One wheel vs. Two wheel velkie

[Patfo]

I'm looking to add a velkie to my 36 in Snapper walk behind. Can't decide between the one or two wheel. I'm concerned about the wheel mark the one wheeler may leave down the middle, my dealer said "no big deal looks like two 18 in. cuts if even that noticeable." Does the two wheeler limit mobility and speed in the turns? Will the two wheeler whip or jacknife or tear up grass in the turn? What do you guys think is the better option? Thanks for any feedback!

[kutnkru]

I would recommend rocket wheels because they are attached as a solid unit to your machine and eliminate the need of jack-knifeing when turning around.

As for the lines on the turf I would not worry about it because nobody complains about them from 3-wheeled riders. I think they will be more worried about the trimming and edging and whether or not you left clippings in the cobwebs next to the downspout.

Hope this helps.
Kris

[smburgess]

If the rider is 100lbs. - single is fine.
If the rider is closer to 200lbs. - Dual wheels.

[turfquip]

Rocket Wheels are designed for hydro units and even then work best on heavier machines.

Trimmertrap makes another one called the bull rider which is dual mode. It is capable of pivoting like velke, jungle wheels, etc., or you can fix it to be rigid behind your machine just like the rocket wheel.

[kutnkru]

In your professional opinion which style unit do you think to be more productive: pivoting or fixed.

Thanks for your input.
Kris

[turfquip]

pivoting

[kutnkru]

Really. Hmmm.

Thanks for the info.
Kris

[OBRYANMAINT]

i have a two wheel velke very comfortable and strong

its on a jd 48" belt

[Twotoros]

Toro is coming our with some for their own mowers . I could not find them on the website yet. They remain attached to the mower and fold under the handle when not needed . They have two casters that pivet with the machine and my dealer said are totally sweet when he demoed them last week . He thought they might adapt to other midsize.

[Greenman2ooo]

No contest. I prefer the two wheeled sulky. It never pulls the operator away from the machine like the pivoting models do. I have used both.

Be aware that the two wheeled sulky is a little more tricky to transport, but nothing a strategically places shock cord can't remedy.

[TJLC]

Originally posted by turfquip


pivoting I've heard pivoting for belt drive and fixed for hydro. I own a bullrider. I leave it in the fixed position.

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

I agree with kutnkru...

Rocket Wheels all the way. But we have always used them on Hydros, never a belt drive.

[visions landscape]

Rocket wheels all the way
we have a single wheel, but to hard for some of my
helpto get use to riding

[Jason Pallas]

We've been using the one wheel velkie for about 5-6 years. We do about 400-450 lawns weekly. All the machines we've used them on are belt driven. My two complaints: 1) some of the welding is often a little cheesy - we've had to re-weld several welds after they've broken (sometimes after only a month or so). After we reinforce/re-weld the welds, they're good as gold. 2)With one wheel, the bearings and shaft and other pivot points wear a lot quicker. Keep things greased well. We're frequently replacing bushings, bearings, etc...
On the postive side, the one wheel velkie is much less bulky and muich easier to transport on a trailer. Perhaps the biggest plus - you have to think of break-downs. With a two wheel velkie, you've got twice as much opportunity for a flat/breakdown - one wheel is enough to worry about. I'm 240lbs and the one wheel velkie has worked fine for me. Most of the other operators are about 150lbs and it works equally as good for them. However, when the bearings begin to wear, etc... the platform will get a little sloppy and has the tendency to "scalp" lawns or dig in while turning.

[turfquip]

I choose pivoting because it is more versatile. Will work equally well behind either style machine. I'd give a slight edge to Rocket Wheel for ease of learning and new operator safety. A clear edge to single wheel velke for fold up and storing convenience and transport.

The fastest most productive walk behind I've used to date was a 60" Turf Tracer with a single wheel velke. We were mowing hillsides I would not put a beginner on. Full speed.

Not sure full speed would be feasible with a fixed sulky. Gravity pulling on the sulky makes the front of the machine point "up". You have to constantly finger the downhill steering lever to track straight.

[Edited by turfquip on 02-08-2001 at 12:59 PM]