Help with a proslide?

[richm23]

I just read about the Proslide. I currently have a one wheeled sulky on my Ferris. I was wondering if anyone could give info on where i could get a proslide and what are the advantages/disadvantages to having one. is there a website out there for the proslide?

Thanks
Rich

[AB Lawn Care]

I also would be interested in the pro/cons of this sulky.

[mdb landscaping]

novae corp sells them. id give you a link, but their site isnt working right now. the site is usually http://www.novaecorp.com

[Orkin Yards]

I have been using the proslide for over a year now and i love it, their are several post on this subject so use the search function to find some, if you have questions email me... jeffrey@tedorkin.com

[Grassman]

Stick with the Velkie. Anyone who understands physics knows the powerslide puts more strain on the engine and drive system. Russ

[MOW ED]

OK lets have the lowdown on the negative loading and negative vectors that the Proslide creates.
I have one and have a 15hp single can Kohler pulling my 210lb grAss around with no negative effects or is that affects. Backing up is much simpler and easier on the trans than a jack-knifed sulkie. The stripes are better too and that is caused by the friction that is developed by the high polycarbonate plate on the bottom of the proslide.

You have tried the velkie now try a proslide.

Now I am looking for a formula or some coeffieient of friction I can plug in to see how much more my Kohler will run pulling this dead load. ;)

[Patfo]

Ihave a 36in W/B belt drive 14hp Kaw. I weigh around 215. Is this too small a mower for a Proslide? Received e-mail from Proslide he said I may have to add weight to front to keep front down coming out of turns and accelerating. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[rdh]

i seen pro slide in action ,wished i had one ,they make cool stripes .

[Highpoint]

Rich. If you are a 1 man show, you will love the Proslide!!! Will cost you around 320.00. We bought our first sled 4 years ago, now we own 9 Proslides and 2 Turf Riders. We have re-designed the Turf Riders mounting bracket to fit the sled mount. We carry the wheels for emergency use or if the property has a lot of hard surfaces to cross. The slides are really a neat piece of equipment. Cost wise, the are about the same as the other forms of transport devices for the ential purchase. The up-keep is what cuts into your check book. The manufacture says you should get around 1000 hrs before you have to replace the plastic skid plate. WRONG! We are lucky to get 80 hrs out of the plates. The ONLY way you will get close to those hrs is ONLY riding on super smooth turf. Striping is the cats meow though! The sleds are great if you don't mind paying for the parts. The plastic skid plates will run you around 30.00! The aluminum foot plate will crack and break into pieces every other week. We just weld the cracks back up. The unit uses 2 springs and 2 gas shocks. The springs will fail every 3 or 4 days depending on the operater. Springs cost around 6 bucks for 2. The gas springs will usually last the season but again, it all depends on the operator. There is a right and wrong way to get on and off the unit. Takes a little practice. Mowing in real wet conditions is a breeze. The sleds glide through the water puddles pushing the water away from your feet as long as you are moving. Last season we spent arouond 600.00 on parts for the sleds and the 2 Turf Riders. Seems high but we feel that the effecincy out weighs the cost. Only after you put out multiple crews will you begin to feel the hurt on the pocket book. Honestly, I can't see how anyone would want to ride a 1 wheel sulky. I've used 1, It shook the holy holy out of my insides. It's a pain to back up especially if the unit has any hours on it. It sucks to pick up and hook to the handle bars in tight areas and while loading. They are just plain heavy! Pay the price, keep your insides, enjoy the ride, buy a Proslide!!!!!

[Scraper]

I would also recommend the ProSlide....I bought one last season and I too was skeptical at first. The results are amazing (especially the striping effect!!!), not to mention the ride is smoother than a wheeled sulky as you are in complete contact with the ground and "glide" as opposed to roll. Ever hit a ditch with your wheeled sulky? A ProSlide literally "slides" over it!!! In fact it is actually fun to ride as there are spots on properties where I get a down slope (not steep as the unit tends to retract on steep slopes) and can catch a bit of air on roots and such. ;) I use mine on a hydro driven unit and the thing rocks! Can't speak for a belt drive, but I don't see any reason it wouldn't do just as fine.

As for the physics...the wheeled sulky is not going to put any more less strain on your engine than a Pro-Slide.

Glen

[Upstate Mike]

Do you think a 48 inch Ferris SD with a 13 hp Kawi will handle a Proslide with a 190 pound rider?

[summitgroundskeeping]

The Velkie on my GD Scamper is great. It does take many hours of practice (about a week-week and a half) to learn how not to jackknife. It does ride rough when you hit obstructions, but I still like it more than a proslide. Mainly b/c my w/b does alot of pavement high speed riding when I have accounts next door or real close to one another. Velkies are also cheaper

[lawnkid]

I'v never actually seen a Proslide in my area. None of the stores sell them. If it's the way that it looks on the website, how does it run on pavement and for instance turning on a driveway. I like the idea that it improves stripes though. How much is it?

[naturescape]

The Proslide is the way to go. I think any walkbehind could carry one easily. I've had them on 12.5 ExMarks, and 12.5 Scags. You just have to get used to repairing the Proslide when it comes time to replace the torsion springs. Once you get used to it, it's easy. I break a torsion spring about every 3 weeks. The right spring is ALWAYS the one to go (I have two Proslides, they're both the same), is that the same way with everyone else's PS?

Wait till you try to go back to a wheeled rider attachment. After the smooth ride of the PS, You'll wonder how you ever used one before. I just hope my competition doesn't start using them.

[MOW ED]

I'm with you on the springs but every 3 weeks? Wow. I had mine for about 200 hours when the spring broke. Not a major deal to replace once you do it one time.

I just cant wait to get back out on it. Actually this mower is the one my wife uses and she is considerably smaller than I am so she really moves along on it.

[scott's turf]

The proslide has a simple concept but it seems like the hardware aspect leaves little to be desired. I don't have much to compare it to except for the two wheeled sulky that I manufactured. It is all aluminum with 9.5" tires from and old rider tractor. I made two and have not had to replace anything on them as of yet. I agree that hooking them up to the mower is a pain. I have a belt drive mower so I can't back up anyway. I find myself driving a lot on pavement and would think that the sleds would wear fast. I don't know what the coefficient of sliding friction is on the proslide but with a wheeled sulky there is a lot less. Put anything on a ramp and see which travels the longer distance, wheels or no wheels. Plus what about obsticles that you usually stradle or gentle roll over with a two wheeler like sprinkler head, rocks, pavement, new grass, dog doo, etc? Obviously the guys out there that have them would not have them if they did not think that they were better so I guess I will leave it at that.

[Scraper]

Originally posted by scott's turf
.Put anything on a ramp and see which travels the longer distance, wheels or no wheels. Plus what about obsticles that you usually stradle or gentle roll over with a two wheeler like sprinkler head, rocks, pavement, new grass, dog doo, etc?

What does a ramp have to do with it? The mower is pulling the unit.

As for obstacles it goes right over them not to mention as opposed to a wheeled sulky it does not fall into ruts or holes.

Dog doo? What better way to teach a customer to clean it up than to slide over it thus smearing the 4" pile into a 12" patch. :p

As for mechanics? I am with Mow Ed...I had well over 200 hours before the springs broke and the sleds last quite a while if not run on pavement. By far one of the best investments I have made.

[scott's turf]

The ramp scenario was to illustrate that a wheel vehicle will result in less friction than the proslide thus resulting in less reducing the force needed to pull the occupant.