Lazer in Pond

[SIG]

Well for the second time since I have been doing this kind of work, since 1985, another of my mowers was driven into a pond. My 1999 25 hp 60" Lazer. I just can't believe somebody would take so much risk of injury to save a few minutes of going to get the walkbehind off the trailer. I will find out today how much this is going to cost me. I guess this is the difference between owners and employees, I would never put my $7000.00 at that much risk or my life. Very frustrating, it's not like we were'nt behind already! I am really P*****off about this. Hope you all have a better week than me. Peace!

[stslawncare]

sorry to hear about your luck, saftery first all the time, just like our rule in the fire service, saftery of yourself, your crew, equipment, then the customer/patient.

[SIG]

That's what is even worse, my helper is a paid firefighter!!! I was a volunteer for many years and you are right- you can't help somebody else if you are dead or hurt. He did feel really, really bad about what happened.

[fastlane]

Sorry aboutyour lazer. Hopefully you can get away with only changing fluids. Scotties' fire company would have saved your lazer and let employee drown.(maybe not a bad idea)

[lawn and stump]

I have been unexpectlantly suprised by my laser-I ended up in the street- lucky no cars were coming- once they start sliding look out- my sentar is much safer and slides a whole lot less

[Scraper]

Originally posted by lawn and stump
my sentar is much safer and slides a whole lot less

Hey...I am currently considering buying a Sentar...quality of cut nice? No lawns over 2 acres here and I'm looking at the 60". How is it on hills generally? How steep can it climb or traverse before you start to worry?

[awm]

i have advocated doing hills w lazer. but only if u dont have danger at the bottum of the hill.lazer takes hills as good as any ,but u cant turn it loose if she goes wrong.,like u can a walkbehind.
hills also mean good newer tires for safe operation.

[SIG]

My dealer just called, the pond jumping Lazer is fixed. $305.00. Could have been a lot worse. Might have to trade it in now. Would you guys keep it? Possible problems down the road, like a flood damaged car? Let me know.

[lawn and stump]

scraper-the quality of cut is great- they have the higest blade speed allowed-I have the 25hp and recomend it highly
I mow every lawn I have with the 61" cut from the postage stamps-to the football fields. It is the best mower I have used in my 20 years of mowing.

[MOW ED]

And I was P.o'ed about an electric clutch going out on a walk behind. I feel for you.

[Brickman]

Keep this employee on a short leash. They start small and work their way up to a big $$$$$$$$$ repair bill. It might be time to start looking for new help. I do feel for you. My life is so stressed right now that I might just walk away from the whole mess if something like that were to happen to me right now. Just leave it in the pond and GO, some where.

[Big G]

The key as it seems to me is;
-when they start to slide, let up on the controls a little because the rear wheel is locked up. Then, at least you can steer and attempt to move away from any obstacles.
-If you panic & keep the rearward deathgrip on the controls, you're a gonner. I have actually been able to save it a couple times by letting up for just a second & steering a little, then slowing it down some more.
-If you are going straight up a hill though, there's no stopping them. It's the downhill stuff that requires skill & a little common sense.
-As was said earlier, switching to a walk behind for the really tuff hills is the best thing to do.

Big G

[stslawncare]

good advice big G, as hard as it is try to stay calm, when u start to panic it effects ur thought therefore u lose ur common sense.

[AltaLawnCare]

Yes.

I've realized you gotta control it with the down hill tire. Go really slow and if it starts turning down-hill - throw the juice to the lower tire , and speed up but maintain control.

I'm still learning though. If this shtty weather ever breaks, I can enjoying playing, .. I mean mowing with the Lazer! :D

[rodney]

heres some pics of one in a pond did you have to have a huge wrecker pull it out. http://www.perficut.com/picksnpaws.htm

how did you get it out ?

[TJLC]

Sorry to hear about your equipment, thank God nobody got hurt. (I assume no one did) I have heard of Z's flipping over on top of people, trapping them underneath! I have had my Lazer in a couple of situations that have shaken me enough to be more careful and taught me to utilize my w/b a little more. I'm glad to hear it worked out ok for you this time.

[SIG]

Rodney,
I went over and pulled it out with my 99 F350. Even that was a little tricky. I only had about a 20' wide area on top that was flat, with steep side on both sides, one side to the pond the other sided sloped to heavy woods. It was not a lot of fun. Basically had to drag the mower through the water on the edge of the pond until I got to a point where I could get staight in front of the mower and yank it out. I mowed my own lawn with it last night and it ran very well. I have to take my hat off to the dealer who fixed the machine, who by I did not buy it from him, he sells Toro Z-Masters, he had me back on the trailer in less than 24 hours. Thanks Curtis- Lawson's of Woodbine

[rodney]

glad to hear you got it fixed. now tell us how you delt with the employee who took it swimming .

[SIG]

I am not the screaming and yelling type. I really didn't have to say anything, he is not stupid, just made a bad decison after a long day of mowing. Now, if it were to happen again I will beat the **** out of him, then fire him.