52" or 60"

[Big Bri]

So I'm in the market to buy a new ztr. Dealer told me i could jump up to a 60" over the 52" for just $100 more. It Will also get me an extra 2hp. The $100 isn't a big deal when your buying a mower but do i really want such a wide mower. I only cut 2 lots one 2 acre and a 1.5 acre lot. How would the wider deck do on scaling the yard. I'm in cutting with a 44" now. Thanks for any input

 

[KennyG]

General consensus here seems to be that if you have to get through narrow spots, get the small one, otherwise the larger because you can get close to things without running the mower itself into them because of the greater overhang. For most people bigger is better because... it's bigger.

 

[Big Bri]

General consensus here seems to be that if you have to get through narrow spots, get the small one, otherwise the larger because you can get close to things without running the mower itself into them because of the greater overhang. For most people bigger is better because... it's bigger.

Didn't think about the over hang. That should help cut under some bushes i have.

 

[newt92]

From what I have seen, 52" vs 60", not that much more trimming advantages due to the wider stance of the machines with 60" decks (rear tires). You really dont get a big advantage till you get into the 66" to 72" deck size.

But, for $100 more, get the 60" w/the extra hp.

 

[MoKelly]

I would also get the larger deck unless it won't fit on your trailer.

MoKelly

 

[thecowgurl]

$100 seriously? size matters. i would definitely go larger for $100. i would simply remove anything that wouldn't let me pass. time is precious, both on you and the mower.

 

[David P]

It depends upon how level your lawn is. There is a significant difference between the 60" and the 52" when the mowing field is uneven. The 60" will scalp and dig in much more than the 52. Another consideration would be to see if you can purchase the larger engine with the smaller deck.

 

[Cub124]

If it was me I would get the bigger deck.

 

[Birdhunter1]

It depends upon how level your lawn is. There is a significant difference between the 60" and the 52" when the mowing field is uneven. The 60" will scalp and dig in much more than the 52. Another consideration would be to see if you can purchase the larger engine with the smaller deck.

Diddo!

I went from mowing commercially with my dad from a 52" to a 60" and hated the 60" deck for those exact reasons. Could just be the mower itself, but to me it seems like on a hillside one side is in the air while the other is digging to China, doesn't cut as even in rough ground. I'd go for the smaller deck with the bigger engine.

For what it's worth I just bought my own mower as I am not mowing with dad anymore and I went with a 52" front deck Grasshopper. Heaven on earth compared to a mid mount, at least in my opinion).

 

[smstonypoint]

It depends upon how level your lawn is. There is a significant difference between the 60" and the 52" when the mowing field is uneven. The 60" will scalp and dig in much more than the 52. Another consideration would be to see if you can purchase the larger engine with the smaller deck.

I agree with David that deck size makes a difference on lawns that aren't level.

I went from a 42" deck to a 61" deck for mowing the lawn (I use the term loosely) at my farm. That lawn has uneven terrain (swales, etc.) that is spanned by the wider deck, making for an uneven cut.

The results were not unexpected -- I wanted to reduce my mowing time and I am not maniacal about my lawn.


Steve

 

[David P]

Diddo!

I went from mowing commercially with my dad from a 52" to a 60" and hated the 60" deck for those exact reasons. Could just be the mower itself, but to me it seems like on a hillside one side is in the air while the other is digging to China, doesn't cut as even in rough ground. I'd go for the smaller deck with the bigger engine.

For what it's worth I just bought my own mower as I am not mowing with dad anymore and I went with a 52" front deck Grasshopper. Heaven on earth compared to a mid mount, at least in my opinion).

I used to own a lawn care business as well. When one of our mowers was down the dealer would often let us use his demo unit and I can still remember the damage the 60" deck did to a number of the lawns we cared for. I've never run a Grasshopper (used Exmark exclusively which is what I own now; no longer in the business) but I did use an Exmark front-mount machine that was great for larger lawns, really comfortable to ride on. In fact, I would agree, if memory serves it was much more comfortable than my mid-mount. On smaller-sized lawns it was a tad lengthy.

My dad bought a Skag (Tiger?) last year so I dropped by to take it for a spin. The seat and suspension on the seat is much more comfortable than mine, although mine is about 7 years old now and we're comparing mid-grade to top-grade machines.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

It depends upon how level your lawn is. There is a significant difference between the 60" and the 52" when the mowing field is uneven. The 60" will scalp and dig in much more than the 52. Another consideration would be to see if you can purchase the larger engine with the smaller deck.

\

I wish our zero 60" was 52" for the trailer and parking it in the shed. I would live with the missing 6" on the straight aways.

 

[gwjd]

front mount grass hoppers are awsome had a small over heating issue at work but that was an old machine and prolly needed new fluids ....

get electric lift deck if its going to be trailered alot

also 60 in will scalp if its un even ......

if its not its fine

 

[Birdhunter1]

I used to own a lawn care business as well. When one of our mowers was down the dealer would often let us use his demo unit and I can still remember the damage the 60" deck did to a number of the lawns we cared for.

Yeah the first lawn I did with the new 60" mower was my own lawn. The new one is a Gravely Pro turn 160, his last one was a Toro Z 449 with a 52" turboforce deck. I swear I had spent enough hours on that one to drive it blind folded in most of our lawns. Anyway the Gravely is a great mower, it's just that i was so used to the Toro and I haven't spent near the hours on the Gravely.

The Grasshopper I bought is a lightly used model, mainly for my own use at home but if dads Gravely has an issue it will get called into service.

When I picked up my Grasshopper from the dealer he had an Exmark with a 72" deck on it...... talk about a dang monster. Granted I have run larger bushhogs and my hog is a 6', but that thing was BIG. Almost need a GPS guidance system on it.