Mulching with the BX24 & MMM?

MOPAULY · May 28, 2006

My BX24 purchase is still months away and not 100% in stone yet, however, how does the MMM do for mulching? I prefer mulching to side discharge as it just looks so much cleaner. How well does it really work?

Not a direct comparison, but when I used to attempt mulching with my 38" Toro, the deck would get clogged and you'd know it right about the time a thin strip of uncut grass was left between the blades while mowing.

I'd find that as soon as I stopped the blades, huge chunks of grass that had been suspended against the deck by the air movement would then be released, leaving a pile akin to my lawn throwing up. Is it the same situation with mulching on a MMM?

I don't like side discharge but thusfar have been relegated to that since mulching doesn't seem to work unless you cut a 1/2" at a time. Mulching and lawn striping at the same time is really my mowing dream /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MOPAULY · May 28, 2006

My BX24 purchase is still months away and not 100% in stone yet, however, how does the MMM do for mulching? I prefer mulching to side discharge as it just looks so much cleaner. How well does it really work?

Not a direct comparison, but when I used to attempt mulching with my 38" Toro, the deck would get clogged and you'd know it right about the time a thin strip of uncut grass was left between the blades while mowing.

I'd find that as soon as I stopped the blades, huge chunks of grass that had been suspended against the deck by the air movement would then be released, leaving a pile akin to my lawn throwing up. Is it the same situation with mulching on a MMM?

I don't like side discharge but thusfar have been relegated to that since mulching doesn't seem to work unless you cut a 1/2" at a time. Mulching and lawn striping at the same time is really my mowing dream /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Tom_H · May 29, 2006

I have BX2200 with 60" MMM and mulch kit. I am very pleased. I had a bagger, but sold it to another TBN member. With the mulcher, there is no bagging and emptying. I also find that I no longer have to fertilize, as the nutrients are returned to the soil.

I do have a good situation for mulching, however. I have wet winters and dry summers. I irrigate on Mon. & Tue. I can always count on a nice dry turf by the weekend. Mulch systems work best when the clippings are dry and can float around in the chamber, getting chopped into ever smaller pieces. Wet grass will not mulch very well. For this reason, be sure to get advice from others in your area (or like climate) as to how mulching may work for your local conditions and species of grass.

Tom_H · May 29, 2006

I have BX2200 with 60" MMM and mulch kit. I am very pleased. I had a bagger, but sold it to another TBN member. With the mulcher, there is no bagging and emptying. I also find that I no longer have to fertilize, as the nutrients are returned to the soil.

I do have a good situation for mulching, however. I have wet winters and dry summers. I irrigate on Mon. & Tue. I can always count on a nice dry turf by the weekend. Mulch systems work best when the clippings are dry and can float around in the chamber, getting chopped into ever smaller pieces. Wet grass will not mulch very well. For this reason, be sure to get advice from others in your area (or like climate) as to how mulching may work for your local conditions and species of grass.