[GreenMachine102]

Today, I went to a local school parking lot to practice driving my lazer z!, I got the hand of it pretty quick, but have some questions, first, is the groaning when making sharp turns normal, is it just the hydraulics? Next question is, it says in the manual to engage the PTO at half throttle, when I do that it seems that the blades are struggling to get started, is this normal, should I crank the trottle up a little when I engage the PTO?

I am very happy so far with this machine!!!!

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Cleatus]

they groan alot, get used to it. we have always engaged ours at full throttle with no apparent adverse effect. however, i didn't know the manual said that, i just read one of ours manuals, one for a turf tracer, and it definitely says that. perhaps we'll start doing it. you're also supposed to throttle down for 30 seconds before shutting off the engine, i don't remember exactly why right now, but i know it cuts down on backfires.

 

[proenterprises]

Next question is, it says in the manual to engage the PTO at half throttle, when I do that it seems that the blades are struggling to get started, is this normal,

yes this is normal and you should be starting them at half throttle. its best on the mechanics not to throw the blades from 0-100% all at once.

 

[Avery]

You will get a different answers everytime you ask that question. Manual says half throttle. Mechanic says full throttle. I find somewhere around 3/4 works the best.

 

[Tonyr]

I agree Avery....

 

[specialtylc]

With the 25 hp gas engine machine we had and others I have demoed it needed to be at least 3/4 throttle or it would kill the engine. And the hyd. should not be making very much noise when it is up to operating temp.

 

[topcat]

Try putting your throttle on low and put your choke on just to engage the blades. I found that on my Deere Ztrak I can start them at very low throttle with the choke on. Without the choke on it was necessary for the throttle to be at least half like others have noted.

 

[Jimbo]

Brand new machine and you are tearing up the tires on Asphalt.
Just giving you a hard time...glad to hear your getting the hang of it somewhere other than a clients yard.
I would practice getting close to things, and backing up near obstacles etc. You need to also get on turf so you get a feel for how smooth you need to be. You can tear up the turf bad on a Z if your not smooth and careful.

 

[ztoro]

I am just the opposite, I was fortunate to start with Z's and I just bought a 52 TTHP.. I need to learn some skills quick....

I engaged the pto at full all the time.. at half it felt like it would almost shut down the machine....Toro Z5.. The hyros pumps seems to make noise until they warm up.......

 

[Craftybigdog]

The lower throttle setting you can get while engaging the blades will help the pto clutch last alot longer and the belts!

 

[bastalker]

Try pullin the pto with a UV attached, an half throttle.....Not gonna do it...If it is cold, the only way to do it almost full throttle...Thats after it has warmed up a few minutes.

I have thrown the belt once since I have had it, engaging the blades full throttle..

I usually fing the lowest throttle I can without boggin it down to much when I pull the pto. When I have cut a yard or 2, I can fire everything up at 3/4 throttle...

The groanin is just exmark trade mark Means its workin hard You will be use to it after the first yard..

 

[DLCS]

Originally posted by bastalker
Try pullin the pto with a UV attached, an half throttle.....Not gonna do it...If it is cold, the only way to do it almost full throttle...Thats after it has warmed up a few minutes.

I have thrown the belt once since I have had it, engaging the blades full throttle..

I can't engage my JD 757 with the powerflow unit attached at half throttle. I mjust have it at full throttle cold or 3/4 throttle when warm, just will not do it. I've never thrown a belt engaging at full throttle though.

 

[amar]

I use to eagage the blades on and exmark at full throttel untill the clutch went out at 450 hours it was an 02 with a 120LB clutch. Now exmark runs a 200 LB clutch and it lasts longer but you should throttel down before disengaging the blades it saves the clutch break and will last longer. A clutch is expensive.

 

[Jimbo]

Give it a little choke when you engage the blades. The extra fuel will let you engage the blades at a lower RPM than normal without cutting off. You need to do this quickly and a split second before you engage.

I dont know where the MFG's get the half throttle recommendation because I can kill my motor if blades are engaged at anything less than 3/4.
Half throttle wouldnt be a problem with a diesel but with a gas engine thats tough to do.

 

[keegan99usa]

I was kind of wondering about this too! My father-in-law ran a Walker for a couple years and was told to do to idle to engage, so he did this with my Husky 48" 15 HP Kaw. Z. I thought it was gonna kill the engine. It didn't, but it took 3-4 seconds to get going good, then he hit the throttle. I tried it and it seemed like 1/2 to 3/4 was better. Glad to hear this is a normal thing. I was starting to wonder if maybe the belt was too loose or something. I'm gonna check that out anyway, and look into running doubles or meg-mo's.
Keegan

 

[CHUCK'SLAWN]

The engine runs at about 3600 RPM you are trying to engage the stopped blades at that speed it will slip your clutch more and before you know it you will be replacing the clutch.