Mounting a 60in Deck

[MalMac 1,332]

Alright I am looking for suggestions on mounting a 60in deck on a 520. I have been just driving over the deck then man handle it to get it into position for the lift on the tractor to slide into the lift groove on the deck. I was just wondering if any of you out there that run these big decks have some better way. I know now why I stop using the deck 2 years ago. Does a great job of cutting and cut mowing time down. But the effort to get it on and off for cleaning is one big pain in the a--.

[Shuboxlover 480]

I have never tried to drive over it....does that work pretty good

I slide mine in from the side, but that is a HUGE P.I.T.A also .......but I love the quality of cut, just wish I could get it to mow higher :ROTF:

[MalMac 1,332]

After sliding it in a few times and darn near ending up in ER with a heart attack. I decided just to try and drive over it. I first ask my dealer about it and thats what they do. So I have been driving over it. You need to put something down to make it not such a incline to get over and make sure it does not roll. I have went forward and also back over it. I like the forward so you don't spin the back wheels on the deck trying to get over. But like I said even once you get over it you still have to jockey the deck back and fourth to get it to line up. One other problem I have is when caring the deck in the highest upright position, it only carries the front. The back or at least the deck wheel are still on the ground. I have never really got that figured out yet. Sure wish it was one of the newer ones that you just spin the wheels 90 degrees and roll it.

[ba2988 28]

While I don't have a 60 inch deck here is what I do on my 42. I put the deck on a large (and thick) sheet of cardboard thats the same width as the deck - the cardboard slides pretty well on the smooth concrete of my garage floor. While its not a perfect solution, it does make the job much easier.

[farmer 1,078]

Hi malmac1,

Your sending me off on a bit of a guilt trip here,

How often do you clean your deck, do you wash it off or just dig out the lumps.

It would be interesting to hear what other members do regarding deck cleaning. I've toyed with the idea of a "deck wash", say 2-3 jets mounted on a frame you'd drive over, run the deck with the water on, turn the water off and let er blow dry.

But that's as far as I ever get....ponderings. :ROTF:

[6wheeler 669]

While I do not have a 60" deck. What I do with my 48" and 42" decks is jack up the back of the tractor and slide em in. The cardboard trick mentioned earlier works good if you have a good smooth floor. But what I do is use a slightly modified old creeper I bought at a garage sale for 5 bucks. That way I can roll them pretty easily and use the tractors lift to get it out. I know the 60"s are pretty heavy so a good creeper may be needed. Or, maybe you modify some of those snowmobile rollers and get the same effect . Good luck Pat

[MalMac 1,332]

Farmer I clean about every 3rd cutting buy taking off the deck and scraping out the gunk. If the grass is overly tall and wet I do it right after cutting.

6wheeler the idea of finding something with wheels to get the deck on has crossed my mine. That thing is so heavy that even trying to slide it on smooth surface is a struggle. Until I come up with some way of rolling it under, driving over it is the best option. Maybe when I was young and dumb it would have not been such a deal. Now that I am old and still dumb It is a major undertaking.

[jimbo7921 9]

on my 60" i installed 2 of the hose connecters that the cubs and deers use and call there deck cleaning system. just run the deck full throttle connect the hose and the water will soften up the grass enough to either drop out while your cutting or keep it soft till i can get under it to scrape it out. If i clean my deck during the season, i have a couple of beefed up 2x8's i lay over the top of a 4' fence, drive the tractor up and get under to scrape. I take my deck off once a year and put it back on by sliding it in (with some help) from the side with a floor jack from the front.

[shorts 182]

I like to keep all of my attachments on movers dollies from Harbor Freight, at $8 or $15 each my back loves me. I don't mow with a so I can't be much help but I would probably figure out a dolly or cart arrangement that held the deck at a height that all of the hookups could be made and then use a floor jack to lift the front of the tractor for clearance to roll the deck in or out and hook up the tilt and attachmatic and install/remove the dolly.

To manuver really heavy stuff sometimes a piece of metal on the floor and a handfull or grease or murphy's oil soap can be a lifesaver to slide stuff on, also tie a rope or chain on the object and pull it under instead of trying tu push at awkard angles.

lazy by nature, work smarter not harder :D

[Shuboxlover 480]

I just mounted mine by driving over it the for the first time..... that's SOOOOOOO much easier!!!! I wish someone would have posted that suggestion 2 years ago :D

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,532]

I drive over mine too. That thing takes 2 men and a small child to pick up and move....

Anyone have success in finding a way to get it to cut higher?? Mine is adjusted all the way up and in the top position. Maybe larger wheels??

[Shuboxlover 480]

Anyone have success in finding a way to get it to cut higher??

That's the one and only knock (other than the aforementioned weight) that I have about this deck, the 42's and 48's I have cut at least TWICE as high as the 60"... :woohoo:

[MalMac 1,332]

Shuboxlover I am glad you found driving over it a lot easier. I am still trying to find a way of putting it on some type of low profile rollers to be able to just roll it in and roll out. I have had mine for a few years now and never really used it until this year. Got tired of spending so much time mowing. It cuts down the time considerably. When I am done with the big deck I switch tractors and finish up with a smaller deck on a C series. I agree with you the deck cuts too low. I have mine in the highest position. When in that position there is no difference in raising or lowering it. It like the hydraulics can not lift it high enough. When it's in the lowest position when I raise it only the front raises. It never does pick up that entire deck.

Also I did read somewhere in a dealers service bulletin that Toro came out with a different lift rod,lever,tee bar what ever it's called because the standard one that came on the tractor was wearing too bad with the 60 deck. Now I don't know if that different lift would make a difference or not.