32 inch xmark... very disapointing.

[tomoaktree]

Last year I bought the 32 in. ,10 .5 horse kohler. In order to start , the shifter must be in just the right place. It is a pain to change the deck height ,must take blades off and use spacers.Anyone have simmilar problems and or feelings?

[65hoss]

It doesn't have spacers at the front wheels to change the cutting height?

[tomoaktree]

yes it does have spacers in the front wheels . You must take the entire wheel off to change.Then you have a deck that is not level and thus not a good cut.

[65hoss]

Is it like the 36" and all other fixed decks? You pull the pin, pull the top spacers off, pull the tire and shaft, change # of spacers, put back on.

[tomoaktree]

Exactly. I would not suggest buying one.

[LoneStarLawn]

Was that supposed to be difficult? How do other mowers change heights?

[65hoss]

That is the way all fixed decks work. It only takes about 1 min. to change. You don't use the blade spacers for this, just the wheel spacers. I do not like doing it either, that is why I keep mine at the same height all year.

Your talking about the exmark being that way, but all fixed decks that I know of are that way. My 36" exmark, 48" encore and others.

[tomoaktree]

I guess I just got used to the luxury of my floating decks.I could live with the deck if the darn thing was not so hard to turn over. I have a 15 kaw that is easier to pull start .That koler takes too many pulls and is too strenuous.

[LoneStarLawn]

I would not blame exmark for the engine...many on here have had trouble with kohler engines; most prefer kawasaki engines. Was it purchased new?

[tomoaktree]

yes,I bought it new and was unhappy from the start,but what can you do. I will trade it in for an ultra vac I think.Dealer says expect a 15 % loss of what I paid .Better to dump it now .I figure I'll have less headaches and get more for it while it is still fairly new(10 months)

[lakegastonla]

The front 180 degrees of the blade cutting path does all of the cutting action. Therefore, when you say the deck is not level, it is not really a big deal. And my fixed deck Lesco's and Bobcat do a great job in almost any type of grass.

[VLM]

If your Kohler is not starting properly then you should make sure it is properly maintained (oil (Kohler), filters, fresh gas). I pulled my fuel filter on my 15hp Kohler last week and couldnt believe what was in it. It was full of water and other stuff. Runs much better now. My experience is its not the engines fault its usually our own. My Kohlers have performed well for me.

[MIDSOUTH]

if you don't like it- trade it!!!!!!!!!
I have a 36" exmark for backyards and it is just fine.

[landscaper3]

We tried a 2000 Exmark 48" Metro H/P from a local dealer (lasted 15minutes) shifter broke, stearing too abrupt, leaked oil and the space between 3rd gear and 4th was too far apart all on a brand new machine. We took back to the dealer told them to keep it and stayed with the Toro 52" with the T-Bar stearing with 3000hrs she ran circles around it. The mower was only to be used once and a while due too 99% are done with the Walker brand mowers we still needed a walkbehind for problem areas and misc mows. As far as Exmark we were disapointed.

[Keith]

Originally posted by tomoaktree
yes,I bought it new and was unhappy from the start,but what can you do. I will trade it in for an ultra vac I think.Dealer says expect a 15 % loss of what I paid .Better to dump it now .I figure I'll have less headaches and get more for it while it is still fairly new(10 months)

If you dont like it get rid of it. 15 percent loss is not bad. I lost 35 percent on a Scag I didnt like, it was 5 months old and had less than 150 hours on it.

[jimsny]

36" exmarks RULE!!! I started out in college 8 years ago and bought one new with the 12 Kawasaki. It was a bush hog and would cleanly mow through ANYTHING!!! I then moved up to a used 48" exmark with the 14 kawasaki. It was good but just didn't seem to have the same umph or power to weith t ratio. It wouldn't go throught the same high grass.

The front wheel spacers didn't bother me one bit. I am not winto the floating decks and wouldn't hesatate to go back to that same 36" if I needed one.

[captdevo]

Did you demo before you purchased?? When buying equipment you should demo, demo, demo......until you find what best suits you! 15% is not a bad loss at all, if it was still sitting in the dealership it would loose that much...
Lesson learned, Knowledge gained!!!

[gorrell]

Tomaoktree, decks are not designed to cut with the deck level from front to back. The front of the deck should always be approximately a quarter of an inch lower than the rear. thanks, Lynn

[tomoaktree]

In my opinion,floating decks are much easier to adjust the height. Pull out a couple pins and you are ready to go. I'll never buy a fixed deck again.

[geogunn]

I don't understand what all the whining is about. you knew it wasn't a floating deck and you didn't pay for a floating deck. and you should probably never change the spacer arangement on the blade once it is set properly.

my lesco 48 belt operates and adjusts just like the unit you describe and I am perfectly happy with it.

when I want a floating deck and all of the bells and whistles I'll be ready to spend the big bucks.

GEO

[LJ lawn]

I bought a new Exmark 32 in '99 with a 12hp KAWAISAKI engine.this was my ONLY reason for buying one.NO other mower manufacturer made a 32 inch machine with a KAWI engine.so far the only problem i've experienced is with the blade belt occasionally coming off.it's too loose from the factory-no good way to tighten it.i sold my old 32 Exmark with the 8hp briggs for $800 then went out and bought the new one for $1600.i only use it when i can't use my WALKER (hills gates etc).so far so good!

[tomoaktree]

Go figure.. I paid 1800.00 for my 32 W the 10.5 koler last year. You made out good. I wish kaw was available when I got mine. 12 horse should be plenty of power.Have you noticed the pistol grips a little more tighter?

[LJ lawn]

pistol grips?? what do you mean? it has the regular belt control levers.

[tomoaktree]

Exactly. The conrol levers that make it turn. I have a 48in w/15 kaw(metro). It is like a cadilac compared to the 32in. The hand levers are very easy to control and it starts up first pull with little effort. I love it. Too bad my 32 didn't turn out that way.Every time I try to start it I nearly break my back. Looks like I bought a dud.I took it to my dealer and they say if it doesn't start just wiggle the gear shifter and play with the blade engager. Who wants to go through that ?

[LWNMWRMN]

first, your 10.5 engine is not a kohler, it is a briggs and scrapiron. that mower is only available with the 10.5 that you have or the 12.5 kawi. Second your problem with the shifter is only an adjustment, also only an adjustment to fix your drive quirk. Are you in NY, if so bring it up to me , I'll get it straight for you.

[tomoaktree]

Thanks for the comeback. The mower is only 10 months old. If all it needs is an adjustment, shouldn't my dealer be able to fix it under warrante? I took it in a couple times.The first time it would not start at all. Now It will start ,but is labor intensive(several pulls w/alot of tension).
I told them about the stiffness in the hand levers and they loosened something. Now you have to really squeese to get the mower to stop.
Dealer says they are willing to look at it again but is it really worth it? Can they get that mower to handle as smoothly as my 48"metro? If so , I would be one happy camper.
Do all 32 s come this way? Should I scrap the Briggs and scrapiron or is it worth fixing?

[LWNMWRMN]

I can get the 32 to operate pretty smooth, close to the 48 but it will also get a little smoother with age. The carb on the briggs might have a problem with the choke closing all the way causing your hard start problem. you had said that you have to wiggle the shifter to find the spot to start it? if so it is just an adjustment.