Hard on the hands?

[jocko1104]

Is it just me or does my 36" encore do a number on my hands and forearms? There must be a better way to run your machince! Are there better drive systems out there? I dont mean a 60" z...

I do primarily small residential

[EJK2352]

How about a hydro walk???

[John Gamba]

Look at Exmarks New Control's. They Come Gear Or Hydro. I Have a Mower with Them And i Like Them Alot.

[TJLC]

I would like to try Hustlers design on their w/b's but I don't think there is a dealer close. I have not tried Exmarks new ECS design so I can't comment on it. The pistol grips don't really bother me, I guess I'm used to them. I do know there are probally better systems out there. Sorry, not much help.

[keifer]

I have the toros with the t bars and have had no problems but my stihl hedge clippers kill me. My hands and arm hurt like crazy.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by jocko1104
Is it just me or does my 36" encore do a number on my hands and forearms? There must be a better way to run your machince! Are there better drive systems out there? I dont mean a 60" z...
I do primarily small residential

Do yourself a favor and put money in your pocket, too. Go look at a Hustler. Nothing, and I mean nothing is as easy, simple, productive and gentler on your hands......Err, well maybe "Dove hand cream":D
Pete

[awm]

man do i know where u are coming from. unfortunately most machines that ive owned got a good cussing ,most ever time i did a repair. especially those made by small hands[asian folks etc] no offence to them. rule of thumb. i have to have a little blood on my knuckles,before that hard to deal with whatever is coming off or coming on. finally does.
my son in law was totally convinced i was going to beat him up ,someday
for sure. until i convinced him the busted knuckles were the result of a clumsy mechanic,not a bad bad dude.
a secrete ive learned. take your time in repairs and think out what u intend to do.
then expect the unexpected. u will still bust knuckles ,u may just not cuss the machine as much.:)
pleaseexcuse my misunderstanding the subject. eyes aint what they use to be..
not that bad tho ,just an oversite.

[65hoss]

I own a 48" encore hydro. It has some really stiff controls. After a few minutes it will have you hurtin'. The new eXmark ECS controls are really nice. You should demo one.

[MOW ED]

Toro T-bar.

I'm waiting to see Gravelys controls.

Pistol grips are not the option.

[jocko1104]

Yes the controls are quite stiff. I'm not sure that buying a new mower is the answer for a least a season ot two bu i will try to find a hustler and will stop by the dealer and aska bout the ecs controls. Anyone know what i might expect to shell for those?

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by 65hoss
I own a 48" encore hydro. It has some really stiff controls. After a few minutes it will have you hurtin'. The new eXmark ECS controls are really nice. You should demo one.

Correct me if I'm wrong, they are still pistol type grips, but just at a different angle.

[65hoss]

Similar, but very easy unlike the regular pistol type.

[TurfGuyTX]

Toro's T-Bar is hard to beat. Very comfortable. But look on the bright side, soon you may have Popeye arms. :D

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by 65hoss
Similar, but very easy unlike the regular pistol type.

For belt drives, if you make/buy a 1.5" diameter ring and use it to space the springs for most WB's (bobcat, Skag), you can reduce the effort to 1/4 of what it was. Yyou can actually use 1 finger with ease to pull the levers. Reverse, however, will not work, but I don't know many guy's using reverse on belt drives anyway.
Pete

[lawnkid]

I hate pistol grips cause they make my hands sore after a long day. But I think they are better than ECs and the other ones cause they are more practical. I think I eventually may develop Carpal Tunnel but hey, it's part of the job. I love the Scag brand and their mower so i think I'm still gonna stick with them for good.

[TLS]

I dont log all that many hours on my SCAG Belt WB, but its levers are pretty stout. Never really bothered me. My Dad wanted to try it a few years back. Got done his front yard, and he had to stop due to blisters and hand cramps. I guess I'm just used to it.

Now, for the benefits of stiff grips......Quite an impressive HANDSHAKE. I've made many a "BIG" man let go and comment on my grip. :rolleyes:

Carple Tunnel Syndrom comes more from the "Twisting" of the wrist than just the squeezing of the fingers.

[edward hedrick]

I solved the problem of pistol grips, took them off, replaced with Toro T bar. I have a 52 Lesco w a 14 Kawi. belt. works great

no SORE hands. Goes in the wet. Goes backwards. Before the Lesco I had a 48 Scag w Toro T bar. Cost $250 for parts.

about 2 hrs to change over. This can be done on most belt drive

machines. Ed

[Heller Landscaping]

I have one question about hustler w/b hydro mowers with T handle. I tryd a hustler it felt like I could not control it, is the handle strong enough to push on if I got stuck.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by Heller Landscaping
I have one question about hustler w/b hydro mowers with T handle. I tryd a hustler it felt like I could not control it

First, you're absolutely correct, which is why I designed a highend limiter, with override. However, Hustler just doesn't get it. But in all honesty, even the stock machine is fine once you use it for a day or two. After you realize you can't muscle the machine, even one inch, the Hustler "H" bar becomes friendly.

[jocko1104]

For belt drives, if you make/buy a 1.5" diameter ring and use it to space the springs for most WB's (bobcat, Skag), you can reduce the effort to 1/4 of what it was. Yyou can actually use 1 finger with ease to pull the levers. Reverse, however, will not work, but I don't know many guy's using reverse on belt drives anyway.


Could you explain this a little further please.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by jocko1104
For belt drives, if you make/buy a 1.5" diameter ring and use it to space the springs for most WB's (bobcat, Skag), you can reduce the effort to 1/4 of what it was. Yyou can actually use 1 finger with ease to pull the levers. Reverse, however, will not work, but I don't know many guy's using reverse on belt drives anyway.


Could you explain this a little further please.

The only reason the levers are so hard to pull is because so much tension is needed to make revese work. This is because of where the idler pulley applies tension to the belt. Going forward, the ilder pulley only takes up the slack in the belt as the drive pulley turns the belt. However, going in resevse the idler pulley tries to apply force to keep the belt against the drive pulley.
So, as long as you don't really use reverse, very little tension is needed on the idler pulley. So, if you install a spacer on the spring to decrease the tension, the levers still work fine, but are much easier to pull.
Pete

[weedwoop]

Go to your pharmacy and buy a couple of wrap type wrist supports. Not only do they support your wrists but they keep the heat in under them improving blood flow to the muscles and tendons and greatly reduce the pain and stiffness. At least they do for me. I was having this problem in a big way when using my Exmark hp with the sulkey. With the sulkey, your controling every move with your hands as opposed to being able to use your whole body more when walking. As a matter of fact, when my wrists are hurting now I walk and when my legs hurt I ride.Thats what I like about this system. Anyway, the wrist supports really helped and if it works for you, it's an inexpensive fix.

[Tvov]

Check out how the adjustments on your machine work. You may be able to soften or loosen your springs just by adjusting them. A lot of walk behinds' springs (or control levers) are adjustable without a "spacer", others need them.

See if the owner's manual has any info about this. Also, if the machine is new, probably in less than a month the belts will loosen up, and the machine will be easier to operate.