Simplicity "floating" decks

oakford4 · Feb 28, 2007

After speaking with the dealer, and test riding the Simplicity Conquest, I learned a whole lot more about this tractor in my efforts to decide on what to buy (I have another 'thread' on that). While I simply loved the machine, I do have concerns now about the famous "floating" deck, which uses those rear full-width rollers. About 1/2 of my property is a bumpy, cultivated area which has been hydroseeded. My concern is from many (surely hundreds) of boulder rock fragments (up to 2-4 inches in size) which are just a part of the terrain here. Since the plastic deck rollers literally ride along the ground, how will they hold up to this kind of abuse? I'm wondering if I should be narrowing my focus to a more traditional deck with anti-scalping wheels (assuming the wheels are set correctly and don't normally touch the ground).

Any comments are appreciated.

Hard · Feb 28, 2007

Those Simplicity decks are outstanding for fine, manicured lawns. Puts down some good looking striping.

oakford4 · Mar 1, 2007

Yes, but actually it's the deck which is of less importance to me on the Conquest. I like the Auto Traction Control and Differential Lock, 10-gauge frame, and confort I felt. The deck is a STAMPED (not fabricated) steel, and the back end literally hangs on the ground. I just wonder how those hardened plastic rollers on the back side will hold up to the many rock fragments (again, some of them upwards of 3-4 inches) around the area.

Hard · Mar 1, 2007

oakford4 said:
Yes, but actually it's the deck which is of less importance to me on the Conquest. I like the Auto Traction Control and Differential Lock, 10-gauge frame, and confort I felt. The deck is a STAMPED (not fabricated) steel, and the back end literally hangs on the ground. I just wonder how those hardened plastic rollers on the back side will hold up to the many rock fragments (again, some of them upwards of 3-4 inches) around the area.

Like I said, they're great on well manicured lawns. Is that what you have? Doesn't sound like it. From the description you provided of your yard it sounds like it is very similar to mine. I would not even consider the Simplicity with that kind of deck for my yard. A manicured, smooth lawn it is not.

jdgreg · Mar 1, 2007

Oakford4, I've had my Simplicity Legacy since '99 when I bought it new. Not real sure about the Conquest model, but mine has the full-contact deck with the full-width rollers in the back. Full-contact means the full weight of the deck is on the ground, versus a deck suspended by springs like Kubota (I believe). Maybe I've got it wrong, but that's what I've always been led to believe.

Either way, there are some things I like, and some things I dont like about the Simplicity deck. It really does make a yard look nice. But the full contact deck will leave marks if you happen to pick up a stick, rock, etc. Also if you back up in a soft area, like under trees where there's a lot of moss, the roller tends to push up clumps of moss (but only when backing up). Also being full contact, the deck gets a lot of abuse. The rollers probably need to be replaced every 2-3 yrs.

All in all, I dont regret having it, and wouldnt have a problem buying another one.

LBrown59 · Mar 1, 2007

oakford4 said:
Yes, but actually it's the deck which is of less importance to me on the Conquest. I like the Auto Traction Control and Differential Lock, 10-gauge frame, and confort I felt. The deck is a STAMPED (not fabricated) steel, and the back end literally hangs on the ground. I just wonder how those hardened plastic rollers on the back side will hold up to the many rock fragments (again, some of them upwards of 3-4 inches) around the area.

Judging from the sound of this it looks like you still don't know if you need a lawn tractor or a garden tractor, or you do know you need a garden tractor but are trying to get a lawn tractor to do a garden tractors job.
Like I said earlier you need to decide on one or the other.
All this comparing apples to oranges is serving only to confuse you and distorting the facts.
When I started shopping I knew I wanted a Garden Tractor so I compared only garden tractors when I bought The CC2554 I compared it with New Holland,Toro,John Deer and Simplicity.
All 5 brands were garden tractors not a one of them was a lawn tractor because that would have meant any conclusion I may have reached would have been meaningless.
__________________

oakford4 · Mar 1, 2007

LBrown,

Actually, what I had originally said was that I wanted either a heavy duty lawn tractor OR a light duty garden tractor. It seems to me that my needs fall in this grey area. I had narrowed down my large list to the following:

-Cub GT2554 (garden tractor)
-Deere X304 ( I would call this a light duty garden tractor). Correct me if I'm wrong
-Simplicity Conquest (the manufacturer calls it a "yard tractor", but from several threads I've seen, it's really more like a garden tractor).

So, I think I have narrowed it down. No Cub LTs, Deere LAs, etc., etc.

With regards to my property, I have a mixed bag. About 1/2 of it is "manicured", while the other half is pretty rough stuff. Nice dilemma, huh? I gather from the last Simplicity comment that perhaps I should shy away from Simplicity due to the deck. I noticed it's stamped and not fabricated, too. Seemed like 12 gauge to me....

Baucom · Mar 1, 2007

None of these mowers you're looking at have fabricated decks. Concerning the X340, it is a LT--but pretty heavy duty, while I consider the Conquest to be a GT--while a light duty GT it is still heavier duty than a LT like the X340, and the GT2554 is a good solid GT. Personally, I consider the break between GT's and LT's to be a matter of frame/tire size as well as transmission capacity. Using the most basic visual ID, a mower with 12" rear wheels would generally be viewed as a GT and one with smaller 8-10" rear wheels would be an LT.

You are comparing apples to oranges between the X340 and the Gt2554/Conquest. Considering the rough terrain you describe, I believe that when you put it in action on your land, you would be much happier with the ride of a GT versus an LT. The larger tires and heavier frame of a GT will give a smoother ride and greater durability--all else being equal. To truly compare apples to apples, the X500 should be included in the comparisons. It is an extremely nice mower, with all of the comfort and fit/finish benefits of the X340 in a GT sized machine.

bontai_Joe · Mar 2, 2007

Have you considered picking up the rocks to smooth out the lawn? Not a fun job, but worth the time and effort both in appearance and in reduced wear & tear in your tractor.