New blades for Hustler Sport 48"

I bought my Hustler Sport about 3-4 years ago now and haven't replaced the blades since I got the mower. I have a bunch of tree's in the back yard (about half an acre) and wanted something to mulch most of the leaves in the fall and something that wouldn't leave hug rows of cut grass when I mowed the lawn.

So I picked up three 596-308 blades. What are your thoughts on these blades and is there anything you'd recommend me doing before or after I install them?

For any mulching blade to work you have to close the opening on the deck. Need a mulch cover.

I run mulching blade and side discharge.
So much better then covering the hole.
No clogging and no rows of grass

Carscw said:

I run mulching blade and side discharge.
So much better then covering the hole.
No clogging and no rows of grass

Click to expand...

I do that as well but I don't really consider that mulching unless I plug the hole.