Pics of Homeowner stripes

[kolar]

This is my first time posting pics, hope it works...:)

[kolar]

:) :)

[CSRA Landscaping]

;) Looks good.

[John Gamba]

Nice and SWEET!! Your hired.
John

[dwost]

Looks awesome Kolar!! Welcome to LS. What setup are you running? Here are a couple from my "last mow of the season"

[dwost]

#2

[kolar]

I'm using a lazer HP 2352 with a striping kit. Dwost your strips look great to. My lawns only 8 weeks old. I hope I can keep it looking that way.

[JarrodsDad]

What's the deal with these stripes? i don't even think I have seen thenm up north here...

Do they cost extra and can can someone fill me inon the benefits of this procedure please?

Thanxs

[dwost]

JarrodsDad, welcome to LS. To answer your questions, quite simply they provide no benefit to the lawn other than the appearance. They are free, unless you price out the extras to help with definition. If you look at a commercially cut lawn (or in my case, one cut with a commercial mower) you're more likely than not will see them. There are things you can do such as rollers, chains, double blades, deck pitch, etc... that will enhance the stripping effect and provide a professional, manicured appearance. Some people don't care for them, however if you do a search on this site, you will be reading for days on how to do it and see some amazing patterns. Enjoy!!

[FIRESCOOBY]

I guess I dont understand...HOW do you do them?

[dwost]

The best thing to do will be to use the search feature on the homepage. You will get more info than you'll know what to do with. Here are the basics.

1) Pitch the deck so the front is about 1/4" lower than the rear

2) Run double blades, usually a high lift on the bottom and a gator type on top. put them in a + and tighten them down

3) Add either a roller, chains or quite simply, a rubber flap on the back of the deck runnign the full width of the deck to lay down the grass.

Begin mowing in one direction, then do a 180 and come back, repeat till finished.

The effect is provided by the way the light reflects off the grass. In essence, you are cutting the grass then laying it over in the direction you are mowing. This gives the "sripped" effect.

Good luck

There are many ways to do it, this is just the start.

[KerryB]

The best info is on older threads from Eric . The greatest stripper ever was.
Also it wouldnt hurt to read Picture Perfect by David Mellor. He really knows his stuff. He was the Director of grounds for the Milwaukee Brewers and now is the director of grounds for the Boston Red Sox.

[dwost]

Couldn't resist!! We love you Eric, wheter you were a "striper" or "stripper"...God rest his soul..... :)

[needforspeed]

Originally posted by dwost
The best thing to do will be to use the search feature on the homepage. You will get more info than you'll know what to do with. Here are the basics.

1) Pitch the deck so the front is about 1/4" lower than the rear

2) Run double blades, usually a high lift on the bottom and a gator type on top. put them in a + and tighten them down

3) Add either a roller, chains or quite simply, a rubber flap on the back of the deck runnign the full width of the deck to lay down the grass.

Begin mowing in one direction, then do a 180 and come back, repeat till finished.

The effect is provided by the way the light reflects off the grass. In essence, you are cutting the grass then laying it over in the direction you are mowing. This gives the "sripped" effect.

Good luck

There are many ways to do it, this is just the start. Run double blades?? Is that safe? why angle the deck? just a high lift solid airfoil is fine running at 18,500 F.P.M. Then just add a striping roller to enhance.
Gary

[dwost]

Double blades safe? - Yes, if using the right equipment it's no worse than running singles. Please use the search and you will see the how many members utilize this set up if not for striping, simply for the added suction and quality of cut. If you are trying to do this on a 21" or a rider, you may have adverse effects, but I'm sure with some tinkering, you can get a setup that would work well. I get fantastic results using doubles vs. the hi-lifts that came stock on my mower.

Pitched deck - Aids in airflow and cut quality.

Single hi lift - Sure, that works fine also, there are many ways to achieve this look.

Striping roller- You bet, works beautifully, so do chains, a series of wheels on a axle, or a piece of rubber. Anything to "comb" the grass and make it lay down after it cuts will enhance the stripe.

[needforspeed]

Sounds good! I'm alway's looking for good ideas to improve cuts
Gary