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Actually, now that you mention it... I DO remember a ZTR with reverse lockout. It was a Cub Cadet steering wheel ZTR. A Z Force model, I think. You could bypass it by hitting a sequence of buttons on the control panel, though. This was documented in the manual. It wasn't some hidden feature.

If you have the diff lock engaged on a tractor, it will tear up the turf more than a ZTR. I DO agree that's it's unfortunate that steering wheel ZTRs are only available from Cub. I got lucky, and came across a good deal on a Pro Z 100 S, which is a commercial unit. The residential Cubs, as well...

Since this is really a discussion on safety switches, and not Cub cadet zero turn... Why do some riding mowers have a reverse safety switch, and others don't? My first riding mower was a MTD back in the 90's, which had a reverse safety switch. I disabled it, as it was a pain. I re-enabled it...

A ZTR with a steering wheel is safer than a tractor. Lower CoG, and rear wheels are allowed to turn independently of each other, unlike on a tractor with a diff lock.

I would consider a ZTR with a steering wheel. Unfortunately, that seems to lock you into Cub Cadet, as they're the only ones selling them. I have one because of the slopes I have to mow, and it does MUCH better on slopes than the lap-bar ZTR it replaced. It's better on slopes than a standard ZTR...

This part: If your evaluation of an engine's "turdness" is equated solely to HP, then, yes, OPE engines are turds. They don't put out NEAR the HP per liter of motorcycle engines. I evaluate engines on their suitability for the task. In that sense, OPE engines are just fine for the job they do...

I disagree. I used to be "into motorcycles". Yes, they generate a LOT of power for their displacement, but they do it at 10000+ RPM's. OPE engines are typically rated at 3600 RPM. RPMs make all the difference. See what the sportbike engines produce at 3600. Also OPE engines are designed to...

Um... I'm thinking that if an engine lasts 23 yrs, I really couldn't complain if it dies.

I didn't know that you could get grease fittings with the right thread. Thanks. A 10 pack is only $8, and should take care of all my attachments. I started this thread because I'm having the same problem as mcspeed. My gear boxes are getting hot. Too hot to hold.

While you're doing the leak down test, I'd also do a compression test.

For things I want to lube that don't have grease fittings, I use graphite, too. I use this.

The problem is, that takes 3 hands. One to hold the grease gun to the grease port, one to work the gun, and one to rotate the trimmer head. Just had a thought... I bet a chainsaw bar greaser would work. That would only take one hand to apply the grease. Is that grease compatible with trimmer...

If you feel like you need ROPS and seat belts ALL the time... I would agree. I feel I need it about 10% of the time. The bank next to the road is part of that 10%, and I can't just let that go.

Last year, I bought a ZTR. My checklist was as follows: Because I have slopes: - Steering wheel - ROPS Beyond my need to handle slopes, I wanted: - Fabricated deck - Serviceable hydros - Suspension seat - V-twin engine I think that the feature that has resulted in the most improvement in...

MTD.... I ordered a part from the MTD web site about a week ago. I can't find out if it's been shipped. Edit - I found the shipping status. It's been over a week since the order, and it's still not shipped. Edit 2 - On the same day I checked the shipping status, and it showed as not shipped...

Most of my attachments do not have the new gearboxes. Mine has the grease plug, but it's like an oil plug, and doesn't fit any of my grease guns.

Not sure where to put this. I hope this is ok. I have an Echo PAS with several attachments. Most of these have heads that need periodic greasing. Yet none of them have grease fittings. And yet, you're supposed to grease them every (I think) 25 hrs. How do you guys grease them? The videos I've...

Sounds like you're not getting proper airflow through your deck. This could be caused by: - Slipping belt - Engine running too slow (even if you run at full throttle) - Deck clogged with grass - Mulching blades - Bound up spindle(s) To all the experts: Is there a way to measure the RPMs of each...

Blade tip speed is limited by ANSI to 19000 FPM, regardless of the blade length. Unless the MTD was set up wrong by the dealer (very possible, as the "dealer" for most of them are big box stores), the blade tip speed SHOULD be the same. I think the 30" blade acts more like a bush hog than the...

And this is why I have sworn off John Deere. A shame too. I want a tractor, and I can't, in good conscience, buy from the biggest American manufacturer of small tractors. Around here, there are two dealers... Deere and Kubota. I guess I'm getting a Kubota.

Well... Briggs DOES say that, to keep your warranty valid, you must use their oil, which has high zinc content.

More details? Mower model? Engine brand and model? "Volt dial does not move"... what's it connected to?

I have an old motorcycle that I don't ride often enough. Every few years, I find myself cleaning carbs. I've tried a variety of solvents, but Berrymans, at 100%, works better than anything else I've tried. I only use it at 100% on metal parts like jets.

I knew there had to be something out there for less than $20 per qt. Thanks

Thanks

My search skills must be crap, because I can't believe this hasn't been asked before, but I can't find it. Just watched a video that said that small engines should use high zinc oil. Is this true? That's the first time I've heard that. None of my engine manuals mention zinc. They all say use an...

This is how I do it. My ZTR has a steering wheel, and if the fronts are low, it becomes harder to turn the steering wheel. Mine isn't one of those new fancy ones with power steering. I got a steering wheel model for the slope holding capabilities, and 20 psi in the fronts gives me plenty of...

Next time it does this... loosen the gas cap. Could be a bad vent on the cap. Check the cooling fins. Maybe it's overheating. Disconnect the fuel line at the carb, and see if you get decent fuel flow. It could be that there's a restriction in the tank or fuel line.

Near as I can tell, that Craftsman ZTL 7000 has a 50" deck and a 24HP engine. If: - the engine is running properly - the deck is working properly (no bound up spindles, no caked up dried grass) - the blades are sharp - you're not mowing when the grass is too tall or wet then I think a 24HP...

I have a Kohler Command 17HP (CV490S, spec # 27515) with a Walbro carb that leaks. I found a video from Taryl where he provides the Kohler carb rebuild kit p/n (20 521 04-S), and it's $48. Cheap, made-in-China carbs run around $20 on that jungle site. You guys have any luck with the cheap Walbro...

I don't have a Scag, but I DO have a Kohler EFI engine, and my throttle does something similar. It doesn't affect RPMs until the last half of the lever travel. Dropping this comment so I can follow this.

Not fuel... not mechanical... That leaves electrical. Loose battery terminal or cable?

Is there an empty connector, lug, or terminal on the solenoid?

I got too close to a tarp once, and it got sucked into the deck. Stopped things pretty quickly. Pretty quickly... not instantly. Hitting things like ropes and tarps will stop your blade(s) and engine, but it's a fairly gentle stop compared to hitting a stump or a rock. Once I cut the tarp out...

So you have a cheap residential push mower that can't be set up for side discharge because you lost the chute, you want to mow 18"-24" WET grass, your mower won't do it... and you think that a larger engine is the answer? BTW, mowing high WILL make a difference. The lower you go, the thicker...

From this link: Battery-powered vehicles account for a small share of car fires, but controlling EV fires is difficult. Typically, an EV fire burns at roughly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 Celsius), while a gasoline-powered vehicle on fire burns at 1,500 F (815 C). It takes about 2,000...

I wouldn't be making this argument. There may be more fires with gas mowers than battery, but there are still WAY more gas mowers out there. And gas fires can be put out. Battery fires cannot. Batteries contain fuel and an oxidizer, so if they catch fire, they are burning until the fuel is gone...

You're welcome! Glad I could help.

Bad or unplugged seat switch.

What happened before this? Did it run great for the previous 4 times it's been used this year? Or is this the first time it's been cranked this year? Is the fuel fresh?

Sounds like you want something with more power AND run time than the cheap B&D you had. Battery trimmers can have enough power, but they don't have the run time of a good gas trimmer. Echo SRM225s are around $200. That's what I'd recommend if you want more than 30 minutes of run time. Echo...

Even riding mowers. I don't know of a single mower with a vertical shaft engine. I'm sure they're out there, but I'm not aware of them. Every gas powered riding mower at every big box store will have a vertical shaft engine. Now watch someone prove me wrong.

Somehow I missed this. Cheapo lawn tractors tend to mow better than cheapo push mowers. I used to have a riding mower with a 36" or 38" deck (it's been a long time) and 12HP engine. It mowed better than my Toro Recycler. It was almost useless on the hills in my yard, so I got rid of it, but it...

On the small subdivision yards I've had, I've always used push mowers. But... I can't say I wasn't tempted to get a rider. They are faster and often have headlights, which would allow me to get the mowing done starting at 6:00 in Sept, where I wouldn't have time to get done before dark with a...

You mentioned the bag chute, which, I assumed, you wouldn't be using or even mentioning if you were side discharging. Sucks to always have wet grass. Years ago, I had a 20" Murray mower with a Briggs engine rated at 3.5HP. This may be what's on your Craftsman. It was side discharge only, and...

So you want to be able to mow super-tall wet grass, and bag it? With a Craftsman 21" push mower? Now I'm thinking this is a troll. This job is in the territory of $10000 stand-on mowers. How long would it take to fill a bag while mowing super-tall wet grass? I'm thinking about a minute. So you'd...

I have an automotive dual-post lift that I'd like to use, but so far, I haven't figured out how to, other than hooking a chain to it, and lifting with the chain. I use a floor jack and jack stands, or car ramps, depending on the job. I use car ramps unless they would be in the way for the job I...

For OPE, it really doesn't matter. Both are measures of the ability to cut grass. More HP = better ability to cut. More torque = better ability to cut. The problem comes when you try to compare engines rated in HP vs those rated in torque. Torque is probably a better measure, as it's easier to...

Simple. Don't let your grass get that tall. Mow often with a properly working mower. The rule-of-thumb is to cut no more than 1/3 the length of the grass. So if you want your grass at 2", mow when it gets to 3". In the growing season, that's usually around once a week. Make sure the deck is not...

I'll just leave this here. Don’t trust the “Experts” Grease your mower deck sealed spindle bearings Common sense maintenance.