I see that they are offering a fabricated deck for the new GT2000 tractors and I was wondering if anyone had one and hwo they liked it. I have never been really happy with the deck on my GT2550 as it tends to load up with grass and shoot out clumps. I have used MoDeck Spray and that works pretty well, but it is a pain to completely clean the deck down to bare metel before applying. I love all the changes that they made to the new GT2000 and the fabricated deck may just push me over the edge to trading in my GT2550.
GT2000 Fabricated Deck
400excracer
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I see that they are offering a fabricated deck for the new GT2000 tractors and I was wondering if anyone had one and hwo they liked it. I have never been really happy with the deck on my GT2550 as it tends to load up with grass and shoot out clumps. I have used MoDeck Spray and that works pretty well, but it is a pain to completely clean the deck down to bare metel before applying. I love all the changes that they made to the new GT2000 and the fabricated deck may just push me over the edge to trading in my GT2550.
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dont have a cub deck, but my commercial mowers use welded decks, and they get a lot better vacuum, and are allot sturdier than stamped decks. my 40 year old Ransomes is a testament to that.
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I know the fab'd 44" on my Z-Force couldn't interchange with the stamped 44" on my 2544, unless maybe you did some custom fab work to it. The fab'd has 4 hangers and the nose U-hook. The 2544 had two rear hook mounts and the front U-hook.
It was a nice deck. Had SERIOUS suction and discharge. The only thing is, the 2544 left a nicer looking cut for me.
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I also have a GT2550 and cleaning the deck is about one of my most hated jobs. In my conditions, however, the amount of grass that collects is no worse than the 48” deck on my previous Craftsman. Both cut about the same, a pretty decent cut in my opinion. I have not had a problem with clumping and actually think the Cub bagger is a little better in regards to pick up.
It sounds like the fabricated might create more suction which could theoretically keep it cleaner (what was your experience JMoe?), but when you do have to clean it, keep in mind that the fabricated deck is HEAVY. At least the 50” stamped deck is not terribly difficult to pull out and handle. It sure would be nice if more dealers had demo units to compare side by side with a customer’s current equipment.
It sounds like the fabricated might create more suction which could theoretically keep it cleaner (what was your experience JMoe?), but when you do have to clean it, keep in mind that the fabricated deck is HEAVY. At least the 50” stamped deck is not terribly difficult to pull out and handle. It sure would be nice if more dealers had demo units to compare side by side with a customer’s current equipment.
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I never had any issues with clogging, but the under side did collect plenty of build-up. More so than my stamped 44, which I guess is due to having more space under there for cut grass to build-up. It wasn't easy to scrape clean being very angular underneath and like you say. They are HEAVY if you decide to drop the deck.
Joel
Joel
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37 Posts
It sounds like the fab decks arent any better than what I have. I just dont understand why the newer CC decks have this problem. When I was a kid my dad had a CC 580 and I rarely had to clean that deck. I used it for a mowing business so it had 10 times the hours that my current CC gets and almost never had to clean it and it never clumped. My dad's current Simplicity doesnt pack up or clump and neither does my brother's Craftsman. Must just be poorly designed decks. At least my GT2550 is better than my old 2185. That thing was horrible. Until I hear some better info from owners of the new 2000 series with the fabricated deck I guess I will finally coat the bottom of my deck with POR-15 and then spray it with Mo-Deck Spray and see how that works.
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1,948 Posts
I hear you old style decks never seemed to suffer from excessive "build-up". The 38" J40 deck on my Case 220 didn't clog and was the quietest deck I ever owned (once I rebuilt it). The 38"?? (I think that's what it was) on our old JD 110 was similar. All I can figure is they were smaller width, yet had more interior room than anything w/in that last ~25yrs or so.
Here's a pic of my fab'd 44" with the plastic deflector removed from the deck. Pardon the mess! I was powdering up the fall leaves. The outlet is rather small, but I never had any clogging issues, but then again, I only owned this ZTR for a year. As far as the Z-Force fab'd decks go, you can't get the 44" anymore. You have to go 48". They look identical. Not sure if the discharge opening is larger on the 48" though.
![Image]()
Joel
Here's a pic of my fab'd 44" with the plastic deflector removed from the deck. Pardon the mess! I was powdering up the fall leaves. The outlet is rather small, but I never had any clogging issues, but then again, I only owned this ZTR for a year. As far as the Z-Force fab'd decks go, you can't get the 44" anymore. You have to go 48". They look identical. Not sure if the discharge opening is larger on the 48" though.
Joel
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37 Posts
I think that some of the loading up has to do with all the things that are sticking through the bottom of the deack for grass to get caught on like the deck wash fittings and the cover mounting bolts. These also make it a pain to clean because you are always running into them with the scraper. I will be cleaning mine today and later this week because my lawn is so long right now I can tell it is going to load up. Between all the rain and my son's baseball games it is hard to get out and mow. If I am able to stay on it before it gets too long then it doesnt load up as bad.
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1,024 Posts
I carefully hover my deck over water to clean it. It does a very good job in less than a minute.
The newer decks have less suction and 'throw' ability because of lawsuits...that's the world we have to live in.
The newer decks have less suction and 'throw' ability because of lawsuits...that's the world we have to live in.
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Not that it would surprise me that this is the reason why, but it wouldnt explain how some work fine and mowers like the Hustler and Dixie Chopper are able throw grass like they do. I am more inclined to think they are poorly designed. I will let everyone know how well it works one I coat the deck with POR-15 and Mo-Deck Spray.
Our 2542 doesn't clog and is powerful as far as bagging anything. I like the improvements on the 2000s as far as speed fore and aft. I just wish the 2542 came with the 8" rims. The six's look a little sissy. I like the fact also that our stamped deck is light and easy to move. Though I will say this, if the tube is not clean and feels gritty from the previous mow it would be worth scrubbing once in a while
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1,948 Posts
Yep, the 42" has always been the best deck for bagging from what I've read over the years.
Joel
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1,103 Posts
Hello excracer-
You are right about all the garbage on the bottom side of the deck. You might want to consider this:
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=140677&highlight=deck
This is what the underside of my deck looks like now without all the nasty self taping screws sticking through.
You are right about all the garbage on the bottom side of the deck. You might want to consider this:
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=140677&highlight=deck
This is what the underside of my deck looks like now without all the nasty self taping screws sticking through.
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Hey pfreiburger, I just finally saw your post and I am definitely going to do this to my deck over the winter. I had thought about doing something like this, but I love your spacer idea so I am going to copy yours exactly. Thanks!
I bought a new GT 2000 in June 2011 with the 42" Stamped Deck. I have a bagger and sometimes use the mower without the bagger. No deck problems whatsoever. Mower scatters and "throws" the clippings at a good distance and evenly. Bagger works great. No clumps. I cut dry grass only but I don't let it get grow very tall. Grass is full of moisture and when you cut "Tall" grass, you are generating more moisture under the deck and it is prone to clumping. Try "bagging blades' even if you are not bagging the grass. IMO, I think some of the "gator blades" do a great job of schredding the grass but again, when you schred tall grass, you are making "soup". Obviously, a stamped deck will work better than a fabricated deck. There is no "inexpensive" way to build a fabricated deck with the patterns of a stamped deck, which has the best design for grass discharge. None of the companies will spend the money for the better fabrication design, for cost reasons.
Waccamaw
Waccamaw
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2,284 Posts
At the risk of starting a storm, I disagree that the older deck designs are better about self-cleaning. My Cub 129's deck (basically a triangle-shape deck) would hold a TON of grass under there, and I'd have to occasionally stop and pull out the obstructions by hand from the discharge side (engine and PTO off of course). It is also a 3 blade deck, same as my 2186's 44.
My 2186, on the other hand, with the 44" deck - couldn't be happier. Accumulates clippings when wet, but when dry, just a full small fist sized areas. Also, it discharges very well, and I've taken it through grass that was headlight-high without ever having to stop to unclog the deck. Truly a great deck. I didn't research deck designs before I bought it, but I'm VERY glad I ended up with the 44. My only complaint is how much grass gets thrown on top of the deck, and how much grease slings out of the spindles and double-pulley.
My 2186, on the other hand, with the 44" deck - couldn't be happier. Accumulates clippings when wet, but when dry, just a full small fist sized areas. Also, it discharges very well, and I've taken it through grass that was headlight-high without ever having to stop to unclog the deck. Truly a great deck. I didn't research deck designs before I bought it, but I'm VERY glad I ended up with the 44. My only complaint is how much grass gets thrown on top of the deck, and how much grease slings out of the spindles and double-pulley.
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1,103 Posts
Hello Again
I have added a couple more flat washers between the nuts and covers since the post above to get it a little higher yet. Works fine.
Wish I had an idea about your clumping issue. I have actually been pleased with the 50" deck (more so since I corrected the spindle rake) and the way it discharges. I cut at #2 and see a consistent 3570-3600 RPM under load. I think that clumping could be a blade (are yours sharp?), speed (what RPM do you get under load?) or an airflow (how clean is your deck?) issue. Also, how long is the grass when you mow?
I have experimented with a set of Gators and the results have been mixed. I like the cut - nice & clean - and surprisingly they bag pretty well. But they leave clumps, in a way that I don't remember the Cub high-lift (bagging) blades doing. I just had the Cub blades sharpened and they will be going back on this weekend to compare with the Gators. I will report back.
The fabricated decks sound good, but I really like the convenience of my stamped 50”. Unlike the fabricated deck it is not too much to handle. I timed it when I last put it on, and it took 2:45, from sitting alongside the tractor to on and running. You can’t beat that.
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