tearing when turning......

[George777]

my partner and I have a 48" wb machine. When turning the thing around I keep tearing up the grass. I have tried to keep both wheels turning but it takes me off the cutting path.
What am I doing wrong? I hate the fact that every turn you can see the tire mark in the grass.

[SodFather]

Are you making the turn at a really fast speed? Is the ground soft or wet? Does it only happen when you make one type of turn (left or right)?

[George777]

Good Question Sod father.
Speed- slow
Ground- has been pretty soft and damp from rain.
Turn- I've only been making right turns.

[kutnkru]

Try making a K turn. If Im turning to the left I will pull back gently with the left hand, until the mower is in alignment with the row just cut.

Good Luck this season!
Kris

[SodFather]

It is very possible that the damp ground has something to do with it. I like the K turn idea. Also try to make a left turn and see what happens.

[George777]

kutnkru, can you explain the k turn. I'm a bit confused.

[SodFather]

When you get to the end of the row and you want to turn to the right as your turning right pull the right side of the mower back as your turning.

[George777]

I got ya, Thanks Sodfather. I will try this tomorrow. I was getting frustrated.

[Eric ELM]

I only have a 21" w/b mower, I do understand the K turn, but I'm confused with the all right turns. :confused:

I will let Mr. K explain the K turn since it is named for him. ;)

[Runner]

I think he meant "and vice versa." :) After a while of doing this, George, you will get into the "swing" of it-literally, as you will be able to just swing your weight into it and sort of lean back while you are pulling the mower back. With a little practice, this will work like clockwork.

[Patfo]

Do you need to slow down when making a K-turn?

[kutnkru]

Yes Runner is correct that it doesnt matter whether its a right or left hand turn. You should always slow down when turning. This will eliminate the extra wear on the turf.

With the hydros that we run we actually use the reverse and the forward at the same time. Sort of like when a dozer turns around they have one track going forward while the other is in reverse.

With a belt drive just slow down enough to get the inside tire of the turn to the neutral postion and let the outside tire carry thru the turn. You should also pull the handle of the inside tire inward towards you.

Hope this helps.
Kris

Eric
I like the K turn comparison ;)

[brandy]

If the ground is wet skip a row!

[George777]

Eric, sorry to be messed up imagine that only turning to the right hehe. I would be going up and down the same spot all day.

[joshua]

kutnkru, did you name the k turn after you ? i like to call mine a triangle turn, same turn different name, don't tell to many guys in your area about it though they might figgure something out that could help them, i know guys in my area have no clue on how to turn without tearing grass,advantage me.

[D-Man]

George, after you've cut your straight rows, mow around the perimiter and it will usually clean up your tire marks. The key is to keep your pivot wheel moving while turning. Brandy is right, If the grass is wet, mow using a wide turn and skip a row.

http://www.Reasonablelawn.com

[Roger]

With my hydro w/b, I always attempt to make a triangle shape with the inside wheel. Perhaps this is what has been termed here the "K turn."

When I am turning right, I make the initial part of the turn a bit wide, keeping the inside wheel turning forward. When the machine is turned about 110 degrees, then reverse the inside wheel, keeping the left side wheel (outside wheel) turning forward. When the machine is nearly turned 180 degrees, then restart the inside wheel forward again, lining up the machine to make the reverse pass.

The reverse portion of the inside wheel is probably about 18", maybe less. I think the point was made earlier, keep the wheels turning, the outside one forward, the inside one forward, reverse, then forward again.

I also agree with previous comment, slow down to make the turn to keep full control of the machine during the turn. Be precise in the turn so that you don't have to make significant corrections. This is especially important when the turf is wet.

Roger

[GreenQuest Lawn]

If your not already doing it try double out lining. This allows for more space in which to turn.

[bobbygedd]

i have the same problem with my 36 snapper, ive tried k turning, slow speed, u name it, i called the dealer he says the breaking need to be adjusted. i have two other 48 inch cutters, and a 36, no problems with these.

[1MajorTom]

Quote: Eric ELM - I only have a 21" w/b mower, I do understand the K turn, but I'm confused with the all right turns


And all this time we all thought you had those dixies :)
I sure bet it takes you a long time to cut all your customers lawns with that 21"http://www.lawnsite.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Skookum]

How about making a C turn?

If turning to your left for your next run, just turn right about 6 inches and make a turn by making a C with your inside tire until you come back to your pivot point and start your next run. If you made your header passes you should have plenty of room for this.

I use the K or Triangle turn all the time. Works great in those tight spots or where you have little or no header strips!

[LScom Addict]

I cut around the border twice before I start cutting and then go to the end and make the C style turns. I think this takes less time and looks better too. The lawn seems to have a flow about it that way. Doesnt look like a truck yard with all the K turns. Just my perception.