Need your help, which one to buy: JD Z245 or TORO SS5060

[robert]

I am sorry gentlemen but it is impossible to make a zero turn without locking one wheel, and when you lock one wheel, on turf, you will damage the grass, and if you don't like my comments on Exmark don't read them. :cool2:

 

[Black Bart]

I am sorry gentlemen but it is impossible to make a zero turn without locking one wheel, and when you lock one wheel, on turf, you will damage the grass, and if you don't like my comments on Exmark don't read them. :cool2:

YEP Robert you are right the problem is the rest of the people in the world is wrong.

What is really sad is the posts you have made to newbies about ZTR's they will not know how Misinformed you are about this and take your advice and that is sad.

After all these people have told you that you are wrong then you come back with a post like this one. No one can help you. As for me I will take your advice and not read your post. CARRY ON.

 

[robert]

black bart, I could mow my lawn in half the time it takes you to bi__h about my posts :biggrin:

 

[Parkmower]

robert There are tens of thousands using ZTR's every wk. With no damage to the grass...
You have actually came across the problem that you were having...
If you need to make an actual Zero turn... Then that's what you want to do... You Do Not want to pivot a turn. A pivot is NOT a zero turn...
To Zero turn left, you Reverse the left drive while rolling the right drive forward. The machine will rotate on it's width... with Less disturbance than any sharp turn on a regular tractor... & you had the perfect spot to practice these type of turns, on concrete where you will see the difference...

It will take a bit of practice to become proficient with a ztr... but the incredible maneuverability in a zero turn is why it is worth the small effort to learn the system...
And like Bart said you have to have both Drive wheels turning when ever you are making a change in direction, this will become a natural adjustment in the controls as you use them...

Your body is also a ztr... if you make all your turns by pivoting on a planted foot, you'll have the same problems, especially if you are wearing shoes with great traction, like golf shoes... you have to learn how to turn whenever you try something different...

The only time I ever do a true pivot turn is with an Ag tractor when doing row crop work... That is at the end of run where I want to turn 180 degrees and offset the width of the tractor.... That is NOT a Zero turn...
Like anything worthwhile there is a bit of a learning curve, You have to regulate the rotational speeds of the two drive wheels in order to vary the direction your traveling, anytime you stop one, and leave the other moving, you will pivot your turn...
When your mowing, A true zero turn is rarely needed.. but when it is , you can not substitute a pivot... :smile:KennyV

Robert,
Dude he's telling you in plain English. What don't you get? Also in my personal zt owner manual it instructs you how to do a true zt using this method.
It's sad when people get stuck in their ways and cannot adapt.

 

[KennyV]

I am sorry gentlemen but it is impossible to make a zero turn without locking one wheel, and when you lock one wheel, on turf, you will damage the grass, and if you don't like my comments on Exmark don't read them. :cool2:

IT is impossible to make a ZTR with one wheel locked... That is a pivot turn. and a pivot will definitely disrupt what ever is under that stopped wheel.

This whole discussion is about ZTR mowers... you have been making pivot turns... I realize you were using a ZTR mower to do that, but that is NOT the way to make a turn.

As for your comments regarding Exmark... ? I can't comment on your experience..
BUT your comment regarding a zero radius turn, that needs a reply... as Bart pointed out, others that want to know about ZRT's need to know why there is a right way and a wrong way to use the steering on a ZTR...

You are wanting to claim that "it is impossible to make a zero turn without locking one wheel"
That is a PIVOT turn, not a ZTR turn... And if you continue doing it wrong, it can NEVER come out right...
and that is okay, so long as you are not trying to tell others that the only way to do something, is the Wrong way to do it...

I know you can drive a screw in with a hammer or a screwdriver. But I would never say you Must use a hammer to drive in a screw... although it would appear to work, it will not be as functional and will most likely damage the contact area ... Use the appropriate tool & learn the appropriate method to use it... :smile:KennyV

 

[robert]

Ken, what you and others are saying is that tight turns can be made without much turf damage, which is true, but a zero turn cannot, no way, no how its impossible;

Scag Power Equipment - Frequently Asked Questions

 

[robert]

And another is anyone needs one:
sorry I cannot get the link to This Old House to work, they also stated that damage to turf is unavoidable when making zero turns, that the only way to turn without scuffing the grass is to either make a three point turn or make long circular turns-this is exactly what I discovered also.

 

[KennyV]

Ken, what you and others are saying is that tight turns can be made without much turf damage, which is true,

robert like I have already stated... A ZTR is not that frequently made... BUT when done properly will disturb nothing. Even though they are rare, there has to be 100's of thousands made cutting grass all across this country...

I think you may be deliberately avoiding the geometry involved when discussing a true ZTR turn versus a Pivot turn...
I find it hard to believe that you are not capable of grasping this method... and you must be pretending to be this obtuse...
But for those that have the opportunity to try the proper method of turning, from standers to riders... In situations that require a good and fast job... you will find ZTR's...

so I guess you need to keep saying there is no way... while the rest of us keep doing it... Like the song once said... : it must be magic ...:smile:KennyV

 

[Cajun Ken]

Robert: I believe the term " locked wheel " is causing the confusion. When talking about a zero turn, forget about a locked wheel. As KennyV stated, if you want to make a zero turn to the left, bring the left lever all the way back while simultaneously pushing the right lever all the way forward. Neither wheel is stopped ( locked ). Simultaneous lever movement is the key. The left drive wheel will reverse in an arc to the right while the right drive wheel will go forward in an arc to the left. The center of mass of the mower will remain where it was when you initiated the turn and the direction of travel of the mower will have changed 180 degrees. This is a Zero turn.
If you bring the left lever back to the neutral position while simultaneously pushing the right lever all the way forward, the left drive wheel will remain in place while the right drive wheel is pushing forward. When the mower is facing 180 degrees from the original direction of travel it will have moved exactly one mower width to the left. That is a Pivot turn, and since the left wheel is not driving, it will damage whatever is beneath it.

I haven't tried it, but I imagine that if you are going fast in one direction and attempt a zero turn, you will have some skidding and resulting damage to the grass.

Happy cutting,

Cajun Ken

 

[robert]

Ken, Scag pretty much is saying the same as I aren't they?