Riding Mower width clearance issues entering and exiting shed

swmich42 · May 28, 2014

Looking for advice on following: I have shed door width opening of 54". I want to purchase new riding lawn tractor with 48" deck. {instead of 42"}(overall width will be 52" with chute discharge raised) I planned to install wooden guides, for tires, to keep deck centered when entering and exiting the shed. Has anyone experienced/built guides, to keep tractor centered, and avoid impact? (This would be for wife, and myself) Is the 1" clearance on either side acceptable with guides installed? I could also modify bottom of door, to increase clearance to 2.5" on either side.

KennyG · May 28, 2014

I think you've found the perfect excuse to build a new pole barn. :thumbsup:

Seriously, that's pretty tight. If your deck discharge chute is the typical 2 bolt mount, you can remove it, replace the hardware with a couple of bolts and then put the chute back on with couple of large wing nuts or big knurled knobs to maximize the clearance. (Depending on the chute design that may or may not give you more clearance.) I did this with my deck to load it onto my trailer.

swmich42 · May 28, 2014

I can lift the plastic chute and hold/or bungee while entering/exiting the shed. If anyone has experienced this tight fit through doorway, with lawn tractor, I would appreciate thoughts on whether this was a major pain or not too bad.

bcp · May 28, 2014

As long as there are a couple of inches clearance, I find it more of a mental issue than physical. I really have to be paying attention as I go through, not thinking of something else. Get your equipment aligned, not angled, then carefully watch one side and adjust that clearance as you move through. The other side will take care of itself if you do the one side correctly. This works better for me than looking from side to side repeatedly, trying to keep centered.

Bruce

GPintheMitten · May 28, 2014

I had some width clearance issues on an older subcompact with mower. I found that bungie'ing up the discharge shoot to be annoying but it works.

If the shed construction would allow it, I would widen it to get the mower to fit without the need to tie the discharge shoot up.

But if that won't work or you would rather not, then just try it, maybe with just painted marks for the tires and if that didn't work, mount the guides that you have in mind. Then if that fails, you can widen it as much as practical.

swmich42 · May 30, 2014

Thanks for the responses. I did put an order for a X304 last night, however, I am most likely going to revise that order to a X324, based on the fact I can create more clearance for entry/exit, and reading about the X304 vs X324, Mulching, etc. believe the X324 is better choice.

bigtiller · Jun 1, 2014

Have you considered the 300R? It's a rear discharge with a bagger. That would solve the problem because there isn't a chute to raise.

jenkinsph · Jun 1, 2014

bigtiller said:
Have you considered the 304R? It's a rear discharge with a bagger. That would solve the problem because there isn't a chute to raise.

Did not know there was a 304R but the 300R is a rear discharge bagger with blower that does a good job and allows trimming from either side.'

Also thought about the tight door clearance and thought if you will shut your eyes and drive the 4700 in and out a few times you will then be able to fit almost any mower.

bigtiller · Jun 1, 2014

jenkinsph said:
Did not know there was a 304R but the 300R is a rear discharge bagger with blower that does a good job and allows trimming from either side.'

Yep, you're right. I was typing faster than I was thinking.

It's edited now.