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ZTR Driving question
#1
B
Brucebotti
B
Brucebotti
Sorry about my ZTR ignorance. I just purchased a Toro MX5060. This is my first ZTR, and to make a U-turn I push one handle forward and the opposite one I pull all the way back. This in effect has one of the hydros going from full sped forward, to full speed reverse. Is this safe for the hydro unit? It just seems that you would never do this on an automobile. Any garden tractor that I have ever had, have had manual gearboxes.
Thanks,
Bruce
Thanks,
Bruce
#2
Ric
You don't do that with a ZTR unless you want to mess up your turf, You use what is called a 3-point / Y-turn and you never go opposite directions full out.
http://www.scag.com/faq2.html#opturn
Ric
Sorry about my ZTR ignorance. I just purchased a Toro MX5060. This is my first ZTR, and to make a U-turn I push one handle forward and the opposite one I pull all the way back. This in effect has one of the hydros going from full sped forward, to full speed reverse. Is this safe for the hydro unit? It just seems that you would never do this on an automobile. Any garden tractor that I have ever had, have had manual gearboxes.
Thanks,
Bruce
You don't do that with a ZTR unless you want to mess up your turf, You use what is called a 3-point / Y-turn and you never go opposite directions full out.
http://www.scag.com/faq2.html#opturn
#3
jekjr
Since the drives are independent of each other it will not hurt the mower. HOWEVER you don't want to turn that way because you will tear the grass up. You can drive it a little and with a little practice you can turn by making slight changes in the speed of on side or the other. You want to keep the inside wheel turning in a forward direction when turning to minimize turf damage. If you find yourself in a position where you are going down hill you want to travel slow and turn by moving the left lever slightly ahead of the right to turn right and the right slightly ahead of the left to turn left...... Practice makes perfect.
jekjr
Sorry about my ZTR ignorance. I just purchased a Toro MX5060. This is my first ZTR, and to make a U-turn I push one handle forward and the opposite one I pull all the way back. This in effect has one of the hydros going from full sped forward, to full speed reverse. Is this safe for the hydro unit? It just seems that you would never do this on an automobile. Any garden tractor that I have ever had, have had manual gearboxes.
Thanks,
Bruce
Since the drives are independent of each other it will not hurt the mower. HOWEVER you don't want to turn that way because you will tear the grass up. You can drive it a little and with a little practice you can turn by making slight changes in the speed of on side or the other. You want to keep the inside wheel turning in a forward direction when turning to minimize turf damage. If you find yourself in a position where you are going down hill you want to travel slow and turn by moving the left lever slightly ahead of the right to turn right and the right slightly ahead of the left to turn left...... Practice makes perfect.
#4
K
KennyV
K
KennyV
If you want to turn 180 degrees, and you are Stopped, you can cause one drive wheel to go forward and the Other one backwards... that will make the turn, do it at a Slow enough speed to keep control of what your doing.
It is never a good idea to change directions rapidly, the only way you will damage the grass is if you Pivot on one of the drive wheels... both drive wheels should remain moving.
as as jekjr said... "Practice makes perfect." :smile:KennyV
It is never a good idea to change directions rapidly, the only way you will damage the grass is if you Pivot on one of the drive wheels... both drive wheels should remain moving.
as as jekjr said... "Practice makes perfect." :smile:KennyV
#5
B
Brucebotti
Ric,
Thanks for the info and the link. Aside from the turf, I'm concerned more about damage to the mower.
Thanks to all responders....I will have to practice a lot more. I'm up to 2.5 hrs of experience right now.....:laughing:
Bruce
B
Brucebotti
You don't do that with a ZTR unless you want to mess up your turf, You use what is called a 3-point / Y-turn and you never go opposite directions full out.
Scag Power Equipment - Frequently Asked Questions
Ric,
Thanks for the info and the link. Aside from the turf, I'm concerned more about damage to the mower.
Thanks to all responders....I will have to practice a lot more. I'm up to 2.5 hrs of experience right now.....:laughing:
Bruce
#6
Ric
My guess is that it isn't good for the Hydros and your probably not doing them any good. If you concentrate on the 3 point Y turn You will find in time and with practice like others have said you'll be making those turns just as quick with a lot less pressure on the Hydros and with a lot less turf damage. You have the 2800s right?
Ric
Ric,
Thanks for the info and the link. Aside from the turf, I'm concerned more about damage to the mower.
Thanks to all responders....I will have to practice a lot more. I'm up to 2.5 hrs of experience right now.....:laughing:
Bruce
My guess is that it isn't good for the Hydros and your probably not doing them any good. If you concentrate on the 3 point Y turn You will find in time and with practice like others have said you'll be making those turns just as quick with a lot less pressure on the Hydros and with a lot less turf damage. You have the 2800s right?
#7
B
Brucebotti
Ric,
Thanks, I expected that it isn't good for the hydro's. i do have the 2800's. i'll keep practicing and I'll check out YouTube. Thanks again for your patience!
Bruce
B
Brucebotti
My guess is that it isn't good for the Hydros and your probably not doing them any good. If you concentrate on the 3 point Y turn You will find in time and with practice like others have said you'll be making those turns just as quick with a lot less pressure on the Hydros and with a lot less turf damage. You have the 2800s right?
Ric,
Thanks, I expected that it isn't good for the hydro's. i do have the 2800's. i'll keep practicing and I'll check out YouTube. Thanks again for your patience!
Bruce
#8
djdicetn
I like you figured since it was a "zero turn" mower.....I should be able to perform a 180 degree turn with it(I have a Segway Human Transporter and I can do one on it:0)
Then came the learning curve of, as mentioned, keeping both wheels turning to avoid making "divets" in the grass. I mowed two "circular paths" around the yard(to give me an already mowed turnaround area on both ends) and then began a back-and-forth mowing pattern. I would go all the way to one end, stop, start going backwards(with both levers) slowly and then push one side barely forward and obtained a decent 180 degree turn with insignificant turf damage(no visible divets). That's not to say that occaisionaly I still leave a small divet and I haven't tried user Kenny V's suggestion to do the 180 when completely stopped...but may try that the next time I mow. But, all that being said, I tend to agree with user Ric(and the Scags article) that the "Y turn" may be just as efficient(if not more) than attempting a "true zero turn" and aside from the concept in my first sentence it will accomplish a quick change of direction and keep straight lines back-and-forth in the mowing pattern(which is basically the desired result). I have a whopping 16.5 hours ZTR driving experience, so like you I'm still very open to suggestions by others on these forums(especially seasoned ZTR users like Ric & Kenny V) about the best/most efficient way to drive these beasts. Just like they said, experiment and practice....practice....practice!! And we'll "have fun" mowing our yards while practicing:0)
djdicetn
Bruce,Sorry about my ZTR ignorance. I just purchased a Toro MX5060. This is my first ZTR, and to make a U-turn I push one handle forward and the opposite one I pull all the way back. This in effect has one of the hydros going from full sped forward, to full speed reverse. Is this safe for the hydro unit? It just seems that you would never do this on an automobile. Any garden tractor that I have ever had, have had manual gearboxes.
Thanks,
Bruce
I like you figured since it was a "zero turn" mower.....I should be able to perform a 180 degree turn with it(I have a Segway Human Transporter and I can do one on it:0)
Then came the learning curve of, as mentioned, keeping both wheels turning to avoid making "divets" in the grass. I mowed two "circular paths" around the yard(to give me an already mowed turnaround area on both ends) and then began a back-and-forth mowing pattern. I would go all the way to one end, stop, start going backwards(with both levers) slowly and then push one side barely forward and obtained a decent 180 degree turn with insignificant turf damage(no visible divets). That's not to say that occaisionaly I still leave a small divet and I haven't tried user Kenny V's suggestion to do the 180 when completely stopped...but may try that the next time I mow. But, all that being said, I tend to agree with user Ric(and the Scags article) that the "Y turn" may be just as efficient(if not more) than attempting a "true zero turn" and aside from the concept in my first sentence it will accomplish a quick change of direction and keep straight lines back-and-forth in the mowing pattern(which is basically the desired result). I have a whopping 16.5 hours ZTR driving experience, so like you I'm still very open to suggestions by others on these forums(especially seasoned ZTR users like Ric & Kenny V) about the best/most efficient way to drive these beasts. Just like they said, experiment and practice....practice....practice!! And we'll "have fun" mowing our yards while practicing:0)
#9
Ric
You will find that in time that you will be making turns without giving it a thought and it will not take long. I can't count the number of hours I've put on ZTR's over the years but I can tell the hours really don't mean anything because or regardless of how many you have or how good you think you are you can still tear up the turf. The thing is there are so many things that determine how to maneuver or handle a Ztr like the conditions, Hills or slopes, is it dry, or wet, cutting height of grass, type of grass, are you mowing on sod, Bahia, Bermuda or some other type of grass all and more play a part in how to use your ZTR.
Ric
Bruce,
I like you figured since it was a "zero turn" mower.....I should be able to perform a 180 degree turn with it(I have a Segway Human Transporter and I can do one on it:0)
Then came the learning curve of, as mentioned, keeping both wheels turning to avoid making "divets" in the grass. I mowed two "circular paths" around the yard(to give me an already mowed turnaround area on both ends) and then began a back-and-forth mowing pattern. I would go all the way to one end, stop, start going backwards(with both levers) slowly and then push one side barely forward and obtained a decent 180 degree turn with insignificant turf damage(no visible divets). That's not to say that occasionally I still leave a small divet and I haven't tried user Kenny V's suggestion to do the 180 when completely stopped...but may try that the next time I mow. But, all that being said, I tend to agree with user Ric(and the Scags article) that the "Y turn" may be just as efficient(if not more) than attempting a "true zero turn" and aside from the concept in my first sentence it will accomplish a quick change of direction and keep straight lines back-and-forth in the mowing pattern(which is basically the desired result). I have a whopping 16.5 hours ZTR driving experience, so like you I'm still very open to suggestions by others on these forums(especially seasoned ZTR users like Ric & Kenny V) about the best/most efficient way to drive these beasts. Just like they said, experiment and practice....practice....practice!! And we'll "have fun" mowing our yards while practicing:0)
You will find that in time that you will be making turns without giving it a thought and it will not take long. I can't count the number of hours I've put on ZTR's over the years but I can tell the hours really don't mean anything because or regardless of how many you have or how good you think you are you can still tear up the turf. The thing is there are so many things that determine how to maneuver or handle a Ztr like the conditions, Hills or slopes, is it dry, or wet, cutting height of grass, type of grass, are you mowing on sod, Bahia, Bermuda or some other type of grass all and more play a part in how to use your ZTR.
#10
B
Brucebotti
Djdicetn,
I have gotten a little better and I am confident that I will get better with time. I have watched a few You Tube videos and can see that the Y-turn looks pretty efficient and relatively easy. You may have only 16.5 hours of ZTR experience, but compared to my 2.5 hours, you are a seasoned veteran...:laughing:
Bruce
B
Brucebotti
Bruce,
I like you figured since it was a "zero turn" mower.....I should be able to perform a 180 degree turn with it(I have a Segway Human Transporter and I can do one on it:0)
Then came the learning curve of, as mentioned, keeping both wheels turning to avoid making "divets" in the grass. I mowed two "circular paths" around the yard(to give me an already mowed turnaround area on both ends) and then began a back-and-forth mowing pattern. I would go all the way to one end, stop, start going backwards(with both levers) slowly and then push one side barely forward and obtained a decent 180 degree turn with insignificant turf damage(no visible divets). That's not to say that occaisionaly I still leave a small divet and I haven't tried user Kenny V's suggestion to do the 180 when completely stopped...but may try that the next time I mow. But, all that being said, I tend to agree with user Ric(and the Scags article) that the "Y turn" may be just as efficient(if not more) than attempting a "true zero turn" and aside from the concept in my first sentence it will accomplish a quick change of direction and keep straight lines back-and-forth in the mowing pattern(which is basically the desired result). I have a whopping 16.5 hours ZTR driving experience, so like you I'm still very open to suggestions by others on these forums(especially seasoned ZTR users like Ric & Kenny V) about the best/most efficient way to drive these beasts. Just like they said, experiment and practice....practice....practice!! And we'll "have fun" mowing our yards while practicing:0)
Djdicetn,
I have gotten a little better and I am confident that I will get better with time. I have watched a few You Tube videos and can see that the Y-turn looks pretty efficient and relatively easy. You may have only 16.5 hours of ZTR experience, but compared to my 2.5 hours, you are a seasoned veteran...:laughing:
Bruce
#11
B
Brucebotti
Thanks Ric,
As usual your advice is spot-on. I am trying get up to speed and avoid picking up any bad habits that may harm the lawn or the ZTR. I am having a lot of fun learning.
Bruce
B
Brucebotti
You will find that in time that you will be making turns without giving it a thought and it will not take long. I can't count the number of hours I've put on ZTR's over the years but I can tell the hours really don't mean anything because or regardless of how many you have or how good you think you are you can still tear up the turf. The thing is there are so many things that determine how to maneuver or handle a Ztr like the conditions, Hills or slopes, is it dry, or wet, cutting height of grass, type of grass, are you mowing on sod, Bahia, Bermuda or some other type of grass all and more play a part in how to use your ZTR.
Thanks Ric,
As usual your advice is spot-on. I am trying get up to speed and avoid picking up any bad habits that may harm the lawn or the ZTR. I am having a lot of fun learning.
Bruce
#12
jekjr
jekjr
Another thing that is helpful or works for me anyway is if you are trying to cut at a continuous speed that is say about half speed, take one lever and set the speed and then use the other to make slight turns. You do this by moving it ahead a slightly to turn in to the other lever side and pulling it backwards a little to turn into its side. I do this a lot of times when I am cutting deep grass where I need to slow down to make a neater cut and when operating on really rough ground. More times tha. Not I will use the left lever to set the speed and the right one to then steer. I do it both ways though from time to time.
#13
B
Brucebotti
Jekjr,
Thanks for the tips. I wish I could try them, but we have had a ridiculous amount of rain. I've had my mower for over two weeks and have only 3.0 hours on it....
.
Bruce
B
Brucebotti
Another thing that is helpful or works for me anyway is if you are trying to cut at a continuous speed that is say about half speed, take one lever and set the speed and then use the other to make slight turns. You do this by moving it ahead a slightly to turn in to the other lever side and pulling it backwards a little to turn into its side. I do this a lot of times when I am cutting deep grass where I need to slow down to make a neater cut and when operating on really rough ground. More times tha. Not I will use the left lever to set the speed and the right one to then steer. I do it both ways though from time to time.
Jekjr,
Thanks for the tips. I wish I could try them, but we have had a ridiculous amount of rain. I've had my mower for over two weeks and have only 3.0 hours on it....
.Bruce
#14
jekjr
jekjr
I wish you could send us a little of that rain. We got a little last week but we need some more or we are going to have customers that don't need us.Jekjr,
Thanks for the tips. I wish I could try them, but we have had a ridiculous amount of rain. I've had my mower for over two weeks and have only 3.0 hours on it....
Bruce
#15
B
Brucebotti
I wish we could do that. We went from a major deficit to a major surplus in about two weeks....:confused2:
I hope the rain gods hear your prayer...:smile:
Bruce
B
Brucebotti
I wish you could send us a little of that rain. We got a little last week but we need some more or we are going to have customers that don't need us.
I wish we could do that. We went from a major deficit to a major surplus in about two weeks....:confused2:
I hope the rain gods hear your prayer...:smile:
Bruce
#16
jekjr
jekjr
One more thing. Be very careful on down hill slopes. If you ever need to turn practice not allowing the wheel you are turning towards to start slipping. I try to slow the hydro on that side as much as possible and still keep it pulling slightly. If the wheel you are turning into starts to slip many times the machine will immediately go straight ahead at the speed of the wheel that should be on the outside of the turn. Then your reflex will be to pull back wards on the side you are turning towards and push forward on the side you are turning towards making the problem worse. The first time I encountered this I wound up jumping a curb and stopping in a parking lot.
#17
M
Mary Wilson
If you do the "Y" type turns that Scag recommends doesn't that do away with the advantages of that Z type mower. I can do the Y turns on my John Deere tractor, or am I missing something?
M
Mary Wilson
One more thing. Be very careful on down hill slopes. If you ever need to turn practice not allowing the wheel you are turning towards to start slipping. I try to slow the hydro on that side as much as possible and still keep it pulling slightly. If the wheel you are turning into starts to slip many times the machine will immediately go straight ahead at the speed of the wheel that should be on the outside of the turn. Then your reflex will be to pull back wards on the side you are turning towards and push forward on the side you are turning towards making the problem worse. The first time I encountered this I wound up jumping a curb and stopping in a parking lot.
If you do the "Y" type turns that Scag recommends doesn't that do away with the advantages of that Z type mower. I can do the Y turns on my John Deere tractor, or am I missing something?
#18
exotion
You don't have to stop switch gears and you can turn on a zero radius you have to stop turn one wheel backwards and one forwards
exotion
If you do the "Y" type turns that Scag recommends doesn't that do away with the advantages of that Z type mower. I can do the Y turns on my John Deere tractor, or am I missing something?
You don't have to stop switch gears and you can turn on a zero radius you have to stop turn one wheel backwards and one forwards
#19
B
Brucebotti
Ric,
I started this thread when I first got my ZTR, and had about .5 hours experience. I now have a whopping 8.2 hours of experience and your advice was spot-on. I am now making turns with very little thinking and everything feels much more natural. I have even graduated to using the high range on my Toro. The Y-turns are now much easier. In low range, reverse was extremely slow, especially uphill.
I can't believe I went this long without a ZTR. It is so much quicker, easier, leaves a much better cut, etc.
Bruce
B
Brucebotti
You will find that in time that you will be making turns without giving it a thought and it will not take long. I can't count the number of hours I've put on ZTR's over the years but I can tell the hours really don't mean anything because or regardless of how many you have or how good you think you are you can still tear up the turf. The thing is there are so many things that determine how to maneuver or handle a Ztr like the conditions, Hills or slopes, is it dry, or wet, cutting height of grass, type of grass, are you mowing on sod, Bahia, Bermuda or some other type of grass all and more play a part in how to use your ZTR.
Ric,
I started this thread when I first got my ZTR, and had about .5 hours experience. I now have a whopping 8.2 hours of experience and your advice was spot-on. I am now making turns with very little thinking and everything feels much more natural. I have even graduated to using the high range on my Toro. The Y-turns are now much easier. In low range, reverse was extremely slow, especially uphill.
I can't believe I went this long without a ZTR. It is so much quicker, easier, leaves a much better cut, etc.
Bruce
#20
lawn mower fanatic
That's what everyone says...not that I would know! :laughing:
lawn mower fanatic
...I can't believe I went this long without a ZTR. It is so much quicker, easier, leaves a much better cut, etc.
That's what everyone says...not that I would know! :laughing:
#21
djdicetn
I have tried both the "zero turns" and the "Y turns" with my ZTR and I must say that the "Y turn" is a lot less likely to leave a divot in the turf. And in respect to "time", even though the "Y turn" takes maybe 15-30 seconds longer it's still more effective overall. On a lawn tractor, you'd be hard pressed to make a "Y turn" in 3-4 minutes and a ZTR can do it in a minute. That's what your missing:0)
djdicetn
If you do the "Y" type turns that Scag recommends doesn't that do away with the advantages of that Z type mower. I can do the Y turns on my John Deere tractor, or am I missing something?
I have tried both the "zero turns" and the "Y turns" with my ZTR and I must say that the "Y turn" is a lot less likely to leave a divot in the turf. And in respect to "time", even though the "Y turn" takes maybe 15-30 seconds longer it's still more effective overall. On a lawn tractor, you'd be hard pressed to make a "Y turn" in 3-4 minutes and a ZTR can do it in a minute. That's what your missing:0)
#22
jekjr
We finally got some of that rain. It rained twice last week. 4 days the first time and 3 days the second.
jekjr
I wish you could send us a little of that rain. We got a little last week but we need some more or we are going to have customers that don't need us.
We finally got some of that rain. It rained twice last week. 4 days the first time and 3 days the second.