Fabricated mower deck

[phcaan]

From reading the comments on this and other forums it seems that tractor mowers that have a fabricated deck don't cut the lawn as smooth as the stamped decks do.
I am contemplating the purchase of a zero turn mower and many of them have fabricated decks. Do the fabricated decks on the ZTR's cut smooth?
Thank you in advance for any input.

 

[sox3]

In my opinion they should be no difference as long as blades are sharp and not too fast a speed for the conditions or grass height.
Fabricated decks are much stronger and usually have baffels to direct grass where the stamped decks are lighter and use the deck to help direct the grass flow.
I sold both types, price is the biggest difference.
just my 2 cents

 

[phcaan]

In my opinion they should be no difference as long as blades are sharp and not too fast a speed for the conditions or grass height.
Fabricated decks are much stronger and usually have baffels to direct grass where the stamped decks are lighter and use the deck to help direct the grass flow.
I sold both types, price is the biggest difference.
just my 2 cents

Thank You for your input. I have no experience with the fabricated decks but they look like a better product to me.

 

[RoMad]

I have had both and see no difference caused by the fabricated deck. I currently have a gravely and it cuts as good or better than any mower I have ever had. Here in Fl. every time you mow you sandblast the underside of your deck a little. With all of my stamped deck mowers I would end up welding patches on them where they eventuall wore through. I have been using my Gravely five years now and still no holes in it.
For me, fabricated is the only way to go.

 

[Carl_NH]

Most of the time the fab decks are heavier built, with baffles, and do a fine job at cutting. Most of the stamped decks are lighter gauge steel and are contoured to provide a good air flow and cut.

There are exceptions, like John Deere has big a** stamping presses where they can stamp their 7iron decks (7 gauge steel) .180" and these are rugged decks.

Most of the commercial machines fab decks are 7 or 10 gauge steel, double thickness In some areas, with welded gussets and steel on the edges and sides.

They all cut pretty well.

 

[art]

We sell three brands of mowers at this point and it is interesting as to the differences. The fab decks are great in sandy areas that might have issues from being sand blasted while mowing. Normally you don't need to worry about grass build up with the decks used under that type of conditions. Where we are a deck is normally going to rot out around the spindles from being washed off but not around the spindles leaving wet grass to rot the metal. As far as the mowing quality, wind doesn't do well going around square corners and I've seen stamped decks mow far cleaner then fab decks!

 

[phcaan]

I have had both and see no difference caused by the fabricated deck. I currently have a gravely and it cuts as good or better than any mower I have ever had. Here in Fl. every time you mow you sandblast the underside of your deck a little. With all of my stamped deck mowers I would end up welding patches on them where they eventuall wore through. I have been using my Gravely five years now and still no holes in it.
For me, fabricated is the only way to go.

Thank You RoMad

 

[phcaan]

We sell three brands of mowers at this point and it is interesting as to the differences. The fab decks are great in sandy areas that might have issues from being sand blasted while mowing. Normally you don't need to worry about grass build up with the decks used under that type of conditions. Where we are a deck is normally going to rot out around the spindles from being washed off but not around the spindles leaving wet grass to rot the metal. As far as the mowing quality, wind doesn't do well going around square corners and I've seen stamped decks mow far cleaner then fab decks!

Thanks Art, that sounds reasonable

 

[phcaan]

Most of the time the fab decks are heavier built, with baffles, and do a fine job at cutting. Most of the stamped decks are lighter gauge steel and are contoured to provide a good air flow and cut.

There are exceptions, like John Deere has big a** stamping presses where they can stamp their 7iron decks (7 gauge steel) .180" and these are rugged decks.

Most of the commercial machines fab decks are 7 or 10 gauge steel, double thickness In some areas, with welded gussets and steel on the edges and sides.

They all cut pretty well.

Thank You Carl

 

[PVHIII]

Fabricated decks are much stronger but remember this... a deck is only as strong as what's holding it up... when it comes to zero turn mowers....NEVER BUY A ZERO TURN MOWER WITHOUT A CHAIN HUNG DECK