Trying to speed up my lawn mowing.

[katoranger]

I started building a tow behind mower today. I plan to offset it behind my snapper to give me about 72" of cut. My John Deere 212 donated the frame and deck. Snapper that I bought for $50 donated its 12hp engine and another snapper was cut up for the engine mounts. The JD had a horizontal shaft engine and the snapper is vertical.

I need to come up with a belt tensioner and work on the wheels.

Going to go out and take some pictures of my progress.

[katoranger]

I haven't welded that plate in yet. Needed to clearance the frame in a few spots so that the engine would fit in the hole.

[Weldangrind]

Neat idea!

My bro in law asks if you've considered towing a golf course style reel mower. They don't need power, just weight.

[katoranger]

My concern with the reel mower is all the sticks and stumps in my yard. I am thinking that they would get stuck in the reels alot unless I spend a few hours cleaning up first. The snapper just mulches them.

[FastDoc]

I think reel mowers make very good clean cuts but are vunerable and I would imagine time consuming to care for and sharpen.

I like the idea of the offset. With the amount of property you are mowing the wider the better.

Do you have a sprinkler system or does the water come from the sky where you live?

[katoranger]

Sky only. We have had close to 20 inches in the past couple weeks. I was mowing 2 foot tall grass in areas. 9 hours over 3 days to get it all done.

[FastDoc]

Wow, that's a lot of rain.

Almost 3 times what we get here in a year

[Weldangrind]

Bro-in-law agrees with the assessment of a reel mower being bad with sticks and stumps.

[katoranger]

This is what I plan to purchase if the finances fall into place.

http://www.hustlerturf.com/products/x-one.html

[katoranger]

Bro-in-law agrees with the assessment of a reel mower being bad with sticks and stumps.

I have tried those hand push ones. :tdown: Powered blades all the way.:tup:

The zero turn mower cuts about 6 acres/hour. I think the time savings would be worth the payments.

[Weldangrind]

If money was no object: http://www.dixiechopper.com/mowers/zee1/

[katoranger]

If money was no object: http://www.dixiechopper.com/mowers/zee1/


The make good mowers too, but no dealers around here.

I did pick up a mower tonight. Kawasaki 18hp 50inch cut Dixon. Older machine with a newer engine. 1300hrs. Hydros are nice and smooth and engine runs great.

[Weldangrind]

That looks like a lot of motor for that mower. I bet you could get the lawn done in record time.

[katoranger]

It goes about twice the speed of the snapper. This model originally came with a briggs 18hp twin. This engine was a replacement and the PO said it performs much better than the stock one. They bought it new and just bought a new hustler mower to replace this one.

[SpudRider]

I like the Kawasaki mower. :tup:

[katoranger]

The engine was worth the asking price on this machine. The big issue is the electric pto clutch wiring. The wire were torn off at the clutch. I hope to be able to solder them back together tonight.

Otherwise leaky tires and broken headlights. This was mowing last week.

[Weldangrind]

If you're unable to solder the wires back on, do you need to replace the PTO clutch?

[katoranger]

That would probably be the solution. I think that I may be able to fix it.

[katoranger]

I think I may have it. The wires are not there enough for solder, but I have some wires shoved into the holes and they are making contact. It works when I apply 12 volts.

I now have some fast drying glue setting up. I wasn't sure if JB weld would conduct electricity, but google says it is an insulator.

Next step I think I will add some JB weld and then maybe some more wire support.

[katoranger]

I let it sit overnight. Started with outdoor adhesive then some 5 minute epoxy I found in the toolbox followed with a generous layer of permatex. I also ziptied the wires to the clutch housing to take any load off them. If this works I saved $200.:yay:

[katoranger]

Update. My fix worked. I just mowed 2.5hours without a problem. What I mowed would have taken about 4 hours on the snapper plus I did all the trimming that I would have had to go back and do. That saved at least another hour.

Need to get some out of the shop pictures. While mowing I realized that I need a new gas cap, more foam on the handles and the rear tires need replaced. They are the 25 year old originals and too hard to get much traction. I plan to get some bar treads later on. These tires will go on the chicken tractor wheels.

[katoranger]

Went out and mowed some more. The repair is working good.

Added some pool noodle to the handles. The vibes were making my hands numb. Also got me a chinarider basket on there.:D

[SpudRider]

It looks good, Allen. :) I love the China Rider's basket! :tup:

[Weldangrind]

The pool noodles are an excellent idea! Does the PTO clutch engage the blades?

[katoranger]

The pool noodles are an excellent idea! Does the PTO clutch engage the blades?


The clutch is working properly.

[Weldangrind]

I'm asking about the function of the PTO clutch. Is it designed to engage the blades electrically?

[katoranger]

I'm asking about the function of the PTO clutch. Is it designed to engage the blades electrically?

Yes, it is a 12v electric magnetic clutch by Ogura of Japan. There is a toggle switch that controls it on the dash.

I finished mowing the yard. About 5 hours total instead of 9 with the snapper. Also most of the trimmer that I would have to do is done too.

I may be able to speed that up after I get some more practice on this machine.

[SpudRider]

Wow! That's a real time saver! :tup: Good for you, Allen. :)

[katoranger]

I am very happy with this purchase. Pretty close to buying a new machine when I saw the ad for this one and was able to just pay cash. It should last me a few seasons. Good sign that it mow the entire yard without a breakdown too.

[Weldangrind]

Good sign, indeed. Can you landscape the perimeter of the property so that you never have to do trimmer work? My uncle went to the trouble of creating a mowing edge around his property, and it's totally worth it for him.

[katoranger]

The fenceline I share with one neighbor he sprays and maintains. I don't have anything to do there. The back one and other sides I let be natural.

Just buildings and trees and part of the road ditch. I sprayed around some of the trees in front and buidlings and that helps. Need to do it about twice a season. I only trim every three weeks or when it looks like it needs it.

Next summer I will get more landscaping done.

Emilie learned to drive the mower tonight too. I also have some help staying with me for awhile that would like to help.

[MICRider]

Nice mower! Zero turns are awesome :tup:

[katoranger]

The mower is still working great. Going to use it to mulch leaves and then put it away until we have time to work on some of the maintenance items that need to be done. Need to put some new rear tires on. I bought a rider that has one new tire on it that is the right size. Going to buy another like it so that I have a pair. It also has a good vtwin engine that will be my spare.

The electric pto clutch repair is holding together too.

[FastDoc]

Great news!

Hydraulic or belt drive?

[katoranger]

This is a hydro unit. Engine runs a belt to a t-box which then go to two belts that run two pumps/motors which are geared down to the wheel hubs.

The chains and sprockets are going to need an overhaul this winter.

[katoranger]

The chains and sprockets are getting done now. Just got back from the dealer who gave me a better price than online.

The sprocket on the left hydro unit gave up. I am sure this is an original part. 1500 hours is not a bad life.

I purchased new #40 chain yesterday too. Also why I am in there I got the parking brake bands. They were both worn out too. The rest of the sprockets are in good shape and will likely outlast the mower.

[Weldangrind]

I love it when a shop can compete with an online business. My local Napa in Sumas, WA is competitive with www.rockauto.com (http://www.rockauto.com)

[katoranger]

My biggest thing about going to a shop is the distance. I drove to Oklahoma to pick these up. Closer than the Kansas dealer. 22.8 miles. Corolla used just over a gallon of gas.

I got side one done last night. Hopefully side two will go better. After the sprocket is on I have to readjust belt tension for the hydro motors and it should be set to go.

The other sprocket has really pointy teeth.

[katoranger]

Don't have the brakes done yet, but I did get the sprockets and chains replaced. Some adjustments to get the belts tight and the levers to rest at neutral and it was up and mowing. Until the PTO clutch failed. We got quite a few hours out of the repaired one. Bearings are still good. I think the magnet burned out.

Last fall I had purchased three clutches on ebay that had bad descriptons for $5 each.:yay: One fit. Pulley slightly larger, but increased blade speed is not bad.

Replacement clutches new. $300.

[SpudRider]

It's very nice to save $285. :tup:

[Weldangrind]

$285.00 would buy many adult beverages, for hydration purposes subsequent to lawn mowing.

[katoranger]

Mowed about 30 minutes on the new clutch. Worked fine. Hydros are smoother with the new sprockets and chains.

Now on the other mower. Need both so we are prepared for break downs.

[cheesy]

Need both so we are prepared for break downs.

Amen.:tup:

That has always been my main n+1 argument.*





* I have also been known to use the "Upcoming Zombie Apocalypse" for n+1.:lmao:

[SpudRider]

Those are both superb, n+1 arguments, Cheesy. :)

:hehe:

[katoranger]

Took one of these for a spin today. Really nice mower. Someday.
http://www.themowershop.com/Hustler-Turf-932541-Raptor-SD-60.item

[Weldangrind]

This conversation is starting to remind me of the guys from King of the Hill, when they went to the mower expo. Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

[katoranger]

Do we need to be part of a focus group?