Does anyone have thoughts concerning mowing quality between the 54" and 60" decks? I have heard that the wider the deck, the lesser the quality. Is there really any noticeable difference? I'm looking at a new BX2660 and power won't be a factor, but still would like a nice finish cut. I currently have a B7300 w/54" deck...not sure what to buy next
54" vs 60"
- Thread starter OH_FARMER
- Start date
Other then 6 inches in difference NOPE there wont be any noticabe difference in cut quality. Are you using the tractor for mowing and mowing only?
Kubota Newbie
Active member
Equipment
M4500, New Idea Cut-Ditioner, JD 14T Baler, IH "Plow Chief" plows, Oliver Rake
A difference will be noticed if the terrain you're mowing is uneven. Wider decks either straddle or ride-up on highs and lows more than a narrower deck. So it can "appear" that a wide deck is not mowing as well just 'cause it is closer or farther from the ground than intended to be if there are a lot of irregularities in the ground surface. If things are pretty smooth, you'll like either.
Which is the reason I mow with commerical equipment that have flex decks. But if you set up a mid mout mower correctly with the aint scalp wheels on the deck you should not have a proble between the 54 and the 60
Six inches over all wont make that huge of a difference. The decks get three inches wider on each side. If this was a 54 versus a 72 then yeah a huge difference there will be noticed. The blades on a 54 inch deck are the same size as the blades on a 60, only 3 blades total.
TripleR
Active member
Equipment
BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
We had a 54" deck on our John Deere 425 and went with a 60" deck on our BX2200 then BX2660 and 62 on a John Deere 2305, we can't tell any difference in quality of cut.
This is true as I can attest, I lost a few older trees in my front lawn and the extreme heat made the dips and valleys around where they stood more evident. Of course, didnt have to mow much this year anyway. Ya gotta keep a few more inches of blade sharp though.
Kubota Newbie
Active member
Equipment
M4500, New Idea Cut-Ditioner, JD 14T Baler, IH "Plow Chief" plows, Oliver Rake
Ya gotta trust the advice of a Minister that mows his own grass!
BTW FARMER, where at in SE Ohio? I'm originally from Freeport on OH 800 about 20 miles north of I-70.
BTW FARMER, where at in SE Ohio? I'm originally from Freeport on OH 800 about 20 miles north of I-70.
Thanks for the input guys. I'll make a decision on what to buy and post some reviews and pics of the new machine. It will replace my 1998 B7300HST with 1558 hours.
Kubota Newbie...I'm located near Cambridge
Kubota Newbie...I'm located near Cambridge
Hi All,
I have bought 54’MMM, because my property is undulating and I have many fruit and ornamental trees.
Ground is not perfect and it is wet in some places.
That’s where Kubota 4X4 has the advantages. I also tow the trailer a lot and if I lift the deck to the top it doesn’t stick out to much.
However, 6” difference is not big and I think I would manage with 60” as well.
I am more concerned with lack of cover over the driving V belt.
There is always grass clippings accumulating there and it will affect lasting of the expensive V belt.
Next time I take the deck out I will make cardboard covers as a template and evaluate possibility of making proper one either from metal or fibreglass.
I wish Kubota show more interest in this regard.
Regards Frank
I have bought 54’MMM, because my property is undulating and I have many fruit and ornamental trees.
Ground is not perfect and it is wet in some places.
That’s where Kubota 4X4 has the advantages. I also tow the trailer a lot and if I lift the deck to the top it doesn’t stick out to much.
However, 6” difference is not big and I think I would manage with 60” as well.
I am more concerned with lack of cover over the driving V belt.
There is always grass clippings accumulating there and it will affect lasting of the expensive V belt.
Next time I take the deck out I will make cardboard covers as a template and evaluate possibility of making proper one either from metal or fibreglass.
I wish Kubota show more interest in this regard.
Regards Frank
TripleR
Active member
Equipment
BX2200, BX2660, L5740 HSTC, M8540HDC and some other tractors and equipment
Our 2003 BX2200 with 60" deck has been used hard and has the original belts. We have found with the 60" deck, we can get further under shrubs, closer to trees and mow our ditches better. We also have a John Deere 2305 with a 62" deck and have had no problems with scalping.
We haven't used a push mower since we went from 54" to 60"; not a lot of difference, but just enough.
We too had some concerns when we bought the first 60" deck, but they quickly disappeared.
We cut close to three acres, so the extra width adds up pretty quick.