On our 36" tthp's I do not see any advantage with the floating decks. They only have one anti scalp roller that is pretty much pointless. If you know your lawns you know where the dips and holes are so just cut over them accordingly with caution. The only plus is I think its easier to change the deck height.

 

for me the most important part of a floating deck is to be able to adjust your height of cut quickly. Otherwise like the previouse poster said if you know your lawns you should be fine as far as scalping goes.

 

The only plus is I think its easier to change the deck height.

Which is the very reason a fixed deck will never ride my trailer again.

 

Yeah, a fixed deck is easier to change the height, but I usually cut my yards all the same, so I rarely change the height, and I noticed my floating decks tend the get the back end of the deck pushed up and gets hung up and you dont even notice until you see the cut it is leaving! I wish the fixed deck was an option on the big full size WBs, but Ive never seen one on anything larger than a 48" I do like the new Ferris floating decks though, they have a handle you turn(from the operator position) and it moves the deck and up and down, I think john deere older models had something similar as well.

 

i agree, although i love using my gravely fixed deck, if i know im going to need to change the height at the next lawn....my toro floater is the one thats coming off the trailer. i was in a similar position to you just starting out and didnt really know what i wanted for a deck so i bought one float and one fixed. if your going to buy one mower only i would go for a floating deck as the fixed deck i have problems changing height by myself.

 

You don't need a float for that small a deck, once we get into 40"s maybe,
certainly a 44" and larger there is a noticeable difference.

It's real simple...
With a fixed deck the entire machine, frame and deck, is all one solid piece.
As it rides over the terrain, there is no motion on part of the machine to adjust for terrain inconsistencies.

With a floating deck, the deck is suspended by chains from part of the frame,
between that and the anti-scalp wheels plus an independence between front and rear tires,
it gives the deck the ability to adjust SOMEwhat to the contours of the ground.
I'd say it gives it an inch or so of up-and-down play to either side, and while neither deck can
prevent scalping completely, the floating deck's mechanism does help.

In summary, a floating deck doesn't scalp as much.
But the part nobody ever mentions is a fixed deck mower is a lot lighter, and doesn't get stuck in the mud as easy.

 

To be accurate here, there is not many true floating decks out there. My WBs claim to be floating decks, but the decks are held in place with big pins, so, they are really not floating, it is just easier to change the height on them.

 

I have a Toro 36" floating deck and a 48" fixed deck. I bought the 48" fixed deck when I found out it would cost even less than another 36" floating deck. The fixed is more responsive when turning, but the height cannot be changed evenly on the fly. You change the position of spacers which leaves the deck either pointed slightly up or down. If I could do it again, I would spend the extra money and go with floating only. I change mowing height frequently on the job. No more fixed decks for me.

 

Which is the very reason a fixed deck will never ride my trailer again.

I hear that.

 

I think im going with the hustler 36" trimstar with 100Hrs on it with bagger and sulky I mite put a mulch kit on it. i should have it by friday . And Im getting a 5x10 big tex trailer tommorow ..