mulching panel under 62 MMM

joes_427_vette · Jun 15, 2007

Does anyone have any info on the mulching pannel that you can place under the 62" deck ? Haven't priced them but if they work well it might be a worth while attachment. Would you have to remove it if you planned on bagging the pine needles in fall? I have never seen one work... only pictures.

Loogie · Jun 16, 2007

I don't remember how much mine was, but it works great. I like the increased clearance of not having the huge chute sticking off the right side of the deck. If you want to bag needles, would you be using a collection system? If so then yes, you'll have to remove it. It's very easy to remove/install. The most time consuming part is swapping out the blades - and even that doesn't take long.

JDFANATIC · Jun 17, 2007

joes427vette,

I have the mulching kit on my 62C (bought last fall for ~ $180 but didn't install until this year). As Loogie pointed out, it is really nice not to have the discharge chute on the tractor. As for the cut quality, it is really different than the stock configuration (actually I've only used Gator blades). If you stay up with your mowing, it is actually pretty good; if you get behind, it will leave small windrows (a couple of times when I got behind, I made a second pass slightly off center to get rid of them). There is absolutely no vacuum effect with this setup. While Gators will suck up everything, the mulching kit will not (I actually purchased the kit to see how it would do in the fall, but now know the Gators will go on for fall cleanup). There is no striping effect with the mulch kit.

At first I wasn't happy with the mulch kit and ordered a new set of Gators, but as the season has progressed, I'm getting to like them better and have kept them on. Here's a pic of the kit (before I took the chute off):

megotatractor · Jun 17, 2007

Is that panel metal or plastic??

Loogie · Jun 17, 2007

The plugs are plastic. But seem to work just fine.

joes_427_vette · Jun 18, 2007

$180. seems alot for a couple pieces of plastic. Are we paying for the attachment or someones idea? I didn't realize they were that expensive. I think I will stick with Gator blades and the chute. The $32.00 fender handle is still in parts inventory also. Deere probably pays $2. a piece from the foreign supplier.

Mayor · Jun 19, 2007

I also was looking at the mulch kit but the JD style gator blades are working great. Will pick up another set so I always have a sharp set. I keep the chute up when cutting so thats not a big deal for me (I know it's on to protect me).

JDFANATIC · Jun 20, 2007

joes_427_vette said:
$180. seems alot for a couple pieces of plastic. Are we paying for the attachment or someones idea? I didn't realize they were that expensive. I think I will stick with Gator blades and the chute. The $32.00 fender handle is still in parts inventory also. Deere probably pays $2. a piece from the foreign supplier.

Well it does include the blades too!