So I used both machines yesterday for about 4 hours doing a spring cleanup, my initial thoughts:
1. Drive system needs a little getting used to with the upside down bail. Gets a little tiring but the dealer also had it set up on the highest setting. I'm 5'8 so I should knock it down a notch.
2. used one to mulch leaves and the other to pick them up. Mulches well and vacuums great. You can hear the suction when the blades engage...mower came with Gator Clones. No real grass to tell yet but the leaves were ground up well. Picked up all of the debris on the ground and pulled the grass upright. I cut at the lowest setting on the back and one up from that on the front. Even pulled some thatch out.
3. Getting used to feathering the bail for speed rather than a speed setting...should be a little more resistance in the bail swivel points to help hold the setting, especially on rough ground.
4. Ground speed at full speed is good for transport.
5. Height adjustment isnt difficult and I kinda like not having to worry about bending adjusters when I hit something.
6. Deck looks sturdy with a edged tubing welded to it, not gonna bend too easily.
7. maybe a brake system to stop it from rolling on the trailer without chocking it
8. Mulch plug sucks to get out, you have to bend a plastic tab and really pull hard to get the plug out. I see that tab breaking later, especially if the plastic gets weak from sitting in the sun unused in the back of the truck.
9. Bag is a nice, heavy material.
10. Bag frame is sturdy.
11. Kawi seems good for the job, The pulleys act as a gearing system to get the blade speed up. I have alot of experience with this motor and its durable. Best part, you want to replace it the motor goes for under $300.00.
12, Zerks on the spindles would be nice, I didn't see any but I didn't put the mower on a lift yet. Spindles look small, but then again they are only supporting a 15 inch blade. I assume they are serviceable, hate to replace an entire spindle if I bend a shaft.
13. Good filter system and a one gallon gas tank.
14 Overall easy to maneuver, caster wheels would be a pain in the *** honestly.
Ok so its snowing in Jersey today with possible 2 to 3 inch accumulation, but changing to rain later. I put high Nitrogen down after core aeration and lime on most of my lawns the last few days so hopefully this grass grows so I can evaluate how the mower does on grass. Just realize this is only a initial impression and I'm not going to say my overall opinion until I spend a few weeks with these machines ( Don't you love how people give their definitive opinions after using something for 30 minutes? Idiots...) These machines are not going to replace my 36 Scag, but they do have a niche, and I see that machine staying on the trailer a bit more. The Honda's may get less use too if these Exmarks work out. Equipment wise I have 2 48 Scag Hydros, a 48 John Deere ZTR with a power bagger, 36 scag belt and 2 Honda HRCs so these Exmarks are gonna bridge the gap between the deck mowers and the Honda's.
More info to follow....
