Mower Decks

lilguy

Member
Nov 7, 2011
166
11
18
Illinois
Had Kubotas with 60 in belly decks that rode the ground for 35 years, My Newer 2601 has 60 inch suspended deck like much cheaper lawn tractors. When setting the scalping rollers do you set the height then set the four corners to just lightly contact the ground? They obviously are not designed to carry the weight of the deck. New smaller yard has some rolling topography. Thanks all.
 

SDT

Well-known member

Equipment
multiple and various
Apr 15, 2018
3,250
1,041
113
SE, IN
Had Kubotas with 60 in belly decks that rode the ground for 35 years, My Newer 2601 has 60 inch suspended deck like much cheaper lawn tractors. When setting the scalping rollers do you set the height then set the four corners to just lightly contact the ground? They obviously are not designed to carry the weight of the deck. New smaller yard has some rolling topography. Thanks all.
Rollers of suspended decks should not touch the ground in normal operation.

Instructions are in Mower Operator's Manual.

SDT
 

Tire Biter

Active member

Equipment
B 2601 434 loader MMM, bunch of tractor stuff . Ford 4600
Jul 10, 2012
237
87
28
S.E. TN
They aren’t supposed to, but in the real world, just try and keep them from running on the ground Unless your lawn is like a golf course. i don’t like it, and won’t go with another one like this.
 

jimr63

Active member

Equipment
M5-091HDC, L47TLB, L4701F, ZD1211-72, GR2120-54, RTV-X1140
Jun 24, 2015
120
47
28
SOMD
Had Kubotas with 60 in belly decks that rode the ground for 35 years, My Newer 2601 has 60 inch suspended deck like much cheaper lawn tractors. When setting the scalping rollers do you set the height then set the four corners to just lightly contact the ground? They obviously are not designed to carry the weight of the deck. New smaller yard has some rolling topography. Thanks all.
My ZD1211-72 is a suspended deck. Guess it’s cheaply made. 🤷‍♂️
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

lilguy

Member
Nov 7, 2011
166
11
18
Illinois
Had a L2250 and a B8200 HST that were great. Replaced the deck on the 8200 once in 30 years. When I looked at new Kubotas only the 2650 still had a contact deck. Z Turns seem to have suspended decks on
all of then but the over all wheel setup is more conducive to uneven ground couture than on a tractor.
Why have most manufacturers gone to suspended decks?
Who make a contact deck lawn tractor now?
 
Last edited:

SDT

Well-known member

Equipment
multiple and various
Apr 15, 2018
3,250
1,041
113
SE, IN
They aren’t supposed to, but in the real world, just try and keep them from running on the ground Unless your lawn is like a golf course. i don’t like it, and won’t go with another one like this.
Agreed.

Terrain following decks are move versatile.

I have a 60" MMM for my B1750 and a 72" MMM for my B3350. Both are terrain following.

Hope to never have a suspended deck.

SDT
 

bbxlr8

Active member

Equipment
L2501 w/R14s, LA525, BH77, SGC0660, CL 5' BB, CL PHD, WG24 + Ford 1210 60" mmm,
Mar 29, 2021
380
241
43
Eastern PA
Interesting conversation. What are the characteristics of terrain-following vs. suspension?

I have 20+ years using a 60" mmm on another make and have had many issues over the last 10 when I moved to PA. I went from a few acres of flat even "golf course" mowing to "some" lawn plus trails etc. and a LOT of uneven ground! I am on a ridge with a lot of slope and elevations changes - meaning I have beat the snot out of it...

It has a steel pinned on bar suspension that articulates, suspended with cables and front outrigger wheels and a roller in middle. I would characterize it as a suspension that follows the terrain?

Any thoughts?