Newer mid mounter mowers..... smaller guide wheels ?

[Agent Blue]

I have noticed the newer mowers have small plastic rollers in place of the old style larger wheels. Do they serve a better purpose or was it a cost savings move ? To me it just looks like the smaller variety would dig into the ground easier although they are wider. Would like to see the decks raise a bit higher.

 

[XSKIER]

You sing it sister!

Which mid decks are you talking about? D130? AutoConnect 3720 72"er? Or somewhere in between?

By the way, the tractor carries the weight of the deck, the wheels are just to help prevent scalping on rouge bumps.

If you need big wheels on a mower, RFMs come with some pretty large wheels.

 

[Nuru]

I did notice that the mower stand wheel axles are smaller on the newer decks (1" vs 11/4" OD). So I can't use the same size axles on both decks.

 

[Agent Blue]

I have a 60" mmm on a 4110 Deere. I was just curious as to why they changed. I know the hydraulic sets the cutting height. That is why they put the adjustable stop on the linkage control. Its been my experience the large wheels work out better and are greasable. The small ones lack this feature. Besides once they go to this non standard small size only JD parts will carry them. I just bought some wheels that are exactly like my mower wheels for a couple bucks each. I like spare parts at a bargain. They are saving steel as the small wheel mounts are half the size. It all adds up to cost savings ... for the manufacturer, not the consumer.

 

[jenkinsph]

Don't know about your mowers and decks but on my 749 with a 48" deck the larger wheels are very close to the back tires when the deck is raised. I suspect that if the new wheels are wider and smaller diameter that this is the reason for the change.