Ariens Zero Turn Lawn Mower Grass Mulching Kit (Zoom 42" Decks)

I purchased an Ariens Zoom 42 from a big box store and the mulch kit from mowers direct. After installing the mulch kit (which requires jacking up the mower and removing the blades - a real pain BTW), I experienced a trail of grass about 2 inches wide trailing from the mower, especially when mowing in a circle (i.e., around trees) . When shopping for the mulch kit, Ariens told me the kit needed an additional part (51522800) which basically are foam block inserts to block the grass leaking through the poorly fitting mulch kit baffle. When I asked Mowers Direct, I was told no additional parts are needed (not true) and the directions they emailed me for installing the mulch kit indicated blade removal was not required (also not true). I have since experimented by stuffing paper towels in the leakage areas and have pretty much stopped the trail of grass. Ariens is sending me the foam kit at no charge, but they tell me I have to remove the mulch kit (a black baffle covering the discharge chute - see photo) which again requires removing the blades (which are torqued to 100 ft-lbs). I have been tempted to just return the mower except that I really love the mower. It has plenty of power, leaves the lawn looking great, is fun to drive and has none of the problems reported about many zero turn mowers.

I purchased an Ariens Zoom 42 from a big box store and the mulch kit from mowers direct. After installing the mulch kit (which requires jacking up the mower and removing the blades - a real pain BTW), I experienced a trail of grass about 2 inches wide trailing from the mower, especially when mowing in a circle (i.e., around trees) . When shopping for the mulch kit, Ariens told me the kit needed an additional part (51522800) which basically are foam block inserts to block the grass leaking through the poorly fitting mulch kit baffle. When I asked Mowers Direct, I was told no additional parts ... more