Reasons to buy 60" versus 72" deck on Grasshopper

[palmtree]

What are they? I am about to buy my first zero turn and I keep finding myself gravitating toward the 72" models. I will be mowing about 8.5 acreas and the potential extra foot per pass is driving me crazy. I don't have any real tight spaces to worry about but I do have a pond dam and a ditch to think about. This is driving me nuts. When spending this much money--the extra $375 is not a concern. I just want to make sure I am happy with what I buy.
Thanks,
Brett

[PLM-1]

If you are mowing that much and it is wide open, i would go for the 72" if you have it powered correctly. A slow 72" is the same speed as a fast 60". The only poor thing about the 72" is the unability to flip up for blade changes and cleanout. Good Luck

[Mowingman]

I believe you will always get a better cut with the smaller deck. Those wide decks will usually scalp some on all but perfectly flat ground. If you have a ditch to mow, I would stay with the 61" deck. Also, you will not see any real time savings unless you are mowing large tracts all day long. On your place, the time saved will be minimal.
If the machine has a gasoline engine, then you really need over 30hp to run that big deck. If going with diesel, you need at least 27 or 28hp to run the big deck.
I shopped a long time, and tried several brands before I bought a 72" machine a few years ago. The Grasshopper, front deck 72 gave the best cut by far. The next best was the Grasshopper midmount. I ended up buying a Grasshopper 428D/72" midmount, and later, bought a Grasshopper 321D/60" midmount. They both were great cutting machines, and the 72" really earned it's keep on some 15 - 25 acre properties.

[wushaw]

If your concerned with the pond dam and ditch then just get a cheap small rider for that task and leave the rest to the Grasshopper.
I just got a 322D 61" for the more open areas on my place and it is a great machine, I use a little Hustler 36" fast track for the ditches and tight stuff.
Mowing is no longer a chore :blob3: :blob3: