Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Riding Mower - Weed Eater vs Yard Machine (MTD), gator mulching blade, gator blade

Question
QUESTION: My residential home has a large enough lawn that my existing push mulching lawn mower is killing me (about 2hrs to cut).  I now in the market for a new Riding Lawnmower.  I know nothing about them besides the fact that they will significantly improve cutting time.

I'm gravitating towards the most affordable units (anything under $1400CDN) so have been eyeing "Weed Eater 13.5-HP / 38" Lawn Tractor" (@ Sears: http://tinyurl.com/alkrdf) and "Yard Machines 13.5 HP / 38" Transmatic Lawn Tractor" (@ Canadian Tires: http://tinyurl.com/c7xqq3).  

1. Can you tell me if the "Weed Eater" tractor is mulch capable or a kit is available.  I can't find any mention?

2. Which would be the better buy, the Weed Eater (@ $1199) or the Yard-Machine/MTD (@ $1299)?

Thanks!!

ANSWER: I'm partial to AYP lawn tractors over MTD.  MTD makes the Yard Machines and AYP/Husqvarna makes the Weedeater.  AYP mowers are easier to work on when it comes to replacing belts.  Other than that, there's not a lot of difference between these two mowers.

I'm not sure about a factory mulching kit being available for either.  I'm not very fond of the kits anyway.  You can just use a good blade and do as well as the mulching decks or kits for these type mowers do.  A commercial mower would be a different story, but for my money, just using some Gator blades on a residential mower would be the way I'd go.

Personally, the Weedeater would be my choice as it's cheaper and easier to replace the belts on.  But the Yard Machine is prettier I think.

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QUESTION: Oh, so its not necessary to purchase the optional mulching kit for the tractor?  The gator mulching blade sounds interesting but what about the side open shoot.  Would i need to build some latch covering to keep the grass blades in?  Or does the gator blade (or standard mulch blade) do a good enough job not requiring the flap?

Thanks for the great info so far!

ANSWER: What kind of grass do you have?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The lawn is a mixture of grass types but to name a few: Fine Fescue, Rye, Kentuky Blue, etc.

Hope that helps a bit/

Answer
With the fine bladed grasses, as long as you're not taking more than an inch or so off per cut and you're not cutting wet grass you shouldn't have a problem out of the grass piling.  Grass clippings are mostly water and will break down very quickly.  Using a good blade that creates a lot of lift will improve the cut quality and help to chop up the clippings further.  Most of the residential mowers don't have the sort of decks you have on commercial mowers and need all the help they can get.

I'm a fan of Gator blades.  I use them and sell them.  I'm not sure what all brands you have locally.  You can go to Stens.com and look at the different blades available or even just a Google search on lawnmower blades should yield good results.