ZTR, slopes, and tires

apewrangler

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I share a commercial Exmark ZTR with my dad. He has a relatively flat yard, and mine doesn't really have a flat part on it. I've been cutting with it for the last two years. It gets the job done, but it really irritates me trying to cut without leaving skid marks everywhere, even on the slightest of inclines. He insists, "You ain't doing it right". I find myself fighting with it just to keep it true while driving across a 5% slope.

I've went through several threads here on the subject, and it's obvious that ZTRs of that type just aren't made for slopes. I completely agree, but the fact is that's the mover I have to live with for now. I was just hoping there was something I could do to improve it somewhat.

My first thought is tires. It currently just have standard turf tires, and they spin pretty easily on flat ground when turning. Would more aggressive tires help much?

Can the sensitivity of the steering pumps be adjusted at all? It's like all or nothing with this thing.
 

Mad Mackie

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Welcome to the world of ZTRs!!! I mowed commercially for years with two Ingersoll GTs with collection systems on them and very seldom did I tear up turf. I service ZTRs for some fellow commercial lawn guys and in 2008 I bought my first ZTR which was a Scag Tiger Cub with a collection system. I tore up turf and got upset with this purchase and didn't use it much until 2010. It took me a long while to get comfortable with this type machine. I had to totally change my pattern of mowing and go up and down the hilly parts and not sideways. On some hills I have to back down backwards and mow up the hill. I have become accustomed to this machine but it took me 150 hours to get to this point. But the bottom line with a ZTR is that you will tear up turf particularly if the turf is thin and or damp, just the nature of a machine that has no steering control of the front wheels. In time you should develop a manner in which you minimize tearing up the turf. Generally the larger diameter the rear wheels are and the longer the wheelbase of the machine is, the less turf damage that will occur. I have also found that I need to change mowing patterns every time I mow, something that I didn't need to do as often with my GTs.
Now I wouldn't be without a ZTR!!!
Mad Mackie in CT:biggrin::laughing:
 
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apewrangler

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Thanks, Mackie.

My house is less than two years old, and I'm still doing a lot of work on the yard trying to to improve drainage, establish turf, and make it more mowable while keeping in mind where the more difficult areas are. This is allowing me to change my cutting approach to better suit a ZTR because, before, I had several small drainage ditches at the bottom of slopes, and I really didn't have room to maneuver like I wanted. I'm still going to have some areas that are difficult.

I was wondering if there is a bar lug-type tire that woudn't destroy my lawn or my back but would give me a little more control.
 

Mad Mackie

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I don't recommend lug bar tires on a ZTR. I don't think that you will benefit at all from them and they will make the ride worse that it already is. I had a pair of lug bar tires for my GT which is an Ingersoll 4018 with 8.00 X 16 rear tires that are 32" tall. They looked neat on the tractor but didn't have any advantage over the turf tires for my type use and I sold them to a friend that has a large garden.
Most ZTRs are rigid frame machines and are hard riding. I sit on my ZTR leaning forward slightly when I encounter rougher areas and this reduces the nast effects of the ride. As I said I have had to completely change my mowing patterns since buying my ZTR and almost every time I mow I change angle and pattern to reduce the tire rutts. Maintain the correct tire pressures both front and rear for the best ride quality and cut.
I find myself making wide turns or backing Y turns with my ZTR to reduce turf damage. I mowed with wide turns and backing Y turns on my GTs and I thought that operating a ZTR would reduce or do away with that style of operation but not so. Early with my ZTR I tore up turf on turns like a rototiller and I was not a happy camper until I finally got it thru my head that these machines will tear up turf until the operator skill and technique improves.
Mad Mackie in CT
 
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