54 inch MMM mulch kit

[Rubs]

Hello All,
I have a BX2230 with a 54in MMM. I was quoted $275.00 from the dealer for the mulch kit and also told that installation was a bit difficult. Anyone have any thoughts on the fairness of the price or expeience with the installation? I would rather do the install myself if it isn't rocket science.
Thanks for the input...

 

[equipman]

Rubs
I think those decks have to come off and you have to drill holes to bolt the baffles on.
Lewis

 

[rdricks]

The price sounds similar to what others have paid. I have the mulch kit on my MMM, installed it myself (with one other helper). It is nice to have a second person to help hold parts in place to mark where to drill.

I did not think it was difficult to install, just a little time consuming. It has been a few years, but I think it was about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to get the unit figured out, marked, drilled, and bolted to the MMM. Make sure you use decent drill bits! That sheet metal is not flimsy on those MMMs.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RonR]

I bought my 54" MMM with the Mulch kit installed. Think I paid $250-275 for it. Kit included mulching blades and the baffles.

I've since taken it off as I had to mow some really tall grass. I doubt that I'll put it back on, unless we move to someplace where I have a lot of nice yard to mow.

I'd have to go look, but my guess is the holes are in the deck already (but maybe not).

I goofed and took the baffles off and left the much blades on. Didn't notice any degradation of the cut.

I think if you could find the mulch blades separately, I'd buy them and then fabricate a plug for the chute first and see if that worked ok. The baffles might help, but if you are satisfied without them, it's a cheaper way to go.

My two cents.
ron

 

[edney]

When I purchased my BX2200 I got a mulch kit for my 54 inch MMM. Mowed for a year with out it before I got around to installing it. It tool a couple of hours to install by my self using some clamps and vise grips to hold it in place. I just flopped the whole deck over in the driveway blocked up on some 2x4's. The only part that was hard is one of the front holes for the baffle was lined up with a reinforcing plate on the front of the deck and it took forever to drill through it even with a high quality bit. There was an adjacent hole and if I had it to do again I would not even bother with the extra one because it is hooke on plenty good with the one up there. My experience so far is that it works great on regular lawn grass even if it is a bit tall. The baffles sort of kill the lift that you get the regular side discharge configuration so it doesn't lift up some debris that you might think it would. like littel twigs that havev fallen out of a tree. However that is not a problem and over all I am glad I installed it.

WHile I have been searching for a good deal on a 4 foot 3-point mounted rotary cutter I have been even mowing a 1 acre field with pretty course orchard grass and ather assorted things with the mulching kit installed. I stay in low range and high RPM and it will go right through the stuff. Anyway, If you mow lots of grass I would recommend thekit.

 

[botalvr]

No problem at all with mine on my 60" deck. Took a little while to install, never needed to take it off even in very tall grass, just mowed at the top setting once, then went back over it at 3.5" setting. I keep my blades sharp, and don't mow when it is wet grass.
I also removed the deck flap since there is no opening ther after the install.
I would highly recommend the kit, and an extra set of blades.
Also I would agree that flipping the deck over and some sharp bits would be in order for the install.
And, no more clippings. Big payoff for me, hated those darned clippings.

 

[Volfandt]

I'm running a home made mulch plug w/std blades and am having pretty good results.
When I get into the tall stuff I generally have a small mound of clippings on the discharge side but since I'm not concerned about stripeing I disburse it on the next pass.
I've been looking for some gator blads or similar but haven't had any luck. I was going to buy a set of the mulching kit blades but the cut has been good enough to where I'm in no hurry. I will buy them for spares tho.

If I do have to mow when it's wet or too tall I just remove the plug & side discharge.

I'd say it's not nearly as good as the OEM mulch kit but it does alright.