Why does it matter if a stamped mowing deck gets bent ?

[DK35vince]

Depends on who makes the stamped deck and is it a commercial or residential mower. The deck on my JD commercial mower is stamped from a heavy gauge steel, I think it is 7 gauge. Most of the cheap mower decks are stamped with thin 14 and 16 gauge steel.

The John Deere 7 Iron is pretty heavy duty stamped deck (7 gauge), and has a reputation for good quality of cut.
The residential stamped decks I've seen generally look like they were formed out of tin.

The fabricated deck on my commercial zero turn is heavy duty.

 

[mikester]

What is the big deal about a welded deck ?
Stamped is thinner gauge.
Welded is thicker.
If there is a dent, why does it matter?
It is still shielding the grass from flying everywhere.
If there is a dent, just hammer it out.

What is the big deal about a welded deck ?

No big deal at all. If you do a lot of mowing, own a grinder and a MIG welder, have a lot of spare time, like constantly doing repairs to weld cracks and breaks, enjoy the smell of spray paint and burnt grass clippings, then a stamped metal deck is a good cheap alternative to a HD fabricated deck.