Exmark demo observations.......

[Joel B.]

Have been demoing an Exmark Lazer HP 48" w/Kohler 18 this weekend and I have to say the quality of the cut was about the same as my JD lawn tractor. The Lazer was obviously much faster and more maneuverable but I was disappointed with the cut quality. From all that I've heard, I guess I was expecting an absolutely perfect cut.

I did notice that the quality and type of grass affects cut quality.
For example, I mowed for a funeral home last Friday and their grass was very thick and beautiful. The quality of cut (using my JD tractor) on that lawn was better than the quality of cut on my yard (pretty decent grass I had let grow quite long) using the Exmark. I also noticed some of the same places on my yard where the tractor missed some grass, the Exmark missed too. Comments?

How long does it take to catch on to the turning of a ZTR? I know the trick is to keep both wheels moving, but I've found that you have to also start moving both wheels at the same time and stop both wheels at the same time. I'm sure this just takes practice. Any tips?

How do you spin around at the end of a row? If you spin around 180 degrees at the end of a row, you will be facing the row you just cut. You also need to be over a mower width to line up with the next row that needs to be cut. I guess what I'm asking is how to turn 180 degrees AND move over a mower width in one motion at the end of a row.

This website and the people who use it have been an incredible wealth of information for me. Thank you.

Joel B.

[1grnlwn]

You don't actually spin around. You use a three point turn, like you learned in Drivers Ed. As you approach the end row you would make a 90 deg turn towards the next row going slightly past the center of the next row. Then back up making a second ninety and you are lined up for next pass. The trick is to always have both wheels rotating at all times so the stress of twisting on the grass is spread out on a larger area of turf. It is tough to do only when you are tring to go real fast and you get sloppy (guilty).

Mark

[Joel B.]

I thought the advantage of a ZTR was that you didn't have to make a three point turn, thus saving time. I use the three point turn with my lawn tractor (which I can do pretty fast) AND I don't have to worry about tearing up the grass. So, what is the advantage of a ZTR (as far as turning)?

Thanks,

Joel B.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Belive it or not you have to train the grass to be cut with a specific mower, at specific heights..

You cannot just take a mower into tall grass and expect it to be perfect.

Were the blades sharp? Is the deck pitch set correctly? It it running at the propper RPM's? Is it wet? Is it extreamly dry?

Come on now, think!! This is like saying I demoed a corvette and it didn't go fast enough.

I will let the others give you pointers on how to turn.

[Joel B.]

Godfather,

OK, maybe perfect was expecting a little bit too much, but I thought it would at least be better than my tractor.

The dealer went through the mower before I picked it up. The grass wasn't extemely wet pr dry.

Bottom line, I mowed with the Exmark and my tractor side-by-side and couldn't tell a difference in cut quality.

Joel B.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Joel B.
I thought the advantage of a ZTR was that you didn't have to make a three point turn, thus saving time. I use the three point turn with my lawn tractor (which I can do pretty fast) AND I don't have to worry about tearing up the grass. So, what is the advantage of a ZTR (as far as turning)?

Thanks,

Joel B.

You don't have to make a 3pt turn that is a suggestion for beginners.

Once you learn the 3pt turn technique you will be able to do the normal extreamly fast ZTR trun, wiht out tearing up the turf.

You must learn it first.

This is like saying I demoed a corvette and it handled like a chevette.

[Joel B.]

So what is the "extremely fast ZTR turn"? How do you turn 180 degrees AND move over a mower width in one motion at the end of a row?

Joel B.

[AltaLawnCare]

Alot of the quickness isin the manuerverability (SP?) of a Z.

It should lay the grass over ..."stripe" better than the JD. My 345 48" always gave a great cut....contrary to popular opinion JDs aren't junk.

If your gass will stripe, you'll be able to make straight runs with that Z, that are not possible with a sloppy tractor.

IMHO...running a Z is fun, I have around 75 hours on mine, and I still make the turns slow, K turn ...like 1grnlawn described.
;)

[awm]

1st if they havnt changed the motors now u can remove a limiter screw and adjust the gov. slot and u have a 20 hp
as they have had the same specs and in the past,everything else was the same.
this made a huge difference in mine.
2nd out of the door your rpm may
be 3600 or even lower. these motor love 3750. and i run mine at 3800 and better
blades engaged. sounds like shes just up to speed..
now my dealer told me what to do . but yours may be concerned with warranty or something.
with doubles and these changes,u are talkin a cuttin machine. of course
pitch and all the other factors need to be rite,but a good dealer is gonna send u out the door with deck set right.
good luck ,its a good machine.
ps i do use mobil synthetic

[TLS]

Joel,

You didn't mention what type of JD tractor your had, so I cant comment on its ability.

Generally modern JD Tractors cut very well. They ought to, as JD spends much more money on R+D/Engineering than all makes of commercial mowers combined (not positive on that, but I bet its pretty close!) Where your going to come out on top is in higher cut heights. My old JD tractors (I WAS a BIG tractor guy!) would cut terriffic at 2", any higher, and things went downhill faster than......Well, you know! :eek: The Lazer will cut higher, faster, and better than just about any mower out there, and do it for thousands and thousands of hours! I have yet to look over a 48" Lazer HP closely, but with shorter blades (16.25") than a 60" Lazer (20.5") they have to spin those shorter blades FASTER than the engine RPM to ensure 18,500 fpm. To do this they must use different size pulleys on the crank and deck. I'm hoping they do. If they dont, your not going to get the quality of cut that we 60" ers do. The longer the blade the higher the fpm. My guess though, is low engine RPM's. Many mowers come out of the factory set entirely too low. All manufacturers suffer from this, and I've been a victim of it many times. Get a tach (every mower SHOULD have one IMHO) and tach it up, tach it up.......baby gonna......Oh nevermind! :D

ZTR turning is something that you just have to get used to. You'll get used to it, and wonder why your getting done SO much quicker than with the tractor! Just the simple ability to go from 4mph to 10mph in two seconds is reason enough for a ZTR! How about trimming around a 2' diameter tree ring. Cant do that with most tractors!

If your seriously looking, consider a 52" Lazer HP, they're faster, wider, have a better trim side offset, and not much more money. I still feel however, that the 60" Lazer is about as perfect as you can get for residential/commercial cutting.

Good Luck

[Joel B.]

TLS -
My tractor is a JD LX176, purchased new about 8 years ago. I would be surprised if it had more than 250 hours on it.

Joel B.

[TLS]

14hp Kawasaki
38" cut (2 blades 19.5" long)
2.5gal gas tank
0-5.5mph forward
0-2.5mph reverse
Approx mowing speed 1 ac/hr
Turning radius 20"
Net weight 535lbs

Good mower, my Aunt and Uncle have one. Very HI-LIFT blades ( I sharpen for them) and with 19.5" length, pretty good BTS.

The 14 Kawi is a good engine, and with only 38" cut, it offers a great power to cut ratio.

Problem with this mower is its trimming ability. Its rear tires are just as wide as the mower deck. Leaving no trim side offset. This is why I suggest the 52" Lazer, as the 44 and 48" are in the same boat as far as trim offset.

Are you in the Biz, or just a homeowner looking for a good mower?

[SLS]

You will need to check the pitch and heigth on the deck of ANY mower yourself when taking delivery.

The day I brought my Lazer Z home I backed it off the trailer and grabbed my trusty ol' tape measure.

Sure enough, the deck was set all wrong. Set the quadrant to cut a 3" and it was really setting at 2". Also, the deck had NO pitch...it was perfectly level. :eek:

Needless to say, I was not going to get a "good" cut or "good'' strip like this!

So, I grabbed the owners manual, read through the simple deck adjustment procedure, and did the deed...

Now it is SWEET...and stripes like theres no tomorrow!!! :)

Don't assume that the person at the dealer who assembles the machine knows what they are doing. You would be suprised at how unknowledgable some techs are...and sometimes they may just be in a hurry or having a bad day. :dizzy:

Always assume that a monkey with a wrench did the prep...and go over it thoroughly...YOURSELF. :D

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by Joel B.
So what is the "extremely fast ZTR turn"? How do you turn 180 degrees AND move over a mower width in one motion at the end of a row?

Joel B.

Doing the 3pt turn trains you to keep both wheels turning when making turns to prevent tearing the turf up.

Once you get good at making the 3pt turns, then you will start learning to make it all happen in one motion and it becomes a 1 step turn.

I can make turns not tear up the turf and make the gov. kick in hard.

You don't turn 180 degrees at the end of a pass.

You make a horseshoe type turn, I guess you could call it that. Or a swoop type turn.

Man that corvette is getting well used now huh?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by SLS

Don't assume that the person at the dealer who assembles the machine knows what they are doing. You would be suprised at how unknowledgable some techs are...and sometimes they may just be in a hurry or having a bad day. :dizzy:

Always assume that a monkey with a wrench did the prep...and go over it thoroughly...YOURSELF. :D
A word from the wise, remeber these words.

[65hoss]

Sounds to me like the deck isn't correct and/or the blades are dull. No demo I've ever seen had good blades on it. Usually like hitting with the side of a pencil.

[Joel B.]

TLS,

I am in "the biz" although only officially for about a month now. Officially meaning I am registered with the state as a business and I have all necessary insurance.

Thanks for all the advice,

Joel B.