Arnold OEM-190-180 FastAttach Twin Bag Grass Collector
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Our Price: $286.99 Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days Category: Lawn & Patio See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Arnold OEM-190-180 FastAttach Twin Bag Grass Collector
Customer Review: MTD Twin Grass Collector
Summary: 3 Stars
The price on this finally fell to one I could afford and I purchased it this spring. Assembly and attachment was easy. The collector works well as long as the grass in fairly dry and not too tall. If you are cutting early in the morning or more than about an inch at a time, it will clog up often and then you have to stop and take the tube off and clear it. Also has a problem filling both bags equally so I had to modify the dump tube over the bags to make that work. Overall, the product works as well as it can without being one of the pricier ones that have a blower assist.Customer Review: MTD Twin Grasscatcher
Summary: 5 Stars
Arrived as advertised. Took about 20 min to set up and works great. Would highly recommend.Customer Review: Missing parts and tools ARE needed.
Summary: 3 Stars
Amazon's description says that the "Installation requires no tools" but at least in the case of my mower, I needed to use a socket wrench. There are 4 self-tapping bolts that are used to attach the support brackets to mower. There are 4 more bolts that you must first remove from and then reinstall on the mounting brackets. Now there may be someone out there who can install these bolts by hand and if so, my hat's off to you because you obviously have vice grips for fingers. At any rate, it's not a big deal...just be aware that you'll at least need a socket wrench.
The big problem I had was that my kit (which I purchased from Lowe's), despite being factory sealed, did not include 2 "bell washers". I went back to the store and asked the salesperson in the mower section to check another box for the washers. Wouldn't you know it, that box didn't include the washers either. I figured well maybe the washers are no longer required. However, when I called MTD to inquire about this, the person that I spoke with indicated that the washers were needed and they'd send them to me in "8-10 business days"!
Lowe's sold every other type of washer in the world except "bell washers" so I'll have to check other hardware stores for these elusive washers. I suspect that I could use a regular old flat washer or even install the thing without washers at all. However, since MTD says that they're needed and they went through the trouble of using these specialized washers in the design, I guess I'd better use 'em. Using another type of washer or not using them at all might somehow affect the integrity or security of the attachment. I just don't like the prospect of having to wait 8-10 days if I can't find them elsewhere.
In a nutshell, you'll probably need at least a socket wrench to install the bagger and If you should buy it locally, be sure to check the parts list against the parts in the hardware pack while you're at the store.
Based on the other reviews, I'm sure that the bagger will fit my needs, I'm just anxious to start using the thing.
Customer Review: Most worthless piece of junk I have ever bought
Summary: 1 Stars
From one of the reviews, it sounds like the bagger jumps out of the box and attaches itself to your mower, which is hardly the case. Be sure to have tools such as a socket wrench set handy; you'll need them. Also beware of trying to compare the parts list with what you receive - they change them without changing the instructions, so use some mechanical sense. Unfortunately, since the bagger fits multiple tractors, you cannot use the process of elimination to find the right parts to use. You may have to beat the parts with a small sledge hammer to get them to fit; I did.
Far more serious, however, it the performance of the unit. In a word, it doesn't work. Perhaps if your grass is dried up and 1/2" long it might work, but if it is healthy, heavy grass it will simply clog up the tube and the bags will remain empty. You will then have to stop the mower and unclog the tube, meaning emptying its contents somewhere. Then you can reassemble it and make another couple passes at your yard before you have to repeat the process. I don't know why they supply the bags at all, as you might just as well use the tube. There simply is not enough force from the blades (I just installed new MTD 3-in-1 blades prior to using the bagger) to throw the heavy grass up into the bags.
I wound up covered with grass, from reaching my arm up into the tube to clear it, had to run over the lawn twice as it wasn't picking the grass up, and the lawn is still not clean. Save your money and buy a pull sweeper. They work great. I can't however, as my money is now sunk in this worthless piece of junk. Even if it worked, it is impossible to see how a couple of pieces of stamped steel and mesh baskets could be worth $300.
Customer Review: Not impressed with service
Summary: 1 Stars
Product looks like it might work, but was shipped without all the parts and three months later at the end of Summer, I am still waiting on MTD to send me the correct parts.
I may update this review if I ever get the chance to use it.