Mower Deck - If you could only keep one

[PWL216 889]

I have 4 wheel horse machines, of which only 1 is dedicated to mowing, and a small collection of mower decks. I started thinking, "if I could only keep one which one would I keep?" 

 

I have a 36" RD, a 42" RD and a 42" SD. I immediately came to the conclusion that I would keep the 36" RD. Why? Because it's less weight, more manageable, takes less storage, gives a great cut and I only mow 1/2 - 3/4 of an acre. 

 

Then I realized I was really thinking only about the convenience factor and not the use-ability or maintenance factors. 

 

I used to have a 48" deck and trying to find a center spindle was nearly impossible, and the weight of it became a factor - so I sold it. And it gave me an appreciation for the issue of parts availability when considering which to keep.

 

For use-ability, the 42" SD would probably make the most sense for me since I'll also be either buying or fabricating a discharge chute to connect to my DR leaf vac. And, it's in 'like new' condition. Yeah, it's heavier, but still manageable.

 

The 42" RD is nice but for what I mow, the difference between it and the 36" RD is just a few more passes across the lawn.

 

So for me, as much as I like and prefer the 36" RD, if I could only keep one, use-ability would trump convince and I would keep the 42" SD. 

 

How about you, what would you keep? And why?

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,515]

Trina and I don't use a mower deck but we'll be setting up for both my parents and some friends. 

 

I'll be interested to see the answers and logic behind them.  

 

The deck for my parents is most likely going to be a 36" RD. 

 

The friends.... Probably a 48" SD. That's open to discussion.  

 

 

 

[ri702bill 8,324]

I only use the 36 " decks, as any bigger makes it way too difficult to get thru a narrow area to cut the front grass.

 

Was it you that sold me a package deal on two C81's a few years ago??? One runs great, the other for parts....

Bill

[PWL216 889]

10 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

I only use the 36 " decks, as any bigger makes it way too difficult to get thru a narrow area to cut the front grass.

 

Was it you that sold me a package deal on two C81's a few years ago??? One runs great, the other for parts....

Bill

No, wasn’t me…

[pfrederi 17,739]

48SD  several acres to mow.  Not so good for  trimming close work but then it is weed wacker time.  Really would hate to give up the 36 RD for that work.

[ri702bill 8,324]

1 minute ago, PWL216 said:

No, wasn’t me…

Someone else that lived in Norton ....

[Ed Kennell 38,178]

I have several 42" SDs and RDs and one 48" SD.             I like the SDs better as they don't throw the grass back and clog the hydro cooling fins .      I like the 48"SD for mowing under the pasture fences.    I can guide the discharge side under the bottom wire and around the post easier than with the smaller decks.    It is more difficult to store and maintain.   

I have had 36" SDs, but never liked them as they were not good for trimming close to buildings, trees, etc.

 

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

 

 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,299]

If it were me, I would keep the 36 inch Rd deck. Several reasons: not as heavy (the older I get weight of decks is a big factor), I can get close to everything 'less time weed whacking. I have a lot of allergies, one being grass and the Rd decks help with that problem. I have one 36SD deck that is used for leaves with my Trac Vac. (got that one from @Ed Kennell)I do have a 42 Rd that is the backup mower (that came from @squonk). You always need a spare deck in case one retires it self when you are halfway thru mowing. (just like tractors).

[PWL216 889]

39 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

  I like the 48"SD for mowing under the pasture fences

That’s an interesting use case Ed. No fences here, just old New England rock walls

[PWL216 889]

13 minutes ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

he older I get weight of decks is a big factor),

Same here. Very important consideration.

[ebinmaine 67,515]

19 minutes ago, PWL216 said:

That’s an interesting use case Ed. No fences here, just old New England rock walls

 

Those are really tough to mow under....... 

[Handy Don 12,232]

Tossing in a vote for the 42 RD.

Extends just a bit past the track of the (8.5”, no spacer) wheels on both sides so you can get close to flower beds, walls, etc, (It won’t go under a post and rail, though).

Gets close on either side which is helpful when you are mowing around a fair number of obstacles.

Cut is wide enough that typically you do not need to overlap the tire path from the previous cutting pass.

Somewhat heavier than a 36 but still pretty narrow (unless you have a known “37 inch passage” that you must get through!)

With a flap on the discharge (we used a piece of 4” vinyl cove), you can keep the clippings very well under control and NONE wind up being sucked in by the engine fan (unless it’s really really dry and windy!)

 

They do poorly at rock chucking.

Edited December 11, 2023 by Handy Don

[kpinnc 12,064]

48SD for me. 42 and smaller make for some difficulty around fences. I have alot of those, and a fair amount to mow. My 60 is the best, but it is bleeping heavy (300lbs).

 

My zero turn is the primary mower anyway, but my Wheel Horses have to do backup work from time to time and in places the Scag won't fit. 

[ebinmaine 67,515]

21 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

 

With a flap on the discharge (we used a piece of 4” vinyl cove), you can keep the clippings very well under control and NONE wind up being sucked in by the engine fan (unless it’s really really dry and windy!)

 

Thanks for bringing that up.  

I was going to address it later for the sake of my parent's C121. 

On their 36"RD I'd add a closer of sorts if possible.  

Our intention is to service the tractor maybe twice a year and clean the transmission as part of that. 

 

 

Any special blades needed?

 

Any reasons NOT to close the rear of a RD deck?

 

 

[Handy Don 12,232]

3 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Any special blades needed?

Any reasons NOT to close the rear of a RD deck?

I used stainless carriage bolts (heads down, flap on top of deck) because the decks we had already had square holes on the trailing edge (why, I don’t know -- never saw any WH literature then mentioned something that would attach there).

We are running stock WH blades with no issues.

The flap doesn’t completely close off the back. We mow at 3 or 3-½ inches, depending on the state of the grass. When the blades are stopped, the flap sags down to maybe 3” off the ground and when clippings are hitting it, it goes up a bit. Important that the flap isn’t so stiff that it can’f flex.

[Lee1977 6,662]

I have two 48 decks and one 42 it doesn't get used much. If I can't get thru with a 48 something need to go. 

[Pullstart 62,894]

I only use one deck generally.  It’s powder coated orange and it’s 52” wide.  It has a super high blade tip speed and works very well!  SCAG

[953 nut 55,246]

One more vote for the 42" Rear Discharge deck. I hate to have grass clippings blow into flower beds or onto the driveway. Also have several blueberry bushes and other plants to mow around so not having to deal with the side discharge chute is an advantage. The rear discharge does a good job of mulching the clippings so a bagger is not an issue.

[clueless 2,993]

I think it all depends on how much grass you have to cut and how many obstacles you have to cut around. Their all great decks I've used them all, but in the long run my for acre and a half of grass with some trees and flower bed my choice is either the 42"rd or the 36"rd. I've use the 36"rd most of the time, for the last 35+ years, well up until I bought a Zero turn .

Edited December 12, 2023 by clueless

[WHX?? 48,816]

52 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

I only use one deck generally.  It’s powder coated orange and it’s 52” wide.  It has a super high blade tip speed and works very well!  SCAG

Well then post it in other brands then... got the same thing in a green yellow thingy but ya don't hear me bragging... 

Actually Kev the C-145 B hood you got me with the 36 RD is the cats meow for me. Got a new set of blades for it and cuts well.

I have three 36 RDs that i am trying to find spindles and blades for.

That said the 70s 36"s are my flavors if a guy can find spindles & blades for them and finger out all the substitutions.

Absolute ultimate is a 48 on a 520. 

All time fav is the 855 you got that is going to @rj35hunter. That was like mowing on a piece of history. 

 

[Beap52 811]

I've had both rear discharge and side.  I liked the rear discharge because I could trim around stuff on both sides and when it windy out, you don't get covered in grass clippings. The one I had seemed to windrow some which I didn't care for but it was great to be able to mow and pull the lawn sweeper to pick up clippings in one pass.  What I like about the side discharge is it scatters the clippings better.   I  now have only a side discharge so I guess that's the one I like. 

[Pullstart 62,894]

27 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Well then post it in other brands then... got the same thing in a green yellow thingy but ya don't hear me bragging... 

 

I wouldn’t brag about a green and yellow either!  I’m proud of my SCAG and glad to have it.  Remember what Mrs. P. Said back in the day… “You go get a new zero turn mower (to keep my big front lawn mowed) and you can have as many Wheel Horses as you want!”

[Razorback 1,035]

If I could keep only one...... I would use today's "new math" and "common core" to come up with the answer that "I" want..... 1+1 = 1 and I get to keep my 36RD AND 42SD!

[leeave96 487]

I’ve got a 42 and 36 inch rear discharge decks.  The 42 RD is a great deck and makes great trimming mower as it sticks out past the wheels a bit more than the 36 RD.  The 36 RD gives a great cut and is handy for going into a basement door (along with the tractor) and between the wheel wells on a compact Nissan truck.  Both are nice when using a grass sweeper, mow and sweep at the same time.

 

I’ve got a 42 inch SD deck, never used it.

 

Have several 48 inch SD decks and really like them, no debris on the hydro/transaxle and I just like to watch the clippings jet out the side while mowing…😎

[kpinnc 12,064]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

 

I wouldn’t brag about a green and yellow either!

 

Beat me to it! 

 

Love my Scag. It gets along fine with my Wheel Horses, and saves wear and tear on them as well!