Mowing Mulching kit for JD mid deck

[Gregs JD1023]

I would like to get some input from those of you who have a mulching kit on there JD mower decks. I have a 54" mid deck on my 1023e. I don't want to use a grass catcher. (Did that with my prevoius Sears lawn tractor before I got the 1023 and it was a pain) On the other hand I don't like all that cut grass laying in rows on my lawn. The JD dealer said the $190 mulcher attachement would chew up a good portion of the clippings. Is he right? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[s219]

It definitely helps, but it also limits how much height you can cut off in a swipe. When I stay on top of mowing and the grass isn't growing too fast, it's fantastic. If I skip a week or the grass is growing fast, then the mulcher will still leave clumps (normally small clumps under the middle of the deck). My mulcher kit has a perforated plate/screen that goes over the throw chute, and I normally remove that to throw some of the clippings clear (you can't even really see them).