48" vs 60" deck - which is better for a wooded, hilly lot?

[KYKub]

Hello. Recently acquired a G1900 4WS with a 60" deck. I love the tractor--in great shape and runs and operates smooth--but was disappointed in the traction on my wooded, hilly lot. Granted, it was pretty wet when I tried to mow on a warm day after some really cold days (=pretty moist conditions), but, still, the machine just seemed too heavy too pull a fairly steep hill that, by comparison, my Cub Cadet lawn tractor with turf tires pulled pretty well (as long as I leaned just right in and over the seat!).

I mow about 1 acre regularly.

I have loaded tires with fluid. and am ordering new ag tires and hope that helps.

The 60" deck is a monster and I'm wondering if dropping to a 48" deck might make the tractor lighter and a bit more agile. Anyone have any good information on this? I have my eye on a 48" deck I can probably get for $250 or so.

Thanks for your input. Jeff

 

[ruffdog]

Are you mowing with the deck on the ground, pushing through the grass and riding on the wheels or is it up slightly keeping the weight on the tractor?

 

[KYKub]

Hi ruffdog. I was running with the deck on the ground. I think that is the intended procedure. Rollers cut into the ground in several places and slipping tires was a problem. Would it damage the hydraulic system if I constantly run the machine with the hydraulic system "lifting" the deck? (the 60" deck weighs 270 pounds!)

Any opinion as to whether or not the 48" deck might be an improvement?

Thanks again. Jeff

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We have a 60" deck but I would be very happy with a 54" in tight places and to give us a more trailer options. Between 60 vs 48 I would now go with the 48" I expect.

 

[KYKub]

Thanks, Gale. I know what you mean about trailer options - a 60" mower means you need at least 63" clearance, which means anything 5' wide or less won't work. My own solution was to modify (generous description, actually cut the sides off) my own 4' steel trailer to let the deck hang over both sides. Not a job I'm particularly proud of, but it works and I don't plan to trailer often.

4WS makes maneuverability pretty good, even with the 60" deck, but do you think the weight difference with a 48" deck would make any appreciable difference with traction?

Jeff

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Jeff I really do not know but I do not think the weight difference would be a functional factor.

 

[Wolfy]

I like small decks, but rubbing any deck on the ground is going to give you too much drag to overcome.

 

[ruffdog]

Does yours have a spring kit installed? The more weight lifted off the deck would give you more traction. See thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-lawn-garden/234475-g1900-modifying-deck-ground-contact.html

 

[ruffdog]

I believe you can see the spring just in front of the rear tire. see pic:
TractorData.com Kubota G1900 tractor photos information

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I thought the wheels were just to tag on un level places so a not to gouge the lawn? I know with a zero turn they will mess up with the control if they are carrying much weight on the deck wheels.

 

[ruffdog]

The old Yazoo front deck mowers would not hardly move without the springs installed to take the weight off the deck.

 

[KYKub]

Thanks Gale, Wolfy, and ruffdog.

My 60" deck does not have springs installed, but I do see how they could help by taking weight off the deck. I looked at the owner's manual and it looks like something I could probably rig up. I might try that tomorrow.

I might still check into the 48" deck, even if only to have it as a spare.

I appreciate your help! Jeff

 

[KYKub]

My 60" deck does not have springs installed, but I do see how they could help by taking weight off the deck. I looked at the owner's manual and it looks like something I could probably rig up. I might try that tomorrow.

I might still check into the 48" deck, even if only to have it as a spare.

I appreciate your help! Jeff

 

[KYKub]

In case the springs don't work, anybody know whether or not lifting the weight off the rollers while operating regularly would damage the hydraulic system?

 

[tcreeley]

You might consider chains. I used to leave them on my sears gt5000 all of the time when I mowed- too many rough spots and slopes and mud.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I don't think you'll damage the hyd system. It pushes or pulls and then stops and stays but does in time release which lets "stuff" drop. I have a F2680e 2wd that I brought home to hillside lot to see if it would do the job. It would back up any hill with deck dropped (the F decks in front roll on their own wheels in the front). It would not pull the steep hill in front of my house unless I lifted the front wheels just slightly off the ground and let the entire weight of a 72" deck ride on the hyd arms/system which gave me no concern of damage. The wheels are trying to dig into the ground when going/starting up hill until the machine/deck reaches a level plane so great traction/torque/hp is needed when plowing/grading with wheels like that.
I'd lift the wheels off the ground and not be one bit concerned about damaging the hyd system myself.:2cents:

 

[boggen]

*scratching head* 11/25/2014 and mowing?!

TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors = gives basic specs of most tractors out there. you might want to check ground speed (MPH), over all weight, overall HP of engine.

the wider path you cut the more HP that is required to keep the blades spinning. 48" vs 60" that 12 inches does require a bit more HP, more so to get all the grass from one side to the other side of the deck and blow it out.

the other issue, is type of blades you have on the deck. mulching blades for example, cuts the grass multi times, before blowing it out = more HP. a straight blade (no curve/twists in blade itself) will require less HP to turn the blades and keep them spinning, due to once maybe a couple times the grass gets cut before being blown out.

are you trying to drive to fast? to high of a gear? i hate switching vehicles / tractors. when i have to pay attention to speed limits. one vehicle it seems like i am doing 55mph, in another vehicle it seems like i am doing 70 mph, and in another vehicle 45mph. same thing with tractors there be a difference of how fast you feel you are going.

 

[KYKub]

Thanks for the good responses. Ryan, you're right, the lawn sure doesn't need mowing in late November! I've just recently acquired the G1900 and have been testing it out. My issue wasn't lack of power, the tractor has power to spare; my concern was traction and the deck wheels cutting into the turf in turns and on uneven ground.

tcreely: I did try chains. They sure provided great traction, but damaged the turf. Ag tires, however, seemed to work very well for my needs. Great traction. Got the rears from my local tire store and got lucky and bought the front tires at an equipment auction for $30.

John Thomas: thanks for the advice about using the hydraulic lifters to support some of the weight of the deck. I'll give that a go next spring. I have the plow installed now and am waiting for snow!

My wife thinks I'm crazy for buying such an old machine, but I love it! Here's a pic.

Jeff

 

[dragoneggs]

Thanks for the good responses. Ryan, you're right, the lawn sure doesn't need mowing in late November! I've just recently acquired the G1900 and have been testing it out. My issue wasn't lack of power, the tractor has power to spare; my concern was traction and the deck wheels cutting into the turf in turns and on uneven ground. tcreely: I did try chains. They sure provided great traction, but damaged the turf. Ag tires, however, seemed to work very well for my needs. Great traction. Got the rears from my local tire store and got lucky and bought the front tires at an equipment auction for $30. John Thomas: thanks for the advice about using the hydraulic lifters to support some of the weight of the deck. I'll give that a go next spring. I have the plow installed now and am waiting for snow! My wife thinks I'm crazy for buying such an old machine, but I love it! Here's a pic. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/kubota-lawn-garden/401110-48-vs-60-deck-better-kubota-g1900-jpg"/> Jeff

Looking good!