54" versus 60" Deck on BX

[Musclford]

54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

I'm wondering why they would make two decks with in 6" of each other? It's like a 100.00 difference, but would the 54" reduce scalping that much for a yard that is uneven?

I'm thinking the 54" would probably cut better, and I'm mowing with a 44" now that does great, only maybe a 1/2 hour of cut time, so do I really want the 60". Because I'm not mowing a flat field, maneuverability would be the best. Also, I suppose If I put it in the shed and put a roll up door on the shed, finding something bigger than a 60" door could be more costly.

Any thoughts?


Attached is a pic of the yard before the circle drive..

Thanx,

 

[Bob_Young]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

No answers, just another question. Would the 54 be easier to remove and replace?

Beautiful lawn, BTW.

 

[LBrown59]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

<font color="red"> With the 60 incher you can mow closer to ditches because it sticks out farther from the side of the tractor</font>

 

[Renob]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

Fordman,

For many reasons..... Search for the posts.......... Get the 60 incher! You won't be sorry.

 

[AMR]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

I can only offer opinions based on my own experience. I have a BX23 with a 60" mower and bagger and I have had a terrific experience. The cut appears to be as good as anything I have seen, manuverability is terrific, I have tight spots around the house, and it cuts well on compound slopes, this is a photo of what I cut.

Attaching/detaching is a breeze, I can't imagine that any deck could be easier or quicker.

 

[AMR]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

attached is a second photo of what what I have to cut, good luck with whatever you select

 

[rbarker]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but would the 54" reduce scalping that much for a yard that is uneven?)</font>

No, the 60" has a self balancing system that the 54" doesn't to help address scalping.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Because I'm not mowing a flat field, maneuverability would be the best. )</font>

No, actually you can trim closer with the 60 because it sticks further out the side making it easier to manuver the mower in close. Unless you have someplace to mow that a 60" deck won't fit and the 54" will the vast majority here will recommend the 60". It's been discussed at great length over the past few years.

Good luck with whichever you chose and happy tractoring! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Volfandt]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

It's all about which MMM will fit the application. Both are fully suspended 3 blade MMM's. Due to it's larger size and weight the 60" has a self balancing system to help keep it level and to prevent it from gouging when mowing uneven terrain. I guess the 54" doesn't require it.

Since the 60" sticks out further from the tractor, it shortens the turning radius around obstacles and also allows the tractor to sit out further from trees etc when mowing around them.
All these points have been pointed out.

Both give an outstanding cut.

After measureing all around the abode I went with the 60". Since I do have to mow around and under quite a few trees, the 60" has worked out very well for me. Had it been too big I would have had no problem going with the 54".

Volfandt

 

[grandad]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

Sometimes you run into space or clearance considerations that dictate a smaller mowing deck.

For instance, my 10ft. landscape trailer was not wide enough to handle the 60" deck. The 54" just fits and saved me from having to upgrade the entire truck/trailer towing package.

I doubt Kubota was thinking of this when they decided to offer both the 54" and 60" decks, but I'm sure glad they did so.

 

[Musclford]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

Isn't amazing how you can think one way and it really isn't so.

I never thought about the distance it sits away from the tractor. Now that you mention that, it makes perfect sense. I'll be able to cut much closer with the wider deck.

The balance thing doesn't make sense why they would do that for 6" of deck, but they must have their reasons.

I don't think I have anything that I couldn't mow with the 60" that I could with the 54". The shed door is only 48" now...
Dooh!!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
"For instance, my 10ft. landscape trailer was not wide enough to handle the 60" deck. The 54" just fits and saved me from having to upgrade the entire truck/trailer towing package." )</font>

GREAT, never thought of this, now that I want the 60", guess how wide I made my custom trailer for my ATV? Yep, 60".

Ever feel that you can't win? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Now, could you please explain or tell if anyone has used the Fine Cut MMM versus the Standard MMM. The Fine cut only comes in 54" - 10 Gauge, the Standard has 54" or 60", with 10 Gauge - 9 Gauge respectively...

Obviously the 60" standard is the beefier, but once again, because the Mower is my primary usage, has anyone ever bought the Fine cut???

I love this site.. Thanks for the responses, I know alot of these questions are many repeats that other newbies have asked before, but it's always nicer to repost, than search through the thousands of posts...

Thanks everyone!!

 

[Av8r3400]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

From all the posts, the 60" seems to be and adjustment nightmare where the 54" is very simple to level or adjust. Also haveing done both, the 54" is *much* easier to R&R.

Cut is comparable. 60" will of course cut a given area faster, though.

 

[Musclford]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( From all the posts, the 60" seems to be and adjustment nightmare where the 54" is very simple to level or adjust. Also haveing done both, the 54" is *much* easier to R&R.

Cut is comparable. 60" will of course cut a given area faster, though. )</font>

Can anyone confirm if the 2350 is improved on adjusting or R&R ing the deck?

Thanks for the replies

 

[proudestmonkey]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

I'm not sure I get your post. I was reading through the mower deck manual the other night (same manual for all the BX mower decks). The only difference that I can tell in adjusting the 60" from the 54" is the self-balancer, which couldn't be simpler (turning two nuts that hold springs on either side of the balancer bar to ensure they are within spec height of each other). It looks to me like the adjustments between the two are identical in every other respect.

 

[proudestmonkey]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

As to your trailer and shed door width, as described in your other post, only you can decide if that limits your choices. As to the quality of the cut, I went with the 60" for reasons others have stated: wider deck makes cutting around trees, etc. easier, it has a self-balancer that the lesser decks do not have, and it is quite a bit more rugged, and I plan to use it for a long time (and it is alot heavier, which is a drag in a way, but it will help with a lower center of gravity on these hills).

 

[Musclford]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm not sure I get your post. )</font>

Read Av8r3400's post above. I was wondering if the 2350 had any improvements to the older BX's. Sounds like the 60" is kinda difficult to adjust????????

Thanks for your replies

 

[Henro]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

<font color="blue"> Sounds like the 60" is kinda difficult to adjust???????? </font>

I have come to believe that I am always the last to know...but I wonder what adjustment is necessary after initial setup? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Now I know I am a bit simple minded, but it never occured to me to buy anything but the 60" MMM for my BX, since I did not have to be conerned about getting between anything narrow.

Again, no first hand experience, but how much difference can there be between the 54 and 60 inch mowers as far as taking them off and putting them back on?

My impression is that few will argue that the BX will power the larger mower without much issue, even in high grass.

If getting between things is not an issue, then choosing the larger mower almost seems like a "no brainer" to me...

I am quite happy I went with the 60 inch mower myself... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Av8r3400]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

My statement about adjusting is based solely on posts that I have read here. I have never adjusted the 60" deck. I have helped my neighbor R&R his for the past couple years (he has a 72 year old back...) so I can say with first hand knowledge that the 54" goes on and off much easier.

 

[Scrounger]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

I went thru this and had ordered the 54" deck. The dealer didn't have the 54" so I was upgraded to the 60" for the same price. I wont tell the dealer without his OK, but I can tell you that I can trim with the 60" deck very nicely since it hangs out just enough.

Its easier around obstacles and does an excellent job on trails and the lawn.

I would go with the 60" you can't go wrong.

I do wich mowing took more time since I love being on the tractor, but the 60" is really the cats meow in this case.

 

[Scrounger]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

I went thru this and had ordered the 54" deck. The dealer didn't have the 54" so I was upgraded to the 60" for the same price. I wont tell the dealer without his OK, but I can tell you that I can trim with the 60" deck very nicely since it hangs out just enough.

Its easier around obstacles and does an excellent job on trails and the lawn.

I would go with the 60" you can't go wrong.

I do wich mowing took more time since I love being on the tractor, but the 60" is really the cats meow in this case.

 

[JoeG]

Re: 54\" versus 60\" Deck on BX

I do agree that if the 60” works for you then get it. For $100 the only thing that should stop you should be size limitations (not to be glib about finances.)

But… the arguments as to why the 60” is better don’t add up in my mind. How can anyone’s positive experience with a 60” mower justify a conclusion that it is superior to a 54” mower?

Both units are wider than the track of the tractor, we know that. The 6” increase can mean 3” additional inches of clearance on the left (drivers) side if the units are centered under the tractor. That’s a big if. My recollection of these two units is that they are justified along the left side of the tractor equally; that most of the additional 6” is actually on the discharge side of the mower. If that’s true then out the window go the theories about mowing against ditches and better turning radius. Calling all 54” and 60” owners out there, how about providing us measurements from the left 3ph lift attachment bracket to the outside of the mower?

Maybe I’m wrong?