Striping kits, do they help? Picture included

[Eric ELM]

This question was asked many times after I got mine last June. It was harder to tell at that time because I had already established my 2 or 3 different striping patterns on each lawn by then. Even thought Choppers do stripe fairly good, this spring I am realizing that it does help some now that I am putting in new ones. The picture below is of a second cutting for the spring and the first time this direction was cut and it is cut at 3".

http://elmlawnsite.com/images/downs.jpg

[cos]

As usual, it looks good eric. :)

[John DiMartino]

Being a stripe addict myself,I just made up another stripe kit for a friends Dixie.I feel it does help.If you are starting a new pattern or reversing direction on an old pattern,it really seems to help then,more so then on "established patterns.It seems that without the stripe kit,it took a few cuts in that direction,to get the stripes to lay real good,now they lay nice the first time.Very nice work, Eric.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

You are the master!

[mdb landscaping]

you guys really like these striping kits. i just got a new lazer and i dont have a striping kit. mine seems to stripe just as nice as your pic. i dont have pics, but just side discharging without a kit, the exmark really does a good job.

[Fantasy Lawns]

it looks phat .... ;->

[Eric ELM]

I am being told by several that their mowers stripes as good or better than mine. This doesn't surprise me at all, because I'm old and I can't drive as straight as I used to. I am not saying you need a kit, just saying it helps a bit. Mine does just fine without a kit too. Here is one without the kit. I'm sure you have a camera, go take a picture and show us. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it can also be several thousand pixels. ;)

http://elmlawnsite.com/images/dritlien.jpg

[mdb landscaping]

looks good eric. ill try and get some pics for you.

[dhenegar]

I started out this year with my new roller on my Lazer(York Sheet). Man it really does help. Stripes are a lot better and it also virtually eliminates scalping. On my smaller yard if I really want the stripes to come out I will run over them twice.

[Eric ELM]

Dhenegar, I have thought of making a roller type for mine. Is yours spring loaded so it rolls over a sprinkler head that is up a fuz. Most of the lawns I do, the heads are all even or below the turf, so I don't think I would have a problem with that.

I am always looking for a better way to make stripes and improve the work I do. I like my lawns to stand out above the rest. ;)

[John DiMartino]

I wanted to use a roller,but I am afraid it will tear the turf when making turns,since it will be puled sideways somwhat as you turn around.Our Steiner's full width roller is the ultimate striping rotary.If iturn hard with it,I can scuff a little,but you have to try tear with it.

[Eric ELM]

John, but what if it was mounted dead center below the wheel motors? It would not scuff the turf then and mount a spring to it so it keeps it straight down but can trip back if you hit something solid. I think I will work on this, but what would you use for a roller? Any ideas?

[CLARKE]

Stripeing kits are the way to go, Just cut a retention
pond with weeds and those pretty yellow flowers all over
the place, but you know what, the thing looked great when
i got done, like someones front yard with stripes but its
only a RETENTON POND........CLARKE

[GreenQuest Lawn]

Well I got bashed last time I mentioned making a striping kit like the York one but here is a pic. I had a picture of it (from York) when I was getting some work done on my trailer. My fabricator told me he could make one. It turned out pretty good. I am going to go with the next size larger pipe (when I slow down a little). This will give me the adjustment I want. It does adjust but only from 2.5 - 3.5" Which is fine for now (thats the range I mow all summer at anyway). The bearings are greasable. and yes thats allumminum. I thought it might dent also at first. But Its pretty thick. And so far I have jumped curbs and have mowed two weeks and no dents at all. We thought about going with stainless but this is way cheaper. http://greenquest.net/photo_page24.html

[Eric ELM]

Looks like they did a good job on that roller. :)

[kris]

great looking work eric

[Givens Phillips]

I recently purchased an ExMark 26hp/60" cut where can I find information on different striping kits for it such as the York kit that is mentioned above? Thanks.

[Eric ELM]

http://www.yorksheet.com/

[leeslawncare]

I juat made my kit last week .It does seem to help.I put it on a 36 walk behind.

[TLS]

I have the York Sheet Metal EZ Striper on my Lazer and when its set up properly, it doesn't rip turf on turns. When I cut at 3 1/4", the roller sits 2" off the ground. The lowest I cut was in the fall @ 2 1/2 and at that low height, it only sometimes ripped when zero turning on uneven ground. At that height, its still high enough. When I cut at 3.5", sometimes the roller doesn't spin as at that height, the roller isnt touching that much grass to make it spin. I am very happy with my roller and OCDC from them.

[dhenegar]

Eric, the roller does great. If you come to a sprinkler head I'll just raise my deck up a little and trim the high spot. So far it has been a tough product. It does not have a spring loaded system though. It just spans across into to bearings with grease fitting in them. It really sucks the grease up. I usually hit those fitting at least once a week if not more.

[PrimeGreen Lawn]

Eric and all you thinking about a stripe kit. DO IT!!!
I've only been cutting for about 8 years and just last year bought a EZ Striper from York also. I jumped on it earlier and bought the third one they made for only $200. Stainless steel, ball bearings, and grease fittings. This unit is very tough. I've hit many hard objects, wacked curbes, you name it, I've hit it. But thats only part of the story. The rest is what a difference it actually made in all my stripes. Most of my ressies thought a got new mowers (currently have a 25 hp 60" Lazer, and 26 hp 72".....both equipped with rollers). Best bang for the buck I've ever spent on my options for the Lazers. Now go out NOW and buy one!

Scott

[Esby]

Can you get one for a 48" Exmark?

[Grassman]

I love stripes, but most people down here in Fl. prefer a smooth, lush, flawless carpet of grass. And to Eric, I once again bow and pay homage to THE MASTER OF THE STRIPE. Russ

[leeslawncare]

I made mine out of 5/16 chains..ask eric he seen them they look ok.

[toddco]

Also interested in a lead for a 48" model...