Deck style preferences?

[dodge trucker]

I mostly play with wide frames and quietlines. (1200, 1250, 129)
I have a few mowing decks here in various conditions and stages of disarray ha ha…

from 44s (can't remember whether I have A or C at the moment, I know what has to be swapped, to convert between an A or C deck to make them work on a given machine) also I have a 50 (C, if I remember, not looking at it at the moment) and a couple of 48" triangle decks.

I have a 129 that is next to get its turn in the garage and get going/ get the bugs out of. This deck will be set up to be used beneath that tractor.
I have a "parts" 1650, that will donate its hydraulic lift goodies to said 129.

If all else was equal, all in "good" usable condition, between the various decks that can be adapted to a wideframe,
and you had a choice of decks to put onto this 129, which would you use, and why?

I'm talking quality of cut, ease of getting thru occasional "heavy spots" without having to remow (within reason), suction, clearing ability (How well does a certain deck "throw" the clippings clear of itself) in average conditions? (I know wet grass comes into play and other factors, that's why I specify "average")
one thing that seems to be around here, is that replacement blades seem easier to come by for the 44/50 decks than the triangle decks, which has me leaning that way, over using a triangle deck/ which would be more "period correct", I guess than anything. but mine are not show pieces, so I don't care a bit about that.
I have mule drives to go either way. and deck center drive pulleys of various belt widths so I have that aspect covered.

Ideal setup? Which series of deck, what kind of blades do you guys prefer? (I typically prefer as high of a high lift blade as can be had),
not interested in mulching, or bagging. I prefer to "mow and blow" and to mow an extra day sooner than "has to be" mowed rarely let yard get outta hand.
flat Illinois ground/ no sidehills etc,
Most grass around here is kentucky Bluegrass/ fescue mix with some ryegrass.
looking for opinions on best "bang for buck" setup.
Mowing season is a few months away now, I want to be ready and want to have the "most ideal" setup ready to go when the snow leaves and the grass starts going crazy on me. Trying to decide which deck to "attack" 1st.

[athomas]

I have used both the 44"a/c style and the older triangle style and my .02 cents is I think the triangle 68-72 vintage does a better job mowing and I think it lifts a little higher ,just my opinion !

[Rmowl]

Originally Posted by athomas

I have used both the 44"a/c style and the older triangle style and my .02 cents is I think the triangle 68-72 vintage does a better job mowing and I think it lifts a little higher ,just my opinion !

I agree 100% I had a 124 w a 48” deck and it was the finest mowing machine I ever had. And for clarification I have owned 2130, 1430, etc late model machines and preferred the older models. My current main mowing rig is a 682 w a 50c deck w gator blades. Just sharpened them the other month on a neat sharpening apparatus at a park I was at in va. Does ok but not as well as the narrow frame. Oh well, I have an 8 beer yard anyhow.

[Gompers]

I feel sharp blades and keeping on top of the grass probably makes a bigger difference than the deck you use to mow. With that in mind, I try to mow at least twice a week, and sometimes every other day during spring and fall, so I'm not really ever cutting more than an inch or so off and YMMV.

Mowed two years ago with a 42" triangle on a 127 and this last year with a 44C on a 682/782. I think they both did about the same job with maybe a slight edge to the 42". I think it picks up tall grass a little better and does a little better job when you're trying to mow higher. 44C, at least the one I'm mowing with, doesn't have quite as much vacuum. I still end up using it more often because it's a better deck for the tractors I have to mount it on at the moment. Finished the year out with a 54" GT but that's a very different story.

There's also the issue that the 44/50A/C have with grass clippings gathering under the belt shield. I think it's a lot easier to keep a triangle deck clean.

If it were my tractor, I'd go with the 42/48" triangle.

[drglinski]

I've used a 50" under a 782 and a 48 under my 147 and Dad's 125 and prefer the triangular 48s the best- IMO the cut the best. Your results may vary.