Will a 10 horse swing a 48" deck?

Southtowns27 · #1 10-16-2011, 10:09 PM

We regularly patronize the local bar and grill. We're out in the sticks and it is definitely the "Cheers" of the area. It's a higher end place and the owner has done a very, very good job with the place for decades.
She has a 105 that she's owned for 25+ years, and I've been taking care of the maintenance and repairs on it for the last couple of years. Currently, it has a 42" deck on it. The other day, she asked if there was a larger deck that could go on it. She's mowing a pretty large area with it, the lawn surrounding the restaurant, plus the entire area where the weekly classic car cruise night happens. I have a couple of 48" decks here that I could get in good working order in short time, but I'm worried about the 10 horse having enough snot to swing it. I told her I'd look into it and let her know what I find.
Does the 10 have enough to do it or not? The area is flat so that helps a bit. I guess if it comes down to it, I could shave the head on it .035" to get the compression up to get some more out of it. She's fine with whatever it takes, within reason of course. She is determined to keep the machine as she realizes that it's built like a tank and anything new won't hold up like it has for the last 25+ years.
So, what's the general consensus on this??

CADplans · #2 10-16-2011, 11:05 PM

I would think the last thing you would want to do is increase the performance of a air cooled engine under constant, increased load.

Maybe switching to 93 octane would help keep the high compression engine cool.

These engines remove a lot of heat from the engine through the exhaust. Increased load reduces engine speed, giving more time for the heat to transfer to the block. That would be compounded by the fan running slower.

I would try the stock engine with the new deck. It would be easy to revert to the previous setup.

The success will probably depend on the frequency of the grass cutting.

Matt G. · #3 10-16-2011, 11:15 PM

You might be able to get by with that on a 10 hp gear drive, but I think a 10 hp hydro would be pretty underpowered for a 48" deck. I, too, would not mill down the head that much. You may wind up shortening the life of an engine that is probably already a bit tired. I suppose if the grass was kept very short you might get away with it, but a 12 hp tractor would be a lot better.

Southtowns27 · #4 10-17-2011, 01:44 PM

I kinda thought the 10 wouldn't quite do it. My thinking is that yes, we can put the 48" on there but the ground speed would have to be reduced to the point that it would actually be faster with the 42". Might be time to shop for a different tractor.

ol'George · #5 10-17-2011, 02:32 PM

My experience is:
I have a 210 J. Deere, it has a 46/47" deck Tri-cycler they call it. I used it to cut 3+ acres regularly for over 15 years till I got my cub.
I saw no problem with that size of cut, it always had more than enough power.
Now when I went brush hogging with it along the creek it would sometimes slip the deck drive belt but that was to be expected.
It has a 10 H.P kohler same as the cubs.
Also one of my 2 sons has a older 110 round fendered Deere that has a 10 H.P. Tejunkski engine with the same width deck and he has no problems either, although he is on a smaller lot in town so his cutting time is short.
I would still use the Deere but old age knee problems directed me to a hydro instead of a clutch.
If she is cutting a large area but not brush hogging too tall grass,I would give it a try.
if it didn't work to satisfaction just cut a smaller swath or go back to the smaller deck.

As far as shaving the head yes it would help and no you don't need premium fuel, as the kohlers have very low compression to start with ----.035 max on the shave. after that it gets dicey on hitting the valves.
I really don't think you will need to shave it but it sure does wake them up with no side effects.
I shaved my other sons 1450 and he loves it. He can't wait for me to shave his older 149.
Do as you like,I can only tell you my experiences.

CADplans · #6 10-17-2011, 02:58 PM

Deck design selection has a lot to do with it also.

I regularly mow with a
1861 (18hp, 44? inch deck)
1872 (18hp 60 inch Haban deck)
24G Gravely (24hp onan, 72 inch deck)

The performance is almost exactly opposite what you would expect.

The 1861 will choke out the engine with a little bit too much grass height.

The 1872 does a little better in tall grass than the 1861, even though the deck is 60".

The 24G will cut 12" tall grass and throw it out like it it fan assisted without bogging down at all.

In each case the discharge area is increasing, possibly making the deck require less HP to do the same work??

ol'George · #7 10-17-2011, 03:22 PM

Ya,
I agree on deck design!
I have a 50"deck on the 782 and the mag 18 doesn't know it is there.
But if you go a little too fast it doesn't cut as clean, leaving streaks between the razor sharp blades, especially in crab grass and if the grass is damp, it clogs up inside.
Those decks are not deep enough like the newer thinking/designs.
After a 4 hour mowing, I have to scrape out the underside or it's a really ugly cut.
but I just consider it maint. and it drops/installs so easy compared to the old 210 Deere.
If the lawn to be cut is dry and or littered with small twigs the deck self cleans, but that is not always the case.