With the deck clear up it measures 5 inches from the floor to the bottom of the deck.
Yes there is a learning curve, my big skid steer has a joy stick and I like it much better than the two levers. Not so sure about it on this mower ,we surely will get used to it. The neighbor boys do most of my mowing and they have one at home and like it. They think it is cool with the bigger grippy atv tires too.
Troy ...we should refer to things like this as "TOOLS" in groups outside of our discussion here.
No, the wife don't care she encouraged me to buy it and likes it. She likes new and shiny things....so it is a wonder I am still around

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We have been putting over 150 hours a year on our mower, so another justification for a 2nd mower. This new one will go places the other one won't also.