This is a little long, sorry, but here goes. IMHO, most all bagger systems that are designed for a specific mfr brand and mower deck work amazingly well.

Non-fan assist bagger/collection systems: these are the simplest and least expensive, roughly from $225 to $375 depending on the mfr and whether 2 or 3-bag setups. These basically consist of a deck discharge connector, a tube to the rear mtd bagger, and the bags with cover. There traditionally was an unpublished rule-of-thumb that a one or two blade mower deck (generally speaking 46-in. width and less) worked best with these non-assist systems (less disturbance to grass flow into the discharge than 3-blade setups. But even that notion has been challenged with Consumer Reports tests of the Craftsman 54-inch deck with add-on bagger which they state works well. Things can change with proper design and testing.

Fan-assist bagger collection systems: These use a fan in front of the deck discharge that induces flow of air and grass into, and up through, the discharge tube and into the bags. These systems are more positive and efficient and deal with moist grass better than the non-assist types; they clog up less. Their downsides (isn't there always a downside?): their cost (maybe $800 to $900); the fact that they are driven off a pulley on the deck, which in turn puts an extra load on the engine, reducing available power for cutting tall grass (make sure the engine has adequate horsepower); that in turn burns more fuel; and lastly, if they do get clogged they are more difficult to clean out, although not that bad.

I've had since new a 1987 Montgomery Wards lawn tractor made by MTD with a 38-inch wide deck and non-fan assist bagger (designed for that mower and deck) that bags grass and leaves very well. I now also have a JD Zero Turn Radius mower with fan-assist bagger that also bags very well and hasn't clogged up yet in the past year I've owned it.

Good luck, hope this helps. There may be others with a different opinion.

Bill

Thank you so much for the explanation. I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge with me.

Sherry; The info that Bill posted, I would mostly agree with, although a little sceptical about the 54" Craftsman. Tests may have been done under really favorable conitions. It would help a lot to know your price range, size of property and moisture conditions. By that I mean are you able to wait for ideal, perfectly dry conditions on every cut, or do you sometimes have to mow under less than ideal conditions?

It's never really wet. Eastern Washington. Problem is, my mom is pushing 90, still independent, but she has an older tractor that just quit picking up the grass. She's cleaned out the tube and made sure everything is put back on correctly. I was just wanting to buy her a new one. Hoping to only pay up to $2,000.

sherry, if present equipment just stopped picking up grass, have you have the blades replaced with new ones? Also check the deck drive belts and cleaned the underside of the deck. Or maybe you just want a new mower?

I'll give you a totally different option that works better than the rest, in my opinion.

I use what is called a yard sweeper. They tend to cost less than the bagger units and hold a whole lot more grass. They are also useful for sweeping up aeration grass plugs, leaves and even mulch and/or trash that has blown into the yard.

I prefer these because of the increased versatility they provide and also because you usually only have to unload them ONCE. Because your usually talking 20+ bushel capacity vs. 6 to 7 bushels for a bagger. So you can mow the entire yard, and then bag it (or mulch pile it) ONCE, not 4,5,6 times ... as you would with a bagger.

I even can mow while towing it and it works rather well.

The downside? Space / Size / Storage. These things are large and take a lot of room to store. I usually keep mine outside during the summer months and then store it on the wall of the garage in winter.

Even with the large size, I find these to be superior to baggers and was amazed how will my Deere branded sweeper does behind my Deere LX277. I mean, I can mow and sweep to fast, its not even work to mow a very large yard at all. Then I take the clipping to a mulch pile and am done in a single dump.

In the fall, if you have lots of leaves on the lawn ... they will pick those up also. You will be amazed how good of a job it can do.