#22 John Deere 1025R / 1023E 54D/60D Mulch Kit vs. Leaves
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Several folks have been asking about the Deere 54D and 60D mulch kits.
Along with plenty of "hot air" from Katriel, this video attempts to show how the mulch kit thoroughly destroys the leaves.
I, too, had a chuckle over "hot air from Katriel". I confess at the very beginning I was rolling my eyes in mild annoyance by that hot air - I wanted to get to the mulch kit. But within a couple minutes her creativity, cute voice and personality, and interest in space exploration won me over. :-) Also, Tim, your gentle smile and your non-judgmental interaction with her was sweet.
Now for the reason I came here: I found your video while looking for information about a John Deere feature called MulchControl, which was evidently introduced the same year the video was shot so it may not have been available or known to you yet. It looks like an easy way to switch from mulch mode to side discharge (or more accurately, partial-mulch) mode with the flip of a lever! I'm still in the early stages of learning about it and whether it's installed on (or can be added to) any of the John Deere models I'm interested in -- especially the S240. Since your channel is "Tractor Time with Tim" I suppose you may know something about the feature at this point. I'd suggest a video on the topic but I need to make a purchase within days, so that wouldn't help me, though others would probably find it useful. If you have any useful info, it is welcome. In the meantime I'm just rambling, and will return to my own research about it. Thanks to you and Katriel for the break.
Thanks for he kind words.
My neighbor has a zero turn Deere with the mulch control. It seems to work well for her.
I don’t know specifically which models have the option, but the Deere website should have that info readily available.
Thanks, Tim, that's a good sign. I did learn which models offer MulchControl. (I'm being careful to spell it as one word, because it's Deere's name for one specific mulch kit. I've never seen any other like it.) I'd love to know whether your neighbor has ever compared its performance (in both discharge and mulch modes) to simply adding and removing a mulch *cover* as needed. A cover/plug would certainly be cheaper, though not as convenient and maybe not as effective at mulching.
I don’t see how anyone could give this video a thumbs down. Highly enjoyed the video and great job.
Thanks Jason!
The mulching kit is like running your leaves and grass through a shredder, chops it all up really fine and like magic they just disappear.
I started mulching my grass & leaves a couple years ago. Much easier than raking leaves LOL. Puts all that stuff back into the ground. Pretty sure its helped the lawn out by doing so, seems greener than it ever was before even during the heat of summer. Granted I don't have a fancy compact tractor like you have, but even with my lawn tractor and push mower they do great chopping up the leaves and grass clippings. I mow all summer and fall with the mulching blades and mulch plug on the lawn tractor. First cutting in the spring I usually side discharge because the grass is usually pretty thick and heavy but after that I swap to the mulching setup the rest of the season. Occasionally I'll have to pull the mulch plug off the mowers and side discharge a couple times during the season when the grass gets a bit over-grown but next mowing the mulching plugs are back on. Cuts down on the amount of fertilizer and weed control needed, at least that's how it seems to me.
I only have about an acre of grass to mow, so its not all that overwhelming that is until leaf season then it can get out of hand quickly. In the past I'd use the lawn tractor and blow all the leaves into windrows them rake them all up and put them out on the brush pile to burn....I haven't had to do that since I started mulching, its been a great time saver. My only complaint is my lawn tractor as well as many others really aren't setup to truly utilize the mulching blades and mulch plug as the mower decks aren't deep enough and they don't have a baffle system under the deck so you get a lot of blowout from the front and sides. I have found that if I set the mower deck slightly lower it helps a little but you can't go too short with certain grass varieties especially in the summer, so I just live with the blowout...someday I will have a nice fancy mower though and it definitely will have the proper mower deck for mulching.
Those leaves are natures way of rebuilding soil. Saddens me to see them bagged and sent away.
Thanks for keeping them where they're supposed to be.
I used to rake mine up and throw them on the burn pile. I started mulching a couple years ago, and its not only a time saver but my grass is growing better and staying greener....its a great thing I found. First mowing is usually side discharged as the grass is usually tall and thick but after that the mulching blades and plug goes on the mowers and they finish the season in mulching mode. So nice to not have to rake leaves or grass.
I like the mulching device. I lawn rake my yard and put the leaves on the garden for mulch. Is very good for the garden.
You guys are awesome making good videos, two thumbs up, and keep em comin.
Wow! This one was a LONG time ago. #22 out of over 1100 now!
looks good! I generally gather my leaves up and put them in the back to be tilled over and under through winter into spring. makes some nice rich soil that I can use where I need it in my yard. great video if I had a mid mount mower on mine I might consider a mulch kit myself.
I try an also mix some other items in my leaves like watermelon rhyme, tomato peelings, potato peelings, left over veggie's and such. I just till it under and over a few times a month.
I used to do that too when I had a garden, now I just mulch the leaves.
This was wonderful.. both the commentary - I wish her luck with the surf shop on Mars! In the mean time I will be getting a mulch kit and figure out how to get it on.. Wait.. what does dad have to say!
+Rebecca Brooklyn Thanks! We can't script this stuff. She just comes up with the crazy stuff as we go.
Mulch kit consists of a big plastic shroud, and 3 new mower blades (special for mulching). See my 'make your mower great again' video to see it up close
Tim, Thanks for responding.. I see there are these mulching kits at home depot :Mulch Kit for 42 in. XT1 and XT2 Tractors and RZT Mowers for about 60 dollars.. Then on the John Deere site there are the yellow ones that are about $220.. That looks like what you got, right. I don't see Make your mower great again.. video. can you link it to me here? It gets a bit overwhelming for the new mower lass~ I bought my John Deere used so it came with what it came with..
+Rebecca Brooklyn link to my mower blade video: ua-cam.com/video/JCPjdC7MO3k/v-deo.html
What tractor do you have?
Here is a 15% off coupon code which you can take to your loc dealer: m.deere.com/en_US/docs/pdfs/parts/attachment_coupons/rle_attachments_coupon.pdf
Print it and take it to your Deere dealer, along with the model number/serial number of your tractor, and they will fix you right up!
Also, use the coupon code TTWT at www.greenfarmparts.com for discounts on oil/filters, etc for your tractor.
I'm convinced. Mulch kit is a good thing. With my land I don't need it. I just run over it till it's gone in the spring. Just got gator blades on my deck so it should go better this fall and next spring. Not convinced on the surfing thing on Mars though. :-)
I've had gator blades on my 2210 when I had it. I was waiting for this original set to wear out so I could get a set. It's all I'll use from now on. It does a better job then regular blades. Chops grass into smaller pieces. That's always a good thing.
Hi. You and your dad always do the best demonstration videos. Please keep'em coming.
I have a huge, important question. How did your dad bypass, being able to mow in reverse???? My buddy and I just got new 1025rs this year, and we need to know how to do this. We'd be forever grateful. Thanks so much!
+Tmac Tmac good idea for a video. We'll put one together.
+Tractor Time with Tim You are so awesome. Thank you so much.
Hey Tim, love your videos, I just purchased a 2017 1025R with the loader and rear blower and I just love it. I didn't get the mower as I also have a 2014 D140 lawn tractor. Would you recommend I keep the D140 or sell it and get the 54 inch deck for the 1025R. I'm also concerned about the roll bar hitting the trees. Any suggestions
If your D140 does the job, keep using it. Spend your money on OTHER attachments :-)
If you have a tight area to try and mow I'd stick with the lawn tractor due to having the loader on your 1025R it takes up space in tight areas trying to maneuver. If you've got plenty of space I certainly would invest in the mower deck for the 1025R and get rid of your lawn tractor, but that's just my thoughts, why have 2 machines. If I were in your shoes and had a great utility tractor I'd have no problems selling my lawn tractor. I do have a couple of small areas that I mow, but nothing a regular 21" push mower cannot easily tackle in a few minutes...something else to consider, too if you got a smaller area that needs mowed where your 1025R would have issues getting into and out of, use a regular push mower if you have to, nothing wrong with that at all. Usually I use my push mower around the perimeter of the yard and around the trees and other obstacles anyhow so I just run it through the 2 small areas as well, actually saves time as I'm not having to backup & turn around with the lawn tractor, the time it takes doing that is easily made up with the push mower.
Hello Tim. Thank you for your videos. I am a new owner of a 1025R with the 60D mower deck but I have not yet mowed with it as up here in Ottawa, Canada we still have snow on the ground. I do think that I would benefit from a mulching kit. Could you provide a part tumbler for the kit you have. One I found here is metal and different. I like your plastic one and how it fills the deck. Thank you for your time.
Chris, here is a thread on it: www.greentractortalk.com/forums/implements-attachments/28722-54d-mulching-kit-instal-w-pics-bm20827.html
If you can purchase from GreenFarmParts.com (not sure if they ship to Canada), you can get a large discount with coupon code TTWT.
Question Tim, what setting is your mower height set at? I have a new 1023e with 54d and so far I've noticed that these mowers will really cut quite short, I see where you have your anti-scalp wheels set much lower than mine. Just a questioning your mower setting.
+Pat Renwick I run very near the highest setting. Any lower, and I see scalping.
Thanks, exactly the results I've seen so far, these things must be able to cut golf course greens on low, I appreciate your timely response, keep the great videos coming.
Okay, so I adjusted the height of my mower and mowed the in laws yard last night, what a difference having the gauge wheels and deck height set properly.
+Pat Renwick good to hear!
love your videos tim, my 1025 r is being delivered monday, what is the best way to keep your blades sharp, im not very proficient keeping the factory angle on a table grinder.
I have.not experimented with that. I need to try it.
Congratulations on your new rig!!
A bit late but really unless you are good at it, just take them to a mower shop and have them sharpened, or buy new blades, that is unless you dull your blades very frequently then you really need to hone your blade sharpening skills. There may be jigs out there for holding mower blades for easy sharpening, but I've been doing it for so many years that I don't have any trouble with it. You just don't want a razor sharp edge, that'll get beat up within the first mowing LOL. Don't necessarily worry about getting every little nick and chip out of the blade when you sharpen them the goal is to keep the cutting edge sharp, not razor sharp but sharp, you don't want a rounded off cutting edge.
Another method some use is to use a hand-held angle grinder for sharpening blades....another method is a regular metal cutting file, takes longer but gives you a more steady approach to the sharpening task.
I also keep a spare set of blades for my mowers when 1 set gets dull I simply swap to the fresh set of blades and set the dull ones by my grinder and I sharpen them during the week and put them on the shelf for the next blade swap so I'm never having to rush and sharpen blades right then, a simple blade swap and right back to cutting grass.
ROFL!!!!
plenty of "hot air" from Katriel
+Marshall Man one of my favorites. I learned in this video that I need to be prepared for ANY question when she approaches!
ROFL!!!!
Can you tell much difference with the wheel weights? Do they help with stability? Thanks in advance and thanks for all the video's.
+Gordon Hughes we can tell the difference. It rides better (less bouncing) in all conditions. It helps keep the rear wheels on the ground when using the loader.
We also have the tires filled with RimGuard for additional ballast.
With this size tractor, you need all of the ballast you can get.
We don't see any disadvantages. For instance, we don't have ruts in the yard even when wet in the springtime.
Thanks so much, you have helped me in deciding what to purchase when I get the 1025r.
Katriel, do you need any investors in that surf shop? Sounds like a sure thing! lol
What part number is the mulching kit for the 60” ? Thanks !
Google is your friend.
I can't find it. I looked on your site too.
Tim, just watch the Mulch Kit video again. Now that you have had it for several years, do you still recommend the mulch kit?? I have a 1025R with 54D deck and I'm thinking of getting a mulch kit. Also, I was wondering if you know if there is any kits for/or any rotating deck wheels for the 54D??
Katriel, love the hot air.. very interesting topics!! lol
Yes. Still recommend...with caveats. It isn’t perfect. ...but much better than raking!
Thanks Tim. If you are ever in the Rockford, IL or Rochelle, IL area, give me a shout. I'd be glad to have you stop in for a while! Thank you for the great and helpful videos!
Plastic or Metal wheel weights? I to am now a proud owner of a TLB1025R w/ quick connect 54D and Power Flow Bagging system!
+John Gargan congratulations! These are the plastic wheel weights. I bought them off Craigslist for cheap. If you have the $$, I would recommend the cast iron weights. If buying new, you should be able to get them included in the financing.
Thanks for watching!
tim I have a 48c deck on my deer and I use 3 gator blades. I can go through a foot deep of leaves and leave nothing but tiny crumbs!!
Where did you get those guards for the auxiliary lights? I have been looking for some guards so my evergreen trees don't push on the lights.
the steel bar around the lights are an option from Deere. The plastic 'blinders' are from www.artillian.com (Tell Chris there that "Tractor Time with Tim" sent you...
hallo zusammen.
eure filme finde ich toll. was ihr da macht und filmt ist gut .
da kann man noch was von lernen.
ich werde das für mich in die realität um setzen.
gruß alba 66
+Dieter Bongartz Output from Google Translate:
Hello everybody.
your movies I think is great . what are you doing and filming is good .
you can learn something from .
I'll put me in the reality around .
greeting alba 66
---------
Thank you for the kind words. Do you have a tractor?
Hi.. Is this the same 54D Deere deck I would get on my X738? Thanks!
+Steve Koz I don't think they are exactly the same, but I am not sure. Sorry
Do you have problems with thatch in the spring?
+doug maquad no, not as of yet.
what about pine needles?
I know it may sound crazy, but we don't have many pine needles here.
After living in the southeast for a few years, I know this sounds impossible!
Where there's Trees, there's Leaves.
Unless they're pine trees ;). Then you just have pine needles and as of yet I haven't found a way to really mulch them, yeah the mulching kit somewhat works but not nearly as well as it does with leaves and grass.
is there a kit for the new 60D?
yep.
@@TractorTimewithTim do have a video? and Part Number? i just got my JD1025R after viewing your Kubota BX VS John Deere 1025R. i got it all Mid 60D, Loader and Backhoe. Best money i have dished out in some time. Thanks for the videos they have been a lot of help!
So what's the current price of surfing lessons on Mars?
Quite affordable. ...but you have to arrange your own transportation!
Let's talk to Elon and see what we can organise :)
On another note, most of our trees in Australia are evergreen so we don't have this evil fall leaf problem unless we choose to plant deciduous ones.
I do
Katriel get the rake and get to work.
i hate leaves.. but thank god for the deere..
*****
i heard bad things about the mulching kits i was going 2 get 1 for my deere.. but i think im going 2 get a bagger..
***** i just dont no if i would be happy with a mulch kit.. so many were saying not 2 get 1.. so what do u do... only time will tell 4 me..
+MRJOHNDEERE3720. :) depends what you want to do with it I had the mulch kit for my 60d it works good but most people wait to call me till all the leaves are down and wet then it there is no way any mulch kit can deal with that. I ended up getting a peco gas engine bagger no problem now
1teddy1979
o ok.. i think a bagger would be better.
Oak leaves add acid to the ground
Water does wonders in your rear tires
300 an hour on liquid water seems reasonable
Katriale lol
I've been your age. You haven't been mine.
nothing worse than having a kid narrate what you can see
+john Clarke nothing worse. Nothing at all.