Very good write up DFB
With regards to the turfmaster variable mulching, I had never heard of it either, my only guess is its a New Zealand feature Victa inherited from Steelfort Lawnmaster (who cast that model).
Victa were also buying and marketing Steelforts twin drive cylinder mower up to the mid 2010's until bushranger began selling them in the late 2010's (and discontinued last year). Bushranger at one point had a hodgepodge of steelfort and unbadged victa mowers.
I regularly use a Masport president 5000 with the 161 iron liner DOV motor and can definitely empathise with the annoyance of a half chute
