Buying Advice Fine Cut Deck or Standard Deck - BX series??

[Falconjms]

I am looking at both the BX2360 and BX25. I want a MMM and want a mulching deck. The dealer says he never sells a fine cut deck but will order one if I want. How are they different. Do I have to get the fine cut deck if I want mulching?

If this has been discussed then point me to the right thread... I searched and did not find anything.

 

[TroyR57]

How nice is your yard? If its just average, standard MMM should be OK, but if its super duper yard, then fine cut. I have a 54 inch MMM on a BX 23 and as long as blades are sharp looks OK to me. I am thinking about gater blades, but without the baffels, to help cut up leaves.

 

[Falconjms]

Its not a super yard... not yet. May never get to be a super yard.

I bought it last summer and it was a foreclosure... been neglected for at least 2 years.

 

[Haywire]

I've given up on my yard. It's a mess of dandelions, cinquefoil, clover, wild violets, crab grass, you name it. I just cut what grows anymore. I used to try to control it, but it just spreads again from my wife's neglected gardens so I gave up. (hope she doesn't read this LOL)

Ian

 

[TripleR]

Yes, this has been discussed in the past.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/197248-regular-fine-cut-mmm-turf.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/160286-fine-cut-standard-deck.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/153682-bx-owners-anyone-fine-cut.html

 

[kcender]

I just ordered a BX2360 last Thursday with a fine cut deck and mulcher kit.Apparently the deck is a bit deeper than the regular deck which is supposed to create more of a vacuum to pull the grass up.Whether or not it actually makes a difference is yet to be seen.I had a BX25 with a regular deck previously and was very happy with the quality of cut it gave.The fine cut deck was not a lot more money so I thought I would give it a try this time,I don't think the cut quality will be any worse for sure.:2cents:

 

[TripleR]

I had a fine cut, mulching deck on a John Deere 425 and it was really bad to clog up unless the grass was very dry. I mow a lot when the grass is not ideal and spent a lot of time unclogging it.

 

[radioman]

my dealer says fine cut is not sold as often as reg deck. I have the regular cut deck and love it. Its not same as the ride on cheapos mowers where it blows everything to the side, but more of suspends grass more and cuts it more before being ejected.

 

[tshep]

I don't have anything to add for OP except regular 54 (BX23, takes BX22 deck) does just fine...

However, I've been reading on this for a couple of years and confusion reigns!

Looks like there have been, and still now are 54 finish, 54 fine, and 60 finish decks offered. (From various pictures I can tell 54 fine is a 'deeper' deck.) I'll go as far as to guess that the extra depth affects airflow, somehow creates more vacuum, stands the grass taller and thus cuts appear more uniform when the grass falls back into the relaxed position (kinda like the old days at the 'hand and scissors' barber). Now, I'll also guess these mulch kits affect airflow, as the theory seems to be that suspending the grass above the blade allows it more time to be cut over and over. So that leaves me wondering...

Do all 3 mowers offer mulch kits (for sure?)
Wouldn't a mulch kit, if offered, actually move or reduce the fine deck away from 'fine' mode (change the airflow such that the grass suspension is above rather then under the deck?) Kinda seems to me 'fine' and 'mulch' contradict each other both in theory and aesthetics.

Also - since there just might not be enough variables in this mix, how does the bagger fit all these combos - for those seasons when 'mulching' isn't appropiate (like coming home from vacation)? Would one remove all the mulch kit, or just remove a chute plug and hook up as normal?

And my own query - if I made little triangles that stored on my deck could I drive over it too?

 

[Falconjms]

kcender - thanks for your response... now I am curious as to why you went to a BX2360 from a BX25.

 

[kcender]

Falconjms,I found the BX25 a bit small for what I am doing which is levelling some of my property.I traded it for a bigger tractor but I missed the BX for mowing.It is a beautiful tractor for mowing especially for my property which has some steep parts.The Sears tractor that I used last year does not come close to the quality and performance of the BX so the Sears is going and the BX2360 is coming.

 

[Falconjms]

Ahhh - two tractors.. that is a dream for me.

I was thinking of mowing with the BX25... assuming I buy it. I do have some leveling to do on my property which is why I am telling my wife I need a tractor. I don't have very much though so I think this tractor will work just fine. I am planning on R4 tires as it seems a fair number of people mow with those.

 

[OrangeRidge]

The standard deck is totally open underneath , without the
contours . It can therefore cope with longer grass , since the
stalks pop-up quicker . If you use a fine-finish deck , you'll
have to cut it more often because the stalks can't pop-up
before the blades are contacted . I'll post photos in 5 mins.

 

[kcender]

The BX25 is a very nice tractor and will level property but you have to have patience.Any piece of machinery will only work at it's capabilities and with it's size it does take time.As far as mowing,like I said the BX25 is very nice to use.I had purchased two sets of tires and rims,R4's and turf.I tried the R4's for mowing but found they left more marks in my lawn than I liked to see.That is just my experience but I changed over to turfs for mowing even though it was a PITA changing tires back and forth.The cost of the extra set of wheels and tires was not that much when included in the total deal.

 

[TheFlatlander]

The standard deck is totally open underneath , without the
contours . It can therefore cope with longer grass , since the
stalks pop-up quicker . If you use a fine-finish deck , you'll
have to cut it more often because the stalks can't pop-up
before the blades are contacted . I'll post photos in 5 mins.

Great post! That is the best explanation I have seen for as many times as it has been discussed.

 

[Falconjms]

I asked my dealer to put my name on a BX25 today with a 60" MMM.... I go sign papers tomorrow.


kcender - thanks for that experience. I will talk to the dealer about the cost of both sets of tires. I went to visit JD last week and drove a 2305. When I mentioned having both sets they really pushed me not to bother. They said R4 tires would be just fine. I am skeptical. I may see if they will give me a price on them even if I want to buy the turf tires later.

 

[OrangeRidge]

Great post! That is the best explanation I have seen for as many times as it has been discussed.

My immediate neighbour has a fine-finish 48" on his GR2110 , and I had
the similar contour Infinity deck on a T2080 . We both had to close-cut
or double pass over the long grass . I thought the deck was hopeless
and moved to a BX2360 because the Dealer gave me a 96% trade in on
my 22 hour machine. We'd discussed this problem at length , and
therefore I had given it some thought over the months last year .
If I'd bought the JD 300X rather than the T2080 mower ,then I'd probably
still be running that .................

 

[TroyR57]

Those getting a BX 25 with both sets of tires, will like the fact that changing the tires and wheeels is easy with the FEL and BH attached, as you can lift the front first with the FEL, while tractor is free rolling, and then lift the back tires with the out rigers of the BH, and change the tires out. then easly remove both the BH and FEL then mow. I have a BX 23 and do this, with a air tool, its very quick.