Floating Deck vs Fixed Deck

[pranshaw]

I am thinking about (have been for quite some time now) starting a lawn care business on the side and eventually going full time. I'm stuck in an office right now and it's killing my because I have always enjoyed working outside.

I was looking at a Toro's walk-behind mowers. Preferably 36 - 40" deck. I'd like to hear opinions on the fixed deck vs the floating deck.

I figure if things don't work out full time I'll have a mower for the house I'll never need to replace. Thanks for the input....Pete

[Captains Landscape]

Pete,
There is a large price jump to the floating deck model. It defiantly has its pros; you will scalp (blades hit turf/soil) less and should deliver a better cut. I personally don't feel that you need to put money into a floating deck unless you are looking at a mower over 48". My Exmark 48 and 36 walk behinds cut great and leave nice stripes. I might recommend looking into a fixed deck 44 or 48 and use the money you saved to get a 21 to get into those gated areas. 48 will give you nicer stripes and cut down on time. Also, the cost difference is only 50-100$ (36 to 48).
chris

[Lynden-Jeff]

No point in floating unless its a 52" ++ deck. The mower isn't heavy enough and the deck will bouce giving a lousy cut, not to mention you won't even really scalp with a 48 inch fixed deck. Personally anything under 48" for me is automatically a fixed deck, anything over 48 I get a rider.

Cheers
Jeff

[ed2hess]

If you mow in situations where you have to change the deck height you might want to consider floating deck. As far a cut....we have all floating decks and they do just fine in urban area. Don't know how they do in mowing big fields.

[mbaker422]

Lot's of guys using Toro's in the Tyler area. Must mean there is some good customer support around here. I work for the fire dept here in Tyler, but I live and do all of my mowing in the Longview area. Scag is big over there. Good luck getting started.

[pranshaw]

Thanks....that's exactly the kind of responses I was hoping for. I don't think I'm going to worry about getting the floating deck for such a small mower. I'll pobably go with the 40" fixed. Next step up will probably be a rider although some of the big walk behinds look pretty sharp too. The Zero Turners just look like more fun....I've never run one.
Thanks,
Pete

[LB1234]

For us a floating deck is a must due to the height adjustments needed within the same day....usually just once or twice one day and I don't believe its as easy as pulling four pins and replacing them in a fixed deck. I know you can change height slightly with the spacers on the front casters but I would like it would effect quality of cut due to the angle of cut now.