I've had a BX1860 with 48 fine cut deck and mulch kit for about 2 years. Its a fine machine and I am sure you will be happy with it. I also needed the 48" deck for a heavily landscaped yard and actually traded my BX2230 with 60" deck in on the 1860. I was not impressed with the mulch kit and took it off soon after using it.....hope you have better luck with it. My comparison though was with my old JD LX279 with a the Freedom dedicated mulching deck with counter rotating blades.....that was a mulching machine! For those that haven't seen a BX1860 with a 48 mmm, here are some pics: