How much HP? - Round 2... (New Mower Finally)

Then you might need to give it more RPM's, the point is to use as low of rpm as needed to engage the cutter deck. My 34" WB will engage at idle with no problem, my 52" Scag swinging 6 blades needs a bit over 1/3 throttle.

No, the point is engaging pto at idle is bad advice and not recommended by anybody that knows mowers. The proof is in the pudding.

i know good and well what the sweet spots are on my mowers to engage pto.

I have a 33 year old JD 240 GT. It has a 14hp FC420V in it. It has a 46" deck, so a larger deck to hp spread than most modern machines. I start the deck at idle all the time once it is warmed up. From cold I need about 1/3 throttle. It is an electric PTO too.

#82 · a moment ago rippinwrong wrote:

No, the point is engaging pto at idle is bad advice and not recommended by anybody that knows mowers. The proof is in the pudding.


Well obviously you're the end all master of knowledge...my techs obviously knows nothing, and those manuals were wrong too according to you...but what do the manufacturers know anyway right? Maybe just follow your advice and let others decide what is right for them...blanket statements are like those 80 year old crotch rockets you claim were around...they're both wrong....

I follow the manufacturers advice and my own experience advice. I'll try the wrights when i get them out, they're buried right now. No manufacturer of modern mowers recommends engaging at idle, it's not great to lug the engines like that. Let's see some idle engagement videos guys come on! 33 year old mowers might do it. I don't recall if I've ever engaged my 210 or 212 at idle, but that old kohler probably has the torque to do it. All 12 hp. One thing for sure is that the manuals don't suggest that and I've yet to find a modern mower manu that suggests engaging at idle. I'm all ears if somebody can provide that info.

curious prestigous what mower and tech are suggesting idle engagement of the pto?

J. Baker said:

Only engage the PTO at idle and it will last 5x as long.

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Prestigious1 said:

blanket statements are like those 80 year old crotch rockets you claim were around...they're both wrong....

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you got that right.

rippinryno said:

you got that right.

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Except what J.Baker wrote is accurate, engage at the lowest possible engine speed and they last much longer...you never did list any of those 80 year old crotch rockets, then edited your post to show 50 year old crotch rockets knowing you had an oops moment...but none around then either...then called an old CB350-4 commuter bike a crotch rocket, nope...sure wasn't. So yes, my statement is quite accurate as you wrote! Thank You and Have a Great Day!!

rippinryno said:

He literally said "only engage pto at idle", are you biased or just choosing not to read? This is the exact advice I am arguing, welcome to the discussion. I have not and will not argue that the best time to engage is at engine speed directly after it doesn't lug the motor, or kill it in the case of probably 90% of modern mowers.

my old cb four is a heck of a crotch rocket, screams like a banshee!

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Many machines can engage an idle, many others will be above low idle, but still below half throttle...or as he followed up with, as low as speed as possible. Now you can sit here and split hairs all you want, but you can do it by yourself.

Yeah, that dusty ole CB350-4 is a real rocketship!! Too bad a soccer mom minivan will blow you off the road...but compared to a mini-bike it must be just crazy!!!

Welp - I reached out to my Scag Rep. I'll report back when I hear something.

According to the manual for your 61 v-ride.

4.6 ENGAGING THE DECK DRIVE (CUTTER BLADES) 1. Set the throttle at about 3/4 speed. Do not attempt to engage the deck drive at high speed as this shortens the electric clutch life — use only moderate engine speed when engaging the deck drive. 2. Engage the deck drive by pulling out on the yellow switch, located on the instrument panel, to the engage position. See Figure 4-4.

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Prestigious1 said:

Except what J.Baker wrote is accurate, engage at the lowest possible engine speed and they last much longer...you never did list any of those 80 year old crotch rockets, then edited your post to show 50 year old crotch rockets knowing you had an oops moment...but none around then either...then called an old CB350-4 commuter bike a crotch rocket, nope...sure wasn't. So yes, my statement is quite accurate as you wrote! Thank You and Have a Great Day!!

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Twenty something gen Z’ as are the new teens. They know everything.

My favorite is the bike pics with 30 year old tires that haven’t seen road since his dad rode it. 🤣

Jashley have you got a chance to get some more time in the saddle of the wright yet? Just wondering if it's growing on you at all as it seems that's typically how they end up gaining their loyal crowd.

rippinryno said:

You're speaking for yourself not for the forum, you've made your case.

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We will see.

I think it was my video. Or maybe the motorcycle, hell I don't know. What do you engage at hal?

Point of Order!

If I adjust the idle from 800rpm to 1,500 so that I can engage the blades "at idle" without the engine dying...

Does that still count?

dangit, now you've given them ideas to prove their claims. way to go.

How do you like the at101's on that mower? I've got a set on one ZTR that does well for me, but does leave cleat marks and will rip it up if you aren't careful. I'm considering another set for a 2nd mower just haven't pulled the trigger yet. It seems they're better on some mowers and not quite so good on others.

rippinryno said:

Jashley have you got a chance to get some more time in the saddle of the wright yet? Just wondering if it's growing on you at all as it seems that's typically how they end up gaining their loyal crowd.

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Thank you for asking!

So far, I've only used it on (2) accounts. We're getting off to a slow "early" start. I'm still a few weeks away from "full time."

So far, It hasn't lived up to the hype. Lots to miss from the Exmark Lazer X-Series. I'm trying to give it a fair shake though.

How do you feel regarding cut quality, may be hard to tell without good thick growth yet. Wright lacks in my opinion. I had to remove baffles on mine to make it cut like my grand stand. It seemed counter productive but certainly helped make it a top tier mower. The oem setup was less than desirable on the aerocore.