Stand-on mowers, also known as walk-behind mowers or mid-size mowers, are a popular type of lawn mower that provide more maneuverability and accessibility than standard riding lawn mowers. When choosing a stand-on mower, an important factor to consider is the mower’s cutting width, which determines how much grass it can cut in a single pass.
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Common Cutting Widths
Stand-on mowers are available in a range of cutting widths, typically ranging from 32 to 61 inches. Here are some of the most common stand-on mower deck sizes:
| Cutting Width | Description |
|---|---|
| 32-36 inches | Smaller stand-on mowers with cutting widths in this range are best suited for smaller residential lawns under 1/3 acre. They provide high maneuverability but require more passes to mow larger areas. |
| 42-48 inches | Mid-sized stand-on mowers with these deck widths work well for typical suburban home lawns up to about 1 acre. They balance maneuverability with wider cutting swaths requiring fewer passes. |
| 52-61 inches | Larger stand-on mowers in this range are ideal for larger yards and commercial use. The wider decks can cut large swaths of grass efficiently. However, maneuverability is more limited in tight spaces. |
In general, opt for a smaller cutting width if you have a smaller yard with numerous landscaping obstacles. Larger cutting widths are better suited for wide open lawns and fields with less maneuvering required.
Cutting Width and Engine Size
It’s important to match the cutting width of the mower deck with an adequately powered engine. Using an underpowered engine leads to bogging down and poor cutting performance when mowing thicker grass. Here are some general guidelines for pairing stand-on mower cutting widths with engine horsepower:
| Cutting Width | Minimum Engine Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 32-36 inches | 18-22 HP |
| 42-48 inches | 24-27 HP |
| 52-61 inches | 30+ HP |
These are rough estimates – always check the specific engine recommendations for a particular mower model’s cutting width. Also keep in mind factors like terrain (engines working hard on slopes need more power) and thick grass (requires more power).
Advantages of Wider Cutting Widths
While maneuverability can suffer, there are some key advantages associated with stand-on mowers with wider cutting widths:
- Get the job done faster – More grass cut with each pass means less time mowing overall.
- Require fewer passes – Reduce repetitive overlapping passes down and back.
- Wider coverage – Cut larger areas of grass more efficiently.
- Better productivity for pros – Save time and get more jobs done with increased cutting rate.
For large, open yards a stand-on mower with a wide deck of 52 inches or more can significantly boost productivity and allow you to finish in fewer hours.
Factors to Consider
When trying to determine the optimal cutting width for a stand-on mower for your lawn, there are several factors to take into account:
- Yard size – How large is the area you need to cut? Large, open yards call for wider decks.
- Maneuverability – Narrower decks provide tighter turning and better navigation around obstacles.
- Yard layout – Wider is better for open lawns. Tighter spaces need better maneuverability.
- Grass type – Thicker grass requires more cutting power, which wider decks demand.
- Obstacles – More deck adjustments needed to mow around a lot of landscaping, trees, etc.
- Budget – Wider mowers come at an increased cost.
It’s about finding the right balance and selecting the appropriate width mower for your specific lawn and needs as a homeowner. If maneuverability around yard obstacles is more important, opt for a smaller width. But for larger yards, a wider cutting width can really optimize mowing time and efficiency.
Common Brands and Models
To give you a better idea of the cutting width options available, here is an overview of some popular stand-on mower brands and the deck size ranges they offer:
Toro
- TimeCutter SS3200 – 32 inch deck
- TimeCutter SS4200 – 42 inch deck
- TimeCutter SS5000 – 50 inch deck
- TimeCutter SS6000 – 60 inch deck
John Deere
- Z335E – 48 inch deck
- Z345R – 54 inch deck
- Z375R – 60 inch deck
Hustler
- Raptor SD – 34 inch deck
- Raptor X-One – 60 inch deck
- Turf 56″ – 56 inch deck
Scag
- V-Ride II – 36 inch deck
- SWZT – 52 inch deck
- Tiger Cat II – 61 inch deck
This covers some of the most popular models, but there are numerous brands available with varying deck widths to consider.
Maneuverability Comparison
One of the key tradeoffs with increased cutting width is reduced maneuverability. Here is an approximate comparison of how well stand-on mowers with different deck sizes can maneuver:
| Cutting Width | Maneuverability |
|---|---|
| 32-36 inches | Excellent |
| 42-48 inches | Good |
| 52-61 inches | Moderate |
The narrower mowers can deftly navigate hills, landscaping, trees and tight spaces. Their sharp turning allows mowing close to obstacles. The wider mowers require more space to pivot and turn. While not as nimble, mowers in the middle widths still offer decent maneuverability for most general suburban yards with some obstacles.
Specialized Cutting Decks
In addition to regular flat cutting decks, some stand-on mowers offer specialized deck options:
- Rear discharge decks – Grass clippings are spit out the back instead of the side for a clean cut.
- Mulching decks – Finely mulch clippings into the lawn instead of bagging.
- Side discharge decks – Discharge clippings out the right side away from landscaping and flower beds.
These types of decks typically have cutting widths in the same range as standard decks. So the width considerations are similar.
Cutting Width for Commercial Use
For commercial lawn care businesses and professional landscapers, selecting a stand-on mower with an adequate cutting width is crucial for productivity and efficiency. Some tips for commercial use:
- Opt for larger decks of 52 inches or more to maximize cutting rate.
- Decks sized 48-52 inches provide a good balance for most general commercial needs.
- Go heavier-duty – commercial engines provide more power for wider decks.
- Ensure the deck material is thick and ruggedized.
- Carefully match engine HP to cutting width.
The increased productivity and time savings of wider decks make them highly advantageous for commercial mowing. Even with more limited maneuverability, the cutting efficiency gains are significant.
Conclusion
Stand-on mowers provide a variety of cutting width options ranging from 32 to 61 inches. Choosing the right width requires balancing productivity against maneuverability based on your lawn specifics. Yard size, layout, grass type and landscaping obstacles all factor into selecting the optimal cutting width. For light residential use, 32-42 inch decks offer easy maneuvering. Larger yards and commercial use call for wider 52+ inch decks to boost cutting efficiency. Carefully match engine power to the mower deck size as well. Consider your needs and property layout to choose a stand-on mower deck width that fits your mowing needs.