Simplicity "floating" decks

[LBrown59]

1*You are comparing apples to oranges between the X340 and the GT2554 Conquest.
2*Considering the rough terrain you describe, I believe that when you put it in action on your land, you would be much happier with the ride of a GT versus an LT.
3*the X500 should be included in the comparisons.
4*It is an extremely nice mower, with all of the comfort and fit/finish benefits of the X340 in a GT sized machine.
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1*He sure is and his conclusion from doing so is misleading.
2*He says half his property is rough and the other half is well manicured.
There are 2 rite ways to handle this:
1=get a garden tractor for the rough half and a lawn tractor for the smooth half.
2=get a garden tractor and know it will do both halves.
3=get a lawn tractor and hope It will take care of both halves. Wrong way
3*He sure should compare the CC 2254 with the JD x500.
I did it and that's when I found out That I was getting the features of the JD for the price of the CC. The JD was $7000 for the tractor with no mower.
The CC2554 was $3500 and included the 54'' mower deck.
Turning the CC 2554 down at $3700 is forfeiting the sort of features that he would pay about 7000 dollars to get in a JD.
My rule of thumb is never pay more for a lawn tractor than the price of a garden tractor.
The JD and The Conquest he's looking at are lawn tractors priced higher than the
Garden tractor he's comparing them with.
Of the 3 tractors the CC2554 is the only I would purchase for the care of his property.
If he wants a JD or Simplicity that's fine But I would move on up to the Simplicity Prestige or the JD X500

 

[LBrown59]

""Bit of a stretch to say the CC 2500 series is equal to the Deere X500 series ?
I don't think it's a stretch at all. They are certainly more machine than the x300 series

 

[ChuckinNH]

I've used Simplicity mowers on my three acres of "yard" for 20 years now, first on a 12.5 hp ( I had well over 1400 hrs on that one, and still got a good trade in) , and for the last several years a Legacy with a 48" deck. The mowers work well, and leave a nice looking yard, but do have their downsides. Things run over by the mower, branches, loose rocks, apples and loose clumps of dirt tend to become trapped inside the deck by the full length roller, and can be dragged a considerable distance if not removed promptly. Traction, especially backing up on an angle to an incline, or a bumpy incline can be iffy. The full length roller catches on small things, and can stop the tractor. I sometimes need to raise the mower to regain traction. Remember too that you are dragging that full length roller along the ground with all the weight of the deck on it. I love the limited slip on my Legacy, but the extra traction is needed! My case may be more demanding than most, so that needs to be considered too. Results will vary depending on the land you are dealing with. I have had good luck with the tractors, but may try a suspended deck the next time....... Their "turbo collector" is perhaps one of the best available! Simple, and very effective.
Chuck

 

[LBrown59]

I've used Simplicity mowers on my three acres of "yard" for 20 years now, first on a 12.5 hp ( I had well over 1400 hrs on that one, and still got a good trade in) , and for the last several years a Legacy with a 48" deck. The mowers work well, and leave a nice looking yard, but do have their downsides. Things run over by the mower, branches, loose rocks, apples and loose clumps of dirt tend to become trapped inside the deck by the full length roller, and can be dragged a considerable distance if not removed promptly. Traction, especially backing up on an angle to an incline, or a bumpy incline can be iffy. The full length roller catches on small things, and can stop the tractor. I sometimes need to raise the mower to regain traction. Remember too that you are dragging that full length roller along the ground with all the weight of the deck on it. I love the limited slip on my Legacy, but the extra traction is needed! My case may be more demanding than most, so that needs to be considered too. Results will vary depending on the land you are dealing with. I have had good luck with the tractors, but may try a suspended deck the next time....... Their "turbo collector" is perhaps one of the best available! Simple, and very effective.
Chuck

The rear wheels are so close apart on a GT that there's a good chance both wheels will be on a slippery surface in which case a locking differential won't have much effect.

 

[MossRoad]

Yes, but actually it's the deck which is of less importance to me on the Conquest. I like the Auto Traction Control and Differential Lock, 10-gauge frame, and confort I felt. The deck is a STAMPED (not fabricated) steel, and the back end literally hangs on the ground. I just wonder how those hardened plastic rollers on the back side will hold up to the many rock fragments (again, some of them upwards of 3-4 inches) around the area.

The rollers are the least of your concerns. I have a late 60's Simplicity with the original rollers. My concern would not be the rollers at all. My concern would be chucking a 3-4 inch rock fragment 75 or more feet with the blade, wrecking the blades, the spindles, the deck or sending a rock fragment towards property or people.

 

[Barrybud]

I have a Broadmoor that is about 5 years old with the 44" deck. If you clean up the rock situation (which you should do no matter what machine you end up getting) You will have no issues with this deck! My lawn is far from smooth and level though after a cut from the floating deck it really looks like its smooth. Even though its a stamped deck it still stands up to the abuse. As stated before, items caught under the deck do go for a little ride. I have an apple tree and have had apples stay under the deck for 30-50 yards and pops out nicely sliced.

On the plus side for the floating deck, you can pull it of the tractor in 30 seconds (with no tools) which is great when it comes to changing blades or cleaning out the deck. The full roller also make it easy to maneuver the deck after its off. Another plus is the cut quality. You will have one of the nicest looking lawns in the neighborhood.

It you have rough terrain look at some of the heavier Simplicity tractors.

 

[Pompiere]

One thing you can do with a Simplicity on rough ground is raise the mower slightly to take the weight off the rollers, then the deck is suspended like all the others. But, no matter what you buy, 3-4" rocks should be removed so they don't become a missle hazzard or destroy your mower.

 

[mytoys]

I have an old simplicity with a 48" floating deck. The great thing about the deck is that, on my uneven lawn, there is no scalping. I've used other mowers with the wheels and they destroy my lawn. My 2 cents

 

[KentT]

I have an old simplicity with a 48" floating deck. The great thing about the deck is that, on my uneven lawn, there is no scalping. I've used other mowers with the wheels and they destroy my lawn. My 2 cents

Yep, my experience is similar. I won't mow my lawn with anything else... Here's the all-original 1969 model that I mow with:

IMO they're generally known for giving the best cut in the business. My only complaint is that you can't cut higher than about 3.5"...

 

[Baucom]

Kent--that is one great looking machine. What model is it, and how long have you had it?

I have a new MF 2823, and the deck leaves my lawn looking really good. Plus, the full width rollers have me practicing striping the yard in a pattern. The only drawback is that the rollers will sometimes catch a high spot (like bare spots that I patched with sod) when I'm turning and rip out a chunk of sod. Of course, it doesn't do that if I remember to lift the deck a little and take the weight off the rollers.