48 inch lazer

[lawnboy]

I was wondering if any of you that own a 48 inch exmark lazer noticed that it doesn't cut as well as the other exmark mowers. Ever since I have owned mine I have been unhappy with the cut. Do you have the same problems? I have brought it into the dealer about 10 times complaing about it and they always tell me that it runs like it should. In my eyes it doesn't cut as well as the other mowers.

[TLS]

lawnboy,

I can remember a while back, a number of us telling you that you should go with a 52".

I may be wrong, but I think that the longer the blade, the better the cut. Aside from scalping on undulating terrain, a 72" will cut the best. The reason I feel this way is that there is a greater area of "suction" created by the blades. A 48" just doesn't have the deck area of a 60" etc.

Also, don't know for sure, but as for blade tip speed, my 60" has the same diameter PTO pulley and deck pulley. This given, a formula from another post puts 18,500 fpm @ 3600 with a 20 1/2 " blade.

Now with a 48" is there a bigger engine pulley VS deck to get 16 1/2" blades up to 18,500 fpm? eXmark says all decks are 18500, but I'm not so sure?

Lastly, are you using OEM blades? What height are you cutting at? Are you getting proper RPM's (3750 free load)? Are you simply mowing too fast for conditions? I have found that solid lift foil blades to be the best for my 60".

[lawnboy]

It wasn't me that you told to get a 48' but anyways what are OEM blades and solid foil blades? We Cut most of our lawns at 3inches. I do agree that the longer the blade the better the cut. In the past we only used 48inch mowers, but recently I purchased a 60inch and I am amazed at the difference. The lazer however just doesn't cut the same as the other 48inch mowers in my view. I am up for any suggestions.

[CSRA Landscaping]

I run a 48" tiger cub, with doubles. I don't have any problems. Try the doubles and see if that helps. ;)

[Premo Services]

I had this problem with my 52 in lazer when it was new and it went to the dealer 5 times to straighten it out. I e-mailed exmark and one of the suggestions they had was to use the low lift or solid air foil blades, and to have the rpms checked with a load and without a load on them. The last time I took to the dealer I was ranting like a mad man and they finally fixed the machine, adjusted the high rpms or something. This might be where your problem is, not running at high enough rpms.

[oneEXMARKfan]

My eXmark cuts great (I always have sharp, balanced blades on it) but with my blades engaged I'm only around 3360 RPM. Is it better to have it less RPM as long as it cuts good, or take it up to 3600 (engaged) {have read in other post how to raise the RPMs on this KAW 17, but haven't really looked into it.

[TLS]

You should be at least at 3600 RPM's when blades are engaged. Ideally you shouldn't see them drop below 3600 when actually mowing. There is adjustment needed here for you. There are cooling concerns at such a low RPM. Do you run a tach while mowing or are you just using a shop tach? What is you free load RPM's?

[oneEXMARKfan]

I purchased a "Tiny Tach" , this season (10 hrs. on it) not sure how accurate it is, but I think under no load, it's about 3450 (if I remember right)

[Premo Services]

oneEXMARKfan
I would at least want the rpms to what they call for from the factory,and I believe it is 3600 rpms as dixie 1 stated. I have the turf tracer 48 in 17 kaw and the rpms were about 1400 off from the factory and the unit didn`t cut any good until the rpms were raised.

[oneEXMARKfan]

I guess the only reason I let the RPMs stay down, was that my favorite 21" push mower (honda) kinda reved alittle too high and died (12 years ago) ........Haven't even really looked at how to adjust it........I'll search old post and try figure out how.

[Premo Services]

oneExmarkfan
there are two screws in the plate where the throttle cable goes to carb. take 1 screw out,you just loosen the other one that lets the plate slide up and down, raise it up tighten them and check the rpms, might have to do this a couple times to get the rpms right.I also don`t know how accurate the tiny tachs are, mine has the horr meter and a tach when the motor is running and hooks to one plug.

[oneEXMARKfan]

Thank you for your help mow money. I'll do it first thing tomm.

[Guardian]

ExFAN, Please post the results of your RPM adjustment. I have
a lazer 44 w/ a Kawi 17. Though I am pleased with the cut, I'd
like to know if it can be better
thanks

[oneEXMARKfan]

Just adjusted my RPMs on this KAW 17 HP. I was ALOT easier to adjust than I would have thought . 2- 10mm nuts on the plate, 1 side adjustable). Under NO LOAD it's at 3760-3770 and with the blades engaged it's at 3690.....That's WITHOUT it actually cutting any grass, or pulling my humongus a$$ around on my Jungle Wheels. I'll see how high the RPM's actually are when in reg. use. So what is the MAX RPMs I can safely run it at? (Don't need to cause it undo stress........ I want it to live as long as this 12.5 HP KAW has(10+yrs and going STRONG........NO repairs) [*At the lower RPMs it was cutting GREAT.......never really thought about it not cooling as good. Figured it was all relative..........more RPMs more heat] Thanks all!!!!!!!!!!!

[oneEXMARKfan]

Used it most of the day. Figured the RPMs would drop more than they did when it was cutting grass, and pulling me around, but it reallly didn't. Tach says it's at 3670 (+- 10 RPM) under load. I could always tell the RPMs should have been higher, and it does sound alot better now. Can't really say it cuts any better, but it's always had the "SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT CUT" anyway............(I'm happy with it !) Thanks all !!!!!!

[Premo Services]

oneEXMARKfan
So what is the MAX RPMs I can safely run it at? (Don't need to cause it undo stress........

I looked in the book for the 17hp kawasaki motor and they say 3600 rpms. Have you noticed any difference in cutting since you raised rpms.?