Hopefully someone has a solution, but I think that it is a given with this deck. I suppose you could do an experiment and build a baffle that would cover the vents around the spindle and see what that does in respect to keeping the grass down. Hopefully it won't affect the quality of cut. Envision using a thin plastic can lid, sliced through to the center-with an 1 7/8" hole that will fit over the mandrel. If you've not ever been told before, don't use water to clean the grass off.

Air for the top and a plastic putty knife for the under side is the way I do it. Thought about stuffing a piece of toweling around the mandrel but concerened about loss of cooling air to mandrel.

I have the same problem with my Craftsman so you're not alone. I just take the airhose to it once I'm done cutting.

I wouldn't thing cooling is an issue. Most other makes don't have holes through near the spindle. If the toweling made it to the blade, that would be bad.

I looked at a Snapper at a local fair last Friday and there was just enough room for the mandrel to pass thru. Toweling? Not nearly as bad as 20 ft of 1/4 polly or a piece of chicken wire in tall grass and weeds. I will work something out when I have time and see how it goes. For now, no mulching.
Thanks.

I looked at a Snapper at a local fair last Friday and there was just enough room for the mandrel to pass thru. Toweling? Not nearly as bad as 20 ft of 1/4 polly or a piece of chicken wire in tall grass and weeds. I will work something out when I have time and see how it goes. For now, no mulching.
Thanks.