Looking for a mulcher for pine needles etc

[Dmac1]

I've owned a JD Z445 (zero turn mower) for about 15 years and have just used regular blades and side discharge to cut our grass around the house and a couple times per year, I mow the field, which has various Colorado native weeds and which, this time of year, gets alot of ponderosa pine needles cuz we have alotta big trees. I see that JD sells a mulching blade for the 445, but it sounds more like its intended for grass and I'm not sure if it'll do much to the pine needles, which is what I'm seeking a blade & kit or a different machine, to do. Anybody try that blade?

For years, I've been raking the pine needles bit by bit, but the trash service has decided they don't wanna haul off a few cans per week of em, so I'm looking for a different way of getting rid of them.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Note- I've also got a JD 3520 tractor with a bucket on front and a Landpride manual blade on the rear, but IDK if that machine will help in this regard even if I got a mower for it.

Thanks.

 

[RjCorazza]

High lift blades do better with pine needles than standard mulching blades. I use Gator mulching blades that have some lift, and they generally handle pine needles that are dry.

 

[grsthegreat]

I ended up having to purchase a cyclone rake to tow behind my mower for pine needles and pine cones. I have so many dam* pine trees…it drives me nuts

 

[EricW]

I ended up having to purchase a cyclone rake to tow behind my mower for pine needles and pine cones. I have so many dam* pine trees…it drives me nuts

Cyclone Rakes are awesome, I love mine.

 

[oosik]

I have never mulched my pine needles. I rake them into rows and collect and carry them off with my grapple. They end up in my burn pile and will burn after a period of drying.

 

[HammerGrips]

I've owned a JD Z445 (zero turn mower) for about 15 years and have just used regular blades and side discharge to cut our grass around the house and a couple times per year, I mow the field, which has various Colorado native weeds and which, this time of year, gets alot of ponderosa pine needles cuz we have alotta big trees. I see that JD sells a mulching blade for the 445, but it sounds more like its intended for grass and I'm not sure if it'll do much to the pine needles, which is what I'm seeking a blade & kit or a different machine, to do. Anybody try that blade?

For years, I've been raking the pine needles bit by bit, but the trash service has decided they don't wanna haul off a few cans per week of em, so I'm looking for a different way of getting rid of them.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Note- I've also got a JD 3520 tractor with a bucket on front and a Landpride manual blade on the rear, but IDK if that machine will help in this regard even if I got a mower for it.

Thanks.

I don't get it, why get rid of pine needles?

 

[grsthegreat]

I don't get it, why get rid of pine needles?

Cause they SUCK. We had 2 wind storms over past few days. Have MILLIONS of pine needles and pine cones everywheres. I already put up all equipment for the winter, so will deal with it next year. Its covered half my lawn and all of my driveway.

 

[oldnslo]

I don't get it, why get rid of pine needles?

Just like leaves it Depends on how many you have. I have a row of white pines that shed and some years they cover the lawn like a carpet and smother the grass other years just a few needles.

 

[John0829]

I would like to leave the pine needle carpet under our trees since the grass barely grows under the pines anyway. Problem is all the oak and maple leaves that get mixed in with the pine needles makes things look bad so they get cleaned up each year and used for mulch around other places/things.

 

[nyone]

Just go around in a circle around the tree starting far away and getting closer, blowing all the stuff inward and under the tree. Or you can put a mulching plug in and just mow.

I live in the northeast and have a few acres with lots and lot of maple trees and white pine. I only leaf blow off my driveway. Everything gets mulched in. I have a bobcat ZTR with a mulching plug. No special blades needed.