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

 

[phcaan]

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

PV thanks for the comment, in the meantime I found a great deal on a 2011 Husqvarna 27hp, 52" tractor with 38 hours on it. I bought it and it has the fabricated deck. I am pleased the lawn looks like a golf couse.

Phil

 

[PVHIII]

Willow Springs MO?...and your welcome congrats on the new mower and glad your satisfied ..and is that husq a ZT?

 

[phcaan]

Willow Springs MO?...and your welcome congrats on the new mower and glad your satisfied ..and is that husq a ZT?

Yes Willow Springs MO, just up the road from you. No my new mower is not a ZT. A ZT is what I was shopping for but as I was talking to a man who has a landscaping business about different ZTs he said to me "It is too bad you have decided on a ZT, I have a tractor we never use and I will make you a good deal on it." After I had thought it over I decided to go over and have a look at the mower, what could it hurt?
When I arrived I found a 2011 Husqvarna GTH27V52LS mower with 38 hours on it. It was dirty and had some corrosion on it from sitting but other wise seemed in good condition. The man told me he would take $1500 for it. I bought it.
When I cleaned it up, changed the oil, and dressed the blades I found that for all practical purposes I had purchased a brand new mower.
We have a small farm and a house in town we are fixing up (a repo).The farm has about an acre and a half of lawn and the house in town has 3/4 acre. Between the two my 20 year old Craftsman 14hp 35" mower was just taking too much time. The place in town took me just over an hour to cut. With the new mower I did it in 28 minutes and the place looked great.
I guess God just decided I needed a little help.

Phil

 

[djdicetn]

Yes Willow Springs MO, just up the road from you. No my new mower is not a ZT. A ZT is what I was shopping for but as I was talking to a man who has a landscaping business about different ZTs he said to me "It is too bad you have decided on a ZT, I have a tractor we never use and I will make you a good deal on it." After I had thought it over I decided to go over and have a look at the mower, what could it hurt?
When I arrived I found a 2011 Husqvarna GTH27V52LS mower with 38 hours on it. It was dirty and had some corrosion on it from sitting but other wise seemed in good condition. The man told me he would take $1500 for it. I bought it.
When I cleaned it up, changed the oil, and dressed the blades I found that for all practical purposes I had purchased a brand new mower.
We have a small farm and a house in town we are fixing up (a repo).The farm has about an acre and a half of lawn and the house in town has 3/4 acre. Between the two my 20 year old Craftsman 14hp 35" mower was just taking too much time. The place in town took me just over an hour to cut. With the new mower I did it in 28 minutes and the place looked great.
I guess God just decided I needed a little help.

Phil

Well since you didn't buy a ZTR you, you did buy the best lawn tractor for your needs!!! And at $1,500 you got a fantastic deal. If you take good care of the Husqvarna, I think you'll never regret getting it. Firstly, lawn tractors with fabricated decks are rare and I believ that model also comes with the heavy duty cast iron spindles and a hydro tranny with locking differential. Nice tractor and as you have already attested to gives a fine cut. Congrats!!!

 

[busy dad]

I preferred the cut from my Mf 85 , it had a fabricated deck...The newer stamped decks on my mowers dont seem to cut as well..