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Engaging deck Blades

#1

W

Weed Whisperer

I have gotten conflicting info on engaging mower deck blades. Is the proper procedure to engage and disengage the electric clutches on the mower deck with the engine at full rpms?


#2

primerbulb120

primerbulb120

What model mower do you have?

On my Compact- Pro 44, I've done it three different ways: at idle, at full throttle, and with the engine off (then started the engine with the blades engaged.) Currently I'm doing it at idle because that's what I prefer.


#3

W

Weed Whisperer

gravely zt hd 48


#4

W

Weed Whisperer

Weed Whisperer said:
gravely zt hd 48
Click to expand...

Gotcha Thanks


#5

D

Darryl G

The proper technique is whatever the manual for your specific mower recommends. I usually engage mine at 1/2 to 2/3 throttle, which is basically as low as possible without straining/stalling the mower. Recommendations will vary.


#6

Catherine

Catherine

:welcome:

Welcome to the forum!

I'm going to move this thread over to our Gravely section.


#7

cpurvis

cpurvis

Low speed.


#8

B

bertsmobile1

Darryl G said:
The proper technique is whatever the manual for your specific mower recommends. I usually engage mine at 1/2 to 2/3 throttle, which is basically as low as possible without straining/stalling the mower. Recommendations will vary.
Click to expand...

This is correct.
The mower makers did not write the manual to show you how smart they are.
Different clutches and different configurations require different proceedures.


#9

T

tbzep

The manual says low speed. If you do it before you get into deep grass and/or with deck still raised, it should easily handle it at idle.


#10

B

bertsmobile1

tbzep said:
The manual says low speed. If you do it before you get into deep grass and/or with deck still raised, it should easily handle it at idle.
Click to expand...

You mean YOUR manual for YOUR mower says to engage at low speeds.
However we can only assume Weed Whisperer has a Gravely because he listed it in his profle.
But which model is currently unknown so what speed is currently unknown.

What is universal however is you should engage the blades with the deck set to whichever height has the deck & drive pulleys as close to in line as possible.


#11

T

tbzep

bertsmobile1 said:
You mean YOUR manual for YOUR mower says to engage at low speeds.
However we can only assume Weed Whisperer has a Gravely because he listed it in his profle.
But which model is currently unknown so what speed is currently unknown.

What is universal however is you should engage the blades with the deck set to whichever height has the deck & drive pulleys as close to in line as possible.
Click to expand...
I think you should cool your jets and read the thread. He has a Gravely ZT HD 48, which has the exact same manual as my Gravely ZT HD 52.


#12

B

bertsmobile1

Appologies
missed post # 3


#13

W

Weed Whisperer

I do have a gravely zt hd 48". So far I engage the blades without a load on them. I am engaging them at full throttle and disengaging at low rpms. One dealer told me engage/disengage at high rpm to prevent possible belts from popping off.


#14

cpurvis

cpurvis

I am engaging them at full throttle and disengaging at low rpms.
Click to expand...

That is exactly the opposite of what I would recommend. I've got a 24 y/o Cub Cadet with electric clutch and haven't had a problem with it yet.


#15

D

Darryl G

The operator's manual for the Gravely ZT HD says to set the throttle to low before engaging the PTO and to disengage it at full throttle.

Again, recommendations will vary depending on the machine.


#16

W

Weed Whisperer

Thanks !


#17

M

Mr. Ed

Weed Whisperer said:
gravely zt hd 48
Click to expand...

Darryl G said:
The proper technique is whatever the manual for your specific mower recommends. I usually engage mine at 1/2 to 2/3 throttle, which is basically as low as possible without straining/stalling the mower. Recommendations will vary.
Click to expand...

Darryl G said:
The operator's manual for the Gravely ZT HD says to set the throttle to low before engaging the PTO and to disengage it at full throttle.

Again, recommendations will vary depending on the machine.
Click to expand...

I have the same machine as the OP, and engage the blades at the lowest RPM possible to avoid stalling the engine. Seems like it will lessen the shock load of engagement, and might help belt and the clutch last longer.


#18

D

Darryl G

Mr. Ed said:
I have the same machine as the OP, and engage the blades at the lowest RPM possible to avoid stalling the engine. Seems like it will lessen the shock load of engagement, and might help belt and the clutch last longer.
Click to expand...

Do as you please, but that's contrary to the machine manufacturer's recommendation. You should have good reason to ignore a manufacturer recommendation, not just speculation, but I do the same on both my Exmark and my Bob-Cat. 1900 hours on the original Exmark clutch.


#19

M

Mr. Ed

Darryl G said:
Do as you please, but that's contrary to the machine manufacturer's recommendation. You should have good reason to ignore a manufacturer recommendation, not just speculation, but I do the same on both my Exmark and my Bob-Cat. 1900 hours on the original Exmark clutch.
Click to expand...


I think we must have different manuals, or else I misunderstood your post. If so, I apologize in advance. Here's a screen capture of the manual where it says to set throttle to SLOW SPEED and then pull up the PTO:

Attachments





#20

D

Darryl G

Edit:. Appears i misunderstood. Same as I read and do on my machines except I disengage at low rpms too whereas they recommend disengaging at full throttle.


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