Hey mtmower, dont like to have to disagree with you but in a kind and friendly way I guess I do... Dont wish to be negative either but whats the point of discussing things on lawnsite if I dont share my honest experiences. What I say on here wont stop anyone making their own decisions & nor would I want it to.Green I disagree. I believe it was all to due with too much assist and the rough surface. I had no negative hydro issues to speak of other than noticing I needed to up the rpms from idle to climb my trailer ramp if you can call that a negative. I chalked it up to the bigger system just requiring the rpms. My other SZ is happier off idle as well just not as noticeable.
Mt, nice pics as usuall. I had forgotten just how fine the grass is your way. I hope you get a chance to demo the Exmark as I think the extra lift will perform well. Im also curious how the Velocity will perform, as a long time Scag owner I feel the clippings may give you some of the blanket effect and may not cut as clean in fine grass when its dry. I feel the new XF2 with the adjustable baffles down may give you the lift you need. Also curious how the 7 iron would perform?First pictures are of clipping issue. I wouldn't consider any of what I have as clumping because it's fanned out but at the high end homes I service I can't leave it looking like this, just not acceptable. So the question is do I just buy the HD and blow clippings?
Other pics are of my full stick property.
Yep it's a 66".Yours is a 66" XR-7, right?
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No worries! We can agree to disagree. The only other thing I'll add, if I hadn't already, is the deck bounce may be due to different assist spring rates. I called Hustler directly and the gentleman I talked to recommended getting springs from a new SZ for my XR7 after I complained to him about it. On my 66" XR7 I have the assist turned all the way up and believe me it's work for me to lift it. No chance of deck bounce unless it comes off my trailer at 70 mph:laugh:. I guess it's possible your SZ had the heavier and the X had the original. I can't finding any reason for having different springs on the same deck. The only difference I'm aware of is heavier blades on the SZ. If this were the case though I'd hope Hustler would have there act together to know this and just swap out springs when necessary rather than having to flop mowers. I'm glad the X is working out for you.Hey mtmower, dont like to have to disagree with you but in a kind and friendly way I guess I do... Dont wish to be negative either but whats the point of discussing things on lawnsite if I dont share my honest experiences. What I say on here wont stop anyone making their own decisions & nor would I want it to.
The spring assist was backed off as far as possible on the SZ & done by the dealer, then when I purchased the X1 it actually had/has more assist pressure on the same deck. Regarding the rough surface, the thing is that Im using the X1 on the same rough surfaces as I was getting bounce issues with the SZ. With those 2 things said, I dont get any bounce issues to speak off with X1 & it is of my opinion through my own time spent on both machines, that the problem lay with the hydros. I dont beleive the chassis or diff tyres play any part. For eg I could put flat free tyres on front of X1 and Im 99.99% sure I wont get any deck bounce as a result. Also for TLS, I can very confidently say that a slightly more rigid frame is not enough to create a deck bouncing issue. So I personally do beleive that if the same hydros were fitted to my X1 then over the same properties I would get the same deck bouncing, likewise if I put the hydros from X1 onto the SZ Im confident the bouncing would be gone. But its just my opinion, which is diff to yours and I guess thats human nature.. we all think different and we all think we are right, I could be wrong, but not about to go swapping hydros over to find out.
I dont wish to cause a big debate, just want to give my experience, which is completely honest, not exaggerated.
With regard the thread, its a good review & those pics are very nice, reminds me of a holiday in new zealand a little. The SZ is one nice looking machine! :drinkup:
I honestly believe my mower is the exact same mower as the one you demoed, with the only difference being I have 24" drive wheels where the one you used has 26". I have semi-pneumatic "run flat" front tires, whereas the one you demoed has total pneumatic.Some pics of the HD. Note the tires. I didn't realize that they now are mounting their muffler horizontally down low either till now. Nice fuel gauge. I like the pull knob verses the lever for the choke so if I grab for it blind I don't have two sticks to choose from (throttle and choke).
It is interesting you mentioned the deck being difficult to lift, I also have the 66" deck on my 2006 yr model, and the deck lift works so effortlessly I must be very careful when feathering the deck up not to move it into transport position, my wife must have it this light or she cannot handle it.No worries! We can agree to disagree. The only other thing I'll add, if I hadn't already, is the deck bounce may be due to different assist spring rates. I called Hustler directly and the gentleman I talked to recommended getting springs from a new SZ for my XR7 after I complained to him about it. On my 66" XR7 I have the assist turned all the way up and believe me it's work for me to lift it. No chance of deck bounce unless it comes off my trailer at 70 mph:laugh:. I guess it's possible your SZ had the heavier and the X had the original. I can't finding any reason for having different springs on the same deck. The only difference I'm aware of is heavier blades on the SZ. If this were the case though I'd hope Hustler would have there act together to know this and just swap out springs when necessary rather than having to flop mowers. I'm glad the X is working out for you.
Yes. Same dash. Seat, larger rear tires, maybe pneumatic front tires may be the only differences but from my prior SZ these things add up to a very nice difference IMO. I would definitely pay what ever difference there is for these adds. I wonder if all the new SZs are going to have the turned engine?I honestly believe my mower is the exact same mower as the one you demoed, with the only difference being I have 24" drive wheels where the one you used has 26". I have semi-pneumatic "run flat" front tires, whereas the one you demoed has total pneumatic.
I thought I would give the run flats a try, and believe me they give an excellent ride, I am extremely pleased, if I had not liked the tires my dealer said we would change over.
The "run-flat" tires are semi-pneumatic with thicker wall rubber, and I much prefer them over the pneumatic tires. I would have not believed this until I experienced the difference. I know this is hard to believe, but due to the design of this semi-pneumatic tire, it actually absorbs shock better than the pneumatic tire.
I am enclosing a link to the tire I'm running on the 72, and so-much more prefer it over the pneumatic I will probably change my 2006 over to the same tire. I must purchase the wheel and tire as a one piece unit, they are not made for the rubber alone to be changed out.
http://otrwheel.com/products/tires/otr-semi-pneumatic-smooth-tire-13x6-50-6-detail
I am enclosing a shot of the control panel on my mower. There is zero difference between my mower control panel, and the one you are demoing.
I am really interested in why the positioning of the engine was changed, and I will find out.
I think the extra 1 mph is calculated due to the 2" difference in drive wheel size, and can tell the new mower definitely runs faster than my old machine (which is plenty fast).
It is interesting you mentioned the deck being difficult to lift, I also have the 66" deck on my 2006 yr model, and the deck lift works so effortlessly I must be very careful when feathering the deck up not to move it into transport position, my wife must have it this light or she cannot handle it.
These tires are totally different, and yes if they set in cold weather there will be a little flat area that causes a slight bump until you travel about 25', after this the tires round out completely. I've thought about this and could not honestly understand how they could move back into their totally round position that quickly. I then decided it must have something to do with the composition of the rubber allowing the memory to be removed much faster, and I feel assured the semi-pneumatic part of the equation helps with this as well.Yes. Same dash. Seat, larger rear tires, maybe pneumatic front tires may be the only differences but from my prior SZ these things add up to a very nice difference IMO. I would definitely pay what ever difference there is for these adds. I wonder if all the new SZs are going to have the turned engine?
I do see an upside in some situations to no flats. As you say a quality one may absorb the shock better, slowing down the compression and decompression over an air filled. I don't care for the flat spotting when sitting in cooler weather or how grass tends to stick to them in extreme situations. Are you running flex forks with your run flats?
Unless I got a bum set of springs or earlier/older model, the only other reason for the need for excessive force to raise my deck would be due to the additional weight of the added baffle kits and striper kit which does add up.
My 35 has not used a drop of oil that I can tell, does your 35 use any oil, and how many hrs is on your mower up to this point? I've only put 48 hrs on my new mower, I still find myself jumping on my 2006 more often than the new mower.Turning the engine is interesting but like Puppy said, oil changes etc may become more of a pain. Even checking the oil. I do it daily and its easy with the dipstick out the back.
What is your thoughts on the memory not staying with the tire any longer? I find by the time I start moving I've forgotten all about it.It really is funny how something as simple as the new no flats can have such an impact on the ride. They really do work like having a little bit of suspension. As long as you can live with the flat spots for 25 to 30' they are amazing. I cant imagine a machine without them now. Mt is right though, for some reason in wet grass they do collect clippings pretty good.
Surface area!It really is funny how something as simple as the new no flats can have such an impact on the ride. They really do work like having a little bit of suspension. As long as you can live with the flat spots for 25 to 30' they are amazing. I cant imagine a machine without them now. Mt is right though, for some reason in wet grass they do collect clippings pretty good.
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With the oil, it will use a little oil but not much. I'd expect it to with with the heat and hills, grass length etc I have to deal with at times. But really, doesnt use very much at all. I really dont remember having to top it up between oil changes.My 35 has not used a drop of oil that I can tell, does your 35 use any oil, and how many hrs is on your mower up to this point? I've only put 48 hrs on my new mower, I still find myself jumping on my 2006 more often than the new mower.
It would be hard for most people to believe a person would just as soon ride and operate a 2006 28 efi with a 66" deck, when a new 35/72 is sitting next to it, but the old mower still performs perfectly, and with half the fuel consumption.
That is a strong testimony as to how good a shape my older mower is in, and how good it rides and operates. My wife loves the old mower, she calls it "her mower," and does not like the new mower, she claims it feels to big, and she is not as comfortable with its maneuverability.
What is your thoughts on the memory not staying with the tire any longer? I find by the time I start moving I've forgotten all about it.
I jump on the big mower when I need to cover a lot of open area in a hurry, or when big grass is a concern.With the oil, it will use a little oil but not much. I'd expect it to with with the heat and hills, grass length etc I have to deal with at times. But really, doesnt use very much at all. I really dont remember having to top it up between oil changes.
I have 350hrs on it now. Not as much as it should have! All the down time due to rain the last 2 seasons have kept them low. Should have closer to 5 or 600hrs on it now.
The older one was more nimble for sure and is better suited to smaller areas, but I am surprised you operate the older more yourself with all the large open areas you have. No way would I do that!
I get the flat spot as well on the tire but really, once Im on the grass I cant notice a thing. Would need to be concrete smooth to feel it! Only time I do is when Im going down my driveway. A non issue and a very small price to pay for not having to deal with tire pressures and punctures! How they'd go without flex forks though, I dont know!
Just getting back to the caster size on the HD, it looks the same as on the Gravely! Larger than on my SZ!
Not that I would but I wonder if I could put 26" drive tires and the larger casters on my machine? Cant see why not. Would have to adjust the deck Im sure.
Just ran out and checked. The front casters look bigger but it's on my trailer so I'm not seeing them side by side. But both my old SZ and the HD say 13x6.5x6 for rubber. So they must just have to pitch the deck unless the casters themselves are slightly different which I can't tell by naked eye.With the oil, it will use a little oil but not much. I'd expect it to with with the heat and hills, grass length etc I have to deal with at times. But really, doesnt use very much at all. I really dont remember having to top it up between oil changes.
I have 350hrs on it now. Not as much as it should have! All the down time due to rain the last 2 seasons have kept them low. Should have closer to 5 or 600hrs on it now.
The older one was more nimble for sure and is better suited to smaller areas, but I am surprised you operate the older more yourself with all the large open areas you have. No way would I do that!
I get the flat spot as well on the tire but really, once Im on the grass I cant notice a thing. Would need to be concrete smooth to feel it! Only time I do is when Im going down my driveway. A non issue and a very small price to pay for not having to deal with tire pressures and punctures! How they'd go without flex forks though, I dont know!
Just getting back to the caster size on the HD, it looks the same as on the Gravely! Larger than on my SZ!
Not that I would but I wonder if I could put 26" drive tires and the larger casters on my machine? Cant see why not. Would have to adjust the deck Im sure.
Im shocked but you are correct. I just looked it up! I was told they are bigger!Just ran out and checked. The front casters look bigger but it's on my trailer so I'm not seeing them side by side. But both my old SZ and the HD say 13x6.5x6 for rubber. So they must just have to pitch the deck unless the casters themselves are slightly different which I can't tell by naked eye.
Yea no harm in having a diff of opinions! I'm not always right with things I say, but Im just trying to be honest from what Ive experienced. Dont wish to make enemies!No worries! We can agree to disagree. The only other thing I'll add, if I hadn't already, is the deck bounce may be due to different assist spring rates. I called Hustler directly and the gentleman I talked to recommended getting springs from a new SZ for my XR7 after I complained to him about it. On my 66" XR7 I have the assist turned all the way up and believe me it's work for me to lift it. No chance of deck bounce unless it comes off my trailer at 70 mph:laugh:. I guess it's possible your SZ had the heavier and the X had the original. I can't finding any reason for having different springs on the same deck. The only difference I'm aware of is heavier blades on the SZ. If this were the case though I'd hope Hustler would have there act together to know this and just swap out springs when necessary rather than having to flop mowers. I'm glad the X is working out for you.
Im just bored mate! But I would think the less angle the better. If cutting high say 4", it would probably be a straight run for the belt but if cutting at say 2", it would be a greater angle. Your right, probably nothing to worry about but you know there are machine that have had the angle issue in the past.Mick,
I have owned a few sets of the tires that come on the HD version (26x12-12 Multi Trac's) on my JD garden tractors. They aren't really 26" tall, but then the tires on the std SZ aren't 24" tall either. Regardless, the tallers tires will raise the rear approx 1" since the axle is centered which spilts the height gain by half. I am not sure if the 1" would make too much of an angle issue on your SZ or not. Just throwin' it out there to consider.