john deere gt 245

hillman · Jan 24, 2006

I am narrowing down my purchase to a new (2005) jd gt 245. I am undecided as to which width of mower deck to go with-- 48" or 54". Has anyone used either and have opions? Also, any thoughts on the kawasaki 20 h.p. motor?
Thanks

bontai_Joe · Jan 25, 2006

If your lawn is very flat (even if sloped, just no mogels) with wide spaces between trees and other landscaping features, and all gates and shed doors are wide enough, I'd go with the 54" deck. The 48" deck would be my choice to minimize scalping if the lawn had contours in it.

Dutch445 · Jan 25, 2006

The Kawi's have been rock solid,
very dependable motors.
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

DAP · Jan 25, 2006

I have an LX 288. 18hp Kawa runs and pulls like a bear after 175 hours.

I have the 48C deck. I'm not a small man and wrestling that deck off each spring to clean and lube it is not a helluva lotta fun. I'm thinking the 54" would be near impossible for one man's bare hands.

my dos centavos ...

wolfe1 · Jan 25, 2006

I have the 54C deck on my X485 and the biggest difference between the two decks is the 54C wheels rotate - I can disconnect and push the deck out from under the machine with one hand- The deck is very heavy and the wheels rotating make all the difference in the world- The Kaw engine has a excellent reputation and should serve you very well- you will have a lot more power than you will traction!

fgross335_2210 · Jan 26, 2006

I just traded a 335/54C with 540 hours which has the same air-cooled Kaw motor. My only complaint is fuel economy, 1.5-2 gallons an hour when pulled hard. The motor is very strong, however, just thirsty. Handles the tiller, snowblower and 54C with ease. I would definitely get the bigger deck, only 6" wider and the added width makes it easier to get close to/under trees, etc and the pivot wheels make removal and installation quick and easy.

Boog · Jan 27, 2006

I have a GT235 with the 18HP Briggs and the 48C deck. I had a LT 133 before that with the 38 inch deck and I liked that much better than the 48C. That little 38 inch 2-blade deck had a lot more suction than the 48C and left less grass uncut. So if there is any correlation between size and cut quality, I'd go with the 48C. But maybe it is simply that the 2-blade is better than the 3-blade and in that case the 54 would be no different than the 48. I love my GT235 tractor but am not impressed with the 48C deck. You'll have plenty of power with either one. I use my tractor (minus deck) in the wintertime to haul wagonloads of firewood from the pile to the basement window. I have chains on it and a couple gallons of windshield washer fluid in each of the rear tires and it really goes through the snow pulling about 300lbs of wood & trailer. OK, done rambling.

hillman · Feb 1, 2006

Thank you for your information on your JD mowers.I believe I will go with the Gt 235 and 48 inch deck.I believe that the 20 hp experienced a few problems with the plugs fouling.

fgross335_2210 · Feb 3, 2006

You're correct about the 20HP motor fouling plugs, I had this happen 3-4 times on my 335 over 4 years, usually in late fall or winter. Not sure why this happened, although this motor does tend to load up the lower of the two cylinders with oil if it sits for a long time with if the piston positioned just right. It would then smoke like the devil when first started. I got good at cleaning the plugs with a propane torch, heat'em up, brush'em off and good to go. Still, wasn't something I ever got used to!