Question
Quick question you may be able to help me with..  I fitted a mulching kit to my ride-on mower thinking that it would be more environmentally friendly etc.  However, I am not sure if I have fitted the blades correctly!  It takes me about three passes to mulch the leaves to a small size, and yet if I go backwards it seems to cut them instantly?  Going backwards does not reverse the spin of the blades.  Have I fitted them the wrong way around or upside down?

Also, what speed should I mulch at - full speed on the blades and low speed on the mower?  At the lowest height?

Thanks in advance,
A mulching novice!


Answer
Adrian,

I don't think anything's wrong in your set-up.

I have the same experience, both with leaves and really tall grass-- I often get better results going backwards.  When I tell my student workers, they think I'm kidding, but it works. I think it must have something to do with the inside shape of the deck, and the flow of material in there, but I'm not sure.  Sorry.

If I'm using a mulching mower to get rid of leaves, I'll set it pretty high (or sometimes high in front, low in back) I get better results...less clogging and stalling.  High blade speed and slow mower speed is right...more possible chopping that way.

Watch out.  Sometimes if leaves are pretty heavy and wet, mulching them right on the grass can leave a heavy carpet of chopped leaves that can smother the grass.  

Good luck.
Mark in Portland Oregon