Is a 60 inch deck worth the buy?

[muz123 1,192]

Thinking about buying a 60inch deck for my 520-H. I have a 48inch deck but would like to cut my mowing time down and use a 60. it is on craigslist for $540 and wondering if its a good deal. Is it hard to move around?     here is a picture     Thanks, Dave

 Wheel Horse 60" Mower Deck - $550 (Tolland)

[doc724 925]

I don't have a 60 inch deck, but I have been told that at close to 300 pounds, once they are attached, people tend to leave them on.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,147]

Does your 520 have the swept forward front axle? The early ones did not.
Mike.........

[muz123 1,192]

I don't have a 60 inch deck, but I have been told that at close to 300 pounds, once they are attached, people tend to leave them on.

​Im going to be taking it off if i buy it in the winter for plowing and seems to be VERY heavy to move around. My 48 inch deck only weighs 190 or 200 pounds and  i think thats even heavy.

Edited June 4, 2015 by muz123

[muz123 1,192]

Does your 520 have the swept forward front axle? The early ones did not.
Mike.........

​Yes mine is a 1993 model.

[c-series don 10,020]

That one looks pretty clean and the price is not bad. It is heavy to move around though. I usually move mine 2x a year with my FEL. They do cut really nice. Just my two cents.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498]

Dave, I dont have one either. A. I know its h e a v y. B. I have read the weight can stress / crack the frame where it attaches. Others will chime in, it looks clean though. Good luck on your decision. 

Glenn

[muz123 1,192]

Dave, I dont have one either. A. I know its h e a v y. B. I have read the weight can stress / crack the frame where it attaches. Others will chime in, it looks clean though. Good luck on your decision. 

Glenn

I never new it could crack the frame.​ I wonder why they made it for the tractor if it can crack the frame.

[slammer302 2,156]

I think the cracked frames come from hitting the big heavy deck on trees and unmovable things

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,532]

I have been mowing for the past few years with a 60" on my 520HC. I think it is the best mowing combination I have used until I bought my 520 LXI with the 48": deck. The 48" is a little better for my yard due to the slope. If you are more wide open then I would say the 60" is better. My only complaint on the 60" is the max mowing height is not tall enough. 

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,498]

I have been mowing for the past few years with a 60" on my 520HC. I think it is the best mowing combination I have used until I bought my 520 LXI with the 48": deck. The 48" is a little better for my yard due to the slope. If you are more wide open then I would say the 60" is better. My only complaint on the 60" is the max mowing height is not tall enough. 

Right on Steve, though the xi does not have "the wheel horse look" its one he!! of a machine. If others tried them they would surely agree, big, heavy, comfortable, cruise, power steering, tilt wheel,,,,the list goes on and on. Imho, everyone should have a xi in thier stable. I am glad to have one. Very capable.

glenn

[cheesegrader 433]

I have mowed with 42", 48" and 60" decks.  I use the 60 exclusively now.  It is a big yard at my cabin, about 2 acres without much for landscaping.  It cut mowing time in half compared to the 48" deck.  It gives a good cut on the highest setting, but the lower settings are not very useful.
Weight is 320 lbs.  I'm able to slide it around on a plexiglass sheet on a sealed cement floor by myself, and can hook it up myself in about 10 minutes, but it is not fun.
I leave it on movers dollies when it is off in the winter, and slide it under the boat.  You wont be able to hang it up.
A '93 520 will work with a 60" deck, and the one in the picture looks to be in good shape at a fair price.  I can't tell if that is the correct mule drive for the 60" deck.
I've heard of frame cracks, but I also think it is from hitting a solid object.  That deck will not flex or twist.  If you hit something, it will make the whole tractor jump!

[boovuc 1,090]

Hi Muz.

The 60" deck IMHO is reserved for someone who has a very large yard/lot. If you are only mowing >1 acre which would include a house and garage/driveway footprint, I don't think it's worth the money and the effort to move it around. If I was mowing a full acre or more, it would be well worth it. I have something like a 1.1 acre lot that is partly wooded with the house, garage, shed and driveway plus trees and an enclosed dog-business area. I see a big difference in mowing times between my 36" to the 48" and a hare difference between the 42" to 48" deck. If I had a 60" deck, there are actual places where I would need to trim more because the deck wouldn't fit between trees, the shed and garage, etc. Just somethings to think about plus the MUCH larger footprint the deck would take in your garage or shed and you better check your trailer if you haul it to the in-laws or parents places. I trip sometimes going around the tractors with the smaller decks on them. The 60" with a chute is pretty "sticky-outy". 

[muz123 1,192]

Thanks, I'll probably stick with a 48-inch.
Dave

[HokieAg07 129]

Nice looking deck for a decent price.

I take mine off once a year for annual cleaning and service, other than that its far too much of a pain to remove from the tractor and move around. I take rear tires off the tractor to make it easier to slide straight out. Cuts great but I will tell you, Onans are already thirsty engines, when you add a 60" deck, they become even more thirsty!

[dennist 139]

I would never have suggested a 60" deck before I actually used one, but they are an excellent cut and I would agree with above that yes over 300 lbs and are a bear to move, but would not expect them to be cracking the frame due to regular mowing duties. 
You can find them much cheaper if you are interested and want to wait.....my last one I had for sale was at $200 with mule drive.