Mulching kit for ZD

[gregkabob]

For those that have a mulching kit on your ZD do you think it helps in keeping the dust and dirt down while mowing?

You may not have this problem but at my place it is really dry right now and when I mow the dirt that gets sucked up and thrown out the side discharge is horrendous. The suction on this deck is amazing. With the winds that are always blowing hard here in OK I have to really plan which way I turn so I don't turn with the dishcharge chute upwind or if I do I get all the dirt blown back on me.

I was wondering if I put the mulching kit on if it would help with the amount of dirt that gets kicked up?

Also does the mulching kit help keep the grass from accumulating on the top of the deck?

Thanks for any insite you can provide

 

[popeye49]

I have a GR2100 riding mower (tractor) which I bought used, and it had a mulch kit already installed. I've removed the mulch kit, as I found it deposited ALL of the freshly cut damp grass directly below the tractor. My rear tire treads then loaded up with grass, and spun TONS of the grass onto the top of my mower deck. I was even having to hose the clippings out of my turf tires after each use. I've since removed the mulch kit, being much happier spraying the grass off to the side. Living in central NY State, I can't offer you experience on the dust problem.

 

[gregkabob]

Thanks Popeye, I don't think I'd consider a mulching kit if I had the lush grass like you have in the north. To be able to have that here would take way too much irrigation and chemicals. I would just like to mow without creating a dust storm and having to wear a dust mask.

 

[equipman]

The high lift blades that are part of the mulch kit probably contribute to the dust by creating more updraft under the deck. With the higher blade tip speed that these mowers operate at, dust is a real problem when the soil is very dry.