JD Mulch-On-Demand

[TennisBum]

Has anyone heard anymore news on the John Deere Mulch-On-Demand mowers? I've been trying to find one without any luck. I hope they'er going to continue production because it sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. I'd like it with a smaller deck but I'd take a 60" if I could find one.

[horn1004]

We've actually got one in our dealership. If you're really interested in it let me know as I think I can get you a good deal on it. Since it is last year's model, it does not have the ROPS or the heavy duty air filter.

As far as the mower itself, I have been told it was a prototype released by Deere last year. To me it looks like a good concept. I have heard nothing more about it this year and can find nothing in the sales manual about it.



Matt McLawhorn
Lee Tractor Co. -Rocky Mount
252-977-3626
www.leetractor.com

[TennisBum]

Matt, I'm definitely interested. I have a couple of questions:
1. Aside from being last years model, is it new, used, demo?
2. Any chance you could send a couple of pics to qlc@cox.net?
3. How much is it?
4. Can you ship to Newport News, VA.
Thanks Matt. I hope to here from you soon.
Sam

[horn1004]

Sam,

Let me get a camera so I can get some pics from you. This unit is brand new and has never been demo'd. It's got .5 hrs on it. As far as the price, I'll send that to your email as well. We've got a store up in Courtland so I could either have one of the guys up there bring it to you or I could take a road trip and bring it up to you.

Matt

[TennisBum]

Hey Matt,
Just wanted to touch base and see if you had time to send that info. Sometimes I don't get all my email. Thanks
Sam

[horn1004]

Sam,
Please excuse me for not getting the pics to you. I've been at the doctor 3 times in 3 days. I've got a torn meniscus and have to go back on Monday. I should get to the store around 11am at which time I will get the pics sent to you. Sorry again about the delay.

Matt

[horn1004]

Sam,

The pics have been sent to you. If anybody else would like to see them let me know and I'll put them up here.

Thanks,

Matt

[Tider6972]

Yes, Matt, I would like to see that deck ! Please post your pictures here !

Thanks

[TClawn]

yeah, I want to see pics of this "mulch on demand". sounds like a great concept.

[horn1004]

Here you go guys
If you have any questions let me know and I'll be happy to answer them for you.
http://www.partyeastcarolina.com/photos/fullsize/167146.jpg http://www.partyeastcarolina.com/photos/fullsize/167145.jpg http://www.partyeastcarolina.com/photos/fullsize/167144.jpg

[TClawn]

so explain to me how this works. are there baffles that you can lower from the operator position? you got any pics of the underside of the deck?

[horn1004]

As requested, here are some pics of the underside of the mower. The first one is of the side discharge chute closed. The second one is with the baffles open and the third with the baffles closed. The fourth one is the MOD sticker on the deck. Basically, close the chutes and you mulch, open the chutes and clippings are discharged.

TC,
if you notice in one of the earlier pics, there is a handle which opens and closes the chutes.
http://www.partyeastcarolina.com/photos/fullsize/167445.jpg http://www.partyeastcarolina.com/photos/fullsize/167442.jpg http://www.partyeastcarolina.com/photos/fullsize/167441.jpg http://www.partyeastcarolina.com/photos/fullsize/167443.jpg

[TClawn]

TC Likes! TC Likes!

how much do those run? I heard that exmark was coming out with a mulch on demand, but I don't know how long it will take them.

[horn1004]

TC,

Depending on availability and programs, dealers should charge around $7750-8000 for these mowers. There were a limited number of these machines made last year so availability would probably be an issue. Personally, I like the concept and I hope Deere produces another MOD deck in the future.

[TClawn]

well, I realize that it is only a prototype, but I think that the discharge will be inhibited by those baffles that come into the center of the deckfrom the back, I think that there should be "movable" baffles on both ends, so that you can actually discharge well when you want to. I also realize that doing that means more parts to break, but it's better than having a half discharge and half mulching mower all the time. I think that this deck would really slow you down in heavy growth, but I also think that during the summer and fall, it would work very well.

[Tider6972]

Thanks for the pics, horn1004 !

It's a good concept. Those of us who mulch "exclusively" could benefit from this deck in wet conditions, for then we could 'let 'er fly!' and if necessary mulch on the double cut.

My concerns are (1) does the MOD mulch as well as a regular 7 Iron with a mulch kit installed, (2) does it need cleaning (scraping) - one of the <i>amazing</i> features of the 7 Iron is it's propensity to stay clean.

Is JD looking for a 'test' guinea pig? :) If this deck won't perform, will a regular 7 Iron fit the mower/frame?

[TClawn]

envy lawn service has already tested the prototype, and said that it takes some serious scraping at the end of the day.

my exmark stays very clean underneath the deck, and it would be a pain to have to go under there each day. with the exmark, I only have to scrape once a week.

[DLCS]

envy lawn service has already tested the prototype, and said that it takes some serious scraping at the end of the day.

.

So what....Envy lives in North carolina, my cutting conditions and grass types differ from his. Envy is also the one that said John Deeres do not stripe!!! :rolleyes: