semperfi8185 56 #1 Posted April 5, 2014 What is the best running/mowing round hood? Is it the tractor or the deck? The front yard and most the side areflat The rest has an incline due to the walk out basement. Thinking about something like either a 402 or 702 but not focusing on the year, Greg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #2 Posted April 5, 2014 I love my 704 with a 32in deck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Kuhn 1,568 #3 Posted April 5, 2014 753 or 854 are probably the best if you want one for mowing....all the round hood decks are the same. The 753 and 854 are the only round hoods of 63/64 that have electric start kohlers. 63/64 have the best steering of the years, 61 and 62 do not turn very sharp. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,789 #4 Posted April 5, 2014 I mowed an acre and a half for many years with a 604 and 32" deck. Today I searched thru many old decks to find a quiet one. Had to use the parts from about 3 to make a good one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse79 271 #6 Posted April 6, 2014 I have a nice 32" deck (RM324) on my restored 854. It's in good shape, but the face gears are a bit noisy. So like squonk said, try to find a good quiet one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,144 #7 Posted April 6, 2014 Here's a couple awesome 1963... non Kohler powered, round hood mowers here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,165 #9 Posted April 6, 2014 A 702 will do just fine. All around I'd have to agree with the guys that said the 854. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,030 #10 Posted April 6, 2014 Havn't mowed with it yet but I built a round hood from parts, basicly a 753 but has a NEW 8hp in it, it plows and blows snow good, pulls the roller with ease, hope this year to get the 36" deck finished up took about 5 decks to find good parts. Here it is in winter gear 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #11 Posted April 6, 2014 Havn't mowed with it yet but I built a round hood from parts, basicly a 753 but has a NEW 8hp in it, it plows and blows snow good, pulls the roller with ease, hope this year to get the 36" deck finished up took about 5 decks to find good parts. Here it is in winter gear 100_3513.JPG Come on Kelly, your snow is gone ( for now) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498 #12 Posted April 6, 2014 I have a 854, really like it. Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JUSS10 250 #13 Posted April 7, 2014 My dad mows his yard with an 854. It works great. Like everyone has said though, the deck is a bit of a problem. We've gone through 3-4 in the last few years to try and make one that works well. Really wish there was a way to convert these to belt drive or some other kind of drive system. Seeing that the mower blades need to be timed to each other, gear is really the only good way to do it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,651 #14 Posted April 8, 2014 I've been using my 702 with the later style 36" rear discharge geared deck (RM366) for several years - it is better than the 32" (RM326) as it does not leave that little "Mohawk" of uncut grass on the inside of a sharp corner cut. I have not tried either deck on my 854 - I do imagine there is a huge difference in sthe turning radius with the 854's cambered axle. So far, the 854 is dedicated to winter use. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,013 #15 Posted April 9, 2014 I have an 854 and have mowed with it in the past I'd say that would be my choice. ~Duke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prondzy 3,883 #16 Posted April 9, 2014 Any lawn ranger! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
