Gonerafting
Silver Member
Agree, I wouldn't even considering taking off the deck without a hard surface, my tractor, came uses with a 62 inch. I'm six feet tall and it is a stretch disconnecting the PTO. Jim
Deck size = Pro's and Con's
- Thread starter JDTank
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Agree, I wouldn't even considering taking off the deck without a hard surface, my tractor, came uses with a 62 inch. I'm six feet tall and it is a stretch disconnecting the PTO. Jim
I have old 425 with 20HP and have no problems turning a yellow 60" deck while cutting up and down a sloping lawn. Only time I need to slow down on driving speed is the first cut of the spring when grass is very long and dense.
Deck is very heavy gauge metal with very sturdy blades. Goes through small branches like a shredder and doesn't stop when skimming over protruding roots. Never bend a blade yet.
Scalping is not really an issue once hydraulic lifts are balanced and deck wheels are set. The 60" deck is very wide and folks have a tendency to walk across the deck when mounting/ dismounting throwing out level after a period of time.
The bigger deck make short order of lawn work. The only time I run into a problem is when I mow a small drain swale in the lawn where cutting deck is wider than swale. I can't pick up the entering or exiting edges as I mow across the swale and I can't effectively drive down the center.
I also find that the larger deck allows me to get around trees and bush rows without getting too close with the tractor.... especially my black berry bushes.
Deck is very heavy gauge metal with very sturdy blades. Goes through small branches like a shredder and doesn't stop when skimming over protruding roots. Never bend a blade yet.
Scalping is not really an issue once hydraulic lifts are balanced and deck wheels are set. The 60" deck is very wide and folks have a tendency to walk across the deck when mounting/ dismounting throwing out level after a period of time.
The bigger deck make short order of lawn work. The only time I run into a problem is when I mow a small drain swale in the lawn where cutting deck is wider than swale. I can't pick up the entering or exiting edges as I mow across the swale and I can't effectively drive down the center.
I also find that the larger deck allows me to get around trees and bush rows without getting too close with the tractor.... especially my black berry bushes.
beenthere
Super Star Member
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- JD_4x2_Gator, JD_4300, JD_425, JD_455 AWS, added JD_455, JD_110, JD_X485(sold)
On a Deere that isn't AWS, connecting and removing the PTO shaft can be much easier if reaching under the rear axle to the front of the tranny. Learned this trick while at the Horicon factory in WI. But alas, I've only had the AWS models.
But I usually lay a piece of corrugated cardboard or carpet piece over the deck and lay on that to reach the PTO connector. For me, beats hooking up a belt.
AndyMA
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- Windham County, Conn
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- Ford 2120 , Kubota MX5200 , Deere X748SE. 1956 Economy Tractor
I've got a Deere X748SE with a 60" Seven Iron and love it. The Seven Iron deck has a very clean welded underside and does not plug up like the yellow decks. Coupled with a Power Flow it basically picks up everything. I think 60 inch is excellent even if you have to cut up close to things as it protrudes a little and allows you to cut close. Couple that with the 24" turning radius of the 748 and I'm not sure I'd ever need to turn more tightly.
AndyMA
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- Ford 2120 , Kubota MX5200 , Deere X748SE. 1956 Economy Tractor
Knock wood, in it's first season I have never had to either flip it over or wash it out. Luck I guess, coupled with how smooth the deck is.
Andy
OP
JDTank
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Well, I think I am sold, it's the 7-iron for me!
You will not regret:thumbsup:
CAgnoli
Silver Member
Yup, 7 Iron for sure. I've got the x748 with 7 Iron and it's amazing. No windrows and the high tip speed helps keep it clean underneath.
As for flipping it over, I'm just a little guy, 5'7" 140 lbs and I have been able to stand it up and prop it on 4x4 posts for regular cleanings no problem. Didn't even herniate a disk
Course now I just use th Bota to pick it up for cleaning.
And as already mentioned wet grass doesn't phase it. I actually mow grass in the rain with it.
That belt sure us expensive though! I had a large snake find his way onto the running mower deck and he got wound up in the belt, shredding the belt and himself in the process. Easiest $106 I have ever spent ;(
Good luck, I know you will love it.
As for flipping it over, I'm just a little guy, 5'7" 140 lbs and I have been able to stand it up and prop it on 4x4 posts for regular cleanings no problem. Didn't even herniate a disk
Course now I just use th Bota to pick it up for cleaning.
And as already mentioned wet grass doesn't phase it. I actually mow grass in the rain with it.
That belt sure us expensive though! I had a large snake find his way onto the running mower deck and he got wound up in the belt, shredding the belt and himself in the process. Easiest $106 I have ever spent ;(
Good luck, I know you will love it.
I have a 60" deck on my 455 - it originally came with a 48" but I swapped up. No bogging problems ever, cut quality is not noticably different from the 48". The biggest advantage is that the larger deck lets you trim much closer to obstacles as it sticks out beyond the tires more. The only downside is the 307 pounds the deck weighs - not easy to horse it around.
My opinion 60" cut is the perfect size cut for almost any yard. All the pro's buy exmarks with 60" deck so I copied the pro's. 72" deck I feel is to big, scalping is an issue and power too. 60" is wnderful for striping and cutting down mowing time to save gas money.