What is mower deck. How To Wash Your Mower Deck (and Why)

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How To Wash Your Mower Deck (and Why)

Perhaps you’re not the type to keep your equipment spotlessly clean. However, washing your mower deck is important to protect the condition of your equipment and maintain your lawn’s health.

Why Should I Clean My Mower Deck?

You’re probably more likely to make the effort of cleaning your mower deck if you know why you’re doing it, so let’s review how this practice affects your mower and your lawn. First, you know those annoying grass clippings that tend to stick to the wheels and deck? Well, they look unsightly on your equipment, but they’re a problem beyond that. If enough grass clippings accumulate, the buildup can prevent your grass from standing upright, and you won’t get a clean cut. 1

If your mower blades can’t cleanly slice the grass, they’ll shred it instead, damaging your lawn.

When your lawn isn’t completely dry, it’s even worse. Damp grass easily forms clumps that will build up quickly underneath your deck. When that happens, your deck will retain moisture, creating the ideal environment for rust to form.

Additionally, the act of mowing essentially slices open your grass blades. This can make them vulnerable to things like fungus, and if the clippings underneath your deck are carrying that fungus, you can spread it out to the rest of your lawn. 1

This information should convince you of the importance of keeping your mower deck clean. But now another question arises. How often do you clean it?

How Frequently Should I Clean My Deck?

The answer to how often you should wash your deck can depend on your specific situation. Generally, you shouldn’t need to clean the deck more frequently than two to three times in one mowing season. However, if you have a larger yard or if your yard is in a wet or low spot, you’ll want to clean at least four times a season.

Plus, if you ever mow when your grass is wet or if you mow very long grass, you may want to wash your deck each time you use your mower.

Ultimately, use your best judgment and be flexible. Depending on how dry or how large your lawn is, you can increase or decrease the number of times you’ll need to wash your deck during the mowing season.

How Do I Wash My Lawnmower Deck?

Some mowers have a built-in washing feature that makes cleaning their decks easy. We recommend doing this immediately after you get done mowing so that the clippings won’t have time to harden. Put your mower on a clean, non-grassy surface, adjust the deck to its lowest height, connect the hose, turn on the water, and engage the blades.

If you’re working with a push mower without a built-in washing feature, begin here:

  • Remove the gas in your tank or run the mower dry of fuel.
  • Take out your mower’s spark plug.
  • Put your mower on its side with the air filter and carburetor pointing up.

If you have a riding mower, do this instead:

  • Engage the parking brake on your mower and put chucks behind the back tires.
  • Lift the front end of your mower with a lawnmower jack.
  • Once your mower is tilted high enough that you can clean it, secure the jack position to keep it there.

With those steps complete, it’s time to clean.

  • Use a garden hose or a pressure washer to loosen grass clumps on your deck’s underside.
  • If there’s debris that can’t be removed with water, use plastic tools, like a brush or ice scraper, to scrub it away.
  • Give your deck a final rinse. Then be sure to dry it completely so that rust doesn’t form.

Check Your Mower Blades

Since your mower deck is accessible right now, it’s a great time to check your mower blades. You want to keep them sharp enough to slice your grass cleanly but not so sharp that they can cut your hand. (Ironically, over-sharpened blades dull quickly.)

If your blade is dull but appears to be in good shape otherwise, you should be able to sharpen it yourself, or you can have one of the pros at Outdoor Concepts do it. However, if you see any rust spots or large chips or dents, you’ll want to replace it.

Keeping your deck clean going forward

If you want to make future cleanings easier, you can spray a light coating of silicone lubricant—or even vegetable oil—inside your mower deck.

Additionally, at the end of mowing season, give your deck one last cleaning so that grass buildup, rust, and mold won’t be sitting on it throughout the winter.

Following these steps will increase your mower’s longevity while also benefiting your lawn. Got questions? Drop by our Bluffton or our Muncie location to chat with a member of our team.

This article was updated May 22, 2023

Is There a Difference Between Stamped and Fabricated Mower Decks?

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When you are looking for a lawn mower, you will find that you can choose between a stamped deck or a fabricated deck. Many people wonder exactly what this means. They want to know the differences between the two, and how to make a good comparison.

A stamped deck is less expensive, and it will be lighter and thinner than a fabricated deck. It works fine for residential use, but it isn’t quite durable enough for commercial use. Fabricated decks have a thicker plate design, so they are more resistant to cracking or warping. This makes them good for rough terrain.

The Mowing Deck’s Function

The mowing deck is the side part of your lawn mower. It provides housing for the mowing blades, and it prevents lawn cuttings and other debris from shooting all over the place when you are mowing.

The mowing deck comes in different sizes, and this determines how wide the cut from the machine will be. You will find between one and three blades under the deck, and it can be stamped or fabricated.

The Stamped Deck Lawn Mower

A type of deck a mower has refers to how it is made. In this case, the stamped deck is made when the manufacturer uses one piece of steel to “stamp” the metal that is used for the deck.

This type of mower deck is a simpler construction because they don’t need to use bolts or welding to keep the deck together. They take one piece of metal and form it into the shape of the mower deck.

Most of the household mowers you see are stamped deck mowers, and they are more than enough for homeowners who may cut the grass once a week. They are more affordable, which makes them more accessible to more people.

Although they use a thinner piece of steel for this type of mowing deck, they are lighter and pose less of a threat to more fragile grasses. They are also lighter, and they are easier to maneuver.

Stamped Deck Mowers: Pros and Cons

  • Lighter
  • affordable
  • Gentler on grass
  • Better air flow
  • Better maneuverability

The Fabricated Deck Lawn Mower

The fabricated mowing deck lawn mower differs from the stamped deck because it uses more than one piece of steel to make the mowing deck. The steel is usually a heavier steel plate, and the plates are welded together to form the deck.

The fabricated deck has better rigidity, and they can be stronger. They are more durable, which matters when they are being used more regularly. They are especially popular for commercial mowers that get a lot of use on a regular basis.

For this reason, they are quite common in agricultural applications or large construction projects. They tend to be more expensive, which makes them less practical for homeowners. The steel is thicker and more durable, so they can withstand the demands of commercial applications.

Fabricated Deck Mowers: Pros and Cons

  • Made with thicker steel and welded together
  • durable and stronger
  • rugged
  • Better for agricultural or commercial applications

Determining What Kind of Mower Deck You Have

If you want to know what type of deck your mower has, it is easy to find out. There are several different ways that you can check.

First of all, if you have the owner’s manual or know how to look it up online, you should find out what type of deck you have there. As you go through the manual, look for the parts list. There, it should tell you what type of mowing deck you have. You may also find it on your mower or on the packaging if you still have it.

Another way to tell is to check whether your mower is made of noticeably light, thinner material. If you don’t have anything to compare it to, it can be difficult to tell this way.

Finally, if you have a fabricated deck, it will have spots that are welded and connections where bolts hold it together. A stamped deck mower has just one sheet of metal without bolts.

The reality is that if you have a mower that was affordable and designed for home use, you probably have a stamped deck mower. There are some lower-end commercial mowers that are stamped as well, but most of the time they use fabricated decks.

Fabricated decks are usually found on large agricultural mowers or other commercial machines. People who need their equipment to hold up for use every day often get a mower with a fabricated deck.

What Is the Deck Size on a Lawn Mower?

Once you understand the difference between stamped deck and fabricated deck mowers, you need to consider the deck size. The mower deck width is the cutting width of the deck. It is the width of the grass that the mower cuts between the two outside mowing blades.

You need to remember that if you buy a 48-inch mower, this doesn’t mean that it will fit through a 48-inch opening. The width is the cutting width of the mower, not the actual width of the entire machine. There is extra space on each side, as well as the anti-scalp rollers and the discharge chute.

You can measure your mower by going from one side to the other with measuring tape. If you don’t have the mower because you are considering purchasing it, make sure that you find out the actual dimensions before you buy it and make sure that it will fit between trees and through openings on your property.

Easiest way to clean your mower deck

Which Deck Type Is Better?

When people see that something is more expensive, they often think that it must be better. Fabricated deck mowers are more expensive because they use thicker metal, and they require more labor to make. They take several different plates of metal and weld and bolt them together. This makes them stronger and more durable.

However, stamped deck mowers are durable enough to do the job they are made to do. They work fine for most lawns in residential settings. Most homeowners don’t cut their grass more than once a week. Fabricated deck mowers are made to handle more wear and to be used regularly. For this reason, they are made for tough jobs, such as those performed by large agricultural mowers.

Both types have different benefits. Although fabricated decks are tougher and more rigid, stamped deck mowers have better air flow and are usually more flexible. Stamped deck mowers are often smaller, which makes it easier for homeowners to maneuver them around trees and patios.

DON’T WASH YOUR MOWER DECK (waste of time)

Will a Stamped Deck Mower Last?

If you are using your stamped deck mower to cut the grass at your home, it will last as long as you take care of it. This type of mower deck is made with thinner metal, so it is more susceptible to damage. You need to be more careful with it. If the deck does get bent, you will need to straighten it out

You can extend the life of your mower by cleaning it after you use it. Wipe off any debris before you put it away. You should also clean the bottom of the deck where grass and debris can accumulate. Some people use a leaf blower to clean out the entire mower after each use.

Make sure that you keep it in a shed or the garage for protection. If you leave it outside, over time, it can rust from the moisture. Keep it somewhere safe so that this doesn’t happen.

As long as you are using your mower for your yard and you take care of it, a stamped deck mower will last a long time.

When Should You Use a Fabricated Deck Mower?

If you are a homeowner who cuts your grass once a week, you can use a stamped deck mower. However, if you cut grass for a living, you may want to consider a fabricated deck. They are tougher and stronger, and they will hold up better to constant use.

If you are using your mower for agricultural applications, such as baling hay or other major jobs, you will want to use a fabricated deck mower. Industrial jobs require the heavier gauge steel and the durability afforded by the fabricated deck mowers.

There are some mowers that are stamped decks that are known to be excellent options. If you are starting out in a lawn care business, you can start with a mower with a stamped deck to improve affordability, but make sure that you choose one that has a good reputation for durability and reliability.

Final Words

There are two different kinds of lawn mower decks: stamped decks and fabricated decks. Stamped decks are made of one sheet of metal that is cut and shaped for a mower. A fabricated deck is made using several sheets of metal that are welded and bolted together. They are generally used for commercial mowers that are used in agriculture or in construction.

Mowing Deck repair and maintenance

Corrosion and rusting of mowing decks are common. Even if all of the inner parts of your lawnmower are in perfect condition, a corroded and worn-out mowing deck will make your machine less useful and even will make it breakdown over time. Eventually, you may even have to throw away your trusty mower. But getting rid of the whole machine is not the solution to this problem. There are several fixes that you can try to repair and maintain your mower deck.

Mowing Deck repair and maintenance:

  • Step 1: Remove the rust from your mowing deck
  • Step 2: Use Hammerite Kurust
  • Step 3: Glass fiber kit
  • Step 4: Clean and protect the underside with a silicone spray

This blog contains a step by step guide on how to repair your rusty mowing deck.

How to repair a rusty mowing deck?

A rusty mowing deck will affect the performance of your machine. When the grass is somewhat damp or wet, it will stick to the mowing deck’s underside. It will clog and means you have to stop and clean it all the time. When the damage is worse, the grass will not be sucked into the mowers bag. It will follow the path of least resistance and spew out of any hole created by rust and corrosion. If you recognize these issues, we can help you fix them with the step-by-step guide on how to repair a rusty mowing deck.

Step 1: Remove the rust from your mowing deck.

Clean the area of your mowing deck covered in rust carefully. You must make sure that there are no freshly cut grass clippings, dry leaves, bird droppings, grease, mud, dirt, debris, or stains on your mowing deck. Get a wire brush, it will help you remove the loose parts of paint and flakes of rust. It will give you an excellent surface to work on.

If the mower deck is still in good shape and does not have any holes or very thin parts, it is a good idea to spray the underside of the deck with a high-quality Silicone lubricant. This will protect it and make it smooth so the grass will not stick as quickly.

Step 2: Use Hammerite Kurust:

Use an old brush to apply Hammerite Kurust on the holes created by the rust in your mowing deck. This is a magical substance that will convert the rusty spots in your mowing deck into an inert, stable surface. This substance also has the power to transform iron oxides into durable iron surfaces. You can also use one of the other brands with similar properties. Check the manual on how to apply it correctly.

Be careful not to put the same brush that you use to apply it into the main Hammerite Kurust container. The original composition will get bad if it is contaminated. It is better to transfer a small amount of the substance into a different container, just as much as you need. After finishing, allow it to dry for at least 15 minutes.

Step 3: Glass fiber kit:

This product is easy to use because it comes with simple instructions. Make sure you clean the parts that will be covered with the fiberglass as well as you can. This will ensure that it will stick and keeps sticking to the mower deck.

– Things that you will need:

  • Application brush
  • a pair of good-quality gloves
  • a cup for mixing
  • Hardener
  • stirrer
  • Matting
  • 500 mm of resin

To repair a hole created in your mowing deck by rust, follow the below-given instructions carefully.

First, you should wear a pair of plastic gloves before starting. Cut the fiberglass into long and workable strips. Make sure you cut enough, so you don’t have to repeat this step later on. Then mix some hardener and resin. Check the manual of the product for the exact amounts of both.

Make only a small amount of mixture that you can use within 5 minutes. It dries quickly and is difficult to use when it is getting dry. Use the brush to apply the mixture onto the fiberglass strips and put the strips on the holes in your mowing deck. Make sure the sticky side is down.

You must apply the fiberglass mixture generously. If you use more resin to the fiberglass with the brush, you will be able to see the strips of the fiberglass beginning to separate, which is a sign that you have applied an adequate amount of the mixture. Continue applying the mixture on the remaining strips and let them overlap (or better use a 90-degree overlap). It takes up to 20 minutes to allow this substance to harden.

If you want, you can apply another layer of fiberglass on top of the previous. The different layers will set hard and be unbreakable. When the fix is thick and strong enough it is ready to be used

Step 4: Clean and protect the underside with a silicone spray

When the repair is done, all parts can be cleaned. It is a good idea to spray the underside of the deck with a high-quality Silicone lubricant. This will protect it and make it smooth so damp or wet grass will not stick as quickly.

You have renewed the life of your old mowing deck by just spending 25 and saving more than 1000. over, this task does not need more than one or a couple of hours of your busy time, depending on the size of the hole that you intend to repair.

Are mowing decks interchangeable?

In most cases mowing decks are not interchangeable. Mounting points and pulleys are different from mower type to mower type. Even when the brand is the same. But it is worthwhile investigating if your mower deck is used by other types as well. It is also possible that the lawnmower manufacturer uses the mower deck for multiple brands. Several users have let us know that they have found an identical mowing deck fitted to a product made by another brand. But in all cases, check the dimensions and location of the parts that are mounted to it are exactly similar.

The widths of the different mowing decks vary, and obviously, the lawnmower’s blade’s width needs to match the new deck’s width. Some lawnmower manufacturers don’t have standard deck specifications, but they often share the designs of the decks they manufacture.

Different types of mowing decks and their unique features:

There are two types of mowing decks sold separately on the internet and in your local hardware stores.

You must check your mower’s model number and find a compatible mowing deck if it needs a replacement.

1) Cyclone mowing deck

A cyclone mowing deck is a high-quality, affordable, and heavy-duty alternative to the conventional belt-driven mowing decks supplied by famous brands such as John Deere, Kubota, and Iseki. It is a professional mowing deck characterized by robustness, fuel efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This mowing deck will help your lawnmower do a perfect job in a place with extremely heavy grass use, such as golf courts, other sports pitches, roadside verges, parks, housing estates, and school grounds.

It is a type of professional mowing deck that delivers an entirely flexible finish in everyday grass or hay mowing tasks yet comfortably copes in severely harsher mowing environments. A cyclone mowing deck has a heavy-duty gear-driven driveline, eliminating all the irritating complications associated with belt-driven mowing decks. The significant features of a cyclone mowing deck include the following:

  • Construction: A cyclone mowing deck is constructed out of extremely high-strength stainless steel.
  • Mowing Style: A cyclone mowing deck has a rear roller, optional for you to use for an extra striped finish and some additional protection.
  • Durability: A cyclone mowing deck has the most extended lifespan and durability in the market because its body is hot-dipped-galvanized.
  • Wheels: A cyclone mowing deck has heavy-duty castor wheels that have robust and durable inner bearings.
  • User-friendly: A user-friendly height adjustment system is also the main characteristic of a cyclone mowing deck.
  • Blades: A cyclone mowing deck has a “tri-cut” blade system, which will provide you with an admirable professional finish in fine turf applications.
  • Width: A cyclone mowing deck can cut and mulch material up to 30 millimeters in diameter, even in extreme conditions.

2) Free-floating mowing deck

A free-floating mowing deck moves independently from the rest of the body of your lawnmower. It usually comes with full-width rollers. The main advantage of the free-floating deck is that it will follow the contours of your lawn, and there is a minimum risk of scalping. Most brands have models that use this type of mowing deck. It is attached directly to the mainframe of the lawnmower. The features of free-floating mowing decks include:

  • Warranty: A lifetime warranty to put lots of confidence in your purchase when you invest a significant amount of your valuable money into it.
  • Movement: The rear rollers of a free-floating mowing deck always move up and down to allow the worker to select his or her preferred cutting height, which causes no uneven cutting and minimizes the risk of scalping.
  • Stripping: When the rear rollers of a free-floating mowing deck pass over the blades of the freshly cut grass, this bends them forward slightly; when the rays of the sunlight are reflecting off the blades of the newly cut grass, something wonderful happens. The rows of the grass angled towards the viewer appear darker in color than the rows of the grass angled away from the viewer.
  • Blades: A free-floating mowing deck comes with precision matched blades.
  • Noise-free operation: A free-floating mowing deck is easy to start and offers smooth and quiet operation.
  • Height: You can easily adjust the cutting height of a free-floating mowing deck by merely pushing a button.
  • Comfort: A free-floating mowing deck is characterized by a rear suspension, which makes the operator feel 25% less impact than a tractor without any suspensions at all. It has an improved cut and sewn seat to provide lots of comfort and stability to the operator.
  • Lights: A free-floating mowing deck has powerful LED headlights to help you work properly if you want to do it after sunset.
  • Additional features: A free-floating mowing deck has an improved heat management system.

Related questions:

How to clean the underside of my mowing deck?

One of the best and easiest methods to remove the dried grass clippings from the underside of your mowing deck is to use high power water spray. This can be a garden hose or a pressure washer. If you leave the grass clippings under your mowing deck, your machine’s efficiency and performance will be reduced. And it will increase the chance of rust.

How to protect the underside of my mowing deck?

Some owners paint the underside of their mowing deck with anti-rust paint. This can be an excellent idea to protect the deck, and it makes cleaning more comfortable. After the anti-rust paint, you can use some other oil-based paint on top.

Another method to protect the underside of the deck is to spray it with a protective solution. First, clean the bottom with a pressure washer or a power hose. Make sure you scrape the underside completely clean and allow the machine to dry thoroughly. When it is dry, spray it with a mixture of diesel fuel and oil; 10% to 25%.

mower, deck, wash, your

If you have forgotten small bits of rust or any grass clippings on your mowing deck, they will get soaked through this spray. You will find that the dirt comes off even quicker, and the metal will get a protective layer and stay shiny.

Final remarks

After reading this blog post, I am confident that most of your questions will be answered. The instructions, tips, and suggestions included in this blog are proven by experienced mechanics. They will help you maintain your mower deck and improve the life span for many years to come.

Stamped Deck vs. Fabricated Deck For Mowers

When you are out there to buy a lawn mower, one of the things that you will see on the lawn mowers is that it will say whether it is stamped or fabricated. In this case, you might be wondering what the differences between the two are, especially if you don’t know anything about lawn mowers.

What is the difference and which is better, a stamped deck vs fabricated deck for mowers?

Stamped decks are lighter, cheaper, and thinner with comparable longevity for residential applications as fabricated decks. When compared on direct impact and rough terrain handling, fabricated decks with their thicker plate design resist warping and cracking better than stamped.

The good news for you is that we are here to look at which is better for you.

What’s The Difference Between Stamped And Fabricated Decks?

Having a lawn mower at home is one of the most important things that any homeowner should have, especially when it comes to lawn care. That’s because your lawn is one of the highlights of your entire home. The better your lawn is, the better your home’s resale value will be.

Of course, your lawn mower is there to efficiently trim the grass on your lawn and is the main tool for the job.

So, when you are out to buy a good lawn mower that you can use for your home, you might end up encountering two different types of lawn mowers. The first is a stamped deck lawn mower. Meanwhile, the second is a fabricated deck lawn mower.

What Is A Mowing Deck?

For those who don’t know what a lawn mower deck is, this is basically the widest part of a riding mower. The purpose of a deck is to house the blades and keep debris from flying in many directions and the mower operates.

The size of the deck indicates how wide a cut the machine can make. There are usually one to three blades under the deck. Of course, the way the deck is made should also matter when it comes to the overall quality of the lawn mower.

mower, deck, wash, your

With that said, the next question is, “What is the difference between a stamped deck lawn mower and a fabricated deck mower?”

What Is A Stamped Mowing Deck?

Let’s first look at what stamped deck mowers are. These mowers have decks that were stamped out of a single piece of steel. That means that a huge piece of steel was simply cut and molded in the shape of the lawn mower’s deck to make it relatively seamless and with less parts.

In most cases, the steel that was used to make a stamped deck mower is a thinner type of metal compared to a fabricated deck mower. The reason is that it is easier to stamp out a single piece of metal if it is actually thin.

Because of how stamped deck mowers have thinner decks, they are generally lighter than their fabricated couterparts. This also allows them to have better airflow and cause less trauma to turf grasses. On top of that, stamped deck mowers are usually quite flexible in what they can do.

In most cases, stamped deck mowers are usually already more than enough for common households that mow their lawns maybe once a week. That’s because these mowers are generally affordable enough for most homowners.

The fact is, they are not the most durable mowers. But since many households will only use stamped deck mowers once a week at the most, these mowers can last quite long.

What Is A Fabricated Mowing Deck?

Then let’s look at fabricated deck mowers. The word “fabricated” already gives you a good idea of what these mowers are made of. Your guess is right, as fabricated mowers are generally made out of heavier high-quality steel plates that are welded or fabricated together instead of simply being cut and molded out of a single piece of steel.

Because of the fact that a fabricated deck mower uses heavier and stronger steel plates that were forged together, the general consensus is that these mowers are stronger and more durable compared to stamped deck mowers.

Of course, fabricated deck mowers are also a lot heavier than stamped deck mowers. But the fact that they are heavier and more durable means that they are capable of handling tougher commercial applications. These are rugged machines that are capable of withstanding rougher conditions for longer periods of time.

As such, fabricated deck mowers are better for those who are planning to use their mowers for commercial purposes because of how often the mowers will be used. They are generally more durable and longer-lasting than their stamped deck counterparts. However, that also means that they are much more expensive as well.

Stamped Vs Fabricated Deck Comparison

With this said, some companies are trying to cross these differences and employ some of the design features of both in one combined product. Husqvarna has a fabricated deck with thick metal plates, but sporting rounded corners and edges to try and alleviate some issues.

How Do I Know If My Mower Deck Is Stamped?

There are several ways to determine if the deck on your mower is Stamped or Fabricated. It is not too difficult to find out using any of these methods. Let’s find out if your mower deck is stamped.

mower, deck, wash, your
  • Most mower deck types are disclosed either in the owner’s manual or advertising material.
  • Fabricated decks will have large recognizable weld or bolt connections.
  • Stamped decks have noticeably thinner metal.

There are several places on or accompanying your mower to determine if the type of deck you have is stamped or fabricated. It should be noted in the operations manual, parts list, on the mower itself, or on any packaging.

It is also fairly easy to tell if a deck is fabricated or stamped by the number of welds openly seen. Though stamped decks could have welding lines in places, these will be plentiful and unmistakable in fabricated versions.

In all likelihood, if you have a residential mower that is not designed for heavy duty cutting on a commercial scale, then you will have a stamped deck mower. There are even lower end or specifically designed commercial models sporting stamped decks.

Where you will normally find fabricated decks are in agricultural or large commercial applications. That being said, they very well could pop up being used in small landscaping crews or even as personal mowers of homeowners.

How Thick Should A Mower Deck Be?

If you are considering a mower deck, you will inevitably come to the question, “How thick should mower decks be?”

Most commercial mowing decks today are stamped or fabricated from 7 or 10 gage steel. John Deere for one uses even 7 gage steel to stamp some of their commercial decks. For residential mower decks it is common on cheaper brands and models to find thinner metal.

Unless you are planning on falling asleep on your Zero-turn mower and running it up the nearest tree, 7 or 10 gage steel will work just fine. You are going to want the thicker option for more rural and farmland style fields.

For the average home and lawn, most decks on the market will work just fine. It will be more about features and price than the thickness of the mowing deck.

Are All John Deere Decks Stamped?

Let’s look at an example that can help illustrate how prevalent stamped vs fabricated decks are. This should make it easier to understand what you should be looking for in a mower deck.

All of John Deere’s commercial mowing series 7-Iron II, 7-Iron Pro, and 7-Iron Mulch On Demand decks are stamped from a single piece of steel. John Deere residential lines also have stamped decks. These offer curved corners that stand up to more stress and collect less blade clogging debris.

Though other brands like Cub Cadet offer some fabricated decks in their residential and commercial lines, John Deere stands by its choice to offer only stamped decks.

Their claim is that the curved design can take more load and stress. Their claim is that it will also collect less debris under the deck due to less hard angles.

I for one tend to agree. Though the thicker plates that can be used in fabricated models can individually take more strain, most normal mowing jobs won’t require more than the thinner steel in a stamped design can offer. It will only be needed on extreme terrain or very overgrown fields full of mature plants.

The real strength difference over time will be the corners and welds. With rounded corners and less welds, the lighter stamped version will be a better option for most grass cutting situations.

Are Fabricated Mower Decks Better?

Now that you know the differences between stamped deck and fabricated mowers, it becomes easy to point out that fabricated deck mowers seem to be better than stamped deck mowers in rough terrain. And it’s true that the general consensus is that these mowers are better in fields an on farmlands.

However, just because fabricated mowers are generally better for heavier jobs, it doesn’t mean that they are actually better for you.

As mentioned, fabricated mowers are much more durable and are more capable of handling rougher conditions precisely because they were made for commercial purposes. Mowers that are used for commercial applications are used many times a week.

Because fabricated mowers are made for commercial applications, they are also more expensive. That means that going for a fabricated mower may be overkill for you if you are simply looking for a mower that you can use once a week to keep your grass short.

So, in other words, if you are only looking for a mower that is good enough for household applications, then a fabricated mower might be overkill for you because of how it is much more expensive.

On the other hand, stamped deck mowers may not be as durable or as rugged as fabricated deck mowers on rugged terrain, but they are much more affordable and are more economical when it comes to common household use.

And as John Deere advocates and employees assert, the rounded corners and less welding actually can make them last longer than fabricated decks.

The Final Touches On Stamped Decks Vs Fabricated Decks…

For those looking for a residential mower, you are more than likely to run into stamped decks because of their general durability, light weight, and lower price point. Though brands like Cub Cadet do offer fabricated options.

For those looking for commercial mowers, stamped decks are still and option as well as fabricated ones.

For those in the agricultural community, fabricated decks with their thicker materials will offer more direct impact protection and resist distortion and cracking.

Mathew has worked in landscaping professionally for over 10 years. He is a grandpa and frequently interviews other experienced landscapers and lawn care experts who are also grandpas for these articles.

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About Us

We are Jerry McMillan and Mathew Booe (Father-In-Law/Great-Grandpa and Son-In-Law/Grandpa). Jerry has been in the landscaping business professionally for over 45 years and 10 of those years Mathew worked with him and helped him run his business. Together they answer landscaping, lawn care, and gardening questions of all types from hard work, first hand knowledge, and experience.

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