Mulch kit and blade options for XR-7

[Shady Brook]

Does anyone have a mulch kit for their XR-7 deck? What kind of performance are you getting with it? Is there streaking with the mulch kit?

What other blades are available for the 60" XR-7 decks?

Thanks

[mowerconsultant]

What other blades are available for the 60" XR-7 decks?

Thanks

Hustler Z/Super Z 60 XR-7 side discharge 794685 (Fusion)
Hustler Z/Super Z 60 XR-7 mulching 794214

[Shady Brook]

Is there a mulch kit for the XR-7 available at this time? How does it perform compared to the old kit? Is it designed differently with kickers or anything unique?

[mowerconsultant]

Yes the mulch kit is available, here is the information.
Kit, Mulch 60", 66", 72" XR-7 Decks Hustler Z / Super Z part # 106856 MSRP $185.00
You will need to order the blades listed in the post above yours.
Here is a picture of the mulch kit installed on the XR-7 deck.
.
http://admaterials.hustlerturf.com/Photos/SuperZ/SinglePages/SZUnderneath/PhotoSZ-UnderneathIR.jpg

[Shady Brook]

Thanks for the picture and info PJ. So is that $185 for the kit, not including blades? I could not see any kickers on the kit, so it must be mainly just closing off the sections.

Thanks

[mowerconsultant]

$185.00 for the kit and you need to buy the blades also.
No "kickers", each blade is separated by baffles.
I would also like to say, that there is no drilling to install this kit, it is very easy to install.

Pj

[MJB]

Does anyone have any pictures to post of the xr7 mulching kit in action. I will be demoing 1 next week hopefully. I'm looking for something that will mulch as good as the old Exmark Lazer Z. Striping should be as good also with the Hustler isn't it?

[mowerconsultant]

It mulches awesome and you will love the striping also.
Let us know after your demo.
http://admaterials.hustlerturf.com/Photos/SuperZ/SinglePages/SZStriping/SZ%20striping%20XR7.jpg

Pj

[MJB]

Thanks PJ, I'm going to try out the 66" xr7 with a mulching kit. My concern about it is will it scalp easy. I figured if it had the stripe roller on it, that would keep it from scalping. I know it works well on a 60". Also is the 26 hp L/C Kawasaki enough power. I know it is for a 60" not sure about the bigger deck.

[mowerconsultant]

It depends on conditions, but 95% of the time you will be fine with that engine choice.

Pj

[Accu-cut Lawn Care]

I have an xr-7 27/60 Super z with a mulch kit and a striping roller. The performance of the mulch kit is very good in dry, well maintained grass. If you have any 5 acre plus accounts, I would recommend removing the mulch kit... especially if the grass is wet, dewy, or just a little bit tall. The mulching blades are thin, mild, tend to be a little bit streaky, and are not very good at cutting goosegrass or fescue seed heads... I just use the discharge fusion blades with my mulcher. It makes for a grassy ride, but they stay sharper and cut much more smoothly than the mulching blades. As for scalping, if you plan on adding the striping roller, it acts like a very big anti scalping wheel...so don't worry about that. Actually, it pops the deck up almost too much in some situations-especially if it is set on the low side.

[MJB]

Just an update the mulching kit works great. I think it is as good as the Exmark Ultra cut if not better. I still doublecut everything and the clippings disapeared like my Exmark. The 66" deck is a bit large but the scalping issues were minimum. I did not like the power loss climbing but I think I can deal with it. I have 1 more demo before I buy, but the Hustler is at the top of the pile right now. I want to demo a 61" Lastec mulcher just to compare. They are 2500. more than Hustler so it would have to be awesome to justify but I will know soon.