Hi BB
That’s a good question, personally I like the look of the solid deck, plus then there is the older more elusiveness (tho there dosnt appear to be much of a shortage) and I know that they are all prone to fractures but the solid obviously has the better strength.
I also like the fact it keeps more muck out from getting on the underside when I stripped both mowers the solid was definitely less built up whether this is due to being better maintained I don’t know but it makes sense that less oil and grass crud is going to get underneath.
Other than that there is really little difference they are just as good as one another.