Mulching Kit

Ensure that the mower has the rear grass guard to disperses clippings to the rearward and down toward the turf, while in rear discharge mode.

To mulch grass clippings, install the baffles on the mower deck as instructed in the following procedures.

Note: Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position.

1. Park the machine on a level surface; disengage the cutting unit(s) and lower the cutting unit; engage the parking brake; shut off the engine and remove the key; and wait for all movement to stop.

2. Thoroughly clean the mower deck. Remove all debris to ensure that the baffles fit properly against the mower deck.

3. Repair all bent or damaged areas of the mower deck and replace any missing or damaged parts.

1. Lift the machine so that you can access the bottom of the mower deck.

2. Remove the existing blades from the spindles; refer to the Operator’s Manual for your machine.

Note: Save the blades for use when cutting grass in rear discharge mode.You will use the blade bolt and washer for installing the recycler blades in Installing the Recycler Blades.

1. At the left side of the mower deck, drill the 4 pilot holes in the deck with a 10 mm (3/8 inch) drill bit as shown in Figure 1.

   

   Figure 1

   1. Pilot hole (mower deck)
   2. 10 mm (3/8 inch) drill bit

2. Remove any burrs from the holes.

3. At the right side of the mower deck, drill the 2 pilot holes in the deck with a 10 mm (3/8 inch) drill bit as shown in Figure 2.

   

   Figure 2

   1. 10 mm (3/8 inch) drill bit
   2. Pilot hole (mower deck)

4. Remove any burrs from the holes.

Parts needed for this procedure:

Note: Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position.

1. Align the end hole in the right baffle (4 holes) to the hole in the mulching-plate flange (Figure 3).

   

   Figure 3

   1. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch)
   2. Mulching-plate flange
   3. Small baffle (deck)
   4. Front of the machine
   5. Right baffle (4 holes)
   6. Flange locknut (3/8 inch)

2. Align the 2 holes at the other end of the right baffle with the holes in the small baffle of the mower deck (Figure 3).

3. Loosely assemble the right baffle to the mulching-plate flange and the small baffle of the mower deck (Figure 3) with 3 carriage bolts (3/8 x 1 inch) and 3 flange locknuts (3/8 inch).

4. Align the holes in the left baffle (3 holes) with the 2 holes that you drilled in the side of the mower deck (Figure 4).

   

   Figure 4

   1. Flange locknut (3/8 inch)
   2. 10 mm (3/8 inch) hole (mower deck—side)
   3. Left baffle (3 holes)
   4. Right baffle (4 holes)
   5. Front of the machine
   6. Carriage bolts (3/8 x 1 inch)

5. Align the hole in the other end of the left baffle with the open hole in the right baffle (Figure 4).

6. Loosely assemble the left baffle to the side of the deck and the right baffle (Figure 4) with 3 carriage bolts (3/8 x 1 inch) and 3 flange locknuts (3/8 inch).

7. Torque the flange locknuts to 37 to 45 N∙m (27 to 33 ft-lb).

Parts needed for this procedure:

Note: Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position.

1. At the right side of the mower deck, align the slots in the kicker fitting with the 2 holes 10 mm (3/8 inch) that you drilled into the mower deck (Figure 5).

   

   Figure 5

   1. Flange locknut (3/8 inch)
   2. 10 mm (3/8 inch) hole (mower deck)
   3. Kicker fitting
   4. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch)
   5. Front of the machine

2. Assemble the kicker fitting to the deck (Figure 5) with 2 carriage bolts (3/8 x 1 inch) and 2 flange locknuts (3/8 inch).

3. Torque the flange locknuts to 37 to 45 N∙m (27 to 33 ft-lb).

4. At the left side of the mower deck, align the slots in the kicker fitting with the 2 holes 10 mm (3/8 inch) that you drilled into the mower deck (Figure 6).

   

   Figure 6

   1. Flange locknut (3/8 inch)
   2. 10 mm (3/8 inch) hole (mower deck)
   3. Kicker fitting
   4. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch)
   5. Front of the machine

5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the left kicker fitting.

Parts needed for this procedure:

Install the recycler blades onto the mower; refer to the Parts Catalog for your machine for the blade part number and the Operator’s Manual for your machine for installation instructions.

Parts needed for this procedure:

Remove approximately one inch or no more than 1/3 of the grass blade when cutting. In exceptionally lush and dense grass you may need to raise the height-of-cut setting or convert the mower deck for rear discharge operations.

Air is required to cut and recut grass clippings in the mower housing, so do not set the height-of-cut too low or fully surround the housing by uncut grass. Always try to keep the back of the mower deck free from uncut grass, allowing air to be drawn into the housing. When making an initial cut through the center of an uncut area, operate the machine slower and back the machine if the mower starts to clog.

Under most normal conditions you will need to mow every 4 to 5 days. However, grass grows at different rates at different times. It is a good practice to maintain the same height-of-cut; therefore, you need to cut more frequently in early spring; as the grass growth rate slows in midsummer, cut every 8 to 10 days.

If you are unable to mow for an extended period due to weather conditions or other reasons, convert to the mower deck for rear discharge or mow first with the height-of-cut at a high level; then mow again 2 to 3 days later at a lower height setting.

A sharp blade cuts cleanly and without tearing or shredding the grass. A dull blade tears and shreds the grass. Tearing and shredding causes the grass to turn brown at the edges, which impairs growth and increases susceptibility to disease.

To ensure optimum performance, clean the underside of the mower deck after each use.

Note: If residue grass builds up in the mower deck, cutting performance decreases.