Recent content by MParr

I’m pretty much in agreement. A hydrostatic transmission is not and engine. Therefore, it really doesn’t matter whether you use a synthetic oil, blend or conventional oil in the hydros. A 20W50 conventional oil with high ZDDP content is probably going to be the best bang for the buck. Most of...

This thread is starting to veer off in an entirely different direction. The OP was specifically talking about the oil in the hydros of his Hustler Raptor FlipUp.

Buy you a mulching cover and mulching blades. Then, have at it.

The 2021 Gravely Pro Turn 160, with the Yamaha MX800V, went bye bye for good. The mower was excellent in all ways except for the power plant. It took 5 gallons of gas to mow 3 acres. My former Toro ZX5400 used around 3 gallons. The Yamaha engines are not ready for prime time. Lessons learned.

Sounds like you have a Kapersky problem. I would assume that you added the Kapersky software to your phone. Personally, I would delete it and download an adblocker and enable your phone’s pop up blocker.

Use whatever you like. I would definitely use an oil high in ZDDP (Zinc). Those high ZDDP oils tend to be some brand of racing oil. Oils to look at are Lucas Classic 20W50. Valvoline VR1, Mobil 1 15W50 (Synthetic), Hydo-Gear brand or other mower manufacturer’s oils. Some makers require a certain...

Thanks! The blade swap went well. I use a 1/2” DeWalt cordless impact wrench. I plan on doing the first oil change at 5 hours. I have a NAPA Gold 1348 ready to go.

You can run E10 if you like. I just don’t do it. It can mess up your fuel system and it has less BTUs than E0. https://thrivingyard.com/ethanol-in-small-engines/

That’s a good thing. I won’t do anything other than scheduled maintenance while it’s under warranty. I need to buy me an oil filter cutter. I sure wished that I had one when I had the Yamaha engine. I believe that I would have found some metal in the last Yamaha oil filter.

That Yamaha was so bad, it took nearly 5 gallons of gas to mow 3 acres.

I sure hope so. That experience with the Yamaha was anything other than satisfying. The Kohler just plain sounds better at idle speed. Heck, any engine speed for that matter.

I run 93 octane E0, also known as ethanol free or pure gas, in my mower and pickup truck. Here’s a link to the Pure Gas website. It will give you the locations it’s sold in your area. https://www.pure-gas.org/

I just finished leveling and pitching the deck on the new Pro Turn 260. I put on some lightly used Gator G6 blades and I ran a small test mowing. I am amazed how much better the Kohler engine performs versus my former Yamaha powered unit. The Yamaha engine is rated at 26.5hp and the Kohler is...

Is the output shaft of the Honda the same length, diameter and have the correct key way as your old engine? You may have to the yoke sleeve modified by a machine shop to fit the Honda output shaft. That would be the best plan. Drill new holes in you engine mounting plate should be easy enough...

I picked up my new Pro Turn 260 today. The Kohler ZT740 appears to be a little easier to service than the Yamaha engine. The Yamaha is a 65 degree v-twin and the Kohler is a 90 degree v-twin. This allows for easier access to the spark plugs. I will have to remove the rear bumper assembly to...

???

Probably drop a new Yamaha engine in it and use it as a loaner for their big commercial customers. It’s a dud alright. The erratic engine RPMs and the engine vibration at mid throttle is an indicator of big trouble to come. I should have cut open the oil filter from my last oil change. I...

Update: The Yamaha powered Gravely is going back for good. Buyer beware of the Chinese made Yamaha engines. I talked with my dealer and showed him the spark plugs that I pulled from the engine. They were both carbon fouled. They both had oil on the threads. Yes, the engine is using a little oil...

FYI: Dogwood trees are understory trees. That means they have to be partially shaded. Dogwood trees cannot handle full sun. You are in the southeast so, Wax Myrtle are excellent native shrub.

Mine is carbureted and does not run well. It’s got 80 hours on it. It will cut off after it gets hot. It will lose power after it gets hot and the power will come back up after about 10-15 seconds. The spark plugs will become lose in the heads. It’s a lemon. So far, Gravely and my servicing...

How many of those Bad Boy mowers came with the Chinese made Yamaha engines? How many came with Kawasaki? How many came with Kohler? Give us a break down. Are you having problems getting models with a specific engine?

Could it be that Toro has been relying too much on imports from China? Toro has been putting their branded Chinese engines on many zero turn models. The few Toro zero turns I’m seeing this year are sporting Kohler engines. This could be anecdotal.

I’m not real happy with mine. I would not buy another mower with a Yamaha engine.

More problems today. It’s still not fixed. The Gravely support technician is supposed to contact me next week. I have just about reached my limit with this mower. At this point, I don’t think it can be fixed. And, that’s exactly what I’m going to tell him. I’m going to do my best to have Gravely...

Check this out.

There are some models that come with air ride seats. Those mowers are the top of the line. The one on my Pro Turn 160 has a dial you set according to your weight.

I just finished 3 acres with my Pro Turn 160. My back isn’t hurting at all. That’s what makes suspension seats a plus. I had a car wreck back in 1977 and had a compression fracture of my 2nd and 3rd lumbar.

@PTmowerMech It sounds like you are describing a Ferris IS700.

Yep, the Toro Titan with MyRide would be a good choice. The Titan MAX with MyRide is another. Stay away from the Timecutter. The Toros may be hard to find. Toro seems to have low inventory. I think that they are trying to fill the gap with Kohler engines where they had Toro branded Loncin 708cc...

The ride on my Gravely is a big improvement over my former Toro Timecutter HD. My Gravely has a suspension seat and the Toro didn’t. It also handles slopes better than the Toro. Did you check the air pressure in the tires before mowing? My Pro Turn has plenty of power. It’s all about what you...

Try these folks. https://www.arcracing.com/brands/

If a suspension seat isn’t an option, I wouldn’t buy it.

Check their websites. If you wait until January, there may not be any mowers of any brand to be had. Bobcat is running a $750 rebate on select model until 12/31/2021.

The Spartan is a heavier built mower. The the keypad start system is it’s weak point. If you are really interested in a new mower, look around and compare. If Big Dog and Hustler are available near you, take a look at the Big Dog Stout MP and Hustler FasTrak SDX in 60”.

Try 48 Oz. and then check. You can always add more if needed. It’s harder to get excess oil out of the engine.

Or Lowe’s! Or Tractor Supply!

Scag Liberty Z are all under 73” except for the model with the 61” deck. Add the Hustler Raptor XD in 54”, 48”, and 42”

They may be “heavier, bigger, thicker” on some applications but, that’s not the case for @Alex Ethridge Husqvarna mower and many other residential mowers. They are only 0.150” thick. Entry level residential mowers are just not built to handle the thicker blades. It’s just the way it is.

@Ida-Boy When you talk with the Gravely dealer, ask if there is a suspension seat option.

Yeah, there aren’t a lot of blade options for a 54” deck. I experienced the same problem when I had a 54” Toro.

See if a suspension seat is an option. Some mower companies list them as an option.

If you are using that mix in your 2 Stoke engines, you are coming up way short for a 50:1 mix. I use a dedicated mix for my 2 Stroke equipment. I use such a small amount of 2 Stroke mix so, I just buy the canned premixed stuff.

Gravely already has one.

I don’t know if you are going to have much luck with the Husqvarna. Oregon makes one that will fit. Stens doesn’t carry one. So you are basically stuck buying a genuine Husqvarna blade, a Rotary brand aftermarket blade or a Oregon aftermarket blade. Here’s the Rotary blade...

@Alex Ethridge Are you looking for blades on a particular mower?

Blades come in different thickness. 0.167, 0.204 and 0.250. The 0.167 blades are usually found on residential units. The 0.204 thick blades are common on Toro and Exmark upper end residential and estate mowers. The 0.250 thick blades are common on commercial units. The 0.167 blades are pretty...

https://subarupower.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/subaru-engines-eh64-eh65-eh72-service.pdf

Pull the blades, blade adapter, and pulley. Remove the monofilament. Reassemble everything and then try it.

No

The Loncin LC1P92F-1 was the original equipment engine for that mower.

Looks like it should be on the outside of the bracket.

Yeah, you don’t have a big selection close by. Ferris are nice mowers but, they are probably more than you are willing to pay. Secor is the local Ferris dealer. Ferris does make a 36” mower with ZT3100 hydros. Then there’s the local John Deere dealer. Then there’s your Bobcat dealer. So...

I don’t think Encore or World-lawn are better than Scag. I would think that they are of much lower quality than the Scag. That dealer just wants to sell you a mower. @rpowell7223 Where are you located?

https://mowerblades.com/collections/hustler-mower-blades

See what @Mad_mat222 said above.? If you don’t have a lot of obstacles, a lawn tractor would be a good choice. There may be a little extra work with the weed whacker. John Deere or Husqvarna would be solid choices.

Probably a misprint. It only makes sense that raising the mower is accomplished by moving both levers towards the rear.

I had a Toro Timecutter with a fabricated deck (MX5000). I DO NOT recommend their entry level zero turn mowers. I never had a problem with their branded 708cc Chinese engines. The main problem is their cheap safety switches and the 2 point deck adjustment. Don’t exclude a Kohler powered unit...

Scag has a 36” Liberty Z with the 2800s. That would definitely work for a yard his size.

The tail end of the Honda crankshaft will probably have to be cut down a little. Then there’s the wiring.

Update: I picked up my mower today. The original equipment fuel caps were swapped out for the older vented style. They said that they tested it thoroughly. We will see tomorrow. I have grass to mow. I was told to call them immediately if I have any more problems. They said the next step would be...

https://repowerspecialists.com/collections/grasshopper

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have one in stock. Stop in and talk to the folks. Same thing with your local John Deere dealer. Take your tape measure with you. Look the mowers over. Ask questions. Have a notepad with your questions ready beforehand. Jot down their answers.

Bobcat offers a ZT2000 with a 42” deck. However, the total outside width is about 43.5”. It has the ZT2800 hydros. https://www.bobcat.com/mowers/zero-turn-mowers/zt2000 Buying from a servicing dealer is going to be your best bet. When you purchase from a big box store, you will have to take your...

The ZT2800 hydros are serviceable. The ZT2200s are not.

AMTRAK and American Airlines are soon to be on strike.

?‍♂️

If you look at the bottom side of the blade, you will see a rough strip along the cutting edge. This strip is about 1/4” wide by 2” to 3” long. That strip is the Fusion part. Personally, I don’t see a big advantage in using the Fusion blades. The most important thing is which type of blade and...

@Tomster When you get it repaired, you may want to try flat blades or medium lift blades. High lift blades aid in the sandblasting.

California: For all you do, this Bud’s for you!

True. But, if you sharpen with a file, you are going to have one heck of a time.

It’s been covered many times. Some people do and some don’t. Look at these. https://www.lawnmowerforum.com/threadloom/search?keywords=Mower+deck+coatings&tab=0

It’s a process that Oregon Parts uses for some of their mower blades. Fusion Mower Blades Presenting the Fusion® blade, another innovation in cutting from Oregon®. Their exclusive electrofusion technology creates an ultra-hard layer at the blade’s cutting edge, so the blade stays sharp and...

Yep. And, the Dicamba is active in soil. I still have my commercial pesticide license. I was accused of killing a farmer’s cotton. The idiot killed his own cotton. He had sprayed his field perimeter with Roundup and didn’t thoroughly clean out his sprayer. Good thing, I kept a spray record of...

6mm hex? Couldn’t tell because of the mud dauber nest.

What @StarTech said.☝️The “slot” is squared, try the business end of a 1/4” ratchet and extension.

My 2019 Timecutter HD had plenty of power and gave a good cut. The cheap safety switches were it’s biggest problem. It was just too small for my yard and it beat me up pretty bad.

Trimec herbicide works well on weed in Bermudagrass. Be careful with it around trees and flower beds.

You could overseed with a different variety. Take a look at these recommendations from Texas A&M. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/landscaping/turfgrass-selection-for-texas/

Great idea!

Wouldn’t it be great if California sought independence and became a sovereign nation?

I feel for you. I have a 2021 Gravely Pro Turn 160 at the dealer now. This is the second trip. It has a Yamaha engine instead of a Kawasaki. Mine will slow down and eventually die. Yes, take it back to the dealer for warranty work.

Those Congressmen aren’t worried about any of their constituents. They are more interested in passing bills to benefit special interest groups and skimming a little off in the process.

They have a problem even keeping the power flowing in California. I would suggest sheep or goats but, they will ban them based on farting.

Toro changed the naming of their mowers. The Timecutter HD is now the Titan. The old Titan is now the Titan HD.

What @bkeller500 said. ? And what price you are willing to pay. Overall, the Toro Timecutter is a decent mower. However, there are only two deck adjustment points and that can be a problem. I had a MX5000 and could never get the deck leveled correctly. If you can afford it, look at the Titan...

There is a lot of pressure buildup in the fuel tanks. Below is a video of the noise it’s making. It does this 24/7. It does it when running or sitting in my storage building. EPA garbage. My dealer needs to fix the blasted thing. It’s under warranty so, I shouldn’t have to fix it. My 2019 Toro...

I don’t think the brand is all that important. Kawasaki recommends 10W40 in most conditions. 20W50 can be used at higher ambient temperatures and to reduce consumption. Personally, I like a 15W40 heavy duty diesel oil. Most 15W40 diesel oils are loaded with zinc and phosphorus. If you like...

Wow! It must be very well maintained.

Will do! What puzzles me is the whistling noise coming from both fuel tanks. It does this when it’s running or is sitting in my storage building. I’ve never experienced this before on any mower that I’ve owned.

I mentioned that to the dealer.

Update: It went back to the dealer today. It cut off 3 times today, while mowing. The fuel delivery problem is not fixed. Mowing conditions 92F, partly cloudy, and high humidity. The first time it cut off, I switched tanks, choked it, and it fired right up. After it cranked, I switched back to...

I haven’t tried 20W50 Lucas Hot Rod and Classic Car oil in my hydros. It looks like a very stout oil. I may give it a try next time around. Mobil 1 15W50 or Valvoline VR-1 20W50 are usually what I use.

Remove the spark plug. Put your thumb over the spark plug hole and turn the engine by hand until you feel compression. Then stop and reinstall the plug and wire. Now, get on the mower, choke it and try to crank it.

They are the releases. The releases allow you to push your broken down mower.

The compression relief part of the camshaft could be broken.

Is the arrow on the fuel filter pointing in the correct direction?

How was it running before you changed the oil, plugs and fuel filter? When was the last time you changed the air filter? What’s the model number and serial number? What is the engine model number and serial number?

The Quest is an entry level residential. You have to move up to a Radius E series to get an upper end residential with serviceable transmissions (ZT2800s). The Quest line is nothing more than dolled up Toro Timecutter.

Are you talking about the Lucas Oil product? How about a high mileage 20W50? https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/E06073C8EBB011BD80257DFD00582FDA/$File/BPXE-9UF2AZ.pdf

I think that many of us have had a similar life’s lesson. I know that I have. I hope the Husqvarna will perform well for you. Hopefully, it will be here before the mowing season has ended. Give us a report back on your new Husqvarna.

I hate that you are not satisfied with the mower. Like I mentioned earlier, my neighbor has a Snapper ZTR that’s similar to your Simplicity. His is a 48” with the anti-scalp wheels up front. Also, the Snapper doesn’t have the suspension and pivoting front axle. His Centipede lawn looks...

You want a 60” commercial mower? You dang sure don’t have to spend that much.

The deck is not supposed to be “perfectly” level. It needs to be level from side to side and pitched down 1/4” in the front. It’s digging in because, you are mowing too low for your yard’s terrain. It takes some practice getting the hang of a zero turn mower. The deck is suspended and you are...

There are no front gage wheels until you move up to the 48” mower. The deck is not supposed to be carried by the deck gage wheels. I honestly don’t believe that you have your deck leveled and pitched correctly. My neighbor, across the street, has a 2020 Snapper zero turn and it does a beautiful...

They do have a phone number for support. https://www.simplicitymfg.com/na/en_us/support/contact-us.html

The three point adjustment is way better than the two point adjustment that Toro and Exmark use in their entry level residential mowers. The first thing I would do is get the air pressure right in the tires. I would put 10 psi in both rear tires and 12 psi in the front. Next, I would set all of...

This issue is not uncommon with the lower end Exmark and Toro residential mowers. There are only 2 adjustment points on the deck. One one the left side of the deck and one on the front center. Stupid design. Most lawn tractors have at least three adjustment points.

Good luck! I had a Toro Timecutter. Basically, they are the same. I could never get the deck to level. That system has to be the lamest that I’ve ever seen. I highly doubt that the deck is bent.

Not necessarily. You have to look at all of them. I will tell you that the Gravely, Ariens, Hustler, and Big Dog are pretty beefy. The Scags are nice mowers but, you need to look at them and compare the frame build to the others. John Deere Z720E in 48” is another choice. Spartan RZ series...

The ones that I listed all have serviceable transmissions.

@pinkstonm When you say upper end residential, I assume that you want serviceable transmissions.

Same as the Hustler Raptor XDX. It’s a good choice. A 48” would be about right for 1.5 acres.

Those two can be purchased at the dealers. The Ariens Apex is very similar to the Gravely ZT HD. They are top end residential mowers. These are both handled by Gravely. The Big Box stores carry the Ariens Ikon, Toro Timecutter, Hustler Dash, Hustler Raptor, some John Deere, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna...

Toro Titan Ariens Apex

Chinese clone, possibly of a Honda. https://www.generatorguru.com/gg5500-2/

Right! Not possible where I live. I don’t have a nice sodded and rolled one acre lot.

@bertsmobile1 I am beginning to think along those line. @Billjean46 I have linked to a PDF of the service manual. You can copy or download it. https://www.tractorforum.com/attachments/loncin-v-twin-pdf.70838/

Here’s the schematic and parts for the carburetor. https://www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails/?id=49142 Doesn’t matter that this is from the ZX5400. It’s the same engine and carburetor.

I’ve never had any issues either. Any gas that I have leftover at the end of the season only sits about four months. I use some of the leftover and mix with used motor oil to start any burn piles.

Thanks for clearing that up. You are correct, always check the balance. I just received a set of Oregon Gator G6 and they were perfectly balanced.

And?

I forgot that many people don’t read the product label. Just like many people never read their operators manual.

Did you replace the needle and seat?

Make sure that you use a fuel stabilizer. I prefer Sta-Bil.

Have you read your operators manual? The recommended fuel is in there. Minimum octane 87 and maximum ethanol at 10%. Type Unleaded gasoline Minimum octane rating 87 (US) or 91 (research octane; outside the US) Ethanol No more than 10% by volume Methanol None MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl...

This Stens will work. https://www.amazon.com/Stens-285-868-Spindle-Assembly/dp/B00MSYX4EU/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Stens+285-868+spindle&qid=1633118375&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-3

I’m not sure FRAM even makes a filter that crosses to a HG52114. I’ve looked and can’t seem to find one. I wouldn’t be surprised that they might make something under contract for Hydro-Gear, Stens, Rotary, or manufacturer’s branded filters. Hydro-Gear doesn’t make their filters. The Hydro-Gear...

Whatever you put on the underside of your deck, it will get blasted off pretty quick. I’ve tried just about anything you can imagine. Hose off the underside of the deck. Just a garden hose and a spray nozzle. Avoid spraying directly on the spindles. I wouldn’t use a pressure washer. When done...

Must not be too big of a problem. The OP hasn’t been back.

The hydro tracking isn’t adjusted properly. Consult your operators manual and perform the adjustments. You are at 75 hours so, it’s time to change the hydro fluid and filters. 20W50 oil or Mobil 1 15W50. It take about 73 ounces per side. A 5 quart jug will do. Hydro-Gear 52114 or equivalent...

It shouldn’t be Centipede or St. Augustine that far north. I’ll check a little further. If it is, your winter will kill it off. https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?filename=29&article=1001&context=plant_book&type=additional I suggest that you call your county extension agent.

It definitely looks like thick bladed grass. It looks like Centipede or St. Augustine. It’s really hard to tell. My guess is St. Augustine. What type of grass do you have? Bermuda or Zoysia? Where are you located?