Zero turn on wet hills.

[Mad Mackie]

Been commercially mowing for years with Ingersoll riders and in 2008 decided to try a zero turn. It took me a year to get aclimated to this ZTR during which I got frustrated and mad at myself for buying it. Now it and I are a working team but I have had to totally change my mowing methods. It really doesn't make much difference if the grass is wet or dry a ZTR will loose traction and slide or tear up turf. I mow in the forward direction until I get to the edge of the hill and I turn the machine around and back down so I can mow forward up the hill. All forward inertia must be stopped and you must creep down the hill if you choose to mow forward. I still mow the same customers lawns that I have for years with my riders but I have to do a lot more trimming as I cannot get the ZTR into some spots that I regularly mowed with my riders. I was loosing control of the ZTR and sliding into these spots, tearing up turf and doing more turf damage trying to get out.
Bob Mac in CT:biggrin:

 

[originalswampfox]

I've done a lot of mowing on a lot of hills. No matter what type of mower I start at the bottom and mow side to side turning uphill, even if you have to do a three point turn with your ZTR's you won't tear up the turf. I've mown yards, fields and mostly golf courses.

 

[mziegler]

Well, thanks again for all the useful input. As the season has progressed and things have dried out, I am mowing about three times as much area as before and some hills I would never have tackled with my Craftsman. There is certainly a learning curve on using the Z-turn and hills have to be treated very cautiously especially when wet. I think that early in the season, this machine will still be problematic because of its weight.

But I am thrilled with this machine and treat it unlike any other tool I have ever had. Cleaning it thoroughly and greasing the 5 mower deck bearings after every use. Wow!

Mike

 

[khr76]

very old post but