Have you ever done rack deads?
I feel it is a great exercise. When I do them, I leave the gym with my back feeling the same way it woudl as if I jsut did floor DL's. I get all the benefits from rack deads I feel like, that I would get from floor DL's. Of course, the legs wouldn't be incorporated as much, but my whole reason for doing deads is to hit the back anywyas, not legs. I have a seperate day for them anyways. I think people jsut jump to conclusions b/c they just lookat the exercise and think liek ohh I could do that, it's on the rack half way up the shin

GO ahead ant try it. The weight is still heavy!
I used to do floor DL's and loved them, until one time I took a week off, came back into the gym and did my first working set (light weight still) with 405 and was using perfect form. It tweaked the sh1t out of my lower back right where it connects to the hip, and Icouldn't bend over for days much less squat, or DL for 2 months!! And even after that I had to ease back in slowly!! Ever since then I say f*ck floor deads, it jsut puts too much unnecessary strain on the lower lumbar region. I get all the same benefits that I am shooting for with rack deads. Every now and then I will do a set or two of deads from the floor, but never with anythign heavier than I can do for 8-10 reps.
My deads fromthe floor have gone up consistently as well with jsut the incorporation of rack deads. "DOn't knock it till you try it."
P.S. TO the thread starter- Great lift bro!! Thats some nice weight, you look thick as hell too man. Keep truckin