model.
How to choose a side-discharge mower
Confirm the exact model and discharge equipment
Do not assume every mower listing includes a side-discharge chute, or that a chute from one model fits another. Check the current product listing and owner’s manual for the exact model and regional configuration. If discharge requires a separate accessory, verify its part number and compatibility before buying. Historical Toro comparison literature names walk-behind models 29639, 20955, 20956, and 20958 as capable of side discharge, but that old list does not establish that they are currently sold or that a current listing includes the needed equipment. Toro’s product-comparison page is the cited reference; use current model documentation for a purchase decision.
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#1 Best Overall
- Replacement Part: 731-07486. The product does not come with the screw, please recycle the screws from the old part and reuse it with our new replacement. Size: Lawn Mower Side Discharge The length of the hypotenuse of the Chute is 11 inches and the height is 3.4 inches. See Figures 2
- Compatible with Craftsman Columbia Huskee Troy Bilt Yard-Man MTD Brand. Please note: no Compatible with 12AEB2JA001 (2011), 12AVD39Q701 (2011),12A-A03M700 (2013), 12A-A03M700 (2012) Model
- Compatible with Model: 11A-A23N011, 11A-A23N066, 11A-A23O211, 11A-A23O711, 11A-A23O766, 11A-A26M011, 11A-A26M066, 11A-A26N211, 11A-B22J766, 11A-B29Q711, 11A-B29Q766, 12AVB22J766 & More
- Compatible with Model: 24738911, 24737110, 24738908, 24737034, 24738903, 24737037, 24737000, 247370000, 247370001, 24737010, 247370100, 247370101, 24737031, 247370310, 247370311, 247370340, 247370341, 247370370, 247370371, 247370960, 24737111, 24737116, 24737117, 24737118, 24737124, 24737125, 24737126, 247372180 & More
- Excellent customer service: no matter when, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us, we will provide you with assistance, before buying, please double check your product serial number and the size is suitable, to avoid wasting your valuable time
Match the modes to your yard and routine
Consider how often you mow, how tall or coarse the grass gets between cuts, and whether you want clippings left on the turf or removed. A mower with multiple modes can be more flexible, but verify each mode for the specific configuration rather than assuming side discharge, mulching, and bagging are all included.
Balance coverage with maneuverability
A wider deck can cover more ground per pass, while a narrower or more maneuverable machine may be easier around trees, beds, gates, and storage spaces. The sources cited here do not establish current model-specific deck widths, so compare the specifications for the models actually available to you and judge them against your yard’s obstacles and storage.
Check service and replacement fit
Before choosing, locate the current manual and confirm that replacement parts—especially a model-compatible blade and any discharge deflector—are available for the exact mower. Toro’s operating guidance recommends replacing the blade when necessary; fit should be checked against the mower’s model documentation rather than inferred from appearance. Toro product support and documentation.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: Tackle your yard with 3,600 RPM of power and no gas or oil to maintain
- CORDLESS FREEDOM: Powered by a 2 X 24V MAX 4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries for up to 40 minutes of runtime
- iPOWER TECHNOLOGY: Save energy and gain efficiencies while mowing your lawn with this intelligent and automatic power management system
- 2-IN-1 FUNCTION: Mower includes options for side discharge or mulching
- CUSTOMIZE YOUR CUT: Effortlessly change the height of your cut with 6 cutting positions varying between 1.4-inches and 3.4-inches
How to mow for a cleaner result with side discharge
Wait until the grass is dry
Wet grass and leaves tend to clump, and Toro warns that they can plug the machine or stall the engine. If visible clumps matter, postpone mowing until the grass has dried. Toro’s mower manual gives this wet-grass warning.
Use two passes for very tall growth
For grass above 15 cm (6 in), Toro advises mowing first at the highest cutting setting and at a slower pace, then making a second pass at a lower setting for a better lawn appearance. Follow the manual for your mower, since settings and safe operation vary by model.
Overlap swaths and plan the discharge path
Honda recommends overlapping each mowing swath by a few inches for an even cut. The deck, equipment design, and blade rotation also influence the mowing pattern that produces the best result. Honda’s lawn-mowing guidance.
Rank #3
- Part Number: 115-8447
- Compatible with Toro lawn mowers: 20330 (290000001-290999999), 20330 (310000001-310008917), 20330 (310008918-310999999), 20331C (310000001-310999999), 20332 (290000001-290999999), 20332 (310000001-310999999), 20332C (290000001-290999999), 20332C (310000001-310999999), 20339C (314000001-314999999), 20370 (312000001-312999999), 20372 (313000001-313999999), 20373 (312000001-312999999), 20330 (311000001-311999999), 20337 (314000001-314999999), 20351 (311000001-311999999)
- Compatible with Toro lawn mowers: 20333 (311000001-311999999), 20333 (312000001-312999999), 20333 (313000001-313999999), 20333 (314000001-314200000), 20333 (314200001-314999999), 20333C (311000001-311999999), 20333C (312000001-312999999), 20334 (311000001-311999999), 20334 (312000001-312999999), 20334 (313000001-313999999), 20334 (314000001-314200000), 20334 (314200001-314999999), 20334C (311000001-311999999)
- Compatible with Toro lawn mowers: 20339 (314000001-314999999), 20337 (315000001-315999999), 20339 (315000001-315999999), 20339 (316000001-316999999), 20339C (315000001-315999999), 20330C (290000001-290999999), 20330C (310000001-310999999), 20331 (290000001-290999999), 20331 (310000001-310006219), 20331 (310006220-310999999), 20331C (290000001-290999999), 20334C (312000001-312999999), 20334C (313000001-313999999), 20352 (312000001-312999999), 20332 (315000001-315999999),
- For defects in materials or workmanship, please feel free to contact us
A hinged deflector sends clippings to the side and down toward the turf. Use the direction of your passes to send clippings toward grass still to be cut where practical, rather than onto paths, planting beds, or sections you have already finished. That routing is a practical way to manage where clippings land, not a guarantee that none will scatter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this guide can—and cannot—identify as “best”
The cited manufacturer materials explain when side discharge is useful and how to mow more evenly, but they do not verify a current shortlist of side-discharge mower models with comparable specifications. No current model’s sale status, deck width, included chute, or accessory compatibility is established here. For that reason, the useful buying decision is to verify the exact current model and equipment against your yard rather than treat historical model numbers as recommendations.
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