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Hello,
By name is Bob, and I own a 42" Raptor. I enjoy cutting my lawn and my main hobby is taking care of my property.
I have added the Engine Shield, Mulch Kit, Muffler Heat Shield and Hour Meter to my Zero Turn.
I have had it for over 5 yrs and it has never needed a repair, just normal maintenance. Great little machine. Only thing I wish it did have was a Full Floating Deck.
Anyone know if the Deck can be upgraded to floating? I don't think it is really possible on a small mower like this.

Bob with Raptor said:

Hello,
By name is Bob, and I own a 42" Raptor. I enjoy cutting my lawn and my main hobby is taking care of my property.
I have added the Engine Shield, Mulch Kit, Muffler Heat Shield and Hour Meter to my Zero Turn.
I have had it for over 5 yrs and it has never needed a repair, just normal maintenance. Great little machine. Only thing I wish it did have was a Full Floating Deck.
Anyone know if the Deck can be upgraded to floating? I don't think it is really possible on a small mower like this.

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Nice looking yard. Do you have to water to get it like that?

What do you mean by a "full floating deck"?

shiftsuper175607 said:

Nice looking yard. Do you have to water to get it like that?

What do you mean by a "full floating deck"?

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Some Decks hang on loose chains, so when the deck trys to scalp on a bump, the deck rolls on the Anti Scalp wheels on the deck, stopping the mower from scalping. This deck is more firmly held in place by hardware, that can move a little, but it doesn't really float like the chain mounted ones.
And yes, we have a sprinkler system. This is Texas, and it's pretty necessary if you want a green lawn. Really, finally got the lawn about perfect, it might not stay that way!!

Welcome to the forum!

I'm going to move this thread over to our Hustler section.

Welcome aboard. I purchased a 42" Raptor myself and immediately added a muffler shied, engine shield and hour meter. Fast forward a few years and it runs like a champ!

Gunny,

Its been way too long since you've shown your face around here. Hope you're doing well and the ole Raptor is armed with a .50 now that you have armor on the
heads.

Glad to see you back.

Thank you for your service and look forward to your sage advice to the youngin's again.

Max

Bob with Raptor said:

Some Decks hang on loose chains, so when the deck trys to scalp on a bump, the deck rolls on the Anti Scalp wheels on the deck, stopping the mower from scalping. This deck is more firmly held in place by hardware, that can move a little, but it doesn't really float like the chain mounted ones.
And yes, we have a sprinkler system. This is Texas, and it's pretty necessary if you want a green lawn. Really, finally got the lawn about perfect, it might not stay that way!!

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Hi Bob, I also have the same machine and this sounds like an interesting idea. Did you ever find out if this is possible?

Donkman

Donkman said:

Hi Bob, I also have the same machine and this sounds like an interesting idea. Did you ever find out if this is possible?

Donkman

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I am trying to do the opposite.

My deck is hung by worn hardware and swings/floats too much. I would love to stiffen it up so when I turn the trim side does not dip. Fifth year of owning my Raptor, it continues to be a great mower.

Thanks,
Piratejason

Gentlemen,

Both the chain and bolt supported decks are "fully floating". Difference is the hardware only. The chain has links to keep it from moving forward and aft as well as side to side. The bolt supported deck bolt can move up several inches because the bolt moves upward thru a hole. Simply different hangers.

As far as tightening up the deck, that most likely is not your problem. The reason you are crop circling or for better terms, scalping. Most likely your tire pressures are too low. Raise the pressures to 12 pounds at least depending upon the width of your front and rear tires.

If they are narrow, you may need even a higher pressure to keep the mower from leaning when turning.

Good luck to you both,

Max

mhavanti said:

Gentlemen,

Both the chain and bolt supported decks are "fully floating". Difference is the hardware only. The chain has links to keep it from moving forward and aft as well as side to side. The bolt supported deck bolt can move up several inches because the bolt moves upward thru a hole. Simply different hangers.

As far as tightening up the deck, that most likely is not your problem. The reason you are crop circling or for better terms, scalping. Most likely your tire pressures are too low. Raise the pressures to 12 pounds at least depending upon the width of your front and rear tires.

If they are narrow, you may need even a higher pressure to keep the mower from leaning when turning.

Good luck to you both,

Max

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You are correct about the tire pressure - I learned that lesson about 18 months into my Raptor ownership! I keep all tires at 15 PSI+ to negate that effect. I think I may be onto something. The hangers and bolts are worn (to be expected after this amount of use). The past week I put heavyduty tie wraps on either side of the hangers so they could not "slide" along the hanging bolts. I have not see any crop circles since. All bolts are tight but there was considerable slop on the hangers - the tie wraps seem to have solved my issue.

Thanks again for your response and reminder about tire pressure. Sometimes the simplest things are the most overlooked!

PirateJason,

You can actually hang your deck with chain if you would like. All you need to do is take a few links of chain, run a bolt thru the bottom link and thru the deck mounts. Measure the distance needed, cut off the chain to allow for a bolt head to be welded to the upper chain link. Run the bolt thru the upper hardware, add the washers and lock nut. Adjust to height and wala, you now have a chain hung deck.

I am not advising you to do so, nor am I stating it would be the right thing to do. Matter of fact, I say don't do this for any reason. Only do it if you can't help yourself and go against the earlier advise.

Have fun with it.

Max

piratejason said:

You are correct about the tire pressure - I learned that lesson about 18 months into my Raptor ownership! I keep all tires at 15 PSI+ to negate that effect. I think I may be onto something. The hangers and bolts are worn (to be expected after this amount of use). The past week I put heavyduty tie wraps on either side of the hangers so they could not "slide" along the hanging bolts. I have not see any crop circles since. All bolts are tight but there was considerable slop on the hangers - the tie wraps seem to have solved my issue.

Thanks again for your response and reminder about tire pressure. Sometimes the simplest things are the most overlooked!

Click to expand...

It looks like everyone has a similar issues with "Scalp" and has dealt with it with some success. I have pushed the tire pressure to about 15psi, and it helped.
After seeing the comment that both the Chains and Bolts "Float", I looked and see that this is correct. I can lift the deck and it moves some. I might try and add a Deck Wheel on the front of the deck. Has anyone found a good add on wheel? I saw some in the Home Store and it looked pretty cheap. If I'm going to drill my deck, it better be worth while.

I haven't been on this site in a while and glad I came back to find what had been posted. Thanks for all the good feedback.
I might have not replied to the correct people, but please forgive me, I'm not a practiced Blogger:tongue::confused2:
Bob

Bob,

Shoot a photo of your tie wraps from a few angles so that others may give that a shot. Maybe a closeup from above as well as from a level side on shot or two.

I didn't go back to see if you have a standard or SD. However, since you mentioned adding a wheel to yours, I'm guessing a standard. Adding a front wheel, maybe two isn't a bad idea. Adding a wheel on the rear of the deck on both sides is also a great idea. Anytime you can keep the deck from a pounding will help save all connecting hardware.

Good luck,

Max

RetiredGuns said:

Welcome aboard. I purchased a 42" Raptor myself and immediately added a muffler shied, engine shield and hour meter. Fast forward a few years and it runs like a champ!

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RG,

Why are people adding that engine shield to their mowers?


CMOS

CMOS said:

RG,

Why are people adding that engine shield to their mowers?


CMOS

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I for one thinks it protects the engine it you back into a Bush or something, and it looks cool too!

CMOS and Bob,

It is to protect the heads and carburetor from being damaged in the event you turn into or back into an object that doesn't want to be moved. It happens more often than you'd think. Cheap insurance for your little motor.

Max