carpentry question

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Don't get the cart in front of the horse. Get your mower and see what needs to be modified afterwards (if anything).

I'm going to the dealer with a measure tape and questions in the next few days.
It's possible that it might fit.

[stevej37]

I might have to take another look at the Z tracks.
I am def stuck on JD. Have only had 2 others in my life and both were trouble-free.

Thanks for the advice...gives me a different perspective to look at.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Here's a pic of it.
AWS with their new deep accel deck.

Originally Posted by stevej37

I might have to take another look at the Z tracks.
I am def stuck on JD. Have only had 2 others in my life and both were trouble-free.

Thanks for the advice...gives me a different perspective to look at.

If you have anything in your yard that you need to mow around or any tight spaces, the Zero turn is the way to go (snow blower/plow attachment issue aside).

Interesting

https://zeroturnsnowplows.com/ <-- appears to be JD stuff.

[stevej37]

^^^ That thing is strange!

In the link you gave to the Z Tracks...why is there no turning radius stated?
Or..is there none at all?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ That thing is strange!

In the link you gave to the Z Tracks...why is there no turning radius stated?
Or..is there none at all?

Hence the "zero turn"

They drive like a tank. Each control arm controls the throttle (forward, stop, reverse with speed in each direction) for each side independently. So if you are sitting still and move one arm forward and the other arm backward, the thing will spin in place.

[stevej37]

^^^ As soon as I posted that question...I thought of that, but wasn't sure.

I've never driven one.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ As soon as I posted that question...I thought of that, but wasn't sure.

I've never driven one.

When you do operate one, be ready to smile. You'll feel like you've been crawling across your lawn. The only "difficulty" is getting used to two handles for steering but you get the hang of it pretty quickly.

[URY914]

Some of the zero-turn mowers are VERY fast. Dixie Choppers come to mind.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stevej37

That's what it has...a 54" deck. The brochure says "Min storage width (deflector up) 59.4 inches." (I can't get by with .3 inch clearance on each side!)

I thought about just enlarging the bottom foot of the doorway...lol

That's probably the way i would go. Add two 1-foot tall doors. Move the bottom hinge up, cut out 3" on the side, put some hinges on a foot long piece of 2x6 and you have your door. Of course, you've cut off the 2x4 that the door hinges are attached to - which are important structural members. But you'll have 6 feet of 2x6 left over. Cut it in half and notch each piece to match the hole you cut in the wall. Sister it onto the door frame so it replaces the structural piece you cut out.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by masraum

If you have anything in your yard that you need to mow around or any tight spaces, the Zero turn is the way to go.

+1

If you have a lot of stuff to mow around get a front mount zero turn. It's hard to find one, as not many manufacturers offer them any more. JD makes a semi-front mount that is worst of both worlds. Grasshopper makes great front mounted mowers.
The problem I have with John Deere is that different models are made in different countries. I like Grasshopper because they are all made in the USA.

Whatever you do, get it from a servicing dealer, not some big box store.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ a friend of mine has one of those (grasshopper)...he likes it. I asked him about the under-deck cleaning and he said it was ok..but not very good.

I'm still not sure...looking.

Do you mean how easy is it to clean under the deck? Piece of cake! Just flip a switch and the deck tilts up.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Do you mean how easy is it to clean under the deck? Piece of cake! Just flip a switch and the deck tilts up.

Or, if you aren't super fancy...

the front of these things weighs nothing. I've got a 54" cut Cub Cadet with a 24hp Kohler motor. So it's not a huge mower, but also not small. I grab the front, lift, and using one foot, slide a 5 gal bucket (redneck mower jackstand) under the front tires. The front is pretty light weight. Obviously, your back's mileage may vary.

[stevej37]

I think his Grasshopper is old enough that it has a manual lift and maybe less of an angle.
I know he's had the Grasshopper for at least 15 years.


Went to the JD dealer this afternoon...picked up a bunch of brochures and price lists on the 300, 500, and 700 series ZTracks.

Glad I am in no hurry. 28 diff models to choose from. And that doesn't even include any of the 800 or 900 series. My head is spinning!

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

That's probably the way i would go. Add two 1-foot tall doors. Move the bottom hinge up, cut out 3" on the side, put some hinges on a foot long piece of 2x6 and you have your door. Of course, you've cut off the 2x4 that the door hinges are attached to - which are important structural members. But you'll have 6 feet of 2x6 left over. Cut it in half and notch each piece to match the hole you cut in the wall. Sister it onto the door frame so it replaces the structural piece you cut out.

If I went that route...I could prob do just one side and have enough room.
If I went with a 48" deck...it will fit right in with no changes.

[cabmandone]

You people with your pics of your decks in the air... sheesh! This is a family site.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cabmando

You people with your pics of your decks in the air... sheesh! This is a family site.

I used to be too embarassed to invite people to see my deck.
But now my deck is the talk of the town
I even have picture of my deck
Check out that deck
I'm going to send this to my secretary, she loves to receive my deck pics

[stevej37]

I'll prob end up with a 48" deck.
Not worth tearing up stuff for 6 more inches.

[cabmandone]

Can I ask the question that I don't think has been asked yet?

What's wrong with the mower you've got??

[stevej37]

I'm not real happy with the cutting and turning.

The deck is the old style that has curved pieces welded in...instead of a one piece stamped deck. Makes for a lot of buildup fast.

The tractor turns easily...but it takes a lot of backing up to get close to things.
That's why I was leaning toward AWS.

Other than that...it's been good. Just ready for a change.

[stevej37]

Thankfully..I don't need to buy a new one quickly.
The dealer normally has a front yard display with a dozen or so tractors and z-turns.
Today...he had one...a commercial 950 ZTrack.