I would like any info on either electric over hydraulic deck lift manufactures you might be able to provide me. I am planning on buying a exmark xs with the 66 inch trition deck, but I want to add an after market electric deck lift.
electric or hydraulic deck lifts
1 reading
mouse
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
Joined
·
5,477 Posts
I agree unless it's an out front deck like a Grasshopper. Then I feel like it would be worth it. But there are people that like that option in a midmount, I over heard some guys at Expo last year complain about always having to raise and lower the deck with their foot. Maybe there are circumstances where it would make sense.
Joined
·
1,730 Posts
Heck I got some places where my foot has to rest on the deck lift to avoid possibly hitting something. It's a natural reflex to lift it when I have to. Can't imagine being as effecient with anything else. But different strokes....
Joined
·
5,247 Posts
I dont have one but there wonderfull.
makes changing blades a snap....
they were designed with space in mind....
when you load about 3 to 4 of them on your trailer you can lift the deck and make tons of space.....
no problem with cleaning just loft the deck and go for it.
I plan on getting 3 exmarks this next year, and you bet they will have the electric deck on them
makes changing blades a snap....
they were designed with space in mind....
when you load about 3 to 4 of them on your trailer you can lift the deck and make tons of space.....
no problem with cleaning just loft the deck and go for it.
I plan on getting 3 exmarks this next year, and you bet they will have the electric deck on them
Joined
·
13,950 Posts
If you have three arms its great. Outfront decks its sweet.
Both my current, 60 inch Gravely and my previous 50 inch are hydraulic lifts, and to be quite honest, I doubt it would be possible to sell me one without it, and yes, I've put several hours on machines with both foot and hand actuated deck lifts.
This isn't the first thead I've seen on this subject, and it seems there are always a bunch of "tough" guys replying who scoff at anyone who suggests any type of power deck lift. Well, when I was mowing as a kid, all we had was a push-type reel mower. Trimming was done with a weed hook, or if you really were particular, you had a pair of hand grass shears. My Dad finally broke down when I was about 12 and bought a new 18 inch Lawnboy with a 3hp 2-cycle engine. Man, I thought I was in heaven!
To me, the same principal applies here. I don't see any of you "tough guy" types advocating a return to push mowers and grass shears, and I'll wager there isn't one among you who doesn't have power steering and power brakes on their truck. Most probably have automatic transmissions. To me a power deck lift is simply another work saving device.
I've only used one mower with an electric lift, a Bad Boy, owned by a friend. I didn't care for it simply because it didn't have a system whereby the deck would return to the same height after moving it. You have to stop the mower, and actually look at the indicator to see the deck height. On my Gravely, the deck drops against removable stops so it will return to the same height each time. I'm sure some of the electric have similar systems.
My advice is if you want one, get one, and don't worry about all the naysayers. I'll wager if you use one a week, you'll never do without a power lift again.
This isn't the first thead I've seen on this subject, and it seems there are always a bunch of "tough" guys replying who scoff at anyone who suggests any type of power deck lift. Well, when I was mowing as a kid, all we had was a push-type reel mower. Trimming was done with a weed hook, or if you really were particular, you had a pair of hand grass shears. My Dad finally broke down when I was about 12 and bought a new 18 inch Lawnboy with a 3hp 2-cycle engine. Man, I thought I was in heaven!
To me, the same principal applies here. I don't see any of you "tough guy" types advocating a return to push mowers and grass shears, and I'll wager there isn't one among you who doesn't have power steering and power brakes on their truck. Most probably have automatic transmissions. To me a power deck lift is simply another work saving device.
I've only used one mower with an electric lift, a Bad Boy, owned by a friend. I didn't care for it simply because it didn't have a system whereby the deck would return to the same height after moving it. You have to stop the mower, and actually look at the indicator to see the deck height. On my Gravely, the deck drops against removable stops so it will return to the same height each time. I'm sure some of the electric have similar systems.
My advice is if you want one, get one, and don't worry about all the naysayers. I'll wager if you use one a week, you'll never do without a power lift again.
Joined
·
13,950 Posts
Mo
How do you do a 360 and lift the deck??? I would love a hydro deck lift if they had a foot button. Thats why gravely came out with the foot lift. Back in the day on the 200's it was an electric hydro lift "junk"
Joined
·
259 Posts
I've never heard of add on electric or hydraulic deck lifts. Can you give me a web site or manufacturer name.
Thanks, Ed
Thanks, Ed
Joined
·
13,950 Posts
There is one they made for a lazer. i forgot and its been awhile since i seen it. Ask exmark.
If you want to know why I want this the answer is very simple I have 55 year old knees that need all the help I can give them. That and I currently am using a Kubota 331 that has a hydro deck lift that has spoiled this old man. once again can anyone tell me who manufactures deck lifts?
Joined
·
5,477 Posts
That would be one good reason. We have one guy here that mows that is handicapped and has to be helped on and off the mower. But at least he is working so there is a market.
My Exmark is hard to lift with the foot pedal compared to the Scag which has spring assist. Inf fact the Scag was too easy to lift and I had to loosen up the springs some what. My friend that also has a Scag says if you hit a bump with the spring assist sometimes the deck will stay up and you will miss some grass. So I loosened the Spring, just in case.
Joined
·
1,178 Posts
Kubota ZD300 series - Foot controlled, hydraulic deck lift is standard. A 400 lb., 6 1/2" deep, 7-guage steel deck could wear-out an old ACL. :usflag:
Joined
·
1,713 Posts
I've got a gravely 260Z w/ the hydro deck lift. Anyone who says its a waste is full of it. This is the greatest feature I have ever seen on a mower. Gravely uses 1/2" & 1/4" spacers to pre set the deck height. The lever is on my left side and I can use my right hand to move the steering levers and my left to raise the deck. It's much quicker then a foot assist lift. I heard newer model gravely's are going to an electric lift and if it works, I will only be buying gravely from now on.
John, a legitimate question. You really can't do much in the way of changing deck height while making a turn, but the damper system on my Gravely, and, I assume, on most of the other Z's, will allow you to move your hand from the control handle to the hydraulic lever momentarily while moving with no loss of control. Most times , such as lifting the deck a bit to avoid scalping a hump in the ground, only requires a flick of the lever. After a while you kind of get a feel for how long to keep the lever actuated to raise the deck a quarter to half inch. It really becomes second nature. I probably use mine more than really necessary, simply because it has become second nature to me.
Joined
·
5 Posts
We make the electric actuators that several manufacturers use for deck lifts. We don't make kits for retrofit for a couple of reasons -
1) there is too much variation of decks and mechanisms out there to manually lift them. Stroke lengths are different, mounting configurations are different and the space available for an actuator might not be there. The mounting hardware may need to be changed or a bracket welded in a different position. If the manufacturer of your mower has a power option, they might be able to get you a kit to retrofit your deck.
2) we support our customers and direct after market sales through them. They spend a lot of time and engineering to make sure they have the right actuator, mounting, wiring harness and switch.
If your mower doesn't come with a power deck lift option and the manufacturer doesn't have a kit, you can buy the parts and install them your self if you have some mechanical aptitude.
You'll need to determine how much space you have to replace whatever raises and lowers the deck now, how much stroke length you need to raise and lower the deck and the minimum distance between the two points where you are going to mount the actuator and the part that moves(retracted length). The stroke length isn't how far you move the foot or hand lever but how far the other end moves to raise or lower the deck. You can get some technical information on the actuators including dimensions and drawings from http://www.danahermotion.com/websit...om/website/usa/eng/products/actuators/linear_actuators/electrak/electrak_10.php The Electrak 10 actuator is the one used on most decks and has 1000 lb of thrust in either direction, pushing or pulling.:weightlifter: You can purchase them from your local power transmission distributor like Motion Industries, Kaman Industrial, Applied Industrial, Canadian Bearings, IBT or McMaster-Carr. You'll need to determine if the original mounting hardware will work and if not, you can get the hardware when you get the actuator. You'll also need a double pole, double throw switch with momentary contact and center off, 15A dc rating and wire to hook up the switch to the actuator and battery. The actuator has a built in clutch for end of stroke protection and if you stall it in either direction you will hear the clutch ratchet. The motor also has a thermal overload to protect it from overheating that will automatically reset after the motor cools off. We have been supplying actuators to the ag and turf market for over 20 years for different applications and make the actuators in Marengo, IL.:usflag:
Joined
·
5 Posts
This is what the electric deck lifts look like.
![Image]()
I have had problems with the muscles in my foot from dealing with the Scag unit and it got pretty bad. I have been in this business a long time and this is the first kind of problem that may sideline me. I would like to have some help in lifting the deck. Our units are 48" the big decks must be a big problem.
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
