Transforming your mowing routine can be as simple as installing a mulch kit. If you've been wondering how to upgrade your Toro 42" TimeCutter for cleaner results and healthier grass, this guide is for you. Whether you’re a seasoned mower owner or just opened your first box, you’ll find the process easier than you think. Let’s break down mulching, what goes into a mulch kit, and walk through the entire installation step by step.

Most lawn mowers, including the 42" TimeCutter, come set up with a side discharge chute. This means as you mow, the grass shoots out the side, spreading clippings across your yard. The side discharge design works well, especially when cutting taller grass. Grass gets pushed out quickly, which can help maintain cut quality and prevent bogging during heavy growth.

But this approach isn’t perfect for every situation:

• Problem: When wind changes, clippings can blow right back at you, fill the air with dust, or even end up in the pool or your neighbor's yard.
• Allergens: Side discharge lifts more pollen and small particles, which can bother allergy sufferers or anyone sensitive to dust.

Mulching gives you an alternative. A mulch kit traps those clippings under the mower deck and keeps them swirling until they’re chopped into tiny pieces. These fine particles then drop back into your grass almost invisibly.

Here are the main advantages of installing a mulch kit :

• Less debris in the air and on your clothes
• Fewer allergens kicked up
• Grass particles feed back into your lawn, delivering precious nutrients
• No unsightly piles of clippings left behind

But mulching isn’t a cure-all. Here are some potential downsides :

• Increased load: The mower must keep cutting and recutting the grass, which puts more strain on the engine.
• Cut quality: On certain days, too much grass inside the deck can interfere with a clean slice, leaving behind a less polished look.

Pros

• Cleaner mowing with less mess
• Boosts soil health by returning nutrients
• Reduces airborne particles and allergens

Cons

• Heavier load on mower, especially in wet or thick grass
• Clean-cut lines sometimes harder to achieve

For most users, the benefits of mulching far outweigh the tradeoffs, especially in suburban yards or allergy-prone households.

If you've decided folks blowing grass into your pool isn’t for you, your next step is picking up the right mulch kit. For the Toro 42" TimeCutter, look for mulch kit part number 137-7042 . This kit fits the current 42-inch TimeCutter deck.

Let’s peek inside the box. Your kit should include:

• Installation instructions: Quick reference on setup
• Tommy knob and recycler decal: Use the knob for fast, tool-free assembly, and the sticker labels your mower as a Recycler (Toro’s name for mulching)
• Discharge chute cover plate: Designed for quick fit, no tools needed, with a built-in kickstand to prop up the discharge chute
• Mulching plate: Attaches under the deck, shaped to fit perfectly with pre-set holes and a handy screw knob
• Mulching blades: Specially designed with an inward “kick” to stir up clippings, helping them get chopped and re-chopped for finer results

Toro has made huge improvements in these new kits. Where older versions required wrenches and a lot of patience (and maybe a few curses), the latest design goes on with little more than a turn of the wrist.

Tip: If you want to see how your lawn will look before you commit, watch for upcoming comparisons mowing with and without the mulch kit.

Getting under your mower deck can feel intimidating but with some simple precautions, you can do this at home safely and quickly.

The presenter in the video uses a “Jungle Jack,” a pro lawn equipment lift. Most people won’t have this in their garage, but you're still set. The Toro TimeCutter is relatively light. You can use a floor jack, jack stand, a sturdy box, or even a spare tire assembly to prop up the mower and access the deck.

Safety tip: If you have any back problems, don’t try to lift the mower on your own. Ask someone for help, even if you’re in a hurry.

Before you put your hands anywhere near the mower blades, follow these steps:

1. Remove the ignition key.
2. Make sure blades are switched off.
3. Detach the spark plug boot. This ensures nothing can start unexpectedly.

Do not skip these steps. Fingers, hands, and eyes deserve all the protection you can give.

If you want extra room, you can unhinge and remove the deck, then flip it upside down on your workbench. But this job is so fast, you likely won’t need to go that far.

• Remove mower key
• Set blades to “off”
• Disconnect spark plug boot
• Securely lift and support mower with a jack, stand, or box
• Double-check everything before reaching under the deck

Now you’re ready to start the install.

Start by swapping out the original blades for the mulching ones. This is the hardest step but still very doable.

• Impact wrench: Makes blade removal a breeze (around $300, not common for homeowners)
• Drill with mini impact (e.g., Dewalt): Might handle the job if you have one
• Large ratchet and socket (5/8 or 16mm): Works for most mower blades
• Block of wood: To wedge between the blade and deck, stopping the blade from spinning as you loosen the bolt

1. Tilt and secure the mower so you can safely access the blades from underneath.
2. Wedge a block of wood between the blade and the mower deck to stabilize it.
3. Loosen and remove the bolt holding each blade. Use your best available tool: an impact wrench will zip it off, but a ratchet and some muscle will work.
4. Take off the original (open deck) blade. Set it aside.
5. Install the new mulching blade. Line up the central hole with the spindle collar—this small collar under the spindle keeps the blade centered.
6. Hold the blade snugly against the collar as you tighten the bolt back down.
7. Double-check blade tightness to avoid wobble or rattling when you mow.

Pro tip: The mulching blade has a unique curve or “kick” at the end. This helps flip clippings back toward the blade for more cuts, instead of just tossing them out the side.

If you’ve never changed blades before, it may take a few fumbles, but you’ll pick it up. This swap will make a noticeable difference in how your mower handles and chops up clippings.

Now it’s time to block off the side discharge internally so the grass stays under the deck for mulching.

• Make sure the plate follows the deck’s shape tightly (no gaps)
• Don’t over-tighten the knob—hand snug is perfect
• If you’re worried about vibration, double-check after your first mow

To keep clippings contained, you need to block the side discharge opening.

Here’s how to mount the cover plate:

1. Align the front lip of the cover with the slot on the deck’s side.
2. Swing the rear of the cover back into place until the rubber bungee hinge lines up with the deck latch.
3. Secure the bungee. This holds the cover plate firmly in position.
4. Set the built-in kickstand if you want to prop up the original chute (helpful if you want to keep it out of the way without removing it completely).

The kickstand adds convenience. You can leave the discharge chute attached but propped up, or you can unbolt it from underneath if you need maximum clearance—useful for tight spaces or crowded tool sheds.

The latest mulch kits are nearly tool-free . You can take the whole kit on or off depending on the season. In midsummer, with heavy rain and thick grass growth, you might prefer to mow with the mulch kit off for quick discharge. In autumn, reinstall it to mulch up fallen leaves for a clean yard and richer soil.

If you’ve never installed a mulch kit, you might expect lots of cursing and scraped knuckles. In reality, Toro’s newest kit for the 42" TimeCutter goes on so easily, anyone can do it. No mechanic magic required. Even first-timers can get it done in around 20 minutes.

Don’t miss out on our future tutorials: we’ve got before-and-after videos showing mowing results with and without the mulch kit. Watch how cut quality changes, see clippings disappear, and decide what suits your lawn best.

Want to shop mulch kits, mower parts, or mowing accessories? Visit the Main Street Mower online store .

Ready to mulch like a pro? Try these steps yourself, share with friends who want a cleaner lawn, and leave your questions or feedback below. Don’t forget to subscribe for more simple, smart solutions for your yard. Happy mowing! 

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