Buying task · Mulching kits and mulch plugs
Mulching kits and mulch plugs: deck, models and what is in the box
How to choose a riding mower mulching kit or mulch plug: the deck and models its maker lists, what the box holds, how modes switch and what comes off for bagging.
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Short answer
Choose the mulching kit its maker lists for your deck and model, then read what is in the box, because kits with the same deck size hold different parts. Cub Cadet's 19A30055100 for 42-inch decks holds one molded plug and mounting hardware,[1] while its 19A70041GFP for 42-inch decks holds two mulching blades, a mulch baffle, hardware and instructions.[2]
What this topic covers
A mulching kit converts a deck from side discharge or bagging to returning clippings to the lawn. Cub Cadet says mulching kits generally consist of mulching blades and a mulching plug, and advises checking with a parts distributor about a particular kit's contents.[3] Some kits are only a mulch plug; others add blades or a baffle. John Deere's MulchControl kits use a baffle you open and close with a lever. This hub covers which kit fits, what each includes, and how switching modes works.
The decisions, in order
1. A kit listed for your deck and models. Cub Cadet lists its 19A30055100 for Cub Cadet and battery lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers with 42-inch decks, and as compatible with the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 42E XP and Mustang Z42E XP.[1] No model years are given, so check your exact model. John Deere's BUC11529 is a lever-action MulchControl kit for the 42A deck on the Z370R Electric.[4]
2. What is in the box. Plug only, plug and hardware, or blades, baffle and hardware. The two Cub Cadet 42-inch kits above differ on exactly this point.[1][2] John Deere's BUC11053 page describes the baffle but gives no contents list, so do not assume blades are included.[5] A supersession also changes the record: Cub Cadet's 19A30055100 replaces 19A30046100,[1] and the older kit's contents are not stated.
3. How it switches modes. On John Deere's BUC11053 kit for the 42A deck, the MulchControl baffle opens and closes with a lever on top of the deck.[5] John Deere says its MulchControl system still mulches about one third of the material in side-discharge mode.[5] That is the maker's figure, not an independent measurement.
4. What comes off for bagging. John Deere says the rear MulchControl baffle on the S240's 42-inch Accel Deep deck must be removed to install the bagger chute.[6] Read your own manual for the order of parts when you change modes.
Walk-behind plugs. Troy-Bilt's 21-inch hinged mulch plug 687-06029 replaces part numbers 687-02516, 687-02516A, 987-02516 and 987-02516A.[7] Troy-Bilt gives no model list, so match the part number on your old plug, never the deck size.
Every page on mulching kits and plugs
Guides
- Mulch plug vs mulching kit: what each one includes
- John Deere MulchControl kits: 42A deck, S240 and Z370R Electric
- Standard, high-lift and mulching blades
- Oregon Gator G3, G5 and G6 blades
Tools
- Mower model parts finder: the mulching kit and plug part numbers listed by model.
- Deck size blade finder: kits and blades listed by deck width.
Mower models
- Cub Cadet XT1 and XT2 Enduro
- John Deere S240 with 42-inch Accel Deep deck
- John Deere D100 with 42-inch deck
- Toro 22-inch Recycler 21465
Deck sizes
How to choose
- Find the kit number on your model's parts list or maintenance sheet. John Deere's sheet for the D100 with 42-inch deck lists mulching kit AM141033.[8]
- Read the contents line and add any blades the kit leaves out, by the part number listed for your deck.
- Treat "most" as a prompt to check. Cub Cadet lists 19A70041GFP for most CRAFTSMAN, Cub Cadet and Troy-Bilt riding mowers and RZT models with a 42-inch deck from 2015 on.[2]
These approved kits state their deck:
Picks that fit3 products
Choose the Cub Cadet 19A30055100 (one molded plug and hardware, no blades) for a Cub Cadet lawn tractor or zero-turn with a 42-inch deck, or a Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 42E XP or Mustang Z42E XP, and add the mulching blades listed for your deck.
More on choosing
Choose the 19A70041GFP (two mulching blades, a baffle and hardware) only after confirming your 42-inch CRAFTSMAN, Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt or RZT model from 2015 on is covered. Choose the John Deere BUC11053 for a 42A deck; Deere lists no contents. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Choose 19A30055100 for a plug and hardware on a listed 42-inch deck
Cub Cadet 19A30055100 mulching kit for 42 in cutting decks (plug and hardware)
Choose 19A70041GFP for mulching blades and a baffle on a listed 42-inch deck
MTD Genuine Parts 19A70041GFP mulching kit for 42 in cutting decks (blades, baffle and hardware)
MulchControl kit for the John Deere 42A deck
Picks that fit2 products
Choose the CRAFTSMAN CMXGZAMA70041 (two mulching blades, a molded plug and hardware) for a 42-inch riding or zero-turn mower; Cub Cadet lists it among the numbers its 19A70041GFP replaces, so check your model against that list.
More on choosing
Choose the EGO AMP4200 (one plug) only for an EGO 42-inch Z6 zero-turn or the 42-inch T6 tractor TR4204. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
CRAFTSMAN-numbered full kit for 42-inch decks
CRAFTSMAN CMXGZAMA70041 42 in mulching kit (2 mulching blades, molded plug and hardware)
Mulch plug for EGO 42-inch riding mowers
EGO AMP4200 mulch plug for 42 in Z6 zero-turn and T6 riding mowers
Picks that fit4 products
Choose Husqvarna's 531 30 96-41 (mulch plate, mulching blades and hardware) for a 42-inch stamped deck such as the YTH18542, or the 531 30 96-42 for a 48-inch stamped deck such as the YTH24V48; both are for stamped decks only.
More on choosing
Choose Oregon's 95-302 (one 21-inch wavy mulching blade, 5-point star, no plate) for a 42-inch Husqvarna deck that already has its mulch plate, if Oregon lists your old blade number, such as 594892701 or 532134149. Choose the EGO ABP5200 (one plug) only for an EGO 52-inch Z6 zero-turn. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Plate and blade kit for Husqvarna 42-inch stamped decks
Plate and blade kit for Husqvarna 48-inch stamped decks
Mulching blade for 42-inch Husqvarna decks by part number
Oregon 95‑302 21 in mulching blade for 42 in Husqvarna decks
Mulch plug for EGO 52-inch zero-turns
Picks that fit3 products
Choose Cub Cadet's 46-inch kit (19B30005100; two mulching blades, a baffle and hardware) for most 2009-and-later XT1, XT2, Series 1000 and RZT mowers with a 46-inch deck, or the 19A30042100 (three Xtreme mulching blades, a molded plug and hardware) for most 2015 to 2021 XT1, XT2 and RZT mowers with a 54-inch deck.
More on choosing
Choose the John Deere BUC10705 for a 48A deck; Deere lists no contents or years. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Full kit with blades and baffle for Cub Cadet 46-inch decks
Cub Cadet 19B30005100 mulching kit for 46 in cutting decks (2 mulching blades, baffle and hardware)
Xtreme kit with three blades and plug for Cub Cadet 54-inch decks
MulchControl kit for the John Deere 48A deck
John Deere BUC10705 lever-action MulchControl kit for the 48 in Accel Deep (48A) deck
Picks that fit3 products
Choose Husqvarna's 531 30 95-80 (mulch plate, mulching blades and hardware) for a 46-inch stamped deck such as the YTH22V46, or the 531 30 96-43 for a 54-inch stamped deck such as the YTH24V54.
More on choosing
Choose the 591 10 21-01 only for a 54-inch ClearCut deck such as the Z254F or TS 354XD; Husqvarna's page lists no contents for it. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Husqvarna.
Plate and blade kit for Husqvarna 46-inch stamped decks
Husqvarna 531 30 95‑80 mulch kit for 46 in stamped decks (plate, mulching blades and hardware)
Plate and blade kit for Husqvarna 54-inch stamped decks
Husqvarna 531 30 96‑43 mulch kit for 54 in stamped decks (plate, mulching blades and hardware)
Mulch kit for Husqvarna 54-inch ClearCut decks
Picks that fit3 products
Choose the Toro 137-7042 for a 2018-and-later TimeCutter SS or SW with a 42-inch deck; Toro lists no contents, and 2015 to 2017 models take the 131-4182.
More on choosing
Choose the John Deere BM21816 (mulching blades, baffles and a discharge closure) for a 42-inch StarLock deck on Deere's general-fit list, not for a 42A MulchControl deck. Choose Oregon's 92-615 (two 21-3/8-inch Gator G3 blades, 7-point star) for blades only, without Deere's baffles or closure, if Oregon lists your old number, such as GX22151 or GY20850. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Recycler kit for 2018-and-later Toro TimeCutter 42-inch decks
Toro 137‑7042 42 in Recycler kit for TimeCutter SS and SW (2018 and after)
Mulching attachment for John Deere 42-inch StarLock decks
John Deere BM21816 42 in grass mulching attachment (mulching blades, baffles and discharge closure)
Gator mulching blades for John Deere 42-inch decks
Oregon 92‑615 Gator G3 blade set for 42 in John Deere decks, set of 2
Picks that fit2 products
Choose Oregon's D-42-2G (two 21-inch Gator G3 mulching blades, 5-point star) for a 42-inch deck that already has its mulch plate and whose old blades are on Oregon's list, such as the Husqvarna YTH18542, or the 96-370 (22-7/8-inch Gator G3 high-lift mulching blade) for 46-inch decks on its fit guide, such as the YTH21K46.
More on choosing
Both are blades only, with no plate or plug. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Oregon.
Gator mulching blades for 42-inch Husqvarna and Craftsman decks
Oregon D‑42‑2G Gator G3 blade set for 42 in Husqvarna and Craftsman decks, set of 2
Gator mulching blades for 46-inch Husqvarna and Poulan decks
Oregon 96‑370 Gator G3 22‑7/8 in blades for 46 in decks, 2‑pack
Key terms
MulchControl, side discharge, discharge chute, grasscycling, supersession and mulching blade.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- John Deere MulchControl kitsHelps a John Deere owner match a MulchControl or mulching kit number to the deck and machine Deere lists.
- Mulch plug vs mulching kitHelps you tell a plug-only kit from a blades-and-baffle kit and order the one your deck's maker lists.
Comparisons
- Cub Cadet 42-inch mulching kits: 19A30055100 vs 19A70041GFPHelps you choose between Cub Cadet's plug-only 42-inch kit and its blades-and-baffle kit by contents and listed models.
Shortlists
- Mulching kits and plugs that list their deck and modelsHelps you pick a mulching kit listed for your deck and know whether it includes blades, a plug or a baffle before you order.
Common questions
Which Cub Cadet 42-inch mulching kit includes blades?
The 19A70041GFP: Cub Cadet lists two mulching blades, a mulch baffle, mounting hardware and instructions. The 19A30055100 lists one molded plug and mounting hardware. More in Cub Cadet 42-inch mulching kits: 19A30055100 vs 19A70041GFP
Are 19A30055100 and 19A70041GFP interchangeable?
No. They are different items with different contents and different fit lists. Order the one Cub Cadet lists for your model and that matches what your deck's manual calls for. More in Cub Cadet 42-inch mulching kits: 19A30055100 vs 19A70041GFP
What does 19A30055100 replace?
Cub Cadet says it replaces part 19A30046100. That does not tell you the older kit had the same contents. More in Cub Cadet 42-inch mulching kits: 19A30055100 vs 19A70041GFP
Does every mulching kit have blades and a plug?
Not always. Cub Cadet says mulching kits generally consist of mulching blades and a mulching plug, and advises checking a particular kit's contents with a parts distributor. More in Cub Cadet 42-inch mulching kits: 19A30055100 vs 19A70041GFP
Which John Deere mulch kit fits my deck?
The one Deere lists for your deck and machine: BUC11053 for the 42A deck, BUC11529 for the 42A deck on the Z370R Electric, and BUC10705 for the S240's 48-inch deck. Deere's D100 42-inch sheet lists mulching kit AM141033. More in John Deere MulchControl kits
How does MulchControl switch between mulching and discharge?
John Deere says the MulchControl baffle is opened and closed with a lever on top of the deck. Deere also says the system still mulches about one third of the material in side-discharge mode. More in John Deere MulchControl kits
Can I bag with MulchControl installed on an S240?
Not on the 42-inch deck. John Deere says the rear MulchControl baffle on the S240's 42-inch Accel Deep deck must be removed to install the bagger chute. More in John Deere MulchControl kits
Is the Z370R Electric kit the same as BUC11053?
No. They are separate part numbers. Deere lists BUC11529 for the 42A deck on the Z370R Electric and Z370RS Electric zero-turns. More in John Deere MulchControl kits
Questions
Do I need a mulching kit to mulch?
It depends on your mower. Toro says its 21465 Recycler comes from the factory ready to recycle clippings, while riding decks often need a kit listed for them. University of Georgia Extension says you do not need a special mower to grasscycle; that is general guidance, not a statement about any deck.[24][25]
Does a mulching kit include blades?
Only some do. Cub Cadet's 19A30055100 holds one molded plug and mounting hardware, while its 19A70041GFP holds two mulching blades, a mulch baffle, hardware and instructions. Read the contents line of the exact part number.[1][2]
Will a 21-inch mulch plug fit my mower?
Only if it replaces your old plug's part number. Troy-Bilt's 687-06029 hinged plug replaces 687-02516, 687-02516A, 987-02516 and 987-02516A and gives no model list, so the 21-inch size alone proves nothing.[7]
Can I switch between mulching and bagging?
Follow your maker's steps. John Deere says the rear MulchControl baffle on the S240's 42-inch Accel Deep deck must be removed to install the bagger chute.[6]