The part where you have to select the deck size is crucial when buying a lawn mower. Most people think, “I should just go for a big size if I have a big lawn and a small size if I have a small one.” While they may be right, to some extent, it isn’t always the case.
When selecting a deck size, you should also consider the time factor and lawn type to avoid buying a mower with a deck size that you don’t need or won’t be enough for your yard.
This article will educate you on all you need to know about choosing a deck size. It’ll look at different yard sizes and terrains to help you decide exactly the type of mower deck size you need.
How to Select the Right Mower Deck for Your Lawn
Many factors go into selecting the deck size for your yard, and it’s imperative to understand them. Here are some of these factors.
1. Push or Riding
The mower type is just as essential as the deck size. Trust me, having the right deck size in the wrong mower type isn’t funny.
Push mowers are restricted to small spaces. The main reason is that using them in a large yard is physically exhausting and time-consuming, even if you use a self-propelled mower.
Aside from the fact that it’s physically strenuous to use on large yards, most of them have a deck size of fewer than 25 inches. It’s best to only consider this machine for your small yard on your residential property. For bigger spaces over 1 acre, a lawn tractor or zero-turn mower is what you need.
2. Lawn Size
Your lawn size is another significant factor to help you influence your purchase decision. Contrary to what you might expect, bigger deck sizes don’t necessarily mean a better mowing experience. It’ll be hard to navigate a 70-inch mower on a ¼ acres yard, and the machine can even tear up your grass.
Also, if you get a 30-inch yard on a 3-acre lawn, you’ll have to spend a lot of time trying to complete the task. Therefore, you should endeavor to find the right balance between your yard and the deck size.
3. Terrain
The distance between the trees and gates in your yard is crucial when selecting a deck type. You won’t want a situation where you’ll buy a big-sized deck only to discover that it can’t pass through the obstacles in your yard. Therefore, you should measure the distance between these obstacles and buy a deck size that fits.
4. Time Factor
Time is money, and the main reason mowers exist is to ensure you cut your grass as quickly as possible. However, some of us want to get the grasses done quicker than we should and therefore get a mower with a massive deck. A mower with an oversized deck will only make your mowing slower.
Likewise, buying a mower with an undersized deck will also make your mowing take longer than usual. When selecting a deck size, you must get it right to enjoy your machine. However, choosing the right deck size isn’t as difficult as you think, and the following section will educate you on how to do it.
What Size Deck Do I Need?
This section will educate you on the mower deck size you should get concerning your yard size.
1. 0-1 Acres
A mower with an 18-36 inches cutting deck will work well on a one-acre lawn. If you have a yard less than ¼ acres, you can do with an 18-21 inches push mower, even if it isn’t self-propelled. However, you should start looking toward a 21+ inches self-propelled if you have a yard or over ¼ acres but less than one.
Better still, you could get a 36 inches riding mower to save yourself the hassle and get the work done as quickly as possible if you have up to one acre of lawn.
2. 1-3 Acres
Any type of push mower shouldn’t be an option for yards this size. Enter your dealer store and request a quality riding mower with a deck size of 36-42 inches. A 32 inches mower will serve you well for 1-2 acres, but you should look over the 38 inches mark if you have a yard over 2 acres.
3. 3-4 Acres
A 2-4 acres yard is big under any circumstances, so you need a machine with a deck capable of doing the job. This time, don’t go lesser than a 42 inches mower, and you can choose up to 54 inches. It will provide a perfect balance between efficacy and timing when you mow.
Get a powerful riding tractor or a zero-turn mower to help you with this space.
4. 4 Acres or More
A yard of four acres or more isn’t something you should take lightly. Therefore, you’ll need to ensure that you opt for a zero turn with a deck size of 60-72 inches. Zero turns are more effective and faster than riding tractors, and you can complete the work in lesser time.
There are the mower sizes appropriate for you concerning your yard size. You have many options for a mower with any of these deck sizes. Therefore, you should evaluate your options and select the best perfect one.
How to Know the Deck Size on a Lawn Mower?
All mower manufacturers will proudly display the deck size on the product description of your new mower. If you buy a used model, you can ask the seller for the deck size or look up the particular model online. You can measure the deck yourself if you can’t find much info about the mower and you want to know the deck width.
You’ll need tape to measure the deck on your mower. Use the tape measure to measure across the widest part of the deck, and that’s your deck size. If you use a riding mower, you’ll need a jack to elevate the machine before you carry out the measurements.
After elevating the machine, simply use the tape to measure the diameter, and you’ll get your machine’s deck size. If you don’t have a circular deck, measure across the broadest part of the circle.
The deck height is another essential aspect, and it’s not complex. Most lawnmowers will have a cutting height of around 1-4 inches, and you only need to adjust them to your preferred setting before you begin mowing.
Understand that your mower’s deck size is mostly the same as the blade length. If you have a 42 inches deck, the blade on your mower is also a 42 inches blade. You should take note of that if you ever need to buy a replacement blade for your machine.
What Deck Type Do I Need?
Most riding mowers will either have a stamped or fabricated steel deck. Stamped steel decks are lighter and are made from large molds or presses. On the other hand, fabricated decks comprise different steel pieces the manufacturer wields together.
Any of the two mower deck types is good, but the fabricated steel deck is stronger. Therefore, they’re used in residential applications, while fabricated decks are popular commercially.
For yards that are 3 acres or less, you can do with any of the deck types. Get a fabricated steel deck if you want to work on a lawn over 3 acres. However, you can also make do with a stamped steel deck in large areas, especially if it doesn’t have too many obstacles.
Conclusion
There’s all you need to know about the deck size you need. Areas less than 1 acre can make do with 18-36 inches. Consider getting yourself a 36-42 inches machine if you have 1-4 acres and 42-54 inches if it’s bigger than 3 acres but less than 4. You should look over the 54 inches mark if your lawn is more than 4 acres.
To get the best of your deck, you must buy the correct size in the right machine. If you get the correct combination of deck size and mower type, lawn mowing will be a hobby for you. Lastly, don’t forget to get the appropriate deck type for your application.
