It seems engines are getting bigger by the year. I remember 11hp honda's on 48's and cut great, then 12.5 's than 14 kaw and now I'm seeing 25 hp on 52in walkbehihind's. Point being my 60in Turf Tracer blew a rocker arm and my guy cut almost all day on 1 cylinder (11hp) he said it cut thick grass and crabgrass all day no problem(he said the motor started sounding funny at 10:00am). The lawns looked good and this got me thinking are we as bad as my customers who need an 8 or 10cyl. to run to Shop Rite and transport milk and bread?
CharlieBingo
i can see more power for a ride on, like a Z, or if you're going to be pulling a sulky.
American themselves are getting bigger every year, the motor industry has to keep up!
but its all about being bigger and better then the year before. my 12.5 kawi on my 48" bobcat cuts down crap you'd be amazed!
American themselves are getting bigger every year, the motor industry has to keep up!
but its all about being bigger and better then the year before. my 12.5 kawi on my 48" bobcat cuts down crap you'd be amazed!
I remember the 11 horsies bogging down long before what the newer 25 ponies do. More power more speed more money.
Somewhere along the line there is a breakeven point where all that extra hp is just that...extra. You ain't using it and it is costing you money in initial purchase price, maintenance, and then replacement cost.
I think it is just something the manufacturers are craming down our throats. Me thinks money would be better spent on R&D with different baffling systems or hydros to make the mowers "better".
just my 2 cents...
I think it is just something the manufacturers are craming down our throats. Me thinks money would be better spent on R&D with different baffling systems or hydros to make the mowers "better".
just my 2 cents...
On my WB i have a 14 kawi pulling me on the Velke and now a chain kit weighing in at probly 40lbs it's self. The only time it will bog down a bit is going up a step incline but if I just hop off it won't but I hop off any way to keep the front end down. How is more HP going to make the blades spin faster? Isn't all in the ratio of the pullys?
I can't see how more horsepower can hurt you. It has to translate into better blade tip speed. The pulleys will have to spin faster with more horsepower.
Even if more horsepower didn't give you more ground speed or blade tip speed or both, it would be not be working as hard as lets say an 11 horsepower engine. Therefore, it should have a longer useful life.
If money wasn't an issue, I'm sure most guys here would buy the biggest engine offered for the particular mower that they will be purchasing.
Even if more horsepower didn't give you more ground speed or blade tip speed or both, it would be not be working as hard as lets say an 11 horsepower engine. Therefore, it should have a longer useful life.
If money wasn't an issue, I'm sure most guys here would buy the biggest engine offered for the particular mower that they will be purchasing.
If you NEVER cut any thing more than a weeks worth of "light" growth, then maybe you wouldn't need a Lot of HP.... I, on the other hand am a firm believer that you can NEVER have too much HP. I agree, with Rod on ONE thing though... I wish the mfgr's would do more R&D on better deck designs.. I've got a 22hp 52" cut machine and I wish it had 5 more horse's almost every time I get on it. I almost forgot, another thing I wish I saw more of would be Lightweight diesel mowers... Now that is something I would definatelly see areason to spend more $$$ on.
well, for my case, dealing with city residential mostly, 1000' of propert doesn't exist. generally if i happen to be blowing wet leaves, i always hae atleast 1 guy on rake. so the combo works great for me when the average size propert is 50' wide by 75' deep, then add the house inthe center.
my point about the 8000 is, i was looking into gettng the 7001, which is supposed to be unbelievable.... how much more wet are the leaves for the need of the 8000? other then to say, look what i got. i'm sure its awesome, and i'm not saying i wouldn't own one, just saying how necessary?
No, it can't hurt you, but how often do you REALLY need it?
Spring yes, when the s*** is growing like there is no tomorrow.
Summer? Nope.
Autumn? Maybe for a couple of weeks b4 leaf clean up season kicks in.
Overall, I think it's a ripoff when the manufactures could/should be doing a better job on R&D with deck design, blade design, pulley systems, etc., than just employing more hp.
Never Can Have Enough HP if You're Mulching....I've Swapped out Brand new engines w/new Higher HP engines & Let Me Tell You They Make a Big Difference....Never Bog...Never Strain...Will Last Longer Too...
Would Never Buy anything Less than
-15hp on a 32"
-17hp on a 36"
-23hp on a 48" & 52"
-28hp on a 60"
Would Never Buy anything Less than
-15hp on a 32"
-17hp on a 36"
-23hp on a 48" & 52"
-28hp on a 60"
Yeah, Rod, a diesel WB would be pretty cool, and a diesel Stand up even better!!! I do a pretty good bit of Realtor work.. I'm sure most of you know what they bring to the table.. EOW work, clean ups, and in my case, a lot of rural properties with " pasture " grass... Even during season on weekly service.. There is some pretty heavy growth.. If I can find a 27 hp Kohler for the right price, my Surfer will be getting a swap.....
Gimmie all the ponies and torque you can...
Wasted? On a ZTR? You gotta be outta your mind!!!.....
Wasted? On a ZTR? You gotta be outta your mind!!!.....
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