5/24/2012 3:05 PM
Virgil,
The bench setting of a mower is more of a range than a precise gauge. Since mowers are different weight, drive system, reel speed, not to mention the difference between rollers, bed knives, and bed knife pitch, you can only shoot for close to the same. Many of us use a Prism gauge to measure the turf after it is cut to compare mowers. I run Toro triplex 3150's and John Deere 2500's. We set the Deeres slightly higher than the Toro's, right now .105 on the Toro's and .110 on the Deere's. I try to run either the Deeres or the Toro's (mainly the Toro's), I use 3 mowers for shotgun tournaments when I roll behind, that's really the only time I mix mowers. When I have compared Walking mowers to riding mowers I have always found I have to set them quite a bit higher than riders. I have had guys tell me they can mow lower with riders but I think it is more of a case you have to mow lower to get equal to a walkers cut. Your senses should tell you what the comparable cut is. You can tell by looking in the basket, comparing green speed, measuring with a Prism gauge, what ever works. Just don't get too hung up on the bench setting, its Apples and Oranges when comparing different manufactures, and models of mowers.
Good luck,
Sean