1991 416 H

[Tonytoro416 1,033]

I have a 1991 416 H. It is a recent purchase. It will be a snow blower tractor for sure and it came with a 36” deck that I do not believe was the correct deck for it.   I would like to put a deck on that belongs. I get mixed reviews online between 42”&48” decks should be on it. Or did they come with both?  Which would you guys recommend from experience? Side discharge or rear ?  Thanks in advance guys 

[Ed Kennell 38,048]

SD or RD ? 

  I don't like the RD on a hydro due to the grass collecting and clogging the cooling fins on the pump.

When the grass is heavy, I like to windrow with the SD and collect it with the sweeper.

 

42 or 48?

The 416 is capable of turning either in normal height grass.    The 48 may tax the 16HP in the heavy tall grass.

I like my 48 when mowing around the pasture fences.  Better to trim under the wire. and I use the 48 later in the summer when the grass is not so heavy.

I like the 42 because there is less scalping on hilly and uneven areas and it does a better job in early spring when the grass is heavy.

 

If I could have only one deck, it would be a 42" SD.

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,036]

There is a file here named D&A.

The D is details about the tractor model.

The A is a list of the attachments for this model year and model.

 

[Handy Don 12,177]

"Correct", since it definitely was compatible with the 416, is more a matter of preference! Lots of folks liked the 36" deck for areas with lots of obstructions since it fit anywhere the tractor could go.

 

I don't have a large area to mow but lots of things to mow around so, personally, I favor RD with an added flap to help direct the discharge downward. At home I use a 36" RD (on an 854). I prefer not having to do any pickup and like having the cuttings and light leaf cover just mulch in as well as being able to cut close on either side of the tractor. For the one or two heavy grass cuts in spring, I'll mow twice--once high and once low.

I also maintain two 42 RDs for family members (one with the flap and one with the Recycler insert) on a 310 and a 312, respectively, and those users are very satisfied.

 

@Ed Kennell's points are valid and worth considering, as the 48" SD lets you "sneak under" rail fences and border shrubbery where the deck sticks out on the left side.

 

Areas of heavy leaves are the only place the regular RDs struggle, they chew leaves down a bit but don't really shred them. Again, I cheat and mow twice then use a blower to move the "excess" leaves into a place for composting.

 

Last point is that RDs are, in my opinion, safer in that I've never had one eject an object like a walnut, pine cone, rock, etc. at high velocity (in part, I'm sure, because of the flaps I've added).

Edited November 19, 2022 by Handy Don

[clueless 2,976]

If my memory serves me and sometimes lately it doesn't, the 1991 416H as with most Wheel Horses after 1970 you had the option as to what size deck you wanted when you bought. You could choose the 36" or 42" rear discharge, the 36", 42", or the 48" side discharge deck. You could also opt for the 37" side discharge but you need to get the smaller front wheels on the tractor. You're 36" deck may have well come with the tractor. I have a 1997 416-8 that I bought from the original owner and he bought the 36" RD for it.

I'm also a big fan of the the rear discharge decks.

Edited November 19, 2022 by clueless

[Lee1977 6,649]

There is very little difference in any of the metric decks after the mid 80's. They changed from a fixed shute to a flip-up added a reinforcing tube around the deck and changed the height adjustment bar. 

The 48" deck is a much better deck then the 42" because the 48"' has a reinforcemunt under the spindle mounts. Wheel Horse garden tractors didn't come with a deck it was extra size to be chosen by the buyer.

As already said above there were a lot of choises.  

Edited November 19, 2022 by Lee1977

[Tonytoro416 1,033]

Guess I didn’t realize the 36 may have came on the 416.  I have a 604 with a 36 RD and it so much smaller then. The 416 just didn’t seem fitting.  Everything you guys said is exactly why I asked.  Thanks 🙏