Comparison 72D Autoconnect weight VS 7-Iron

[robertgalka]

Does anyone know why an autoconnect 72" deck is 345 lb and a 7-Iron is 448 lb? Is it a misprint, or is the autoconnect deck just made out of thinner metal? Also I am finding two different versions of the autoconnect deck. One has larger drive over pads, which I'm assuming is better?

 

[DeereMann]

I believe the "7 iron" is stamped from 7 gauge thick sheet steel, and the autoconnect is the conventional 10 gauge thick sheet steel.

If memory serves, when Deere announced the "7 iron" series mower decks, they were targeted toward commercial customers that put lots of hours on them and their employees don't drive too carefully, or high employee turnover makes for inexperienced drivers. The result being smashing into stout objects such as trees, rocks, posts, etc. 10 gauge can be bent if you run into something stout enough (please don't ask me for proof - too embarrassing! :ashamed

And, generally, commercial shops have more maintenance tools & beefy young men to wrassle mower decks, whereas us aging private owners need all the help we can get - such as autoconnect decks! Which is exactly what I have (60D model). I don't hurry in my mowing anymore as an old fart, so I don't mash the 10 gauge anymore either. It is far more important to me to have autoconnect as both my boys are away at school now.

Hope this helps.....

 

[robertgalka]

Thanks, maybe I am better off finding a 7-Iron for what I do.