ZeroTurn's

[BigPapa]

something must be up with these, it does not say they actually spilled gas it was just hot.

There was nothing wrong with ours except that he spilled gas on a very hot mower that ignited. I would imagine it was the same with this one.

 

[Timd32]

I wasn't sure if you Dad had actually spilled any, this one is noted as not spilling any and it went up, and it sounded like the same thing.

I was having some issue on the one section of my property, I dropped the air pressure to 10 psi in the rears and 14 psi in the fronts, and also filled only half a tank of fuel, have that single 5.5 tank on mine.

That is a brand new post which sounded like vapor or something.

I don't have to refuel on my property, but for sure after seeing 2 won't take any chances.

The air pressure adjustment worked pretty well, and I switched it up a while back to waiting atleast a full day for it to.be dry with no dew on the grass. It's pretty sketchy and when it looses traction it's a ride till it grabs again.

The half tank of gas means nothing it's like 20 lb, I figure the dry weight is 1200, plus me 200, plus fuel at 8lb a gallon 40. Was easier then me trying to go on a diet and drop 20lb. So I'm at 1420, the thing is a heavy set up.

Couple other issues I found if your going to so slopes once you point the nose to the left it's hard to recover from that, cheat the front end of the machine to the uphill side at all time, make sure you have more uphill throttle then downhill throttle so it's skewed to the uphill slightly with the fronts.

Obviously no Turing on hills and try a different approach.

If all else fails I just don't cut that small area with this machine. It's only like 3 passes that I have an issue doing.

 

[Topzide]

Have to learn how to "crab" walk it on the hills! Takes some time to get proficient, but once you get it down, makes the hills less a puckering factor! Never let your guard down though! Waiting for drier conditions is best when you can. Know of a couple guys near me that had there drive tires foamed filled at 15 psi. Added weight and allowed for a better foot print. Be safe on those slopes!

 

[BigPapa]

I was thinking about this on the way in this morning. It could be that he didn't spill any liquid, but he uses a 5-gallon jug, he's almost 80 now and not as strong as he used to be, and he uses a funnel, so, it's hard for me to imagine him NOT spilling SOME. Bottom line is he should have let it cool down like he normally does and it would never have happened. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with the Ferris mowers.

My best friend's dad almost burned their house down filling his mower in their attached garage. He had installed a propane water heater himself during the winter and didn't put it on a pedestal. The gasoline fumes got to the pilot light and ignited. It was more of a "flash" fire and burned out quickly, not igniting the mower or the can and he quickly pushed the mower out of the garage. Needless to say, later that day he put it on a pedestal.

Now, I have experienced what you're describing about mowing on an incline. On ours, the left wheel will not get traction like the right wheel. It doesn't make sense to me. There are places in our yard where you're going downhill and need to turn left around the corner of the shop. I've thought about foam filling but it's SO expensive. I even tried to look for a more aggressive knobby tire but can't find anything in the right size. He thinks a more aggressive tire would tear the grass up more, but I think it would get better traction in the grass and tear up less.

 

[Topzide]

@BigPapa, Have you looked at an ATV tire to fit? I think there are some that could work without being a full AG type of tire. Wouldn't do as much damage but a zero turn can tear up things quickly with stock tires!

 

[BigPapa]

Yes, that was the first thing I looked at. I was in the motorsports business over 30 years.

 

[Timd32]

Well overall I'm glad he wasn't hurt, mowers can be replaced. Will for sure watch out and I have time as well to fill it cold.

Someone was saying it's possible there is a certain angle where going down to the left there could be loss of fluid in certain parts of the system and there is not enough flow to make it maneuver. My hydro bottles are right at the full mark when hot. I don't know enough about all that.

Every time I think I have it figured out there goes 3 feet of grass. It scrapes it right off.

But this weekend was the best I was able to do. So seat time and just trying smaller tweaks at this point. Probably can be last cut of the year or maybe 1 more.

I'll probably have to wear these tires out a bit to be able to replace them. Unless there was a known type and tread that would work. I'm trying to finish my 63 Willys so want to try to keep focused on that. Especially since the season is almost over. But always open for options.

I do have a tire machine in the garage. It looks like these would fit on the rim clamp machine. Probably some tire spoons would work as well.

 

[Topzide]

@Timd32, Once you get the bead broken, tire spoons will do the job. Have done far share of tires with spoons! Small equipment, trailer, car and compact tractor! The tractor were the worst since they were 10 and 12 ply! Seat time is what will pay off with scalping and scrapping of the grass. We sold a ZT to a gentleman that had 1 arm. He was worried about running it till I had showed him that I could run it 1 handed. I know his skill set and went to his place for him to try. He took it easy at first but learned machine and his yard. We laughed about him being worried, told him if he was able to do so many other things, this was just a new challenge! Time and conditions are your friend! Use your best judgement on the slopes!

 

[petersonj]

We sold a ZT to a gentleman that had 1 arm. He was worried about running it till I had showed him that I could run it 1 handed.

This zero turn mower thread has been an interesting read. I bought a new 60" Toro MyRide zero turn mower two years ago. One of the things I was looking for was good steering control with one-handed operation. The Toro was my machine of choice. I even added spacers in the appropriate places to make the levers almost touch each other. Nothing like mowing around a small tree, bush, or post with easy, precise steering using one-handed operation.

- John

 

[Diesel Gunner]

This zero turn mower thread has been an interesting read. I bought a new 60" Toro MyRide zero turn mower two years ago. One of the things I was looking for was good steering control with one-handed operation. The Toro was my machine of choice. I even added spacers in the appropriate places to make the levers almost touch each other. Nothing like mowing around a small tree, bush, or post with easy, precise steering using one-handed operation.

- John

Sooo... What is the other hand doing? Tending to an adult beverage, I hope.

 

[petersonj]

Sooo... What is the other hand doing? Tending to an adult beverage, I hope.

Sometimes. It gives me a free hand to do other things like raise the the discharge extension when passing through narrow areas, or have my available hand ready to disengage the mower deck shut-off switch when mowing in hazardous areas. Mainly, I find that I have better steering control with one-hand operation versus two-hand operation.

- John

 

[Timd32]

I can't possibly see how to drive mine with one hand, I must be missing something.

There are some great videos on the subject.

Please like, share, subscribe, and hit the bell!

 

[Topzide]

@Timd32, You'll have to adjust the handles so that that are close without touching and then just practice! You get the hang of it. I learned due to having to answer the phone while moving machines on and off trailers and into the shop. You can fine tune each drive handle by adjusting the linkage levers all the way to the pumps/transmission. Just takes time like doing fine work with a skid steer. You'll get the hang of it. Just run through the yard without cutting for practice. Good luck!