If you want to buy a lawn mower, you have to consider its deck size. What size mower deck gives the best cut?
In this article, we will consider the right deck size for any yard. Since, we have different terrains and yard sizes, we should get the right deck size for mowing.
If you have a mower listed as 30 inches, it means that its deck can 30 inches in width. However, you should know that the actual measurements come wider.
Before you can mow between hindrances or obstacles, you should know the actual width.
What size mower deck gives the best cut?
Lawn mower manufacturers make it easier for buys with their deck size listings on their promotional materials and websites.
How do they measure the deck width? The cutting width of your mower deck is what they mean by deck width.
The deck cutting width means the width of grass you can mow from the outside blade of one side of the mower deck to the outside blade on the opposite end of the mower deck.
Before you consider buying a lawn mower, you should know more about the mower’s width for mowing grass.
We have a table that can help you make your choice:
| YARD SIZE | lawn mower TYPE | DECK SIZE |
| Less than 1 acre | Push Mower, Self Propelled Walk Behind |
18″ – 36″ Deck Width |
| 1 to 3 acres | Riding Mower, Zero Turn | 36″ – 42″ Deck Width |
| 3 to 4 acres | Riding Mower, Zero Turn | 42″ – 54″ Deck Width |
| 4 acres and more | Zero Turn Mower | 60″ – 72″ Deck Width |
How do you Measure Deck Size?
The cutting width of a mower deck is important for your mowing. If you end up with the wrong deck size, you may find it hard to mow your yard.
For instance, if you buy a 760” mower deck, it might be difficult to move it through your 60” gate.
Hence, the actual dimension of your mower deck width should be wider than the deck cutting width.
In addition, you have to consider the extra space on the deck shell seen on each end of the mower. This includes the space the discharge chute and anti-scalp rollers add to the deck width.
You have to make this calculation before you make your purchase. It is essential that you buy a mower that can fit in between the obstacles around your home.
If the deck is unable to mow through such space, you should not buy that model. How do you measure the deck size?
You need a tape measurer for this process. You should extend your tape from the widest area on one side of the mower deck to the opposite area.
You should consider the extra width added by anti-scalp rollers and discharge chute.
How Wide Are Riding Lawn Mowers?
Garden tractor, often called the average riding lawn mower comes between 48 inches and 63 inches wide.
This includes the discharge chute in the upright position. You have to sum 8 to 15 inches to the width if you want to consider the discharge chute in the downright position.
Is a deeper mower deck better?
For your practical mowing, a deep deck is usually preferred over one that has a shallow deck. This type of mower makes bagging, cutting, and mulching easier.
What size mower deck do I need for 3 acres?
The deck size should be between 46 – 54”
What size mower do I need for 1/2 acre?
You will have to buy a riding mower between 40 to 50 inches for your 1/2 acre. The wide-deck mower cuts more grass, and saves you more time.
How Wide is a Standard Lawn Mower Deck?
Self-propelled mowers or standard push mowers come between 22 inches to 40 inches wide. They have a cutting deck width of 21 inches to 36 inches wide.
Meanwhile, most manufacturers offer you standard mower deck sizes. You should consider the deck size when buying.
Are Front Mount Deck Mowers Good?
Many people want to know if the front mount mowers are good. They are great because the maneuverability is better than belly mount mowers.
Also, they can follow trims and contours under trees than a belly mower.
Pros of Front Mount Mower Decks
- Better contouring
- Easier to sharpen blades and service deck
- Maneuverability
- The mower mow in a wet spot without getting the tires way
- Works well near a bank of water.
Cons of Front Mount Mower Decks
- Difficult to change height of cut
Fabricated Decks Vs Stamped Decks
We have two styles of LAWN MOWER decks, and they are the stamped decks and fabricated decks.
The fabricated mower deck is for those who want to mow heavily. However, most homeowners can use their mowers at least an hour or more weekly.
They would need the stamped deck for such purpose.
- Stamped Deck– if you want the less expensive mowers, you can buy the stamped decks.
- Stamped decks seemed to be stamped out of one sheet of steel. Its benefit is that it has good air flow for a good cut.
- However, its disadvantage is the thickness of steel used. Also, the deck is made out of one sheet.
- This means that the steel is lighter gauge steel than the steel used in a fabricated deck.
- This can result in your deck shell being easily damaged when encountering a hard object.
- The fabricated deck or welded deck is made from thicker gauge steel and welded together.
- As a result, it lets the deck to be more rigid than a stamped deck.
How Wide Are Zero Turn Mowers?
The width of average zero turn mowers come 48 inches and 79inches wide along with the discharge chute in the upright position.
You can find the commonly used zero turn mowers with deck cutting widths like the 42″, 48″, 52″, 54″, 60″, and 72″.
During the measurement of these mowers’ width, you should ensure that you calculate from and to the widest part of the deck.
When using the discharge chute, you should an additional 15″ to the width. Meanwhile, you can still find zero turn with a 36″ cutting width or a 96″ cutting width.
With the number of mowers on the market, you should do your research before you make up your mind.