Deere MC519 cart

[cef2lion]

I have a JD 455 with a 60" deck and power flow with a MC519 collection cart.

My dealer has an unused mulch kit for my deck and offered it to me at a discount. I was wondering about using a mulch kit with a power flow system? Would it help or not make a difference. Maybe the baffles would?

I don't see high lift blades on the Deere WEB site for this 60" deck. Just regular and mulch. I was thinking high lift bades might help the power flow process?

System works well just wondering about some of these things.

Craig

 

[Dutch445]

Craig,
The mulch kit will prohibit the powerflow from working, as it doesn't really allow for side discharge. The mulch kit can be used for leaves, but only for mulching. One possibility that might help, are gator blades. I know several people swear by them, and they may help by reducing the material somewhat before it enters the powerflow. The Deere High Lift blade is part #M74175, but because that tractor and deck aren't current the website may not list them, who knows.
Do you bag just leaves? or your lawn year round?
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[cef2lion]

I know the mulch kit includes a plate to block side discharge. If I got the mulch kit I would not use that part. I had a mulch kit on a 445 in the past so I know about that plate.

I was wondering if the other baffle in the kit as well as the mulch blades might help the power flow? Maybe not.

I just bought the 455 with the MC519. I used it once for grass pickup and since just mostly on leaves. It does a nice job so maybe I will forget about the mulch kit.

Craig

 

[beenthere]

I have had the MC519 cart for several years, and have tried the 'hi-lift' blades as well as the gator blades. I much prefer the performance of the standard blades for use with the powerflo and the cart. Doesn't mean all will like it as well, or not prefer something else. But I always have come back to the standard blade. Just last week took the gator blades off my son had on the 54" deck (445) and put on a new set of standard blades. The gators were sharp too, but chop up things too fine and don't have the side movement to get things over to the blower.
As powerful as the blower is (albeit I have not changed the blower fan itself in 6 years, and it is probably worn), I would think it would suck up anything even close to the blades, but it doesn't seem to. Although, the resulting lawn is free of leaves, grass clippings, and pine needles (along with sticks).