54 inch or 60 inch MMM on a BX23S

[QCTEXAS]

Just about ready to pull the trigger on a BX23S. Was planning on adding the 60 inch MMM (Not the easy-over). But I got to wondering why would someone opt for the 54 inch instead?

Narrower would make it easier to maneuver around trees and such I would think. And make it a little easier to store. But neither of those are going to be things I really have to worry about.

Is there anything about the 54 inch deck that differs from the 60 inch other than size?

Thanks

Martin

 

[85Hokie]

Martin,

this will hurt your brain - the 60" will actually turn a tighter radius.

Let me explain = lets say the BX can turn a 7.5 foot radius ...... which is spot on.

SINCE you have 3 more inches on the 60 inch on the inside turn - it will actually cut a tighter than the 54"

Now the shorter deck will get between trees better!

 

[Missouribound]

Keep in mind that the bigger the mower the more likely it will scalp on uneven ground.
When I bought my B2320 I opted for a PTO finish mower behind the tractor.
No more grass in my face when cutting on windy days as the finish mower is a rear discharge 8' behind me.
The added feature is that there are no lumps or rows of grass to deal with.
The entire back end of the mower is the discharge area.
I know that this doesn't answer the question you asked....just offering a different choice if you haven't committed to a MMM yet.

 

[imnukensc]

Keep in mind that the bigger the mower the more likely it will scalp on uneven ground.
When I bought my B2320 I opted for a PTO finish mower behind the tractor.
No more grass in my face when cutting on windy days as the finish mower is a rear discharge 8' behind me.
The added feature is that there are no lumps or rows of grass to deal with.
The entire back end of the mower is the discharge area.
I know that this doesn't answer the question you asked....just offering a different choice if you haven't committed to a MMM yet.

He'd have to remove the backhoe to use a 3 pt finish mower.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Welcome aboard Martin, your going to love the new BX23S.

Couple of disclaimers before I offer my opinion. A 60" is not an option for my BX1880 and I do not and can not fit a backhoe to it. I mow about 2 acres and need to maneuver in some tight spaces around the house. I'm extremely happy with the 54" deck. That said...

Cost??? I'm sure your could save a few bucks getting the smaller MMM. But that depends on how much acreage you're mowing and how you value your time. A 60" will reduce your mowing time. But a couple $$ to throw at another attachment may be a thought.

If your land is hilly and your thinking of wheel spacers you may be limited in how wide of a spacer you can get before you run into tires rubbing on the deck of a 60". This depends on the type of tire you get also, turf tires are not as much as a problem.

Following up on tire size I recall an issue with some tires with aggressive treads rubbing the front left tire on the deck while turning hard to the left using a 60" MMM. Others here on OTT will tell me if I'm full of BS if I'm wrong, and that's a good thing.

Depending on the type of ground you have and how much maneuvering you'll be doing I can't imagine mowing with the BH on the tractor, especially if you take off the FEL. JM2C

 

[John T]

Just about ready to pull the trigger on a BX23S. Was planning on adding the 60 inch MMM (Not the easy-over).

I've been happy with my 60" MMM since I bought the tractor in 2017

I just put it back on this week..... aligning the driveshaft is fun...

The only issues were my own doing.... broke off one of the mounts that hold the anti-scalp wheels.... had to weld that back on....

I vaguely remember losing a blade bolt... but luckily found it.... (I now use an impact to put the blades back on)

Oh yeah... and catching the corner of a plastic tarp and sucking the whole damn thing up.... took me an hour to get it out...

Keep it lubed up and the blades sharp you should enjoy it... and keep the RPM's high when cutting.... it's a biggun...

I took all the plastic covers off the spindles and the belts.....
it makes blowing or hosing the clippings out easier...

also hated that plastic discharge flapper.... Yes, you can hold it back with a bungee but then you end up tripping over it... I just removed it....

just need to make sure you don't cut yer feets off when you get off the machine...

seat safetys disconnected..... I grew up in the 70's safety devices do not apply to me.

 

[John T]

Also, as mentioned..... you want to remove the loader and BH when you use the MMM

I reckon you COULD leave it on but it will be cumbersome not to mention heavy on the turf.

The first time(s) taking off the loader, Go easy..... and pay attention .... there is a learning curve....
and things can go south real quick....

but once you learn it... it's cake.

I take mine off weekly to cut and it's less than 5 min for both.

 

[John T]

OK last one.....

when I bought mine I got the turf tires..... thinking the R4 tires would mess up the lawn....

Well, I recently got a good deal on a set of R4 tars... and I don't notice a lick of difference on the lawn..... and they work much better if you get into mud or soupy stuff if you are doing other work with the tractor...

 

[Grandad4]

I had the 54" deck with my BX for only one reason: my trailer wasn't wide enough to take the 60" one. Otherwise, the 60" would have been fine. Easily enough power for either size, as noted, the wider deck would have given a smaller cutting radius.

 

[Old Machinist]

I have the RC72-30BB on my LX3310. The wider mower actually allows you to get closer to trees but I don't push it with the cab glass in mind. I have a JD F725 front mount mower for trimming duties.

I have my mirrors reversed and facing the windshield because they kept getting closed against the doors from branches. I put a piece of PVC conduit across attached to the mirror mount pivots so they won't come in contact with the glass. They are still somewhat functional looking at them through the windshield but I also have a rear view camera.

I just commented to the wife this mower is the cleanest cutting mower I have ever owned. It cuts a clean path in one pass wide open in the mid range. The only time it scalps is if you drive it over a hump or sharp radius hill and I don't know of a mower that won't scalp in that scenario.

I was doing some first mowing with it yesterday with the deflector shoot raised and noticed it throws the mowed material further away and doesn't leave a trail like a mower does with the deflector shoot down.

 

[Speed25]

I originally was planning on getting the 54" for my BX25D since I have some small humps here and there in the lawn, but after more reading, I learned that the mounts for the 60" deck are different than the 54" deck and actually provide more articulation independent of the mower. I ended up opting for the 60" deck for that reason alone. Very pleased with the cut quality, and even the professional lawn guy across the street has been impressed with the cut, despite it being slower than his zero-turns. No scalping issues at all, but I keep the mower maxed out at the 4 setting for the health of grass.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Welcome aboard Martin, your going to love the new BX23S.

Couple of disclaimers before I offer my opinion. A 60" is not an option for my BX1880 and I do not and can not fit a backhoe to it. I mow about 2 acres and need to maneuver in some tight spaces around the house. I'm extremely happy with the 54" deck. That said...

Cost??? I'm sure your could save a few bucks getting the smaller MMM. But that depends on how much acreage you're mowing and how you value your time. A 60" will reduce your mowing time. But a couple $$ to throw at another attachment may be a thought.

If your land is hilly and your thinking of wheel spacers you may be limited in how wide of a spacer you can get before you run into tires rubbing on the deck of a 60". This depends on the type of tire you get also, turf tires are not as much as a problem.

Following up on tire size I recall an issue with some tires with aggressive treads rubbing the front left tire on the deck while turning hard to the left using a 60" MMM. Others here on OTT will tell me if I'm full of BS if I'm wrong, and that's a good thing.

Depending on the type of ground you have and how much maneuvering you'll be doing I can't imagine mowing with the BH on the tractor, especially if you take off the FEL. JM2C

When I bought my 1880 2 years ago, I had the option between the 54 and 60 inch mower. Went with the 54 to reduce cost and I have some tight places a 60 would be a PITA.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Also, as mentioned..... you want to remove the loader and BH when you use the MMM

I reckon you COULD leave it on but it will be cumbersome not to mention heavy on the turf.

The first time(s) taking off the loader, Go easy..... and pay attention .... there is a learning curve....
and things can go south real quick....

but once you learn it... it's cake.

I take mine off weekly to cut and it's less than 5 min for both.

I have yet removed my loader since I bought it 2 years ago. Just remove the bucket, and watch your tight areas. May try it this year.

 

[QCTEXAS]

I originally was planning on getting the 54" for my BX25D since I have some small humps here and there in the lawn, but after more reading, I learned that the mounts for the 60" deck are different than the 54" deck and actually provide more articulation independent of the mower. I ended up opting for the 60" deck for that reason alone. Very pleased with the cut quality, and even the professional lawn guy across the street has been impressed with the cut, despite it being slower than his zero-turns. No scalping issues at all, but I keep the mower maxed out at the 4 setting for the health of grass.

After reading this I found this video from Messicks where he shows the differences between the two decks. I can see than the 60 would potentially provide a better cut.

Martin

 

[Simplemike]

I have the 60" on my BX2380 and love it. It's amazing how well it trims and if the anti-scalp wheels are set correctly, I have no issues with it scalping. The mower is offset to the left which helps a lot.

 

[Henro]

I have the 60" on my BX2380 and love it. It's amazing how well it trims and if the anti-scalp wheels are set correctly, I have no issues with it scalping. The mower is offset to the left which helps a lot.

This is something I learned after probably 15 years of not worrying about the anti scalp wheels. AMAZING difference when you set them properly. Of course they can only be set properly for one deck height setting...or so it seems to me.

 

[Sidekick]

I have the 60 inch on my BX, never gave a perfect cut. A fellow down the road used to have a 54 inch fine cut pro deck on his BX. What a beautiful cut that deck gave. I think it was a welded up deck with different gears and suspension and my 60 is stamped. Not sure if they still make it, but that is a definitely good reason to go 54 inch if still available. That one cut better then my old Deere 7 iron 60 inch.

 

[WhatnxtBX]

I went with the 60” on our Bx2380, as it allows me to get closer to trees and lawn edge (due to offset), and mow less due to width. I mow about 5 acres. Does fine around the house and fields with no scalping unless I mow below 3”, which I don’t do. Use 2” wheel spacers which is about max.

Good call on NOT getting the drive-over option. A big waist of money.

 

[MuttCat]

I didn't see this mentioned but...does the 60" weight more than the 54"? I've the 54', and it's plenty heavy for my back. I put on an axle kit for storing it during the winter and for cleaning and service, and humping it up and down is a chore.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

OK, I'll be the 'devil'. For the cost of the MMM, you can probably buy a good riding mower with 54" deck. That was the case 7 years ago when I bought my BX23S. For me(well neighbours..), it's to dig and haul NOT cut grass.It'd be a real PITA for me ,at 72, to remove loader and BH, install deck every week or so.
No matter what anyone says, we all get older NOT younger, with time !