John Deere X570 and MulchControl: Achieve the Perfect Lawn

For homeowners who demand pristine lawn care, the John Deere X570 lawn tractor stands out as a premium choice. Its robust build and powerful engine are just the beginning. One feature that truly elevates the X570’s versatility and lawn-enhancing capabilities is the optional MulchControl™ system. This innovative technology allows you to switch between mulching, side discharging, and bagging clippings with a simple lever or the touch of a button. Understanding how MulchControl works and its benefits can help you unlock the full potential of your John Deere X570 and achieve a beautifully manicured lawn.

Lever-action MulchControl lever (shown on 48A mower deck)

MulchControl is more than just a convenient feature; it’s a game-changer for lawn health and aesthetics. Mulching, the process of finely chopping grass clippings and returning them to the lawn, offers a wealth of advantages that are perfectly suited to the capabilities of the John Deere X570.

• Enhances Lawn Appearance: Mulching creates a consistently beautiful and professionally manicured lawn. The finely cut clippings disappear into the grass, leaving behind a clean, polished look.
• Natural Lawn Fertilizer: By returning nutrient-rich clippings to the soil, MulchControl acts as a natural fertilizer. This reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, promoting a healthier lawn and saving you money in the long run.
• Eliminates Clippings Mess: Say goodbye to stray grass clippings on your driveway, sidewalks, and flower beds. MulchControl keeps clippings under the mower deck, preventing them from being blown where they shouldn’t be.
• Eco-Friendly Lawn Care: Mulching is an environmentally responsible practice. It reduces the need for fertilizer and eliminates the need to bag and dispose of grass clippings, lessening your environmental footprint.

How John Deere MulchControl Works on Your X570

The MulchControl system on the John Deere X570 is ingeniously designed for ease of use and effectiveness. It consists of an adjustable baffle near the discharge chute and fixed baffles within the mower deck.

MulchControl baffle open (shown on Z300 48A mower deck)

When you want to mulch with your John Deere X570, closing the MulchControl baffle keeps the grass clippings circulating within the deck. The mower blades repeatedly cut the clippings into tiny pieces. These fine particles are then deposited back into the turf, enriching the soil and nourishing your lawn.

MulchControl baffle closed (shown on Z300 48A mower deck)

When side discharging is preferred, or when using a material collection system, opening the MulchControl baffle allows the grass clippings to flow freely out of the discharge chute. This versatility makes the John Deere X570 with MulchControl adaptable to various mowing conditions and preferences.

For John Deere X570 owners, MulchControl is particularly beneficial in several mowing scenarios:

• Switching Between Mulching and Side Discharging: Easily transition to side discharge when grass becomes too tall for effective mulching, then switch back to mulching for regular lawn maintenance.
• Controlling Clippings in Specific Areas: Use side discharge for open areas and close the MulchControl for mulching near flower beds, patios, or driveways to prevent unwanted clippings.
• Managing Multiple Lawn Types: Mulch the main lawn for optimal health and appearance, and side discharge less critical areas if needed.
• Extending Time Between Bag Emptying: When bagging, partial mulching reduces the volume of clippings entering the bag, allowing you to mow longer before emptying.

Electric One-Touch MulchControl: Enhanced Convenience for Your X570

The John Deere X570 offers the option of electric one-touch MulchControl, providing even greater convenience. Instead of a lever, an electric actuator, controlled by a dash-mounted switch, shifts the MulchControl baffle.

Electric one-touch MulchControl switch

This electric system allows you to change between mulching and side discharging modes on-the-go, without stopping the mower. This is incredibly useful in situations like:

• Approaching driveways or flower beds where you want to avoid discharging clippings.
• Dealing with changing wind conditions that blow clippings back towards you.
• Side discharging only the areas where grass is too thick for mulching, and then quickly switching back to mulching.
• When using a bagger, switching modes for areas with different grass thickness.

Electric one-touch MulchControl actuator (shown on 54A mower deck)

MulchControl Considerations for John Deere X570 Owners

It’s important to note that even in side discharge mode, MulchControl still provides a degree of mulching – approximately one-third of the clippings are mulched. While often beneficial for reducing discharged material, this partial mulching can present some limitations:

• Challenging Southern Grasses: Strong southern grasses like Zoysia and Bermuda may be more effectively side-discharged in very thick growth.
• Wet and Heavy Growth: In damp, high-growth conditions, such as those found in the Pacific Northwest, optimum side discharge performance might be desired without any mulching effect.
• Maximum Bagging Efficiency: For absolute lawn cleanup and bagging performance, the partial mulching may slightly reduce the maximum volume that can be bagged.

MulchControl Compatibility and Attachments for the X570

MulchControl is designed as a field-installed attachment for John Deere mowers, including the X570 when equipped with compatible mower decks. It’s crucial to ensure compatibility with your specific John Deere X570 model and mower deck size (typically 48A or 54A Accel Deep™ Mower Decks for the X570).

For lever-action MulchControl on John Deere X500 Series tractors like the X570, compatible attachments include:

For electric one-touch MulchControl options for John Deere X500 Series tractors like the X570:

*NOTE: Model year 2016-2017 X300 and X500 Series Tractors (X300 serial number 10,001-50,000 and X500 serial number 110,001-130,000) may require replacing the tractor wiring harness and dash panel to use an electric MulchControl attachment.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Lawn with John Deere X570 and MulchControl

The John Deere X570, equipped with the versatile MulchControl system, offers homeowners unparalleled control over their lawn care. Whether you choose the lever-action or electric one-touch version, MulchControl empowers you to adapt to changing mowing conditions and achieve a consistently beautiful and healthy lawn. By mulching, side discharging, or bagging as needed, you can maximize the performance of your John Deere X570 and enjoy a truly exceptional lawn mowing experience.