Mowing BX2230/RCK60B-22BX Mower Deck Mulching Kit

[jlocke13844]

Hello all,

I am the owner of a 2003 Kubota BX2230 tractor with a RCK60B-22BX Mower Deck and am interested in the mulching kit that Kubota offers. This kit includes two baffles and three mulching blades. The kit retails for around $400 US. The problem is not so much the price, but that I hesitate to spend that much on anything if cannot find any feedback from folks who have actually tried that kit.

Have any of you tried this? If so, how is it working for you? Many thanks in advance to all who reply.

Best regards,

Jon

 

[MoreCowbell]

Hi Jon. It sounds like that is the same kit I installed on my RCK60B-23BX. I mowed for a season without it before buying it last spring. It does a very good job at mulching the grass.

The same considerations that would apply to any mulcher also apply to this one, which is to make sure the grass does not get too long between mowings, make sure the grass is dry when mowing and make sure the blades are decently sharp. If you do that, the clippings will be so chopped up you won't see any of it on your lawn afterwards (at least that's my experience with Tall Fescue).

As far as drawbacks, I thought the paint job could be a little more durable. Portions flaked off easily when installing it. Also, clippings tend to collect in the cavity between the baffles and the roof of the deck. I wonder if this would promote rust by trapping that moisture in there but I may be overly paranoid on that one.

Lastly, the thing does kick up a lot more clippings/dust/chaff than without the kit installed. The debris tends to accumulate in the lower quarter of the radiator so you'll need to keep an eye on engine temp. I plan to build a baffle to prevent debris from getting sucked up through the chassis opening under the radiator.

One nice thing is that you can remove the plastic discharge chute since the kit blocks the opening. The instructions say to keep it on but I suspect that is just Kubota's product liability lawyers talking.

 

[RaydaKub]

RCK60B-23BX has a plastic chute? I have the same combination, BX2230/RCK60B-22BX and the steel chute might weigh as much as my whole previous mower deck!

 

[jlocke13844]

Thanks MoreCowbell...I love the name and appreciate the feedback!

RaydaKub, my deck has a metal chute, but my neighbor bought his in about 2007, and his came with a plastic chute.

 

[MoreCowbell]

Yep - the RCK60B-23BX comes with a plastic chute that pivots on a spring loaded pin on the top edge. I removed it for good when I installed the mulch kit because the right side baffle blocks off the chute opening down to the level of the lower edge of the deck. It's definitely easier to maneuver without that thing hanging off the side.