[SchroedingersCat]

I am new here. I have a ~1974 CC 1450 that I got when my grandfather when he closed his IH dealership in 1974.

He, and then I, have maintained (not restored) the tractor over the years and she still runs well. BTW, that is recent picture of my son only slightly younger than when a similar picture was taken of me driving the same tractor.

I have a 44A mower deck. It runs fine, but since it is from the pre-mulching era it leaves huge furrows of hay on the lawn. I'd like to modify it to mulch.

I am looking for suppliers/manufacturers of parts for the modification along with recommended parts/numbers. I have seen a (old) post on here about speeding up the 44a (small pulley) but its not clear where the part came from. I see Gator has (though out of stock) the right size blades (15.125"). Most of the new blades have non-slip type arbors -- does it make sense to put new aftermarket spindles with a different arbor on? Which ones fit? Does anyone make a discharge chute blocker or should I just make one?

So recommendations (make and model) for:
Mulching Blades for 44A with existing spindle and arbor?
Hi speed pulley?
Aftermarket spindle with non-slip arbor? Mulching blades for same?
Chute blocker or just build it?
Drive belt (length 78"?, material kevlar?, manufacturer?)

Any other advice?

Thank you for the info...and thank you for all the great info on here.