Mowing Patterns Type and Frequency?

[ALC-GregH]

Originally Posted by Lehighlawnpros

We use a variation of the "racetrack" pattern all the time.

We never mow in different directions (un-productive/ possibly leaving ruts BOTH ways/ too much un-necessary turning required).

To avoid ruts we simply "stagger" our passes as required.

For example, after your first pass around the perimeter, on your
second pass just make a 1/2 or 1/3 pass, then on all subsequent passes mow
full passes (unless you line up with a rut then stagger a little as required).

Over time, in our conditions (SW Florida/St. Augustine) this method
eliminates ruts almost entirely, and we use heavy 1,500 pound plus Grasshopper front mounts.

It's very efficient and much less wear on the hydro system.

We mulch, so discharge is no factor for us.
Striping, although visible to some extent, isn't much of a concern here.

Some of our competitors who mow using zero-turns and in the same tracks all the time have some nasty ruts and sometimes turf damage, but our lawns always look great in that regard.

So, try using the "racetrack" all the time, just stagger as required to eliminate rut development. Works for us.

I prefer striping the lawn. I DO use the same example as you mentioned by moving over a tires width or so to keep the soil compacted as even as possible.

[Hoy landscaping]

if your useing a ztr racetrack is the LAST thing i would do. when u go to make your 90 degree turn it makes a turn spot because most likely one wheel is moving 1 is staying still. its alot harder then doing long straight lines with minimal turning

[turfrider1020]

i just cut the stripes i want to see on that yard that week, ive only had 2 complaints about my stripes in 16 years, two old hags that wanted left to right and up and down only they didnt like diagonals(dags) anyway you cut the yards in what ever direction you want if it is too wet leave that patch for the following week or trim it out , thats my way and it works out great for me


i also always start at the left of a house or obsticale so i dont spray the grass all over , starting in the center works too if you do it where you dont spay the house, ive done it that way a few times here and there it comes in especialy handy when you have an obsticale at both ends and you can prevent spraying both

[david shumaker]

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Originally Posted by Lehighlawnpros

We use a variation of the "racetrack" pattern all the time.

We never mow in different directions (un-productive/ possibly leaving ruts BOTH ways/ too much un-necessary turning required).

To avoid ruts we simply "stagger" our passes as required.

For example, after your first pass around the perimeter, on your
second pass just make a 1/2 or 1/3 pass, then on all subsequent passes mow
full passes (unless you line up with a rut then stagger a little as required).

Over time, in our conditions (SW Florida/St. Augustine) this method
eliminates ruts almost entirely, and we use heavy 1,500 pound plus Grasshopper front mounts.

It's very efficient and much less wear on the hydro system.

We mulch, so discharge is no factor for us.
Striping, although visible to some extent, isn't much of a concern here.

Some of our competitors who mow using zero-turns and in the same tracks all the time have some nasty ruts and sometimes turf damage, but our lawns always look great in that regard.

So, try using the "racetrack" all the time, just stagger as required to eliminate rut development. Works for us.

Same system I use. Going back and forth or diagnally drives me crazy and my yards have all types of trees, shrubs, etc to go around. People around here don't seem to care about stripes.

[scagmanjosh]

Originally Posted by Hoy landscaping

if your useing a ztr racetrack is the LAST thing i would do. when u go to make your 90 degree turn it makes a turn spot because most likely one wheel is moving 1 is staying still. its alot harder then doing long straight lines with minimal turning

This is easily remedied by curving your direction changes instead of making hard 90s.

[Yater]

Lots of people around here don't allow ztrs on their lawn.