I acquired an older Toro 21" mower. It's a rear bagger and I'd like to use it as a mulcher. I found some mulching blades, but I think there should also be some sort of plate to cover the shoot for the bag. The flap to the bag closes when the bag is not attached, so I'm not sure it needs a plate or not. At least that was the set-up that my lawn boy needed about 12 years ago.

Anyone know anything about this?

here's the mulching blade I found:
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/gattoro.cfm

 

i have a toro as well, and sometimes i bag but mostly mulch --- there was some sort of plug thing that sat in the flap space you're refering too, but i lost that a while ago- i had the same concerns you do, but the flap seems to be okay by itself. the plug thing may have just been for shipping - i don't see any reference to it in the manual and it works just fine without (-:

 

Good deal. Did you add a mulching blade to yours, or are you using the one that came with your mower? I guess I should just remove the bag and see if it mulches before buying a new blade.

 

i mowed the grass for the first time in my life yesterday at my new house. all i know is that its RED and has 7hp... lol

 

the one i bought has a mulching blade already, but i suspect the one you have will work fine, however --this is a big deal - in order to function properlly and to save your grass some stress, lawnmower blades should be sharpened at least once a year b4 season, if not the blades actually pull the grass from the root some before it cuts so you might want to replace or at least sharpen - new blade ~ 20.00
good luck (-: