54c with 345 - not mulching well

[DocD]

I have a question to post to all of the "experts" here on the board. I have a 345 JD with a 54c deck and have recently purchased a mulching kit for it. I have experience with the 48 inch deck with basically the same kit (plastic baffles with new blades) and it has done a wonderful job with the same tractor. Please see the pictures as to the problem. The right side of the deck (which normally would be discharging the clippings) seems to clog with all of the grass and as you see it leaves a "row of cut grass" on every pass and uncut grass under it (far right side of mowing). It doesn't seem to cut the grass underneath this row and seems to be just very poor quality of cut. The left and center blades seem to be working well but the right one seems to be getting "plugged" with clippings and not cutting the clippings nor the uncut grass well.
Yes, they are new and sharp blades, they are all on the correct way, I am running at WOT and have had the RPM's verified correct at the local JD shop, I am cutting every 2 days (lawn is not too long) and I am cutting at 3 1/2 inches. Please help. The dealer said he would take the kit back as he is not sure what is wrong but I would like to resolve the problem if able as I would really like to mulch with this 54 inch deck instead of the 38inch deck on my Simplicity.

 

[Gittyup]

Not a fan of the JD mulching kits. Especially ineffective in humid weather where the grass never dries out. I removed mine years ago.

 

[edlow]

I had the same setup, and the same problem. I have 3 acres, and had to cut it twice every time I cut the grass. Once to cut the grass, and once to spread out the rows of cuttings left behind. The way I fixed it was to get a new 734 with the 60" HC mower with the mulching kit. I just got it Tuesday, but wow, what a difference. No lines of grass left behind. Sorry for the bad news.

 

[yelbike]

I'm no expert on mulching as I don't do it but could your speed be too fast?

 

[bgi]

JD 54 decks and mulching don't mix. Reading a couple other threads here seems to indicate that the solution is to use the standard blade and remove the discharge baffle chute so the cuttings scatter more. I didn't recommend it. I'm not responsible for the accidents caused by removing the chute.