I love my Cub, but HATE the deck!

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

I used a 46" deck for years on several different tractors. The only reason I don't use it any more is I found out how much better the 48"/54" decks cuts.

The only problem I had with the 46" was that it tended to windrow the clippings. I never cut the grass when it is wet and I don't try to cut that short.

Any rear discharge mower I ever saw looked like a hay field that had had a hay rake run through it. Your results may be different.

Beat me to it!

[cubs-n-bxrs]

I have a POS 46" deck for my 1641 and is basically junk. It mowed like crap with standard blades on it and I bought a set of gator mulching blades with no improvement. Grass clumped up in the deck all the time. I wonder if that particular deck was designed for a rear bagger attachment. Just didn't seem to have the a$$ to dischare the grass out the end. Maybe they need speed up pulleys on them to get the RPM's.

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by cubs-n-bxrs

I have a POS 46" deck for my 1641 and is basically junk. It mowed like crap with standard blades on it and I bought a set of gator mulching blades with no improvement. Grass clumped up in the deck all the time. I wonder if that particular deck was designed for a rear bagger attachment. Just didn't seem to have the a$$ to dischare the grass out the end. Maybe they need speed up pulleys on them to get the RPM's.

I used several different 46" decks on several 1641's, 1862, 1860, 1863. They cut GRASS really well except for the windrowing. They DIDN'T cut cat tails sprouting off weeds. I used standard blades that weren't worn out and sharpened them once a year.

Yes, the couple of times I cut when the grass was a little wet, it tended to clump on the discharge. I just very seldom would ever cut grass when it was wet.

Nothing seems to stop the 48"/54" decks. Wet grass, tall grass, doesn't windrow, doesn't matter. I bought several tractors just to get those decks to install on my other tractors. Never looked back.

[rwairforce]

I use Gator blades for less grass buildup. I also don't rake when fall comes around, I just run over them until only little tiny pieces remain. A couple passes, maybe three over the remains is all it takes. I've also eliminated all blisters previously caused from raking... Love those Gators.

[o---o]

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Grass needs mowed more frequently - guilty
Blades are dull - guilty

Although I have used other mowers under these same conditions with much better results, this 46" deck just doesn't seem to work as well as other decks/mowers. The only reason the grass gets tall is because every time something breaks the parts have to be ordered. First is was the starter, then I noticed the two rear engine spacers were missing. After that it was the float filled with gas. Now I've got a crank seal to replace today. And as jimbob200521 said, half of my yard is an old septic tank leech field and grows like crazy and the other half needs mowed only once a month.

I'm going to try to find a 48"/54" deck since several people claim they are much better than the 46" deck. What models would have the deck I need?


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[Frank1541]

I have used 3 different decks on my 1541:

44C - Standard blades. Great looking cut in all conditions. Maybe the best looking. The best at dispersing the clippings. Did clump up with wet grass.

46 - Almost as good a cut using Cub hardened blades. Tended to throw the clippings out in chunks. This made the cut look worse. Not as bad clumping with wet grass.

54 - With Gator blades. Almost as good as the 44C. Like the 44 with wet grass.

54 - Meg Mo blades (current setup). The best for wet grass. Not as good with some long grass as the others (surprising to me). Good looking cut. Not much buildup with wet grass.

I do miss the bagging option that I used with the 46. I will stick with the 54/meg mo since it is the fastest cut in most conditions.

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by o---o

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I'm going to try to find a 48"/54" deck since several people claim they are much better than the 46" deck. What models would have the deck I need?

You can find the 48"/54" decks on late Cyclops tractors. If your grass gets tall often, you may find they're too big for your engine.

A good second choice as noted above is the 44C deck.

My dealer told me a number of years ago the reason CC quit making the 46" deck was due to customer complaints of windrowing and overall cutting appearance. It does work very well with the bagging system.

[elkyman87]

I had the same complaint with the 46gt under my 1864. I got a 48gt a couple of months ago and really like it.

[o---o]

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Well I don't see anything wrong with my blades

[o---o]

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Here is a pic of how badly the deck stays clogged up