DECKMAN Lawn Mower 731-07486 Side Discharge Chute for Most 21" Hand-Pushed Lawn Mower Compatible with Craftsman Columbia Huskee Troy-Bilt Yard-Man MTD TB110, TB130, TB220, TB230 & 11A, 12A Series Mowers

A missing side chute can sideline a perfectly good mower. I tried the Deckman side‑discharge chute as a replacement on a few 21‑inch walk‑behind mowers I keep around the shop, and it’s a straightforward, budget‑friendly way to get back to flinging clippings without a bag. It isn’t a perfect fit for every deck shape, and it requires some care in taller growth, but it’s sturdier than many OEM flaps and does what it’s supposed to do when matched correctly.

What it is and who it’s for

This is a replacement for the common 731‑07486 style side‑discharge chute used across many MTD‑family 21‑inch mowers (Craftsman, Troy‑Bilt, Yard‑Man, Huskee, Columbia, and others). The chute is black, measures 11 inches along the outer edge (the “hypotenuse” of the triangle) and stands about 3.4 inches tall. It’s designed to pin or screw into the deck using the original hardware—no fasteners are included.

I used it on a Troy‑Bilt TB230 and a 21‑inch Greenworks 60V mower with good results, and test‑fit it to an older Craftsman 21‑inch deck. Fit will vary by model because deck openings and pin placements aren’t identical. If your mower’s discharge opening aligns with the pin locations and general angle this chute expects, it’s a cost‑effective, tougher‑than‑stock replacement. If your deck relies on a bagger‑adapter frame or a unique hinge geometry, you’ll want to verify measurements carefully before buying.

Installation and setup

Installation is simple, assuming your deck uses the common two‑pin or single pivot‑bolt setup:

• Save and reuse the original screws or pivot pin. The Deckman chute doesn’t ship with hardware.
• Align the hinge tabs with the deck mounting points. On the TB230, I reused the shoulder screw and locknut; on the Greenworks, the chute slipped onto the two deck pegs.
• Tighten to snug; you want smooth rotation but no wobble.
• Cycle the chute through its range of motion to make sure the lower lip clears the blade path and sits flush on the deck.

From opening the box to mowing took me under two minutes on each mower. A quick dry run—spin the blade by hand with the plug removed or battery out—helps catch any interference. Because this is a broadly compatible part rather than a model‑specific piece, tolerances vary. If the lip doesn’t sit flat or the angle points too far out, it may still “work” but will affect discharge direction and retention.

Fit and design details

The Deckman chute is a rigid, one‑piece molded plastic with a defined lip that overlaps the deck opening. It’s appreciably thicker than the floppy flaps some OEMs include. The extra stiffness has pros and cons:

• Pros: It holds shape at higher airflow, resists folding into the blade, and feels more resilient when it bumps into landscaping.
• Cons: Because it’s not floppy, it doesn’t “conform” to deck curves. On a deck with a pronounced crown or nonstandard discharge cutout, you can end up with a slight gap or an outward tilt.

On the TB230 and Greenworks, alignment was good. The hinge tabs landed squarely on both, and the lip covered the opening without rubbing the blade. On the older Craftsman, the hinge lined up but the chute sat a touch more open, sending clippings farther laterally than I prefer. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it underscores why checking measurements matters with universal‑fit parts.

Performance in the yard

In normal weekly cuts (3–4 inches of cool‑season turf), the chute performed well. Airflow stayed lively, and clippings exited cleanly with a wide, even spread. Compared to running a mulch plug in slightly damp grass, I had notably fewer clogs and less recutting. For quick maintenance mowing where I don’t want to empty a bag, this is exactly why a side chute earns its keep.

In taller or dense patches, you do need to modulate your approach. In a 6–8 inch overgrown area, I raised the deck one notch, took a half swath, and slowed my pace. Doing so maintained discharge without packing the opening. Pushing too fast into heavy, wet growth made the mouth load up and start to push grass against the chute. On one occasion, hitting a thick clump on the TB230 nudged the chute upward at the hinge; it didn’t fly off, but it reminded me to snug the hardware and avoid ramming into overgrowth.

Throw pattern is more lateral than downward. That’s normal for many side chutes, but this one in particular sends clippings out and slightly back rather than down and back. Direct the discharge away from windows, cars, and bystanders; I made a habit of mowing with the open side facing the yard interior and doing a cleanup pass to aim stray clippings inward.

If your goal is keeping sidewalks spotless and debris fully contained, a bag will do better. If your goal is avoiding clogs, preserving power in thick grass, and cutting time on routine mowings, the chute makes sense.

Durability and materials

The plastic here is on the thick side for a chute in this price class. After several weeks of use, it showed typical scuffing at the lip but no cracks at the hinge or stress whitening where it flexes. I bounced it off a few landscape stones and a raised bed edge—no structural damage, only cosmetic marks. The hinge tabs don’t feel brittle and tolerated repeated on‑off cycles during testing.

I can’t speak to multi‑season UV exposure yet, but based on stiffness and finish, it seems closer to a polypropylene blend than a thin ABS shell. I’d still store it out of direct sun when possible, as all plastics chalk over time.

Safety and use considerations

A few practical notes from testing:

• Discharge direction: The pattern trends outward. Keep children, pets, and others away from the ejection side, and be mindful of small debris. Eye protection is a must, and I avoid mowing gravelly edges with the chute open.
• Tall grass: If you regularly tackle overgrown lawns, expect to raise the deck and make partial passes. Running straight into tall, wet grass can lever the chute upward or load the opening.
• Hardware retention: Reusing worn screws or loose pins is asking for a mid‑mow surprise. If the original hardware is sloppy, replace it with equivalent‑spec fasteners so the hinge stays secure.
• Fit check: Before first use, run the mower at idle (or low speed on a battery model) and watch the discharge. If you see the chute vibrating unusually or the lip lifting, stop and adjust.

None of this is unique to this chute, but because it’s a relatively rigid universal fit, getting those basics right pays off.

Value and alternatives

Against an OEM replacement, the Deckman chute offers better‑than‑typical material thickness at a lower price. If your original chute cracked, warped, or simply went missing, this is the kind of part that keeps an otherwise healthy mower out of the landfill. The tradeoff is that “fits many” means “perfect on some, acceptable on others.” If you want guaranteed deck‑matching geometry and a specific discharge angle, the model‑specific OEM chute remains the safe bet—just expect to pay more.

Tips to ensure compatibility

• Measure your deck: Confirm the distance from hinge pins to the leading edge of the opening and compare to the chute’s 11‑inch outer edge and 3.4‑inch height.
• Verify mounting style: Two pegs vs. single pivot bolt vs. adapter frame matters. This chute expects the common pin/bolt mount at the deck opening.
• Keep your hardware: There are no screws in the box. Save the originals and replace worn ones.

Bottom line: Should you buy it?

I recommend the Deckman side‑discharge chute for owners of compatible 21‑inch mowers who want a sturdier‑than‑stock replacement without paying OEM prices. It installs quickly, resists flexing and cracks, and moves clippings efficiently in normal mowing. Just be realistic about fit and use: verify your deck geometry, reuse solid hardware, aim the discharge safely, and slow down in tall or wet grass. If you routinely cut overgrowth or need a chute that angles clippings downward with precision, a model‑specific OEM part or bagging may suit you better. For everyday maintenance cuts on compatible decks, this is a practical, durable fix that restores side‑discharge performance at a good cost.