Stamped or Fabricated

smokindog

smokindog

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I've just added a number of "additional obstacles" to my yard that are pushing me off my rider and into a zero turn, at least in my world of rationalizing things!

I've had two riders over the past 25 years, both with stamped mower decks and never a problem. I keep the decks clean and am mowing 2 acres of bermuda weekly.

My friend who owns a lawn maintenance firm keeps telling me "how stupid" I am to have a stamped deck.

Looking for opinions. The models with fabricated decks typically cost "significantly" more but they are also typically higher end models. I need to stay less than 56" overall width (gate).

Looking at mowers similar to these at the big box. Still need to go to the "dealerships".

Fabricated:
Toro TimeCutter MX4260 42 in. 23 HP Kawasaki V-Twin Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed-74640 at The Home Depot
Shop Hustler Raptor 21.5-HP V-Twin Dual Hydrostatic 42-in Zero-Turn Radius Lawn Mower with Kawasaki Engine at Lowes.com

Stamped:
Toro TimeCutter SS4260 42 in. 21.5 HP Kawasaki V-Twin Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed-74626 at The Home Depot
Note: this one with re-enforced deck is sketchy because my gate to the back half of the yard is on 56" so it depends on how easily the deflector can be held up to drive through!
Shop Husqvarna RZ46I 23-HP V-Twin Dual Hydrostatic 46-in Zero-Turn Radius Lawn Mower with Briggs & Stratton Engine at Lowes.com
 
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There isn't anything wrong with stamped decks on a residential mower. I have a really ancient Murray tractor made around 1986 or so and haven't ever bothered with cleaning the deck after cutting the grass. While it's not pretty there still isn't one single area of rust that effects the function.

Unfortunately all those years of using it to plow snow have taken a toll on the transmission so I'll probably have to replace it. Considering I've gotten nearly 30 years of service I really can't complain, however as I've discovered finding a tractor that can pass through a 36 inch gate is proving to be a bit of a challenge.
 
Your friend is wrong. For residential use and especially since you keep the deck clean, a stamped deck will be just fine.
I would suggest that you try to find a model with grease fittings on the blade spindles and grease them regularly. I'm not sure if residential models will have 'em, but its worth checking into.
I've been fixing commercial mowers for 25 years and have yet to replace a deck. However, I have replaced a bunch of blade spindles.
 
On a residential lawn that is level and obstacle free, a stamped deck that is well maintained will be fine. The fabricated deck is definitely needed in a commercial setting where the mower will be subjected to less than desirable lawns, as well as mowing 8 to 10 hours a day as opposed a couple of hours a week.

I live in the country and my yard is very unlevel, with trees and tree roots everywhere. I tried a stamped deck, and the deck itself held up okay, but I wound up replacing all three spindles twice before I sold it. It was just too light weight for my conditions.
 
I'm mowing with 60's cub cadets and a '71 INT 154 loboy and lovin it, it's my other hobby. I have a fleet of them.
 
My stamped older one piece mower decks 44c cub cadet cut the lawn better than the fabricated decks. The 44", 44c is one of the best rotary decks.
Right now I'm restoring a tripple reel mower. When the reels are adjusted correctly and sharpened, lapped into the knives there the best overall. It's a 80" cut.

For now if I feel like riding and getting some Sun it's the 44" cub cadet. If I'm in a hurry it's the int154 with the 60" deck.
 
We use Scags and they are bullet proof. If a cemetery maintenance crew cant tear them up with all the "obstacles" they have to mow around you know its a great machine. We buy the Turf Tigers with the Cat Diesel 3 cylinder. Great machine but a bit much for a residential 2 acres. Scag makes smaller 42" deck machines that are gas powered. They arent cheap but depreciated out over 12.5 years and it will be a great value for you. Check them out.
 
I'd skip Lowes/Home Depot and go to a real dealer. Who will service your mower at Lowes or HD?

I've been a lawnmower geek since my first Kubota back in the 70s and in that time have owned 3 Kubota compact diesel tractors, a Kioti bush hog outfit, a few John Deere mowers, a Dixie Chopper ztr, a Grasshopper ztr, a Country Clipper joystick ztr. My current line up is a Bob-Cat Predator Pro 61" deck w /37hp Kawasaki dfi engine, a Ferris Evolution 48" deck w/Kaw 27hp and a BigDog R-748 power bar ztr with 22hp kaw. The economy has been hard on commercial cutters and mower dealers in my area and there are screaming deals on low hour commercial units in craigslist every day plus our local dealers are offering some real blowouts on new merch. I've got a good location and quality lawn equipment is easy to sell.

Right now Excell industries is blowing out their old Big Dog line of mowers. These are the same as Hustler Fastracs, only red instead of yellow. Entry level commercial. The ease of changing deck heights is worth searching one out compared to homeowner models as well as the many other tweeks that commercial mowers have that homeowner mowers don't. I bought the R-748 powerbar for $3350 + tax. $3575 otd or about the same price as a Raptor, maybe cheaper.

I'd either buy a new blowout from a dealer or I'd buy a full commercial with under 200 hours from a landscaper. Those mowers are designed to go 2000+ hours and the avg user cuts grass about 25 times per year in my area, say 50 hrs per year. Do the math and you see that a commercial mower could become a legacy item for your heirs. :D

This is my current inventory:

Big Dog 48" power bar (Got to have one mama likes ;))
BILD0218_zpsb5df074a.jpg


Ferris Evolution 27hp 48"deck. More fun than a carnival ride :D
BILD0388_zpsb9ea815f.jpg


Bob-Cat Predator Pro 61" cut 37hp fuel injected 1000cc Kawasaki. They sure look good when they're new!
DSC00999_zpsaeb5dd7c.jpg
 
I just "stumped my spindles" this weekend. :)

Have two of these on order!

Amazon.com : Silver Streak # 285851 Spindle Assembly for JOHN DEERE GY21098, JOHN DEERE GY20962, JOHN DEER : Lawn Mower Deck Parts : Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31%2BIRJc8C1L.@@AMEPARAM@@31%2BIRJc8C1L

Grayfox said:
Your friend is wrong. For residential use and especially since you keep the deck clean, a stamped deck will be just fine.
I would suggest that you try to find a model with grease fittings on the blade spindles and grease them regularly. I'm not sure if residential models will have 'em, but its worth checking into.
I've been fixing commercial mowers for 25 years and have yet to replace a deck. However, I have replaced a bunch of blade spindles.
Click to expand...
 
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Quote: Fabricated:
Toro TimeCutter MX4260 42 in. 23 HP Kawasaki V-Twin Zero-Turn Riding Mower with Smart Speed-74640 at The Home Depot
Shop Hustler Raptor 21.5-HP V-Twin Dual Hydrostatic 42-in Zero-Turn Radius Lawn Mower with Kawasaki Engine at Lowes.com...

I just moved this from another thread...
I just looked at a 24 HP Husqvarna 48" ZT... I presently own a 54" ,Husky, 20 HP w/ steering wheel..It's a great mower I cut a number of acres, but it's sandland...I've had it for 15 years and the third deck is about to fall apart (sand erosion)... Back to the ZT...That puppy comes with a "fabricated deck" with a LIFETIME warrantee.....
Guess what I'm gonna get me?????? Check 'em out.......
JIM ....
 
You can get either one....

You can get a cheap stamped deck that won't last or you can get a well made stamped one with heavy metal and a good paint job for protection and it will be just fine.

I'd like to buy all industrial duty appliances but I just don't need it and can't afford it.
 
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FIRST, THANKS to all for the feedback to date. I found that the Big Box stores do have a lot of overlap these days at the entry level "pro-sumer" ZTR mowers. I've shopped both.

If you recall, I "stumped" my JD a few weeks ago. After 2 new spindles and blades and the "precision" use of 1, 4, and 15 pound persuaders over the course of multiple "alignments", I've got the deck/spindle alignment close but I can't get it "just right". It's still leaving slight stair steps as I can't get both blades exactly in the same plane. It's amazing what 1/16" variance/tilt between the 2 x 21" blade planes means in the cut. A new deck is more than I want to put into the JD. It's now "good enough" to use the "vacuum" attachment in the fall and it will still pull the aerator and the broadcast spreader.

My research led me to 3 mowers at the <$3K price point and I've called two local repair places to make sure they are serviceable. I gave them the list of mowers I was considering and both said they are good choices at my price point for my lawn/intended use. Between the two facilities, they are authorized service centers for all three and parts were available.

Anyone here have any experience with this mower? I'm probably going to pick one up today! Both places told me this deck assembly is rugged and BOTH told me that what I did to my entry level JD would have caused the same damage regardless of stamped or fabricated, unless I go to the twice the price or more mowers with 7 or better gauge steel.

HUSQVARNA RZ46i - Zero turn mowers
 
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