Ventrac 4500 vs Steiner 440

[John Joseph McVeigh]

I haven't run a rear discharge deck on a ventrac or steiner so I really can't comment from experience. We run side discharge, although I love my Toro 4000d 's mulching decks they are a great safety feature when mowing a golf course that has play..i much prefer the 72 inch deck over the 60, so I'd get the 72 even if it couldn't be ordered in a rear discharge.There is just alot more trimming capabilities, and especially on a ventrac the 72 feels right, the 60 is
too small IMO unless you really can't fit a 72, I'd get the bigger deck.

In my case, the 60-inch deck is the widest that the two strips alongside most of the length of the driveway will accommodate.... and even 60 inches is pushing it unless I clear out a good bit of brush. Also, some areas close to the house would not accommodate a 72-inch mowing deck. Everyone's situation is unique, and for many people, a 72-inch deck would be better.

 

[johara1]

When i had my PT. with a rear discharge it would wind row and leave piles if the grass was a little long or wet. When i got the ventrac they didn't want to sell me a rear discharge for the same reason, now they are all right? they healed or cured the problem? Now i have a 440 coming because of the weak hyd. on the VT. it i hope is a little better and you don't have to add weights to a already heavy machine just to pick up a mower deck. Maybe the little longer machine is why you don't need them……. we will see

 

[Industrial Toys]

Well, I just came home with a used (but nice) 60" Steiner Rear discharge deck (MX 460) to replace my side discharge 60". I do not have a lot invested in this experiment, and look forward to trying this with my 430 MAX Diesel, come cutting season!

I find that the 60" is quite a chunk of equipment hanging on the front of that little Steiner. I can't see going to 72". Many times I can't squeeze that 60" between trees. I also came home with a 48" side discharge, but that is another story. lol

 

[johara1]

I know you can get a rear discharge 60" VT decks, They had them there with 10 hrs on them traded back in for a side discharge. The rear discharge is wider than a side discharge with chute removed??.

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's why I am glad I don't have much money tied up in this experiment. Do the VTs have a rear roller like the Steiner? I have other rear discharge mowers and see how the stuff shoots out rearward. I am having a hard time predicting how this will work with a roller. I mean, ultimately, the same amount of grass ends up on the lawn. My Steiner dealer told me that with the Rear discharge, you have to be on top of your grass cutting and can't let it go too long. But he couldn't really explain why.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

That's why I am glad I don't have much money tied up in this experiment. Do the VTs have a rear roller like the Steiner? I have other rear discharge mowers and see how the stuff shoots out rearward. I am having a hard time predicting how this will work with a roller. I mean, ultimately, the same amount of grass ends up on the lawn. My Steiner dealer told me that with the Rear discharge, you have to be on top of your grass cutting and can't let it go too long. But he couldn't really explain why.

My Ventrac MC600 60-inch rear-discharge mowing deck does have a rear roller bar. I have not yet had the opportunity to mow any grass with it. I will get back to you in a month or so.

JJM

 

[murphy1244]

I was talked out of getting the rear discharge deck as i'm told it would clog up the radiator with grass.

 

[John Joseph McVeigh]

I was talked out of getting the rear discharge deck as i'm told it would clog up the radiator with grass.

I was told that if the protective screen for the radiator is cleaned on a regular basis, I should not have a problem with overheating.

JJM

 

[murphy1244]

I was told that if the protective screen for the radiator is cleaned on a regular basis, I should not have a problem with overheating.

JJM

We shall see what we shall see. I hope your right.

 

[prs]

I have the 84" rear discharge contour deck and each of the 3 sections has the rear roller. I cut light grass with it on its maiden voyage 10 days or so ago, medium-thick fescue with it last weekend, and fairly heavy damp lawn grass today. All work so far at highest setting which is just a tad over 3 1/2" if I recall correctly. No problems, yet. The radiator screen has some clippings on it, but no more prone to that than my CUT with mid mount mower. The Kubota gas engine handles the big mower very well on moderate slopes. The big slopes are too wet now to tackle, but I bet they will tax that engine a lot more. The rear discharge is my first, and so far I see it as a big advantage for avoiding messing sidewalks and drives and avoid tossing black walnuts as if they were grape shot.

prs