Most likely your linkage needs adjusted, start by setting the handle stops so when both handles are all the way forward or reverse they are even, then find the handle linkages to the hydros, adjust that linkage so there is zero lash in neutral, should be able to smoothly slide the clevis pin in and out without shifting the linkage or hydro arm, then you'll have it zeroed
Put it at idle, no power to the deck and drive it around for a while. Once comfortable give it a little more gas. That's the best way to learn. I've had three of them. Right now I own two 54" and my wife and I can knock out our very big yard in about an hour. They are the best once ya get the hang of em.
The only place I've tried to use one was in my father-in-law's front yard with a few things to mow around in the yard and a steep drop near the road. I was nervous as hell thinking I was going to either damage something in the yard or do a header into the road. I'm sure if I was learning here at my place where there's plenty of room, I could pick up on it.
No doubt you would get the hang of it. Once you do you may never want to mow with a lawn tractor again. Be careful on steep hills. I just go up and down them instead of sideways. Ya need two hands to drive and can't hold on to the fender. If it has arm rests I hook my elbow over the arm rest when going sideways. They can also get a bit tippy going sideways or going up hill. They do have weights for the front end. I have a 21 gallon boom sprayer and a trailer I hook to my zero. It'll pull them no problem. Instead of buying the expensive hitch I cut a hunk a 2" angle iron and bored a couple a holes.
Most of my property is fairly level with a gentle slope from the house to the treeline on the south side. The only steep part is a stretch of about 75 yards and 8 feet high right next to road, and I mow that with a push mower anyway.
I was the entertainment of the day the first time I got into a skid steer loader. I got it rocking and with being thrown around I was automatically holding the steering control and the situation was getting worse until I realized what was happening and let go. It got into a back up and I was able to bring it to a stop. The construction crew I was with were holding each other up to keep from falling over from laughing so hard. For the next week they would break down when they saw me.
This was in Ohio and I was the new Engineering grad from Tenn Tech.
The mistake most people make with the zero turn mowers is in pushing the bars too far forward or backwards to get it to turn. It only takes a slight nudge of the bar in either direction for the mower to react. One down side to the zero turn mower over a regular lawn tractor, is that it can get stuck in mud, or in wet grass on an incline, easier.
I’ll keep my 29-yr-old JD425 with 54in shaft drive deck, thanks. Still running like a champ. Also moves snow well with that hydraulically controlled front blade, too. Handy in SoDak.
That looks like my Exmark. It took me about 20 minutes to get used to it. I can't believe I didn't buy one sooner. I've got 2+ acres and it cut my mowing time in half.
There's prolly nothing wrong with the thing - he's just being a dick and making a video. I could do the exact same thing if I wanted too.
Most likely your linkage needs adjusted, start by setting the handle stops so when both handles are all the way forward or reverse they are even, then find the handle linkages to the hydros, adjust that linkage so there is zero lash in neutral, should be able to smoothly slide the clevis pin in and out without shifting the linkage or hydro arm, then you'll have it zeroed
ReplyDeletePut it at idle, no power to the deck and drive it around for a while. Once comfortable give it a little more gas. That's the best way to learn. I've had three of them. Right now I own two 54" and my wife and I can knock out our very big yard in about an hour. They are the best once ya get the hang of em.
ReplyDeleteThe only place I've tried to use one was in my father-in-law's front yard with a few things to mow around in the yard and a steep drop near the road. I was nervous as hell thinking I was going to either damage something in the yard or do a header into the road.
DeleteI'm sure if I was learning here at my place where there's plenty of room, I could pick up on it.
No doubt you would get the hang of it. Once you do you may never want to mow with a lawn tractor again. Be careful on steep hills. I just go up and down them instead of sideways. Ya need two hands to drive and can't hold on to the fender. If it has arm rests I hook my elbow over the arm rest when going sideways. They can also get a bit tippy going sideways or going up hill. They do have weights for the front end. I have a 21 gallon boom sprayer and a trailer I hook to my zero. It'll pull them no problem. Instead of buying the expensive hitch I cut a hunk a 2" angle iron and bored a couple a holes.
DeleteMost of my property is fairly level with a gentle slope from the house to the treeline on the south side. The only steep part is a stretch of about 75 yards and 8 feet high right next to road, and I mow that with a push mower anyway.
DeleteI got a riding mower rather than zero turn, no regrets.
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor has a zero turn, about every 3rd mow I catch him. I wave, he waves and does a sharp turn. lol
No place to hold a cold beer? No thanks!
ReplyDeleteRiding mowers come with bottle/can holders.
Deletem.u.i. 'n used to be be my favorite thing do. ( mowing under the influence)
DeleteI was the entertainment of the day the first time I got into a skid steer loader. I got it rocking and with being thrown around I was automatically holding the steering control and the situation was getting worse until I realized what was happening and let go. It got into a back up and I was able to bring it to a stop. The construction crew I was with were holding each other up to keep from falling over from laughing so hard. For the next week they would break down when they saw me.
ReplyDeleteThis was in Ohio and I was the new Engineering grad from Tenn Tech.
The mistake most people make with the zero turn mowers is in pushing the bars too far forward or backwards to get it to turn. It only takes a slight nudge of the bar in either direction for the mower to react.
ReplyDeleteOne down side to the zero turn mower over a regular lawn tractor, is that it can get stuck in mud, or in wet grass on an incline, easier.
In aviation they're called PIO's.
ReplyDeletePilot Induced Oscillations
if you got a lot of low-hanging branches they aint worth a dang.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll stick to commercial walk-behind mowers, less fuss.
ReplyDelete-arc
That's fine if you've got a town lot. I've got 3 acres.
DeleteI’ll keep my 29-yr-old JD425 with 54in shaft drive deck, thanks. Still running like a champ. Also moves snow well with that hydraulically controlled front blade, too. Handy in SoDak.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like my Exmark. It took me about 20 minutes to get used to it. I can't believe I didn't buy one sooner. I've got 2+ acres and it cut my mowing time in half.
ReplyDeleteThere's prolly nothing wrong with the thing - he's just being a dick and making a video. I could do the exact same thing if I wanted too.