Why not a 72\"

[Vibe Ray]

I was just wonderin' why most here at LS prefer a 60" ZTR more than a 72" ZTR. I get that impression from reading some posts.

[joshua]

vibe, rumor has it that the "72 don't throw the grass out as good as a smaller unit.

[Daddio]

I run a exmark 72,only complaint little short on hp in early
spring. 26hp fuel inj.

[kutnkru]

The unfortunate truth is that with a 6ft mowing deck:
1. for most applications it is just too large and
2. more often than not operators do not know how to handle these emense decks in a manner so as not to scalp.

With the 5ft decks you can increase your mowing production, and:
1. still have people not bawk when they see them on their back lawn.
2. most operators will be more careful of this size deck than w/ a 52 for instance.

More often than not people who have run the 48 will upgrade to a 52 and find that they have to use the same mentality as the larger deck sizes to avoid scalping the turf. Most however, forget about the extra 4 inches and do more harm than good when mowing.

Unless you are mowing athletic fields or areas that you know are absoultely flat, I would advise staying away from them.

Just my .02
Kris

[Richard Martin]

In my case there were 2 reasons not to buy a 72. First off, it wouldnt fit on my trailer. Second off, it wont fit through the doors of my shop.

[Eric ELM]

I was wondering why you didn't get a 72 inch ZTR. I was also wondering when you are picking up your new mower.

[John DiMartino]

I wanted a 72.but the fact is,most dont follow the terrian well,since my lawn isnt flat ,and my experiences with 72's are they scalp a lot more than a 60.Pwer on most 72's isnt much more than the 60's have-so you have to go slower anyway or bog.

[SLC1]

It all depends on what properties you are doing, all our company runs is 72" decks, we have three 72" and one 88" and also a 12' wide Hustler Range wing and we would never think of running anything smaller than a 72". Just My two cents

[Chopper Lover]

SLC,

A 12 foot wide deck... Hmmmm.

What do you do? Pull it off the trailer, put the wings down, engage the blades, disengage the blades, put the wings back up and put it back on the trailer?????

That is ONE HECK OF A MOWER!!

Hehe... I bet it is fun, too!

Mark

[lawnboy82]

the way it would appear is that the larger the deck you have the larger, flatter, and more open an area you need. something like athletic fields are good for 72's or large fields or whatever. 61's and 60's are fine for those too, but also these machines are better for smaller lawns just not too small. personally i think that the best combo would be a 61" tiger or z and a 48" walker and maybe a 48 or 52" walk behind for big hills. that is just what i think though. maybe if you have big big accounts that justify a 72 make 2 days out of it with a 61 or something (leave the 61 there with another guy to trim and then go off with the walker and the walk behind

[bob]

Turn the question around, Why would any one want to get a ZTR thats smaller than a 60" deck?

[GreenQuest Lawn]

At a LC i used to work for we demoed 72" and i believe a 82-84" mower VERY hard not to scalp. wide open and flat they are good but not on a un even lawn. on the other the 126" toro we had was great because none of the decks were larger than 52"

[Hardy Enterprises]

I have a 72" Lazer Z that is great. I have never had a problem with scalping. Before I bought mine I had always heard that they scalp bad but have not found that to be the case. I cut everything from small residental yard to industrial parks. With every type of terrain from flat to hilly with no problem. I personally would not think of running any smaller than a 72" for my primary mower.

Jay

[HOMER]

I agree, my 72 is less prone to scalping than anything else I own! You will find that it floats over bumpy terrain better than the smaller decks do.

Example: I cut a veterinarian, it has Zoysia front back and sides. To look at it from the road you would think it.s smooth as glass, but it has dips, humps and bumps all in it. If you.ve ever cut Zoysia you will know you see every mistake made in it. The guy cutting it before me used a little 36 inch deck, he had gouged places all over it where the little deck and track dug into it. I started cutting it last year with the 72 and all those dug out places have filled in, looks much better now. I have used my 48 inch Scag on it and noticed the smaller wheel base and deck tried to do the same thing.

You can make anything scalp if you try hard enough, but you have to try real hard to get that 72 to do it.

[Mowingman]

I mow several large commercial properties that are generally flat, but all are EXTREMLY rough. I am moving up from 60" to 72" deck machines this year. I have just had demo's on Exmark and Grasshopper 72" midmounts and neither one scalped any more than my 60" decks. The productivity of these "big deck" machines is fantastic. I am trying a Dixie Chopper next week. In my opinion, 72" will not scalp any more than 60" will unless you are mowing on "rolling" type terrain.

[GreenQuest Lawn]

i should have said what brand the 72" that i ran, it was a toro. i would believe the lazer 72" would be good. i have a 60" and have not scalped.

[Vibe Ray]

Eric: Should get it within a week! The 72" would be too big, heavy, and expensive for my current needs.

[John DiMartino]

Toro dealer will give me a Demo this spring-Ill think Ill try the 72" Z-master w/26 EFI,see how it cuts,and if it scalpes more than the 60 DC I have now.Id like to see how much time it saves me on my 7 acre lot.

[zmowing]

bigger the better, just like my bother's wife.u well get more done.just ask.

[Charles]

Depends on how low you cut yard as to whether the 72" will scalp more than the 60". I have been thinking of getting a 72". But on some of my properties it would require more weedeating by not being able to get between some obstacles. I guess I just need both :). Keep the 60 incher and buy a 72incher