What’s The Best Deck Size For Me and My Yard?
I know my grammer is a little off but I wanted you to understand that finding the right deck size for your lawn is both a practical choice and a personal choice. There are many factors that go into deciding what is the best deck size and I’ll go through those factors before we discuss the decks sizes themselves.
by: Paul Sikkema
How big is your lawn? I like to keep my mowing and trimming under 2 hours a week.
- A typical lawn tractor will mow well about 3 mph.
- Yard Tractor/Garden Tractor about 4-5 mph.
- Residential Zero-Turn 4-5 mph.
- Landowner Zero-Turn 6-7 mph.
- Commercial Zero-Turn 6-10 mph.
Using this productivity chart I can determine how much a lawn tractor will mow. So for my one acre lawn a deck around 42 inches is the best size. Go Here For The Chart: Acreage Chart
Is your lawn flat and level? If you lawn is flat and level you can use larger decks. If your lawn has slopes, ruts, swales, ditches and mounds a smaller deck will give you a more even cut. Lawn tractors (except Simplicity) with decks 48 inches and larger use floating decks and they tend to give you an uneven cut going across slopes and over mounds.
Do you have slopes? How many? How Steep? If your lawn has slopes less than 10 degrees just about any lawn tractor will mow your lawn. The quality of the cut is based on the cost of the mower and how well the deck is designed. If your lawn is steeper a smaller 42-46 inch deck is easier to control and will mow evenly without tilting and gouging on the downhill side as you cut. There are a few lawn tractors over $2300 that have traction control or locking differentials that help you get up and down these steeper hills easier. (Always mow up and down slopes with a lawn tractor. This is different than mowing with a walk-behind mower)
How many landscape beds, trees and driveways do you have? How wide is the space between the areas you trim around? Figure the width of the deck and the discharge chute when determining if a deck will fit. A Craftsman Yard Tractor with the 6 inch turn tight steering and a 46 inch deck is 52 inches (width of deck and discharge chute)
Do you circle each tree and bush when you mow? I have a group of 40 pine trees that I mow. I go through once or twice a season and use a garden rake to clean an 18 inch circle around each tree. That way I don’t have to circle each tree when I mow. I can pretty much mow in straight lines that way. If you do circle each tree or bush consider a 46 inch or larger deck. The deck sticks out the side of the mower far enough so you may be able to just circle the tree once. Lawn tractors with turning radius less than 14 inches really help here.
Do you have fenced in areas? How big are the gates? Do you have small areas tucked in behind patios, bushes, or buildings? I have one area that has 34 inch gate and one area with an 8 foot gate. I need a 30 inch mower to get through the 34 inch gate. If you have a side gate from the front to back yard, a dog yard, grass inside your garden fence consider how large a deck you can get through those areas. If you have an area of grass between two landscape features and you want to mow it with your riding mower be sure the deck is small enough.
Do you want to use a string trimmer and/or walk-behind to trim areas where your mower can’t go? I built my landscape beds so there is enough room to go between them with a 46 inch deck. I have changed my yard to the point where I only need about 10 minutes of trimming with a Cordless Line Trimmer. I can mow and trim everything else with the lawn tractor. Plastic, Metal, Wood, Mulch, Rock and Chemical Edging all can be used to separate your lawn to reduce trimming around your landscape beds and other obstructions in your yard. I use a growth retarder along the chain link fence around the dog yard so I only have to trim there once a month.
What type of grass do you have? Do you want to mulch? Southern bent grasses that are cut short need smaller decks. Smaller decks are easier to keep level and give a better cut. Midwestern bluegrass/fescue lawns can use any size deck for mowing but all of the 3 blade decks have issues for mulching. If you want to mulch a 2 bladed deck works the best.
Common Deck Sizes:
Deck sizes and why you may want that size deck. I am only going to discuss residential/homeowner mower decks. Commercial decks are designed for higher ground speeds. For example a 36 inch commercial deck can mow as much in one hour as a 54 inch homeowner deck. Note: Use this data to give yourself an accurate estimation of how long it will take. These times are figured on 80% productivity which takes into account overlapping each pass you mow, turns and trimming. If a retailer lists how much their mower can mow it is usually based on 100% width, no turns and no overlap.
Mowing at 3 mph. If your deck will mow at 4 mph you can add 10% to the amount you can cut per hour.
28-30 inch single bladed decks: 3/4 acre and hour. My one acre acre home takes about 1 1/2 hours to mow with a 30 inch deck because I have 40 trees, 14 landscape beds and a dog yard for obstructions. These decks cut, bag and mulch well but none of the riding mowers are very agile compared to the Craftsman YT3000. If you have a really small lawn consider them, but if you have a lot of trees to go around look at a 42 inch because none of the 30 inch riders have a small turning radius.
38 inch, 2 bladed decks: Less than 1 acre per hour. The main issue with these decks is the overall quality of the current lawn tractors. Lawn tractors like the Yard Man and Bolens are just cheap machines and the quality of cut is average to poor.
42 inch, 2 bladed decks: About 1 acre per hour. This is the most common size deck. It works well for lawns up to 2 acres and all the manufactures make both quality machines and economy lawn tractors in this size.
46 inch, 2 bladed decks: About 1.2 acres per hour. 46 inch, 2 bladed decks generally give you the best cut. They mulch well and bag well. If you have hills and want to put chains on your rear tires there is not enough clearance between the deck and rear tires. The chains will hit the deck. You will have to go to a 42 inch or 48 inch, 3 bladed deck.
46, inch 3 bladed decks: About 1.1 acres per hour. This deck is obsolete, but you will find this size on older, used lawn tractors. They side discharge well but do not bag well. Most were never designed to mulch and you will have problems finding specialty blades.
48, inch 3 bladed decks: About 1.2 acres per hour. A quite a few of these decks are still sold. Consumer Reports lists these with the larger decks because they generally don’t mow as evenly as the 42 and 46 inch decks. Only decks that have internal baffles mulch well. (Usually a $100 option)
Baffles keep the grass under the deck for mulching
54, inch 3 bladed decks: About 1.4 acres per hour. 54 inch decks are very common. They are floating decks so the edge between each swath is not always even because they tilt and bounce around, but if you are mowing large areas this shouldn’t be a reason not to buy one. Don’t buy one if you intend to mulch unless the deck has a special mulching kit available that includes internal baffles. (These kits cost over $100) The reason these are not good mulching decks is they are designed to side discharge well. They have large air intakes in the top of the decks that allow the decks to lift the grass and cut it. They then discharge the clippings and all that air out the side discharge. When you plug the discharge with a mulch plug all that air still has to go somewhere and it usually comes out the right front of the deck. On a nice day these clippings get thrown up and over you and the tractor. These decks disperse the clippings well and bag well.
What else would you like to know? Ask away in the comments below.
Price:
Once you have figured out what is the best size and type of mower then determine how much you want to spend. There is a wide price range of mowers in every size. Here are 4 lists to help you get started
2015 Lawn Tractors under $1500
2015 Lawn Tractors over $1500
2015 Residential Zero Turn Mowers (R-ZTR)
2015 Landowner Zero Turn Mowers (L-ZTR)
James
Are there any mowers that have a higher cutting height of more then 4 inches deck height max
Paul
Hi James, Yes. Let me quickly go through the list.
Rough Cut Pull-Behind: The Acrease Rough Cut is one of the few homeowner mowers that will mow up to 8 inches. If you have large areas to mow monthly or want to knock down pasture growth it is the most rugged rough cut on the market. It’s well worth the money.
Bush-Hog Style: If you have a compact or farm tractor there are dozens of rough cut mowers that you can purchase for these tractors. Most are 3-point mount and a few PTO driven pull-behind
Commercial ZTR: Most commercial ZTR’s (over $7000) will finish cut at 4 to 5.5 inches. A few will mow up to 6 inches.
Residential ZTRs: The are NO ZTRs under $5000 that will mow over 4 inches.
Lawn and Garden Tractors: There are NO lawn tractors or garden tractors with mounted decks that will mow over 4 inches. In fact, most won’t mow 4 inches and top out about 3 3/4 even though the specs say 4 inches. Of course, you could pull the Acrease Rough Cut with one……
Chip Sommer
Hi Paul.
Great site. I’m starting a small residential (to start) mowing/landscaping business. I’m looking for a few good options as to make/model/deck size (recommendations) in the Houston area for my first commercial mower. Did this 20 yrs ago to pay my way thru university, but am unfamiliar with new technology. Flat, trees, fences, beds only obstacles likely dealing with. Currently have two standard 24in Snapper walk behinds. Looking for something that will get me thru the first year or two and then I’ll have a better idea of my needs. Cheers for the input. — Chip
Paul
Hi Chip, I really don’t want to get into recommending commercial mowers. I don’t have enough time to help all the commercial guys and the residential owners. I suggest going to a few local dealers in your area. If you want to see it all and play with them attend the GIE-EXPO in Louisville next month.
Mike
Paul. I have option to buy toro zero sw. Either 42 or 50. Close to same price. What would give me better cut. Feel for same price should get bigger mower. Storage and gates etc not issue. What would u do. Mike.
Paul
Hi Mike, I’d buy the 50. I like the cut and I like the weight distribution. It almost never will skid the rear and scuff your lawn.
Mike
Paul thanks getting back quick going am to order. Was worried about bigger deck some people saying not as nice cut. Floats etc also thought tough around trees but viewing your site I see bigger better around trees. Ur site has been great thanks. is the 50 going to be an issue w mulching most of the summer and bagging come fall. I was leaning that way Paul.
have option to buy toro zero sw. Either 42 or 50. Close to same price. What would give me better cut. Feel for same price should get bigger mower. Storage and gates etc not issue. What would u do. Mike.
Paul
@Mike, as long as you are mulching properly and mowing at the proper height for mulching both decks mulch well. They both bag well.
You won’t notice much of a difference between a 42 and 50 for mowing quality. You would between a 42 and 54.
Mike
Paul thanks bought the 50 today. Getting sat. I’ll let u know great site. Thanks again. Mike.
Gary
Howdy. I live north of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country. I have about 2.5 acres that I mow when we get rain and sometimes when we don’t. The area is mostly flat with some areas of rock (that I try to avoid).
I currently have a Grasshopper Model 721 with a 52″ mowing deck but it seems that every year I am spending $$$ to get it operable. Thinking about buying something new. What do you suggest? Thank you in advance.
Paul
Hi Gary, If you like the front deck design there are very few choices other than the Grasshopper and Walker Mowers. I prefer the Walker’s and I think over 15 years they have less maintenance costs than the front deck grasshopper. Check them out and then get back to me if you want a mid-mount. walkermowers.com
Mary
Paul, I am getting ready to order a 2016 John Deere X739. What is your opinion on the new Accel mower decks? I am trying to decide between the 48″ Accel and the 54″ regular deck. I have lots of hills and trees and fence and I am getting ready to turn about a half acre of my side yard into a lavender patch with over 1000 plants. I like the idea of a rear discharge mulching mower that is not too wide. Thank you.
Paul
Hi Mary, John Deere is constantly tweeking their decks for the best cut and the Accel is the latest. If you have a lot of fences and trees the 54 or 60 inch will be the best choice. The decks stick out the side of the tractor farther which let’s you get closer to the tree and under fences without hitting the object with the rear tire. On the other hand if you have a lot of tight, narrow areas then the 48 is a better choice.
The decks are not true rear discharge. The mulch plate just blocks off the side discharge. The only true rear discharge decks available right now are the ExMark Lazer Z 60 inch zero-turn and John Deere 997 zero turn.
Paul S
Howdy Paul! I have 3 acres flat with no obstacles. But its a bumpy ride. My old Murry has bit the dust. What’s out there for a smooth ride and good cutting?
Paul
Hi Paul, The best is the new ExMark RIDE-ON MOWER WITH SUSPENSION PLATFORM though you may not want to spend $12,000 or more. At least with the 60 inch you’ll be done in less that 45 minutes!
I would suggest a garden tractor. They have larger wheels and larger decks to get the job done faster. Please start here: https://todaysmower.com/the-best-lawn-yard-garden-tractor-buyers-guide/
Alan
Hi Paul, purchased a entry level tight-turn Craftsman YT 3000 (paid around $1,000) about 6 years ago after reviews on this site. It worked great, but after moving to a new home, with a slightly larger irregular shaped yard (close to 1 acre), mostly flat with a gradual slope (but bumpy) lawn, I’m looking for something that provides a even/smooth cut and handles the lawn better (preferably would like to mulch). I have a mulch kit on my mower, but the mower doesn’t seem to mulch well (must go slow and still clumps), so I mostly use side discharge. I live in central Illinois. I do have a ditch that creates a decent slope, but I’m considering putting in a culvert/tile to eliminate the ditch. Neighbors have similar lawns, once has a mid level 42″ D series Deere mower and is happy (and can finish mowing quicker than I can) and other neighbor has a zero turn (toro or troy-built) and is able to mow very quickly with mulching. Both of their lawns appear to have a much even/smooth cut appearance and the distribution of the clippings is very even. Do you have a recommendation that will allow me to complete my mowing a little faster, allow me to mulch and to have a smooth finish and clipping distribution? Do I just need a heavier, more powerful tractor or do I need to go with a zero-turn? With a bumpy lawn, I’m willing to put up with a bumpy ride to get a good mow/finish, but if I get the same results from tractor or a zero-turn, would prefer a smoother ride. I can get you exact details of current mower and engine if needed – I believe the model is 917.28851. If a tractor is the recommendation – I’ve always wanted a Deere – but would a D series work or would I need to go with the S240? If going with Zero-turn, my budget puts me at the entry level – low to mid $2K. Sorry for the long question!
Alan
Thanks Paul, good point on the Deere S240 – although it does have a different transmission. I’m a little leary of the TL200 transmission on the 125/130 – not in that it’s a bad transmission – but there are several reviews indicating the oil should be changed to synthetic – which while isn’t difficult, isn’t necessarily quick and easy . Since you recommend staying away from the entry level zero turns (i.e. Toro Timecutter SS4225/SS4200), I’m not sure what to do. Were you going to finish the comment with a recommendation – it looks like it may have got cut off? Appreciate all your expertise!
Paul
Hi Alan, Everyone has an opinion about trannys especially over on the tractor forums. My opinion is getting into a sealed transmission is asking for trouble. The small increase in longevity by changing the oil is far outweighed by the introduction of dirt into the system . You have to change the oil under clean-room conditions. You can’t do it out in your garage.
There are two entry level zero-turns that will work. The Toro SW4200 and the Cub Cadet 46 inch Steering Wheel version. These mowers use the trannys in a different way so they do have the load a joy-stick ZTR has on each tranny.
Ken
Paul,
Not sure if site is still active. But, was wondering how a Toro Timemaster 30 inch would do going over moderate roots on a tree. Most of yard is flat. The roots are my only concern.
Leah Thomason
Hello Paul, I’m so glad I found your site! I have been mowing my yard in Arkansas with a very old, dilapidated, not-real-reliable White riding mower that I bought used (I thought it was going to be very temporary, but it turned out to be eight years!) My poor mower has finally exhausted itself to death. Now I have to buy another mower, and I want something (new) and as sturdy and reliable as I can on a limited budget. My yard is pretty uneven, tree roots and some slight hills in the back. I have around 1.5 acres, give or take. I have quite a few trees and it’s necessary for me to bag my leaves or the rain water will not drain properly in my large, low-lying back yard. I had kinda thought about purchasing the Troy-Bilt XP Horse riding lawn mower from Lowes because it seemed to be everything I needed (just straining my budget, but I think, doable)…but the reviews leave me concerned.
I have also considered the Craftsman 19HP Briggs & Stratton Gold Plus Series from Sears (and it’s on sale!).
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-19hp-46-8221-auto-transmission-riding-mower-8211/p-07120374000P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5
After spending hours looking at mowers in town and scouring the internet for information, I’m more frustrated than excited at this point :/. Of the two I mentioned, which do you believe may be the best option for me (or do you have another suggestion)? Thank you for any advice, from the bottom of my bone-weary heart! Leah~ Paragould, AR
Paul Sikkema
Hi Leah, The Craftsman you listed is the best of the low-priced lawn tractors but like all these low priced lawn tractors it is not the best bagger. I strongly suggest the Craftsman 42 inch Model 25081 and 46 inch Model 25083.
These tractors are identical except for the deck and have proven to be some of the most reliable lawn tractors around. The mow well and bag well. The baggers will handle thick, wet leaves.
The only thing you need to be aware of is the speed control is a lever on the fender instead of a foot control. It is easy to get used to and gives you built in cruise control.
These tractors cost only $250 more than the cheap lawn tractors you are looking at and are well worth the extra money.
You can see a buy the 42 inch here: Craftsman 25081
42 inch bagger: 6 Bushel 2-Bin Soft Bagger for 42″ Lawn Tractors
You can see and buy the 46 inch here: Craftsman 25083
2 bin bagger for the 46 inch deck: 6 bushel 2 – bin Soft Bagger for 46″ Deck Lawn Tractors
3 bin 46 inch bagger: 9 bushel 3 – Bin Soft Bagger for 46″ Deck Lawn Tractors
Finally, here is my review of the 25081/25083. Craftsman 25081 review. Please read it. It will answer the questions why it’s worth spending just a little more.
Paul Sikkema
Hi Leah, without going into a lot of detail the mower at WalMart is a cheap mower and should be priced around $1100. Everything you have discussed so far is better than that one. In addition, I have never heard of anyone who bought a gas powered item at WalMart and had a problem has had a good experience with the repair.