Recent content by GearHead36

I wrote off JD over their right-to-repair policies, and underhanded maneuvers.

My Cub Cadet Pro Z 100 S(teering wheel) is quite difficult to steer at low speeds on asphalt or concrete. The next model up (Pro Z 500) uses power steering. So there are situations where a mower can be difficult to steer.

Where is that in the spec sheet? I've never seen such a spec. The ANSI blade tip speed limit for a 22" blade puts the engine RPMs at 3299, so the optimum RPMs IMO should be near that.

Ok. I figured that any foam filter or pre-filter needed oil. In my fleet, I have two pre-filters and one foam filter. They all call for oil.

A mower mounted trimmer is a neat idea, but doesn't do much good in areas where the mower won't fit.

After what I've read here... I'm not sure I'd be surprised.

Do you oil your pre-filter? Those are supposed to get oiled.

I thought I'd follow up on this. I did a little more troubleshooting with my cheap cone balancer, and found that it has too much play, and can't be relied on for accurate balancing. So that leaves the Oregon and its clones, or taking my blades to a shop. Years ago, I took some blades to a...

I bet goats are more maintenance than just about any machine. They still need to be fed in the Winter. However... I have several areas of brush that's littered with Poison Ivy, and I'd love to be able to rent some goats.

So the PTO works with the deck removed.... Have you tried the blades and pulleys on the deck to see if they're all free to rotate?

When I refer to "tractor configuration", I mean, engine up front, rear wheel drive, steerable front wheels, single transmission which may be geared or hydrostatic. I do NOT mean to infer that a Cub Cadet XT1 that you get at Home Depot is the same as a 100HP John Deere farm tractor.

And they're all quite expensive compared to the CC steering wheel ZTRs, at least the residential versions. The commercial CCs are similarly priced to those you linked to. Not sure about the others, but the Kubota GR has only one transmission, so the differential is open. It may have a diff lock...

Years ago, I wanted a Husqvarna Articulated Rider. One of the reasons I wanted one is the flip up deck, and the ability to mow under bushes. I'm kinda bummed that they're not longer available. I'd still get one if I ever come across one.

Unless you have a ZTR with a steering wheel, which performs better, and is less dangerous on hills and slopes than a lap-bar ZTR or a lawn tractor. A lawn tractor will have more weight on the front, but that weight is higher than a ZTR. A steering wheel ZTR is the best of both. Low CoG, and...

Cool! But... I kinda doubt the 2.5-3.0 acres per day.

My older ZTR is a Husqvarna. The newer one is a Cub Cadet. I can't imagine that MTD has been immune from lawsuits from idiots. The CC is a commercial unit. Maybe that matters?

That would explain things if ALL ZTRs had reverse safety switches, but only some do. I have two ZTRs. One is from around 2003, and one is a 2017 model. Neither have reverse safety switches.

Yes, I know. But that still doesn't mean that it won't last if cared for. That's why I asked about it. I know some engines, like Inteks, can die even if cared for.

I recently bought a cheap used Bolens 11A-020W765 mower with the 125cc Briggs 08P502-0165 engine, which has the plastic carb and foam air filter. I got it for trim work, but before I needed to use it for that, I needed to use it to mow a small yard. The first time I tried to mow with it, it ran...

Actually, now that you mention it... I DO remember a ZTR with reverse lockout. It was a Cub Cadet steering wheel ZTR. A Z Force model, I think. You could bypass it by hitting a sequence of buttons on the control panel, though. This was documented in the manual. It wasn't some hidden feature.

If you have the diff lock engaged on a tractor, it will tear up the turf more than a ZTR. I DO agree that's it's unfortunate that steering wheel ZTRs are only available from Cub. I got lucky, and came across a good deal on a Pro Z 100 S, which is a commercial unit. The residential Cubs, as well...

Since this is really a discussion on safety switches, and not Cub cadet zero turn... Why do some riding mowers have a reverse safety switch, and others don't? My first riding mower was a MTD back in the 90's, which had a reverse safety switch. I disabled it, as it was a pain. I re-enabled it...

A ZTR with a steering wheel is safer than a tractor. Lower CoG, and rear wheels are allowed to turn independently of each other, unlike on a tractor with a diff lock.

I would consider a ZTR with a steering wheel. Unfortunately, that seems to lock you into Cub Cadet, as they're the only ones selling them. I have one because of the slopes I have to mow, and it does MUCH better on slopes than the lap-bar ZTR it replaced. It's better on slopes than a standard ZTR...

This part: If your evaluation of an engine's "turdness" is equated solely to HP, then, yes, OPE engines are turds. They don't put out NEAR the HP per liter of motorcycle engines. I evaluate engines on their suitability for the task. In that sense, OPE engines are just fine for the job they do...

I disagree. I used to be "into motorcycles". Yes, they generate a LOT of power for their displacement, but they do it at 10000+ RPM's. OPE engines are typically rated at 3600 RPM. RPMs make all the difference. See what the sportbike engines produce at 3600. Also OPE engines are designed to...

Um... I'm thinking that if an engine lasts 23 yrs, I really couldn't complain if it dies.

I didn't know that you could get grease fittings with the right thread. Thanks. A 10 pack is only $8, and should take care of all my attachments. I started this thread because I'm having the same problem as mcspeed. My gear boxes are getting hot. Too hot to hold.

While you're doing the leak down test, I'd also do a compression test.

For things I want to lube that don't have grease fittings, I use graphite, too. I use this.

The problem is, that takes 3 hands. One to hold the grease gun to the grease port, one to work the gun, and one to rotate the trimmer head. Just had a thought... I bet a chainsaw bar greaser would work. That would only take one hand to apply the grease. Is that grease compatible with trimmer...

If you feel like you need ROPS and seat belts ALL the time... I would agree. I feel I need it about 10% of the time. The bank next to the road is part of that 10%, and I can't just let that go.

Last year, I bought a ZTR. My checklist was as follows: Because I have slopes: - Steering wheel - ROPS Beyond my need to handle slopes, I wanted: - Fabricated deck - Serviceable hydros - Suspension seat - V-twin engine I think that the feature that has resulted in the most improvement in...

MTD.... I ordered a part from the MTD web site about a week ago. I can't find out if it's been shipped. Edit - I found the shipping status. It's been over a week since the order, and it's still not shipped. Edit 2 - On the same day I checked the shipping status, and it showed as not shipped...

Most of my attachments do not have the new gearboxes. Mine has the grease plug, but it's like an oil plug, and doesn't fit any of my grease guns.

Not sure where to put this. I hope this is ok. I have an Echo PAS with several attachments. Most of these have heads that need periodic greasing. Yet none of them have grease fittings. And yet, you're supposed to grease them every (I think) 25 hrs. How do you guys grease them? The videos I've...

I don't think those prices would be found in the US, especially from a cable shop that serves the aircraft industry.

Sounds like you're not getting proper airflow through your deck. This could be caused by: - Slipping belt - Engine running too slow (even if you run at full throttle) - Deck clogged with grass - Mulching blades - Bound up spindle(s) To all the experts: Is there a way to measure the RPMs of each...

Oh, absolutely. There would be no reason for an independent shop to make these cables if they were still available from the manufacturer. It was, spend $300 or get rid of my ZTR. Might have to give it away. Then quickly find a replacement. $300 was painful but not as painful as buying a...

Blade tip speed is limited by ANSI to 19000 FPM, regardless of the blade length. Unless the MTD was set up wrong by the dealer (very possible, as the "dealer" for most of them are big box stores), the blade tip speed SHOULD be the same. I think the 30" blade acts more like a bush hog than the...

And this is why I have sworn off John Deere. A shame too. I want a tractor, and I can't, in good conscience, buy from the biggest American manufacturer of small tractors. Around here, there are two dealers... Deere and Kubota. I guess I'm getting a Kubota.

Well... Briggs DOES say that, to keep your warranty valid, you must use their oil, which has high zinc content.