Converting a Countax IBS deck into a mulcher?

Post by n***@aolbin.com
I'm toying with the idea of trying to convert my Countax IBS cutting
deck into a mulching deck - has anyone here tried it? Countax don't sell
a conversion kit (only for the XRD deck) so I'm thinking of making an
insert to close off the deck exit and return the grass clippings to the
blades. Is it that simple?

I has a similar thing a few years back - can't remember the mower make,
but the mower shop had a big plastic after-market 'bung' arrangement
that was inserted into the grass outlet that did the job perfectly.

A google search on 'countax mulching adapter' produces hits....

On some ride-ons the mulching blades are a different pattern to the
ordinary blades... so you might need to look into that?

n***@aolbin.com

2019-04-22 16:12:19 UTC

Post by n***@aolbin.com
I'm toying with the idea of trying to convert my Countax IBS cutting
deck into a mulching deck - has anyone here tried it? Countax don't
sell a conversion kit (only for the XRD deck) so I'm thinking of
making an insert to close off the deck exit and return the grass
clippings to the blades. Is it that simple?

AFAIK they're all for the "XRD" deck and say they won't fit the IBS deck

Post by Adrian Brentnall
On some ride-ons the mulching blades are a different pattern to the
ordinary blades... so you might need to look into that?

Any idea how mulching blades differ from regular cut/collect blades?

Adrian Brentnall

2019-04-22 16:22:25 UTC

Post by n***@aolbin.com
I'm toying with the idea of trying to convert my Countax IBS cutting
deck into a mulching deck - has anyone here tried it? Countax don't
sell a conversion kit (only for the XRD deck) so I'm thinking of
making an insert to close off the deck exit and return the grass
clippings to the blades. Is it that simple?

AFAIK they're all for the "XRD" deck and say they won't fit the IBS deck

Ah - fine - not my specialist subject....

Post by Adrian Brentnall
On some ride-ons the mulching blades are a different pattern to the
ordinary blades... so you might need to look into that?

Any idea how mulching blades differ from regular cut/collect blades?

It was a few years back, but I think the regular blades were known as
'high-lift' - as they were supposed to have enough 'fan' effect to push
the clippings up the discharge spout...

I do know that they advised me to change the blades when fitting the
'bung' - thinking about it I think that particular ride-on was an
Einhell - but I got the impression that the bung was not an Einhell part
- but something generic that had been made to fit a number of machines..

n***@aolbin.com

2019-04-22 18:32:38 UTC

Post by n***@aolbin.com
I'm toying with the idea of trying to convert my Countax IBS cutting
deck into a mulching deck - has anyone here tried it? Countax don't
sell a conversion kit (only for the XRD deck) so I'm thinking of
making an insert to close off the deck exit and return the grass
clippings to the blades. Is it that simple?

AFAIK they're all for the "XRD" deck and say they won't fit the IBS deck

Ah - fine - not my specialist subject....

:-)

Post by Adrian Brentnall
On some ride-ons the mulching blades are a different pattern to the
ordinary blades... so you might need to look into that?

Any idea how mulching blades differ from regular cut/collect blades?

It was a few years back, but I think the regular blades were known as
'high-lift' - as they were supposed to have enough 'fan' effect to push
the clippings up the discharge spout...
I do know that they advised me to change the blades when fitting the
'bung' - thinking about it I think that particular ride-on was an
Einhell - but I got the impression that the bung was not an Einhell part
- but something generic that had been made to fit a number of machines..

Thanks
From a bit more poking around the web it seems that mulching blades
have an extra "hump" and some have teeth on a turned-up area at the
back, also (perhaps) a longer cutting edge.

Ermin

2019-04-22 15:37:19 UTC

Theoretically Yes - but check whether or not the cutter blades should be
different.

I have a Honda and when the rear discharge chute gets blocked it then
effectively acts as a mulcher but the deck can also get choked quickly if
the grass is long. Some mulcher blades are effectively a double cut
blade to chop the grass much finer than a single edged blade.

I find that just easing the deck up from time to time clears the problem.

--
Ermin

John Rumm

2019-04-22 21:09:13 UTC

My Lawnflite has a bung on a stick to block the exit duct when mulching.
There is no requirement to change the blade or anything else.

(IIRC the Countax ones have brush collection usually, rather than
relying on high airflow to blow the clippings into the bin - so you
probably already have blades more suited to mulching anyway.
--
Cheers,

John.

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n***@aolbin.com

2019-04-22 22:09:05 UTC

Post by John Rumm

Post by n***@aolbin.com
I'm toying with the idea of trying to convert my Countax IBS cutting
deck into a mulching deck - has anyone here tried it? Countax don't
sell a conversion kit (only for the XRD deck) so I'm thinking of
making an insert to close off the deck exit and return the grass
clippings to the blades. Is it that simple?

That's an interesting thought - yes, there's a towed grass collector
that's belt driven from the PTO.

The Natural Philosopher

2019-04-23 10:01:28 UTC

That is how it is done on my John Deere. a simple bit of rubbery extra
deck is held in place by two enormous rubber bands,
.
In fact such a piece might work for you as well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Deere-Original-Equipment-GY00115/dp/B00850L66Y

--
Canada is all right really, though not for the whole weekend.

"Saki"

fred

2020-05-19 07:32:51 UTC

That is how it is done on my John Deere. a simple bit of rubbery extra
deck is held in place by two enormous rubber bands,
.
In fact such a piece might work for you as well.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Deere-Original-Equipment-GY00115/dp/B00850L66Y
--
Canada is all right really, though not for the whole weekend.
"Saki"

We've had mulching desks on Westwoods and currently Husqvarna. I've found none of them very effective. A wet week and the grass grows too long for them to cope so they just leave swathes of grass all over the place.
We use a tow behind lawn sweep to clean up

The Natural Philosopher

2020-05-19 09:14:26 UTC

Post by fred
We use a tow behind lawn sweep to clean up

Ah! I have the same problem - could you point out this solution?

--
A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on
its shoes.

fred

2020-05-19 10:00:58 UTC

Post by fred
We use a tow behind lawn sweep to clean up

Ah! I have the same problem - could you point out this solution?
--
A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on
its shoes.

Very effective. Varipus modwels of this are available. The brush is driven by the wheels of the collector

fred

2020-05-19 10:05:35 UTC

Post by fred

Post by fred
We use a tow behind lawn sweep to clean up

Ah! I have the same problem - could you point out this solution?
--
A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on
its shoes.

http://youtu.be/osIZVegCmeg
http://youtu.be/VyFQko2MPpI
Very effective. Varipus modwels of this are available. The brush is driven by the wheels of the collector

This is the one we have

https://www.titan-pro.co.uk/lawn-sweepers/162/Category.aspx

John Rumm

2020-05-19 12:55:55 UTC

On Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 11:01:31 AM UTC+1, The Natural

Post by n***@aolbin.com
I'm toying with the idea of trying to convert my Countax IBS
cutting deck into a mulching deck - has anyone here tried it?
Countax don't sell a conversion kit (only for the XRD deck) so
I'm thinking of making an insert to close off the deck exit and
return the grass clippings to the blades. Is it that simple?

That is how it is done on my John Deere. a simple bit of rubbery
extra deck is held in place by two enormous rubber bands, . In fact
such a piece might work for you as well.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Deere-Original-Equipment-GY00115/dp/B00850L66Y

Post by The Natural Philosopher
Canada is all right really, though not for the whole weekend.
"Saki"

We've had mulching desks on Westwoods and currently Husqvarna. I've
found none of them very effective. A wet week and the grass grows too
long for them to cope so they just leave swathes of grass all over
the place.

That's a "feature" of mulching in general - unless you cut little and
often, it can't mix and hide all the cut grass into the lawn, and you
end up with visible stuff on the surface. Obviously lots of growth and
it just chokes the mower.

(mulching makes much heavier demands on power from the mower as well -
so more petrol, and vibration etc).

We use a tow behind lawn sweep to clean up

Yup I have to resort to that a few times a year.

I think mine is the 42" Agrifab one. Similar to

http://www.agri-fab.com/Products/Sweepers/42-in-tow-lawn-sweeper.aspx

Works quite well...
--
Cheers,

John.

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Extra

2020-10-07 16:31:35 UTC

Any news about the conversions of countax una deck? I’d like also to try to convert mine and I was thinking that the kit of xrd it’s compatible no

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For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/uk-diy/converting-a-countax-ibs-deck-into-a-mulcher-1357534-.htm

Brian Gaff (Sofa)

2020-10-08 07:29:05 UTC