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Purchased a Gravely 44Z--My Thoughts and Comments

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#21 ·
ItalyEd said:
After much deliberation, I purchased a Gravely 44z this weekend. In fact, another Lawnsite guy went with me, and we both purchased one. Here are my thoughts after 6 hours of mowing this weekend:

1. The cut is fantastic and even. It gave my Texas yard a manicured, golf course cut;

2. The machine rides extremely well at about 6-7 miles per hour;

3. At full speed, 9 mph, the little bumps on my property are noticeable. But the cut quality is still super at full speed.

4. Manuvering on this thing is a piece of cake;

5. I now understand the importance of trim edge. I got a 44" deck and there's not much trim edge. Now that I've wacked my head on a few small branches, it makes sense. Next time, I'll just duck.

6. The Kawasaki 17hp engine is a MACHINE! Plenty of power and I think I have another 1-2 to go if I wanted.

7. Mowing my 4 acres has been cut from 5 hours to 2 1/2. I don't know how they calculate 4 acres per hour, but I don't see how. Sure, I have one acre that's totally empty, no trees, just straight away. I zipped through that in about 20 minutes flat. Incredible.

8. As I was cutting and enjoying the machine, i found myself daydreaming of owing a Gravely 260/272. Arrrr, Arrrr, Arrrrr....

9. Last, for those of you who have asked or read about the 44Z frame being narrow and sliding on inclines, it does. I have a normal ditch in my front yard, cutting sideways results in sliding. Going at it from a straight line is no problem at all.

10. We'll have to wait and see about the dependability, durability factor, but so far, so good!

Thanks for all your input.

ItalyEd
Click to expand...
Ed
Do you still have and love your 44Z??
 
#22 ·
FFEMT said:
Glad you like it Ed......

I've only got about 12 hours on mine...No problems to report.....still happy with it..

My buddy has the 34z with about 30 hours on it...No problems either..

Did you get the mulching kit with it..??

This afternoon....Only cut 4 today....
Click to expand...
Do you still use your 44Z ???
 
#23 ·
The only thing i dont like (I have the 34z), is that they use a special back tire. Its not even in the carlile tire book. So you have to get it from gravely. But little 34 mowers are a major timesaver, and it does work wonders in everything from mowing to pulling stuff out.
 
#25 ·
John Gamba said:
How long have you had yours.

john
Click to expand...
about 2 1/2 years. I bought it soon before the exmark came out, but at the time there was nothing in the works. I would have like the exmark, and the dixie looks very tough, but I am happy with the gravely. It just that the blades and tires are something you have to get from gravely and you know what that does to the price.
 
#26 ·
lawnman_scott said:
about 2 1/2 years. I bought it soon before the exmark came out, but at the time there was nothing in the works. I would have like the exmark, and the dixie looks very tough, but I am happy with the gravely. It just that the blades and tires are something you have to get from gravely and you know what that does to the price.
Click to expand...
If you have a Carlisle dealer near you, the tire we sell is the Carlisle TurfSaver 21X7.00-10 and the part number is 511140. If you have a Stens dealer, Part # is 165-552. List is about $60.
 
#27 ·
lawnman_scott said:
about 2 1/2 years. I bought it soon before the exmark came out, but at the time there was nothing in the works. I would have like the exmark, and the dixie looks very tough, but I am happy with the gravely. It just that the blades and tires are something you have to get from gravely and you know what that does to the price.
Click to expand...
Thanks.I know about gravely and there parts. I started with gravely and it sounds like nothing has changed. they do make a good mower.
 
#29 ·
I just bought another 144z today, pick it up monday.
This is my second one my first one is about 3 years old with almost 1400 hours.
It is a 17 hp 144z has gave very little trouble one starter only one deck belt ( about 75hours ago ) but a lot of hydro belts.
The new one is a XZD with a 21hp and the spring seat.
 
#30 ·
FFEMT said:
WOW....I posted that in July 2004......
Actually I still have my 44z...
I have had ZERO problems with it....
Just regular oil changes air filters and blades:)
I have about 270 hours on it...I have only a few yards to mow....
Click to expand...
Sounds good to me. can you post a pic?? Happy thanksgiving:waving:
 
#31 ·
ItalyEd said:
3. At full speed, 9 mph, the little bumps on my property are noticeable.
7. Mowing my 4 acres has been cut from 5 hours to 2 1/2. I don't know how they calculate 4 acres per hour, but I don't see how. Sure, I have one acre that's totally empty, no trees, just straight away. I zipped through that in about 20 minutes flat. Incredible.
Click to expand...
When they print or say that machine will cut 4 acres per hr. they are talking about at 100% efficiency. This means cutting exactly 44" at 9 mph in a straight line for 1 hr. on perfectly flat ground and light cutting conditions. This is not realistic, you will be at around 60% efficiency in most mowing situations and that can vary.

What you saw at 1 acre in 20 minutes is in perfect mowing conditions with 75% efficiency. Perfect mowing conditions is a flat wide open area with no grass big or thick enough to change the engine rpm's. Anything that slows you mowing rate for whatever reason causes you efficiency to drop.

Gravely should not advertise their machines in that manner, they should use about 2.5 acres per hr. to be realistic. This is a marketing strategy used to manipulate the general publics's mind, do you understand how this little trick works now?
 
#32 ·
puppypaws said:
When they print or say that machine will cut 4 acres per hr. they are talking about at 100% efficiency. This means cutting exactly 44" at 9 mph in a straight line for 1 hr. on perfectly flat ground and light cutting conditions. This is not realistic, you will be at around 60% efficiency in most mowing situations and that can vary.

What you saw at 1 acre in 20 minutes is in perfect mowing conditions with 75% efficiency. Perfect mowing conditions is a flat wide open area with no grass big or thick enough to change the engine rpm's. Anything that slows you mowing rate for whatever reason causes you efficiency to drop.

Gravely should not advertise their machines in that manner, they should use about 2.5 acres per hr. to be realistic. This is a marketing strategy used to manipulate the general publics's mind, do you understand how this little trick works now?
Click to expand...
It's not just Gravely (Ariens) that does that. Many others do the same lil trick. It's all marketing/advertising junk
 
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