The Green Industry's Resource Center

T888 · #1 08-04-2011, 08:59 PM

Hi, I am looking to buy another zero turn and have seen that just about every brand has a propane offer for one of their mowers.

What are some of the pros and cons of propane and how do they stack up against diesel and gas engines

Also are they cheap to run?

Thanks for ahead of time for your input

cimkill · #2 08-09-2011, 08:24 PM

I only have about 20 hours on mine so far. I have a Ferris IS3100zp I like it cuts great and tons of power it can lift front tires off ground if you arent careful thats power. The two tanks give me about 6 hours max so far but it is a new machine and i heard that will improve after it hits 50 hours. If you get one buy extra tank to get you through the day thats my oppinion. I do cut super thick grass bi weekly in Central America that could be why im using up the propane so fast. The grass here grows about twice as fast as florida in the summer to give you an idea. I have a hustler also thats gas, but will convert it to propane too. Hope this helps.

Terry Metro Lawn · #3 09-13-2011, 03:02 PM

My experience has been that you can experience up to 25-30% savings in fuel and more that double your oil service intervals.

We've had excellent results with the Kawasaki engines.

cimkill · #4 09-13-2011, 07:48 PM

I now have over 35hours on my ferris IS3100zp we worked this saturday all day did about 7 hours on each machine. the gas hustler went through 13.3 gallons of gas which is;$159.60 down here the Ferris used 1 1/2 tanks of propane which is; $45.00. I am sold propane all the way. The fuel economy has improved drastically now whith higher hours. Oh yeah forgot to mention the hustler which is 27hp did cut through the higher thicker stuff faster than the 32hp propane mower, but the stuff we cut down here you would never face in the U.S. so you will be fine. The ferris is faster than the gas in lower more normal cutting conditions.

atlantistom · #5 09-14-2011, 12:36 AM

I have two hours on my 3100ZP and consumed 2.5 gallons per hour. I'm glad to hear your efficiency has improved. I'm hoping to get to 1.6 GPH.
Have you noticed any increase in HP as the motor has broken in?
I removed the small metal baffle under the deck by the discharge chute and noticed less bogging of the engine in thick bahia. I'm going to remove the stripe kit next as it does no good that I can see. I'm happy with the machine so far.

cimkill · #6 09-17-2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlantistom

I have two hours on my 3100ZP and consumed 2.5 gallons per hour. I'm glad to hear your efficiency has improved. I'm hoping to get to 1.6 GPH.
Have you noticed any increase in HP as the motor has broken in?
I removed the small metal baffle under the deck by the discharge chute and noticed less bogging of the engine in thick bahia. I'm going to remove the stripe kit next as it does no good that I can see. I'm happy with the machine so far.

Got yours from Lou also? I am getting about 1.4 GPH now. I am using a 40% propane 60% butane mix. Thats all they have down here. I have not removed the baffles or striper yet. I will take your advice thanks. yeah fuel economy improved drastically in last 20 hours now its got 45 hours on it and does alot of work. I have not noticed any increase in power so far. I was going to call commercial lawn and ask about power. My blade belt might not be tight enough. Will remove baffles and see. Thanks.

atlantistom · #7 09-18-2011, 10:36 AM

Yeah I got mine from Lou. I'ts comforting to know the fuel economy will get better. Where I get my tanks filled, they measure 30# and up by the gallon instead of weight. They stop filling the tank when it reaches just under 5 gallons. A 20# cylinder holds 4.5 gallons, so I don't know if they're underfilling.
I thought they would hold at least 6 gallons ea. I pull from both tanks simultaneously and find this causes them to sweat less than pulling fom just one. There's only one baffle to remove under the deck. It's the 4" piece at the rear of the discharge. When I removed it, the grass went from discharging mostly at the rear to a more even spread through the entire opening. Not sure why the engineers added this baffle, unless it helps with bagging. Removing the Stripe Kit has stopped the pulling up of stringy weeds and the cut now looks prettier.
You will definitely want to replace your current mixing valve with the one Lou is sending you. He did mine in the shop before I took delivery. When you replace it, let me know if your fuel economy drops.

Terry Metro Lawn · #8 09-25-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cimkill

Got yours from Lou also? I am getting about 1.4 GPH now. I am using a 40% propane 60% butane mix. Thats all they have down here. I have not removed the baffles or striper yet. I will take your advice thanks. yeah fuel economy improved drastically in last 20 hours now its got 45 hours on it and does alot of work. I have not noticed any increase in power so far. I was going to call commercial lawn and ask about power. My blade belt might not be tight enough. Will remove baffles and see. Thanks.

Holy Smokes I was just in Belize! I wish I'd known.

Can you post a bit more about your setup?

cimkill · #9 09-25-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Metro Lawn

Holy Smokes I was just in Belize! I wish I'd known.

Can you post a bit more about your setup?

Darn Terry Metro, I could have met up with you the country is small. I bought a Ferris IS3100zp it comes set up with propane. I have not done anything else to it except remove the rear discharge baffle, Thanks Atlantistom. It works alot better with that out. Have not removed striper but will do. Ok Terry, Aside from the Ferris I have an 05 Hustler Z 60" gas with a new 27 kohler engine that has maybe 70hours on it. I would love to convert that to propane also, as long as i would not loose my blade tip speed. I have 2 FS250's, 1 Husqvarna 143R, stihl blower, and edger. I think im the only commercial lawn buis in the country. LOL

cimkill · #10 09-18-2011, 12:45 PM

Cool I thought you probably got yours from Lou. I wanted to let you know that when my tanks are completely empty and all pressure is released through the bleeder, each tank will take 7.2 gallons; so 14.4 total. That runs me; $57.60 BZ which is $28.80 U.S. They do have the scales here but they dont use it when filling my tanks just charge me per gallon. Ok the mixing valve is the part thats supposed to boost the H.P. Right? My mower doesnt seem to have the power it should when cutting in thick grass kind of stops cutting. I will take off the discharge baffle, but am getting a bagger for the unit, so maybe will ask them if thats what its for thanks. Does it cut significantly cleaner with the striper off? Sorry for all the questions just am on my own down here. Thanks for any and all input. Oh sorry one more I only pull from one tank thats what the manual said. Should I pull from both? Thanks again.