54" Vs 60" MMM Deck, Which one again?

Nuru · Mar 22, 2002

54\" Vs 60\" MMM Deck, Which one again?

Getting down to the final week before I buy and I am looking for some last minute advice. The 54" with mulch kit (Tri-cycler), has been offered to me for $1796 including tax. The 60 is $2753, so the cost is now $1000 more for the package. Leaning more towards the 54 due to cost, and I at this time do not know of anything that would justify the additional money. JD and the Dealers are saying that the differences outside of size and the corresponding increase in metal due to the larger size are minimal. I have heard that the 60" is better when you are near stuff, but at 3" wider per side and 7" overall, it does not seem to be that much at all. I welcome the upcoming opinions!

JDIOWA · Mar 22, 2002

Re: 54\" Vs 60\" MMM Deck, Which one again?

Your price on the 60" is several hundred too high. You can have it shipped to your home from a thousand miles away for that price.

Don't waste your time and money with the 54". You'll figure out a way to step up in price. The 54" is a fine deck but not "commercial" grade. The 60" deck is 10 ga. The 54" is 11 ga., just like the JD lawn tractor decks.

The 54" will cut 2 acres per hour straightaway at 4 1/2 MPH. The 60" will cut 2 1/8 acres per hour straightaway at 4 1/2 MPH and will distance itself in shorter time on task if you have any maneuvering to do because of its tighter cutting radius. The 60" will leave a much smaller uncut diameter circle than the 54". The 60" will get you closer to obstacles without scratching up your paint or whacking your face with branches.

Look at them side by side. You'll buy the 60". It weighs 300 lbs. The 54" weighs only 185 lbs. Doesn't that tell you something?

Didn't I read about 75 posts on this topic a few weeks ago? They all said 60" then and they will now also.

CFB

TerryinMD · Mar 23, 2002

Re: 54\" Vs 60\" MMM Deck, Which one again?

Nuru,

The discussion continues.....

$1000, six inches more cutting swath, and 1/8th an acre increase... go with you instinct. The $1k will get you nearly half your FEL. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Not to kick that poor dead horse anymore, the six inches for that kind of money for a home application in my opinion, is just not worth it.

Terry

JohnMiller3 · Mar 23, 2002

Re: 54\" Vs 60\" MMM Deck, Which one again?

...Not to kick that poor dead horse anymore...

Terry...

Is this called coming around "full circle"...? /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I don't know what the difference in retail price is between the two units... but $1000. is kinda steep...

How about a compromise... go with a rear 3-point finish (60")mower like KK for $899... and for a el cheapo 3-pt. dump/carrier... for a few hundred...?

{then when Nuru upgrades his 4100 Turbo... to a say 4300... he can keep his attachments and buy the loader for the 4300...} /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

bigpete · Mar 23, 2002

Re: 54

Hey, Nuru:

I've always recommended the 60" but your situation is frought with anxiety. First, your prices are a little high. 60" MMM for 4100 installed: $2,315 @ W.C. Littleton and Sons, Laurel, Delaware. I thought that W.C.'s price was $150 too $200 high. The 54" price you have is about $125 too high.

If I remember correctly, you don't have a lot of mowing but want to get it done fast. You also have plans for loader work. I'd recommend you get both the 54" mower and the loader in a package deal, finance what isn't left over after your tax bill, and buy your wife a half day at a spa. Have the dealer install both so you can hold someone else accountable for any problems.

I'm sure you'll find a way to appease the CFO and if you don't you'll want the smaller mower anyway so you can spend more time in the seat and less time justifying your purchase in pillow talk or across the kitchen table. You musta' done something right to convince her of the necessity of the 4100 in the first place. From what I'm reading lately your going to have to make a decision pretty soon just to get your TBN buddies off your back. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Good luck,

Pete

Anonymous Poster · Mar 23, 2002

Re: 54

...just to get your TBN buddies off your back...

Pete...

You know how ruthless... we can be... /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Hey... Nuru may fool us all and buy a John Deere 8000 series with loader and the "works" ... just to clam us all up... especially ME...! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

bigpete · Mar 23, 2002

Re: 54

You know how ruthless... we can be... 

Some might just call it "Tough Love" /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Nuru · Mar 23, 2002

Re: 54\" Vs 60\" MMM Deck, Which one again?

JDIOWA, I just was quoted $2100 by the dealer for the 60" with the mulch kit it would end up being $2438.53, so now it starts getting interesting for the 60" . The dealer thought he had a 54" instock but did not, but was willing to go down on the 60 some $200.

Yes the majority of the posts did say get the 60". but at that time I also tough my tax bill would be nill, foolish me. So something is going to happen in the next week or so 54" or 60". I get the funds, the 60" will be acquired, if I don't get enough it will be the 54".

Nuru · Mar 23, 2002

Re: 54\" Vs 60\" MMM Deck, Which one again?

TerryinMD, that was my point exactly until the dealer started dropping his price. Now he say $2100 for the deck, $179 for the Tricycler kit , for a with tax total of $2438.53, so now the cost delta is not so great. So now I got a local price that is lower than the prices I got in other states. So now it is time to reconsider again.

Nuru · Mar 23, 2002

Re: 54\" Vs 60\" MMM Deck, Which one again?

John, I actually thought about a rear mowr but then though with my terrain - some trees, that I would knock the crap outta some of my bushes and bend the mower up on some of the landscaping boulders, so I bailed on it But you know, just for grins, it might work, and it is cheaper 1000 saved for the loader, and it probably will only take 3 or 4 cuts before I stopped scalping my lawn so much, Hmmmmmm might be a deal?