US Patent 7406817 Mower discharge sliding door

An industrial grade mower that has a cutting blade rotating in horizontal plane under an inverted dish like housing that has a cuttings discharge opening in a side wall of the housing, and a easily removable mulch plate held in a dual channel receiver mounting system to cover and uncover the discharge opening respectively to mulch and discharge the cuttings. The mower discharge door or mulch plate attachment system is easily retrofitable to older mowers of the above mentioned design as well as capable of being included in a new mower design. The mulch plate is fitted with a handle that is used to easily install or remove it. The design of the handle allows it to act as a positive placement device which secures it at the proper height on the discharge of the mower deck. The present invention also incorporates a curved mulch plate which helps to keep the grass in motion which aids in cutting it into fine pieces before it drops to the ground.