Update: I ended up buying this mower. It had mulching blades and kit installed when I brought it home. I used it with the mulching implements the first time I cut my 3ish acres with it, and it was just okay. After removing all the mulching stuff and installing "normal" blades, I couldn't be happier with the results. This thing cuts FAST, and doesn't miss a blade of grass. Looking forward of many years of use out of this machine.