JD X300 Mulching Deck Question

[roxer]

I will be purchasing a new 2012 John Deere X300 very shortly and in talking with the JD salesman he suggested I go with the 48" mulching deck. I have a 2 acre lot, flat with very few trees. I have read some articles on line that the JD X300 is somewhat underpowered to use a 48" muching deck and is better suited for the 42" deck. Has anyone had any experience or advice you can pass onto me as to whether I should go ahead and have it equipped with the 48" deck with mulching kit?
Thanks
Roxer

 

[Grass ala Mowed]

Is this a deck with a mulching kit - in other words, you can discharge if you want/need to. My parents had a JD with a mulch only deck and it was worthless. If you took a week off or it rained a lot you had to mow 2-3 times, starting at the highest setting. It had only two blades and they were on the same axis, so it required at $100 toothed timing belt to keep the blades in time. If you pushed the mower, it would break that $100 belt. Look at the deck and the manual, if it's like I describe, you don't want it, regardless of the tractor horsepower.

That being said, unless your grass is unusually tough or thick, a 300 should drive a 48 inch deck.

 

[xp14629]

If it is a 48" deck then it isn't what they call a timed deck. The 48" deck is a wonderful deck with or with out the mulch kit option. If you are into mowing and like the fairway and golf green look, then by all means use the mulch kit. But you will be hard pressed to keep up with the grass requirements if you lead a busy life and sometimes have to go 7-10 days during the mowing season before mowing. In which case I would not spend the extra money on the mulch kit. Instead get a set of what are called high lift blades so that they create more airflow under the deck to help propel the clippings out even under a heavy load. You may also ask if the high capicity deck is offered for the 300.

 

[roxer]

Thanks for the replies back. It is a mulching "kit" the dealer suggested. I do appreciate the info on the high lift blades...wasn't familiar with them so I'll check it out
Thanks again
Roxer