I don't suppose that you could mount it on the inside w/ some elevator bolts or something? It wouldn't be absolutely necessary to remove the front draft arm to remove the deck. These I do as they normally snap out quick and in a hurry, but clipped in ones I don't usually bother.

Tom, it won't mount inside but thanks. Does anyone know if the John Deere 48c deck can be removed without pivoting the draft arm? IOW, release the deck's rear pins and roll it forward to unhook the big U bolt from the front of the deck.

hi, i seen one in an ebay ad, under the description it states the bumper will have to be removed to remove deck. below is part of ad.

The only thing is you will have to remove bumper to remove deck there is not enough clearance to removed front deck hanger to removed deck. Again that is easy to do with some simple tools

It will come off w/o pulling the draft arm. Nudge the deck ahead, lift the arm out of the slots and hold it up as you manipulate the deck out.

I have always had to remove that hanger before removing my 48c deck.I do not have that bumper on mine but it seems to me that you should be able to pull it out far enough to swing over the bracket.

i don't use that type of mower but i wonder how often you need to remove the deck? seems to me, removing the bolts (4) or three and loosen one to access the latch isn't that much trouble?

Tom, the pivot will not swing out enough to clear the bumper bracket. Unless I pried it with a tire tool and that would likely bend it.

300ft, the quick release deck on a 48c makes removing the deck very easy and it's not a feature that I'd want to give up. The front 2 bolts actually go through the frame and into the clip on nuts, inside the heat shield, so it's not so easy to get everything lined up to start the bolt threads.

But doesn't the rod that goes through the deck bracket just lift up when you push the deck forward enough to release?