Gauge wheels or no gauge wheels
 

After seeing a picture of a 129 with gauge wheels, and knowing mine doesn't have them, i started doing some research. I found that gauge wheels were optional on decks. What is the consensus on using them? I understand that in certain situations they will prevent scalping, but in lumpy yards, wouldn't they result in an uneven cut? My thinking here is that the gauge wheels will rise and fall on bumps that the larger tractor tires will glide over.

My yard is very bumpy and I get a better cut with gauge wheels, without them it likes to scalp.

I use 'em...they work good.

Unless the deck is very narrow, like under 3ft, I want them. We have them on everything here except the 382--and we haven't mowed with it in a LONG time. We generally set them up so there is not a lot of weight on the wheels (except for the 60" decks under the Supers--but that's a whole other animal).

I agree with this. You don't want the weight of the deck on the wheels. That will result in the uneven cut you talk about, as well as the wheel will wear out very quickly. They aren't designed to carry the weight of the deck so they are there to prevent scalping, nothing more.

Well... THAT'S the rumor. But I'm doing everything wrong cause it all started with my 1330 lawn tractor with the 44" deck, ran it on it's wheels for 23 years, and only replaced the fronts twice.
Run my 50" on the 1650 starting with the wheels on the ground, then bring them up a nudge, let er rip, tatar chip. Same on my 44" under the 782, but it's got runners, so it's not right on the ground.
And as John said, the Haban's on the ground all the time... You talk about uneven terrain, I don't think it get's much worst than ours, and the wheels on the ground aren't going to make a uneven cut.
The deck is rigid, so it's not like the wheel can fall into a rabbit hole... The Haban's run the ground all the time, see any uneven cuts afterwards? Not on mine. My tractor, my way, your tractor, well, your way.:bigthink:

FWIW, the topic of deck wheels was probably one of the most discussed topics I had with customers during my dealership days. Most everyone thought since a wheel was there, it was meant to run on the ground...but no one asked MTD their purpose behind it.

There is a difference between deck gauge wheels and deck caster wheels. My spiel was to help educate customers caster wheels are heavier built (bearing), can turn/rotate, and can run on the ground to allow the deck to float on the ground if so desired. Gauge wheels are positionly stationary and should be called for the purpose they really serve, anti-scalp rollers. Set the deck where you want it and the wheel is there to keep the deck from digging in or, as the name says, the blade from scalping. I only bring this up due to the number of warranty claims customers tried to bring in to us when they bought their machines at the box stores. Clients who bought from me got what I consider a good education on what they could and could not do with their machine. And don't let the appearance of a grease zerk fool you, not all MTD rollers have bearings or bushings to keep from wearing out...ie, parts replacement. :bigthink:

Now every unit is personal and that is why there are aftermarket kits to put gauge wheels on older decks that have the runners as on my 782. I personally like the looks and the functionality they provide, so I say if you can find them, add them on. Just MHO.

I have a 50" deck on my 169, and was never all that happy with all the scalping that happened. My lot was flat, but you could tell no one ever did much work to smooth it out before we rented for a year. I fixed the big holes, but tried to not give the landlord too much free labor since he refused to fix things that were his responsibility... Anyways, I added gauge wheels to the front, mimicking the rear mount on the left side and attaching to the half bar loop runner on the right, cleaned it all up and repainted it. Problem is I moved, so I don't know how much it helped on the same bumpy lawn; the lawn I'm mowing now is much less bumpy but very hilly-I think the steep hill is nearly a 45 degree slope. So far I'm pleased with it, but I've only mowed twice since the change. I wish I had a better picture of it; I'll try to remember to get one tonight and post it tomorrow. My only issue with the wheels is my aversion to welding to anything that is stock...

Here are a few pictures of my amateur front deck wheel addition. I figured I'd use it a few times and then tighten all my bolts up before adding the belt cover back on.

I've got a 50" to hopefully put back in service soon. Heard a few mixed reviews about how they mow. I'll keep the front gauge wheels idea in mind.

For the most part I really like my 50" deck. It cuts evenly on the flat, looks nice when you're done, and you can really cover ground.

My biggest complaint was that the rental we were staying at had a really rough yard, so I was always scalping or leaving long spots because of all the dips. Hopefully my added wheels will help that; our new place doesn't have the smoothest lawn but it isn't nearly as rough. I'm planning on mowing the whole thing for the first time tomorrow, so we'll see how it does. I think the issue is that the deck sticks out about half a mile on the left, but the blades don't cut much further than the rear wheel sticks out on the right, so on any uneven surface that left side would poke up in the air or dig in and scalp. We'll see after tomorrow how my additions do...

My other complaint is that I wish the blades turned at a higher rpm. The clippings that come out are quite large and so they need to be cleaned up if I'm taking much off. Once I wear these blades out I'm hoping some Gator replacements will help chop the clippings more finely so it isn't as big of a deal. The JD LT180 from '04 I also use seems to turn the blades twice as fast and it doesn't seem like the clippings stick around as long. In comparison to other equipment from the era of my 169 I've used I think it's pretty comparable.

The Haban's have caster wheels. Those are different that gauge wheels. And no, a deck won't fall in a hole. But it sure will jump up over a mole tunnel or other large lump. And you went through 3 sets of wheels in 23 years? If you ran them up higher, you might have been able to keep the originals. :bigthink: To each his own, I suppose.

Yes, I know the Haban's are casters... And YES I know they are different...
Yes three sets in 23 years, at approximately 100 hrs. per year. I also don't have a well leveled lot to cut, it's acres of rough terrain.:biggrin2:
The cut is much nicer looking with the wheels down than up, and as you said, "to each his own".:bigthink:

Regardless of wheel position... I don't think anything cuts as nice as these old decks. I had a brand new Husqvarna and the grass looked terrible after I was done. I think I would have gotten better results with a dull machete :beerchug:

I have owned two Supers with Haban decks, and about a half dozen Cub Cadet GT's with mowers,,
none cut as nicely as this 72" deck with four wheels that ride on the ground.

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps980fc2cd.jpg

Everyone talks about big decks scalping, this one, in over a decade of use,,,
has NEVER scalped,,, EVER,,,

I think the reason is has never scalped is the twin center rollers.

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/...ps836e7a11.jpg

They basically make the mower act like two 3 foot decks,,, NO scalping.

Thanks for all of the great information, didn't expect all the replies I have gotten on this.

Tab

Has anyone ever made a 'batwing' style mower for under one of these machines? I'm thinking a center blade that attaches to the machine, and then one blade off each side that all work together. Maybe 50-60" wide overall, and you could use a bagger with it... You'd have to have several gauge wheels, but it would conform to the curve of the ground like a gang of reel mowers. You wouldn't be able to pick the sides up much higher than your typical deck, but that'd be great for a hilly lawn. But incredibly expensive, I'm sure...

Seems like I may need a nap...

...actually yes, Cub Cadet Commercial retailed a Z-Wing Tank in the early 2000s. It was a 48" deck zero turn. We had one at the dealership as a demo...and to be honest, I loved the machine, especially considering I have 3 walk-in gates in my fenced yard and it went right through with the wings folded up. I am not sure if they ever took off though.

That's pretty slick. My 50" deck is 60" overall, so to avoid scuffing I need a 5.5-6' trailer and gates. I don't yet have a trailer, and have a lead on a cheap 4' wide one, but having to take the deck off each time might not be worth the low price. Now to daydream about getting a used Z-Wing deck and fabbing it up for my machine...