Just installed The Director - Mine is not red like the picture

[Lawn-Scapes]

I called York Sheet Metal a couple of days ago and David Burchstead returned my call today. When I was placing my order and talking about shipping cost/process he said "Ya know what.. I have a meeting (or something) down that way today.. how 'bout I meet you at such and such a place at 2:30 (which was approximately the half-way point ((35 minutes)) between me and them), this way you can have and start using it tomorrow instead of waiting 'til Monday.

So.. we met and chatted for a little about his business & products. I asked him if he would look into building me a tray to hold a 15 gallon sprayer that will mount into a receiver hitch on the front of my Lazer. He said sure and wrote down all the measurements.

It was a pleasure to meet and talk with David. I thought it was fantastic of him to offer and hand deliver the Director to me.

Great guy!

I can't wait to use it tomorrow... But why is mine black????

[kerr lawn]

what is the director?
yes that was nice of him to help you out.
peace
bryan

[Lawn-Scapes]

http://www.yorksheet.com/prod03.htm

[TLS]

I guess it really doesn't matter, but mine is red. Pretty good quality paint also. Probably baked on, not just a spray can.

Maybe they switched to black to make them stand out more? Once you get it on, you'll wonder how you did without it!

[Lawn-Scapes]

No... it really doesn't matter from a working point of view.

But... it does stick out like a sore thumb.

What the heck does the rubber mat do??? Looks like nothing.

[Esby33]

It was also black. I was really hoping for red, and expecting red. I'm not sure what to do. I hate to be a pain in the a**, but I kinda want it to match my Lazer. Not sure what to do at this point. Anyone have suggestions?

[Lawn-Scapes]

Buy some paint? ;)

[TLS]

Heres a pic of the flap. This is the proper way. It must go under the hinge rod. It is only attached on the OCDC, not to the deck.

[AltaLawnCare]

You guys can paint those things, krylon would probably look better than black. Go to the grocery store, get a red "Scotch Brite" and wet the director down, sprinkle comet on it, and scrubit with the scotch-brite until its dull. wash it off with dish washing detergent, dry it off and lay 3 or 4 medium coats on it. ;)

How do those things perform? This was a feature I really liked on the DCs.

Are they adjustable..or only opened or closed?

Does the deck mulch well with them or do you still need the mulching kit?

Do they increase deck blow out? ...Windrowing?

Has anyone ground leaves with them?

Does it interfere with deck height adjustment?
:)

[Lawn-Scapes]

Thomas... Yeah that's how mine is. What does it do?

[TLS]

TSG,

When it is anywere "inbetween" if you dont have it, you'll be eating grass. Somehow if you dont have it, all grass gets "directed" back at YOU! It DOES work!

Alta,

Good. Better than the DC, as it TOTALLY stops grass....NO HOLES!!

Adjustable, 5? settings.

Its not really for mulching, as it will leave a furrow in heavy growth. Its for directing the discharge. Great for keeping clippings out of mulch beds, and off of houses!!

They grind leaves real well. Double Gators, close director, back over leaves....instant BUG dust!

Does not interfere with deck height whatsoever.


God, what a dirty Lazer I have!!! This time of year, I cant help it!

[Esby33]

My question too, what does that rubber flap do? Hold it in place better, stop vibration?

Well, here I edit it.....thanks for the response TLS. I can see how you would need that.

[mowingmachine]

Pretty cool. Basically an adjustable discharge shute. I'd hate to be the guy that made it though for the sake of liability. They are promoting the removal of the original discharge shute and replacing it with their own shute and mowing in the wide open position. Doesn't pass any of the safety standards. Ouch. Hate to see anything happen like that to a company or LCO but with all the sue happy people now days you never can be too safe. Just some thoughts.

mowingmachine

[AltaLawnCare]

Thanks, TLS.
After I posted I saw your picture and it answered some of my questions.

I filled out the info page on their website. ;)

[Esby33]

Alta~
I would just call them. Their response for me over the internet was horrible. They are very informative over the phone though.

[TLS]

Esby,

See my above post. It keeps the grass from sneaking in between the director and the deck. Without it (the way I got it first) it would actually shoot grass back at the operator!

Mowingmachine,

Not to knock you, but its thoughts like yours that is whats wrong with this country.....What IF....!

:rolleyes:

It is actually safer than factory. First of all, how many people actually use the factory chute? Why, because it makes the mower a foot wider!

Whenever there are people/cars/buildings/beds around, my director is down. Before the Director....The factory chute collected dust in the UP position!

SO......Technically it is WAY safer because it is useable!

[mowingmachine]

TLS,
I couldn't argree with you more. A mower functions so much better without a discharge shute. The reason they are on there though is because some one along the way got sued and a safety standard was then made to protect other companies or operators in the future. It's up to you if you want to leave it on or take it off. If you take it off and something should happen the orginal manufacturer is no longer liable. By taking off the orginal shute and replacing it with the director you basically have voided any liability support you would have recieved from Exmark. I understand your point that now your shute is more convient to use but what if for some odd reason something should happen when your shute is up. Now all the weight of the problem rests on your shoulders. You will most likely also have trouble getting your insurance to cover it. I definitly don't want to risk losing my business because of something like that. Do you? You might think this is crazy but it is reality. Until we can control some of the liability claims I don't see any other choice.

mowingmachine

[James234]

"A mower functions so much better without a discharge shute."

Take me now LORD!:alien:

[TLS]

mowingmachine,

Question: Do you always use your factory deflector shoot? I have NEVER seen a commercail cutter with theirs down! Let alone even on the deck!

You will NEVER get any liability support from a mower manufacturer. Its YOUR fault you hit the (debris) that came out of your deck. Yes they designed it, but once you drove it off the showroom floor, ITS YOURS!

I have liability insurance for this.

[gogetter]

I sure wish they'd make something for us walk behind guys!! e have the same problems as you riders (clippings in beds, o house, on car).!!

I just e-mailed them practically begging them to come up with one for wb's.

I NEED ONE!

[chariot]

Gogetter, you are in luck, if your pockets are deeper than mine. W.E. Chapps now makes "Grass Handler", it is same idea as the director. They have an "introductory price" of $399.95.

[TLS]

I'm sure a WB model is very possible, and if made, I would certainly buy one. All thats needed is a linkage arangement that activates it from the handle bars. Lets hope that it sits low and doesn't "catch" branches, etc.!!

Get to work YSM!!!

[gogetter]

I've e-mailed YSM twice in the last year about this. No response! I can see if they aren't interested in making one for whatever reason, but to just not reply is not good business.

Shame too, because everybody seems to love the director on thier z's. One for a wb just makes sense. They could double thier sales (at least). Why wouldn't they be interested in making one? Strange.

[TLS]

I'm not looking for an excuse for them, but this is a side business for them. They really are a sheet metal fabricating company. Dave is the Director/roller guy, and he and REO work together on this.

I'm sure they are getting quite a lot of email regarding retrofitting to various types and brands of mowers. Problem I see is...Getting another brand/type mower there, and long enough to measure and upfit.

Something tells me that they will be doing the same with the Director as Exmark now distributes the roller.

Then you have the liability issue as was stated way back before.

Jonathan, did you ever call Dave? Maybe bugging him on the phone will get some balls rollin!