Cutting Uneven Lawns

[toddco]

I have a 1.5 acre lawn that is level but has lots of small dips and bumps. Nothing deeper than 3-5 inches, but it looks like it'll be scalp time with a mid-size wb.

My dealer is pushing me toward a Exmark 36" fixed deck wb. I'm leaning toward the 48" floating deck wb to save time. Can any of you pros offer your advice?

I'm not a commercial mower, but I'm sick of the junk normally sold to homeowners.

[Cutter1]

A 36 inch walkbehind normally doesn't scalp that much. I would go with the floating deck. Although any walkbehind would scalp at the hands of some people. So it will just take some time to get use to whatever you do get and know its limitations. If its time you want to save, definetly go with the 48, bigger is better. :)

[toddco]

will a sulky or proslide work on a bumpy lawn, or will I get tossed on my a--?

[65hoss]

I just posted you an answer in the homeowners forum. I can ride my sulky in rough terrain and never have any problem. Sometimes it is easier on the body than the Lazer. A proslide would probably be too rough though.

[toddco]

Thanks, I appreciate the help. It's hard to find info on mowers except in glossy brochures. Don't trust them too much.

You mentioned a personal preference for Kohler over Kawi. I was leaning the other way after poor-experience with the low-end Kohler in my Scott's tractor (homeowner version). Looks like Kawi is becoming the standard for Exmark?

[smburgess]

I have both floating and fixed deck mowers, and I swear I see no difference in the cut, and I have had no problems with scalping using the fixed deck...(Toro 36's 44's 48's 52's)

[lawnboy82]

why not just get a couple of yards of topsoil delivered and fix this problem? nice weekend chore. and then you can get as big of a machine as you want and have reduced scalping problems?

[AB Lawn Care]

A Kawaski is probably a better choice,but also look into how well the dealer can service it.Also if you plan to use it in the winter DON'T but a Kawaski,they are hard to start in the cold.Buy a kohler it it will be used in the winter.

[Nathan]

Go kawasaki all the way. I am sure those who have apprehension have only used the older 12.5 and 14 hp engines. The new v twins are quiet, powerfull, no vibration, and yes, easy to start even in cold weather. Also, go with the floating deck, not much more money and better longevity and cut.

[Northwest]

Raising the height of cut will eliminate scalping. I have a customer the has a lawn like yours or worse. I cut it at 3 to 3 1/2 inches with a 36 and sulky no problem. Also, the raised height covers up the dips and holes in the lawn.

[gene gls]

I have found that a 36" mower has a longer wheel base than a 48" because of the blade set up. Buy the shortest 48" mower available. By short I mean measure from the center of the drive wheels to the center of the caster wheels.

Gene

[Roger]

I agree with gene gls. I have a 36" Exmark fixed deck (hydro). When I bought it five years ago, never having owned such a machine before, I opted for 36" width because I was concerned with scalping. I feared scalping would be a problem with a 48" deck. I've learned much since then!

What I failed to understand at that time, the critical dimension was not across the machine, but rather the forward/backward line of the machine. The distance between the drive wheels and front casters is more on a 36" machine than a 48" machine.

When I was learned how to use the machine, I was concerned about watching for irregularities in terrain in the 36" dimension. Meanwhile, I was scalping when the irregularity was perpendicular to direction of travel. After I learned what the real concern should be I was able to do much better.

If gates aren't a problem, my suggestion is to choose the wider mowing deck.