OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames Question about mulching plug and blade.

Hi all,

I just stumbled across this forum and read many of the great topics here, nice place. Thought I would join up and ask one of my own questions and stick around to see if I can help others.

I recently bought a Victa Tornado 300 and it has been great so far. Looking through the rag the other day, I noticed that there is now a Tornado Catch and Mulch which has a similar engine (VS160 on 300, Eco Torque VE50 on the Mulch) at around the same price. So I thought maybe I could enquire about getting a mulching plug and blade to customise my mower.

So, I called my local Mower guy who specialises in Victas. Ask him if I can get hold of the parts and he said a plug would cost 90 bucks and wouldn't tell me the cost of the blade holder/disk, instead saying that it would not be cost effective and pointed me at the Tornado 500. After giving up on my questions I politely looked at the 500 and left.

So does anyone know what costs would be reasonably quoted for a plug that fits the steel, 19 inch victa deck and a mulching blade/disk? Surely it wouldn't be more cost effective to buy a whole new mower instead of getting the parts myself and installing them!?

In any case, the mower I have is only 6 months old and going great.

Thanks for any replies.

Edit: Just another couple of questions for the experts.

i have always turned the fuel tap off on my two strokes, and allowed the engine to die this way, so the carby, etc is clean in storage. In my new Victa manual, it says not to do this, why would they say that?

Lucky last, What type of fuel should I use? I have always used regular unleaded in my mix, but have been told by some at mower shops to use higher octane fuel, meanwhile others on the net have told me higher octane fuel will make my mower run too hot. Which is it?

Sapper,

Usually the mulch and catch mowers are alloy base units and that would make a difference in how it fits as you are saying that your machine is a steel frame.

I would be suggesting that you have a think about making your metal frame mower into a mulch and catch. The reason being is that the frame will rust out near the left side handle bracket (when you are standing behind it).

Grass clippings are very corrosive with metal and to see this you can do a test buy putting a garden fork into a pile of clippings for about a week or two and when you pull it out you will see where it is starting to rust.

I have seen many many Victa's with the frame rusted out around the left handle and this is because people do not clean it out.

Best of luck with your project.

Thanks guys,

I hadn't thought of that aspect. I use my blower primarily to blast out all the grass after mowing, and have noticed that the buildup seems greatest near the rear left bracket. Will have to think this through a bit more.

What is the best way to remove caked on grass under the plate anyway?

Sapper,

You will have to scrap out the grass and then I would be spraying the area with WD40 or something similar in order to try to stop it from rusting. It also should make it easier in future to clean.

Thanks a lot for the tips Bruce.