i got some good pictures of a BladeRunner

[captdevo]

i got some pretty good pics of the Bladerunner!

Looks interesting...

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/bld.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/bld1.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/bld2.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/bld3.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/bld4.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/bld5.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/bld6.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/sp.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/sp1.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/sp2.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/spblade.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/spdk.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/spdk1.jpg)

view (http://www.rpm-co.com/images/sphy.jpg)

just showing some pictures, i'm not wanting to stir things up, i'm not interesting in hearing everyones opinion.

unless you've run one, please keep your opinions to yourself please.

[Mowingman]

Thanks for the photo coverage. Should help answer a lot of questions folks have asked about them.:)

[Ssouth]

Looks like a nice simple and efficient machine. the only question I have is: what are the chains on the deck for ( I assume to change the deck height ) If I am correct in my assumption, do the chains have a problem getting clogged with grass and debris. Looks like they would have to be cleaned at very regular intervals.
Besides that, I like the simple design.

[captdevo]

it has an electric deck lift. smooth.

the chains are actually nicer than i've seen on some dirt bikes.

the other neat thing is the gauges for the hydros.

the floorpan hinges forward for simple, complete exposure to them, the deck and frame for cleaup.


btw, the black mat under the deck is the floor mat, they left it off for show.

the head on pic of the stainless model looks askew for some reason, it actually looks exactly like the painted model.

[Cleve]

Good photos but I don't understand your comment about keeping opinions to yourself?
I do notice a couple of items that are somewhat "strange"...
Left hand discharge on the deck. Is this a common feature on these machine?
The drive belts on the deck are made from the "link belt" system. I've never seen anyone else using these on mower equipment before. I do have some on a few of mine but thought I was doing something I wasn't supposed to be doing as the package these came in said not to use them on automobiles or outdoor power equipment. I'm curious if anyone else has used them? My experience with these in an industrial enviroment was that they are much quieter and smoother than a regualar v-velt. And so far I haven't worn one out.
I also notice the engine is a "Robin". Don't see many of these on mowers. I do have a smaller HP unit that uses a Robin and is about the quietest and smoothest engine I have.
Cleve.
Cleve.

[ceaman]

does the belt drive on the deck have a guard?

what kind of prices are these running?

[captdevo]

don't get me wrong, input is good, i just don't want to see the slamming and name calling like other posts.


yes it has left side discharge because the hydro is bolted direct to the engine and the spindle belt goes to the front of the engine.

the link belt is nice..


they offer Robin, Kawa, kohler and lambordini diesels.

yes, there is a belt/spindle cover, it was off for display

i think prices are comparable to most mid-mounts

[Likestomow]

Looks like a great copy of the Dixie Chopper frame. I wonder why it has a left discharge instead of the usual right discharge.

[TLS]

Here is some input, not slamming, just imputing!!

WOW !!:eek: All I can say is Dixie Chopper must not have had a real good patent attorney!!

Mirror image that deck and its a direct copy of a Dixie right down to the 47 carriage bolts (that you have to scrape around) to attach the top deck plate!!

I think they got a little too hung up on using the direct drive pump, and re-engineered everything else around it. I would have gone the way that Lazer does and serp. belt them and keep the engine facing the right way. If for no other reason to be able to use standard RH blades. Dont fully understand the link belt reasoning?

The machine itself looks to be built very well. Wheel motor brackets are quite impressive! Welds look good. Gas tanks look like they hang out a bit and look venerable. :( Looks like they stepped back in time with the front ONLY deck lift (like the old Dixies). Dont understand the space between the drive tires and the back of the deck? :confused: Seems like a lot of room there that will lead to belly scalping.

Seems like its made by somebody like me/us, who sees a product and thinks they can improve it. Only thing is, I think they went backwards with some things, and only stuck to copying Dixie engineering which is a little less than perfect to begin with (IMHO) :eek: Theres about 4 mowers that I'd combine their best features on, not just stick to one.

Overall, nice piece of equipment. Would I buy one? Probably not, at least with my money. But this isn't a garbage mower, and I dont see it breaking due to engineering flaws.

Still scratching my head about the Dixie similarities :confused:

[plow kid]

Overall, nice piece of equipment. Would I buy one? Probably not, at least with my money.

same here, I dont like the left hand discharge, but it's about time that there iz a Z with a wisconsin / Robin engine on it, best engines ever made IMO.~NaTe

[SLS]

I'm not sure about the left side discharge either. I imagine myself learning to drive in England when I look at it.

Also no deflector or OCDC on the chute...no choice but to blow grass in that direction. Is there a mulching kit available?

Also, it seems that the electric deck lift is something extra (and maybe expensive?) to malfunction. I'm sure it is a "cushy" feature but I would hate to be out of a few days work just because I couldn't adjust the deck up and down.

Other than that it appears to be a nice machine based on the Dixie design...without the fancy oil and hydro coolers.

[MuskTurfKing]

I think the Bladerunner looks like a great mower, I really like the straightforward, no frills idea. Just big and beefed up. Looks like there isn't much to go wrong on it, just the bare essentials, and the bare essentials have been beefed up so they will last. Looks like a big profit maker and a really fun toy to have. A lot are skeptical, but I like it!

Hank

[captdevo]

these guys (and gals) shoot from the hip, really good folks who have run dixies and like them, but wanted to improve them their way.

alot of similarities, simplifications, and modifications.

btw...the electric deck lift is bad to the bone, i really don't see it going bad it's made very well, and sealed. (no cheap cushy selling point)

they're working on an ocdc type system too (patent rights of course)

[David Haggerty]

Originally posted by Cleve

The drive belts on the deck are made from the "link belt" system. I've never seen anyone else using these on mower equipment before. I do have some on a few of mine but thought I was doing something I wasn't supposed to be doing as the package these came in said not to use them on automobiles or outdoor power equipment. I'm curious if anyone else has used them? My experience with these in an industrial enviroment was that they are much quieter and smoother than a regualar v-velt. And so far I haven't worn one out.


I've wondered if I could use these link belts too. Are yours red like the ones in the pictures?
I need to get some for my table saw to eleminate the vibration. Woodworkers swear by these belts for their machines. They're supposed to run cooler too. My concern was for the life expectancy of them for mowing. How long have you been using yours?

Dave

[captdevo]

BTW I will have them at the home show in Macomb, Il. March 2nd & 3rd at the WIU Western Hall, if anyone would like to see them.

i should have a diesel demo.



Also, I'll have a few Dixie Chopper and Walker Specials too!

[Cleve]

Originally posted by David Haggerty


I've wondered if I could use these link belts too. Are yours red like the ones in the pictures?
I need to get some for my table saw to eleminate the vibration. Woodworkers swear by these belts for their machines. They're supposed to run cooler too. My concern was for the life expectancy of them for mowing. How long have you been using yours?

Dave
Looks exactly like the ones I use. I believe they come in different sizes to fit multiple v-belt types. You might check with Grainger as that is where I got mine. I used to work for a belting manufacturer that made some of the original urethane belts that these are stamped from.
One of my machines is a Jacobsen aerator that would just eat the 5v drive belt. I installed one of these and it lasted about 3 years before I replaced it. Only replaced it because it was starting to look kinda bad.
I don't think they have a downside. I even put one on a washing machine a few years ago as an emergency repair and it is still running. The only real trouble with them is the initial fit. You might have to take a link or two out after running a while. Otherwise super easy to install.
One more comment about the mower in this post: Is the drive system a pump with two motors or is it a true hydrostatic? Big difference if so.
Cleve.

[crazygator]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the photos. I do agree though, too many things similar to the Dixie, but I guess it will work. I am sure it can cut grass. Have you seen it cut yet?

[lakegastonla]

All the above posts cosidered, do we really NEED another ZTR machine? (much less a new company) It is getting a bit ridiculous. Squabble all you want, in 3-years the blade runner will probably be just a memory. At the most, maybe just a SLIGHT blip on the radar. Sorry, I can't get excited about a mower with numbers 3/10ths better than the competion in this area or that. It's pointless to split hairs over minute design diffrences and slightly better numbers. Here's a number to crunch....how likely is blade runner to be around to honor their warranty, and provide service after the sale.

[MONTE]

Just curious but how many comercial mower manufactures are there?

[cos]

Is there any way of telling the accurate deck height with that electric deck lift?

[TOSLC]

Thanks for the picture, I hope I get the chance to view one at the Louisville EXPO.

I also like the idea of the gauge on the hydro. That would tell you a lot about the fluid, and filter.

[rwleigh]

cleve

It uses a two pump two wheel motor system! and it has no belt driving the pump! Also the machines that I looked at at the Springfield Mo. show had dual hydro reservoirs with dual large filters on them!

The machine that I looked at had a guage on the side of the front floor plate, range from 2"- 5" if I remember correctly.

This machine is a simple and builtproof mower. I have seen one being used by a local guy and it will flat cut and does a nice cut.

The mower is definetly going to be a contender in a few years, of course That is my personal opinion and I know that a dealer network will have to be established first.

I have been observing this for the past few days and it is interesting to read the posts. especially the ones about why do we need another mower? My question is why not? In the end don't we all benefit?

[Cleve]

Originally posted by rwleigh
cleve

It uses a two pump two wheel motor system! and it has no belt driving the pump! Also the machines that I looked at at the Springfield Mo. show had dual hydro reservoirs with dual large filters on them!


Thanks, I thought that might be the drive system. I still don't like that type compared to a true Hydrostatic system. I helped design many different drive systems in an industrial plant that were much bigger than anything like mower systems and I do know that a system that has separate pump/motor components is less efficient than a good hydrostatic system. You also lose a lot of the braking ability that a hydrostatic has. Most pumps and motors just won't stand the abuse of quick starts and reversals that a hydrostatic can. Good control just isn't there.
Just my opinion. Maybe they have something new.
Cleve.

[TLS]

Cleve,

I'm just a little curious about your wording of "Hydrostatic". I have had a few lawn/garden tractors that were "hydrostatic", and a few lawnmowers that were "hydro". Both had pump(s) and both had some type of motor(s). Just dont know the difference or the definition of your terminology of the two. :confused:

Please elaborate.

[rwleigh]

I am currious to know how a hydrastatic drive is better than a hydralic drive? I thought that almost all of the premium mowers used the two pump two wheel motor system.

[lakegastonla]

Do we really benefit from an official "muddying" (probably NOT a word, but bear with me) of the water? As far as I am(and any locically thinking person would be) concerned, a company such as this, or "Bad Boy" mowers has absolutely NOTHING to offer the serious, THINKING consumer. They have a "me too" product with little or nothing to offer. If anyone would purchase one of these over a Hustler(probably the best made mower hands down),an Exmark, Great Dane, Toro, Bob-Cat, etc.....Then I would suggest a cat-scan to identify any cerebral abnormalities. No dealer network, NO parts availibility,and... no future. To put it in terms we can all understand, "They will be choked out like a weed in a centipede- stand of grass".

In short, If I had 7 or 8-grand I wanted to gamble with, I would book a flight to Vegas.

[Administrator]

My thinking on this....

New companies or products bring new and fresh ideas.

Similar to my professional boxer theory.. something like "any given pro can be beat at any given time by any given pro" Or something similar/close to that.. ?

Or, ... "new ideas bring new inovations"

Don't count this or any new product / idea out without first having experienced it. Im not talking about any particular company or product.... just the concept.

[captdevo]

Don't knock it till you try it!

Challenge...........bring your mower next to a Blade Runner and compare.

These have actually been around 7 or 8 years already.

I don't think they are going to just give up and fade away.

These people and alot of other folks know they have a super idea and product, they have the backing and support to progress, and they will.

BTW.....They are bringing some to Macomb, Il. this weekend.....check them out for yourself, then judge them.

[lakegastonla]

Yeah, whatever. That comparison bit almost sounded compelling...till I considered the fact that finding a dealer would be a lot like a scavanger hunt. I'll wait till they conquer the mower market, force half their competition out of business, and there's a bladerunner "in every garage." ;)

[Administrator]

I guess that should be the set goal for every singe manufactuer of every single product ever developed.

Wow, imagine that!.... If everyone stepped up their goals a little.... shoot, we might have had flying cars by now.

[WREBELMACHINE]

I have been reading this post for several days and have tried not to reply because I do not want to sound like a broken record. But enough is enough! Competition is a very good thing it brings all manufactures to scramble to build a better product to keep up with each other. Right now I own a bladerunner diesel mower and it will flat mow and I have only fixed a flat tire on it once! I personally feel that anyone who is willing to take a chance and build a superior product is definetly going to be around. Yes it is true they probably do not have any dealers in nc. but I am sure they will. After all I have read about other threads on other manufactures like dixie chopper and hustler who are not nationwide either. Give these guys time and they are going to make a mark in the market place. And like captndevo said you nead to take a look at it in person first before you slam it!

The AMERICAN BLADERUNNER slogan is "show me you can outmow me"

If you are going to bad mouth one you better be sure of what you are using because if you try to mow against one you might be humbled.

[lakegastonla]

There's room for one or two more on my back....pile on. :)

Look, no need to get the undies in a wad. I thought I made my point in the last post clear. If not, then I'll try to clarify. I said, "If I had 7 or 8 grand to gamble with, I'd book a flight to Vegas." What I meant was that if I were about to spend a CONSIDERABLE ammount of money on a new ZTR, I would spend it on a machine manufactured by a company that will definately be around for me. Face it, machinery failure is not a question of will it break, but WHEN will it break. I want the assurance of knowing I'll have a partner when things get tight.(downtime, for whatever reason)

Next, I don't remember "slamming" the blade runner as far as quality goes. I am sure it is probably a very well made machine. It HAS to be in order to compete. But is it a FAR SUPERIOR machine? Because that's what a smaller company needs to produce if they plan to slingshot past a company like bobcat, etc.
Sorry, I can't get excited about a machine because it goes 1.5 mph faster than the competition, or has a gallon larger gas tank, or because it's hydro pumps are different than brand xyz's. It needs to be a clearly superior product, which I don't know that it is. A good machine, yeah. But clearly a better machine....???

Last, competition is fierce in the mower market, now as I am sure we all know. I would personally not take the risk and go with the smaller (relatively)new company. I would take a more conservative route and get a proven brand with a market leading machine.(Hustler, bobcat,exmark) None of which I consider to be inferior machines to the "new " brands.



As far as your "humbling" anyone by outmowing them, this is exactly what I posted for. It is like some big childish pi@@ing contest with "slightly better" numbers and "marginally improved" performance all of which yaaaaaawwwn.......makes me very tired. BOOOOring.

[Cleve]

Originally posted by TLS
Cleve,

I'm just a little curious about your wording of "Hydrostatic". I have had a few lawn/garden tractors that were "hydrostatic", and a few lawnmowers that were "hydro". Both had pump(s) and both had some type of motor(s). Just dont know the difference or the definition of your terminology of the two. :confused:

Please elaborate.
I will try. A pump the drives a separate motor requires hoses to connect them two. It also requires control valves and associated pressure controls to control the speed and pressure to the motor. Most hyd. motors can't act as a pump and therefore any "back pressure" is relieved over pressure contorl valves.
A good hydrostatic system is a closed system with no hoses and the motor portion of the system can also act as a pump. This allows excellent braking action and better speed control along with no possibility of leaking hose or connections. And believe me, you don't want a leaking hydraulic system in the field. One of the mowers I demo'ed before purchasing a Walker had more than one hose connection that had small leaks. Just did not want to deal with that. Hyd. leaks can be a real problem on some systems.
A true hydrostatic system is just much better than a pump/separate motor setup. I believe that you also get less heat buildup with a good hydrostatic as compared to a pump/separate motor system. I'm sure a good hyd. engineer could explain the two systems better as I worked more on the mechanical portion of machinery that used both types. I just know that the best control always came from a true hydrostatic system.
Cleve.

[captdevo]

lakegastonla

then why are you wasting space with your invaluable, inconsiderate theories and opinions.

i believe when i posted this, i asked to please keep your opinions to yourself unless you've actually run a Blade Runner.


evidently the Blade Runner has sparked an interest or you wouldn't be yaawwwnnnnnnn, stay awake to post...streetccchhhhh


whatever all thats about.

you speak of "childish" from a childs point of view, read your own replies, they are about the most immature i've ever seen.

if you are happy with what you use, and want to keep using it fine, move on.........

but, regardless, the American Blade Runner is here to stay!

Don't worry, it'll make it out your way eventually, probably operated by your competition!

Hope you can keep up with the quality of cut that comes with the speed!

But Hey, competition is a good thing....lol

see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!

[lakegastonla]

Oh, hey I see what's happening now. Sorry, guy I didn't realize you SOLD these mowers being discussed. I didn't mean to step into the middle of your snake oil presentation . My bad.....I didn't see at first how you were nonchalantly using a free public forum to create excitement for a new line and potentially generate sales. We'll just have to agree to disagree. It's not worth name calling and acting childish over. Good luck with your new line no hard feelings. It may prove to be the best mower design in the universe, time will tell.

[sunlawn]

Glad to see everyone is so opinionated about this new mower! Im afraid to say anything. Please dont yell at me!! Everyone should check it out. Who wouldnt want to see the latest equipment on the market. Competition is what makes these companies make better equipment for us. More power to these new companies for keeping us on the cutting edge of the industry! I certainly like having choices of many different machines. :blob1: Weeeee sunlawn

[mowerparts]

The only thing that I do not like is having the hoses to the wheel motors on the bottom. They should be on top so you do not knock them off if you run over somthing or get stuck on a curb ect...:D

[sunlawn]

Does anyone actually own one of these machines?? I would like to hear what they think of it. sunlawn:D

[WREBELMACHINE]

I bought two of these last year a gas unit and a diesel. I sold the gas unit only because the diesel just flat out spoiled me! I love this machine it will flat cut!!! The next one I will buy will be another diesel 72".

[Sean Adams]

The posts started to get amusing at the end. Lakegastonla had me laughing. I have to agree with all sides here....except for when captdevo insisted no one post their opinion unless they owned or used one of these machines. It is obvious you are selling the machines, which is fine. I just don't think you should start a post and then only allow or insist that people comment positively, which is really what you were saying. LawnSite can be a powerful tool but I don't think anyone on this site is going to buy one of these mowers simply because.... Lakegastlona made sense to me...Parts, service, track record.....If I had to choose, even after using one and being thoroughly impressed, I would still end up going with a Wright, Exmark, Hustler, etc.... In time, if Blade Runner snags a share of the market, good for them (and all their dealers captdevo). It has a very familiar look to it. I wonder if Eric has seen this...

Sean Adams

[semperfi41]

I have owned a couple bladerunners. I had a 50" and upgraded to a 72". Really like it a lot. No problems yet. Built really great. Im VERY hard on equipment and it has proven to be a strong machine. I broke a frame on a Schweiss in less than a week. Haven't had that problem with the bladerunner!! Thank goodness!