yup, do it every year... I leave the deck a bit high and cruise on through the leaves, it doesn't get rid of them completely but the take up a fraction of what the would if they were uncut. I don't have the mulching blades and I usually leave the grass on the long side for the winter months. using a zero turn mower Huskvarna R1936 (??)I think if I blocked off the output chute it may chew them up completely but haven't tried that yet.