Ot: zero turn mowers

[OldCrank]

I'm gonna try leaving the Roomba in the shed with the mower...

soft music, some bubbly 20W50...

https://www.husqvarna.com/us/robotic...-self-install/

[tomato coupe]

Originally Posted by Tickdoc

Haven’t mowed my own yard in over 20 yrs, but new house came with a mower and I thought what the heck, I’m capable of mowing. I can give this a try.

Used it once and our lot is pretty hilly in spots and I think I saw my life flash before my eyes a few times trying to figure out how to mow anything with a slope and diagonal at all. Has a bagger but I removed it, partially by using a tree, then just took it off.

Not sure if I have the wrong tires? The wrong technique? I was secretly hoping my wife would do the mowing while I did the weed eating, edging, and blowing, but I can’t let her ride this thing.

Cub cadet zt1 for reference. Maybe I should stick to bikes.

Since your lot is hilly, you're going to want disc brakes.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by tomato coupe

Since your lot is hilly, you're going to want disc brakes.

Rubbish.

If he were mowing gravel, maybe. A properly toed in canti will be more than enough

[Ozz]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Rubbish.

If he were mowing gravel, maybe. A properly toed in canti will be more than enough

Not to mention he is likely going to be running alloy wheels....

[OtayBW]

Originally Posted by lookout2015

Hills are what make zero turns fun! Some tips which may help:

- start at the bottoms of hills

- mow across the hill face not up and down the hill face

- as you mow keep the front of the mower pointed up the hill a little

- turn up the hill whenever you turn

- the above three mean you’re making big s’es up the hill. You may wind up having to do two overlapping s style zigzags up it to mow it

- don’t try the above when the grass is wet

The above assumes a steep enough hill to be “interesting”. You can relax some of that as slope lessens, you get more comfortable, etc

I agree. Good advice.
The only thing I'd add is that you'll learn the limits of what you can and can't do and stay within those bounds.

[tomato coupe]

Originally Posted by Ozz

Not to mention he is likely going to be running alloy wheels....

Why would anyone spend money on a zero turn mower and not get carbon wheels?

[tomato coupe]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Rubbish.

If he were mowing gravel, maybe. A properly toed in canti will be more than enough.

The only way to get true "zero turns" is with disc brakes.

[smontanaro]

You've had some useful advice. Now for the Friday Funnies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCVH7XK6ktk

[joosttx]

I am currently mowing my lawn while I wait to pick my daughter up from school.

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by joosttx

I am currently mowing my lawn while I wait to pick my daughter up from school.

That looks great, though I think I'd need another robot that goes out and picks up all the dog poo first.

[joosttx]

Originally Posted by prototoast

That looks great, though I think I'd need another robot that goes out and picks up all the dog poo first.

I have a son to do that...

[smontanaro]

Originally Posted by joosttx

I am currently mowing my lawn while I wait to pick my daughter up from school.

Ummm... You realize it's No Mow May, right?

[HenryA]

Originally Posted by Tickdoc

That is twice the mower I need for just an acre. I was able to manage on some still slightly damp grass, but I am thinking I may upgrade the tires and see how it goes. I think with a little patience and practice I will be able to manage, but it sure makes for an interesting day!

I have to put a fence up for the dogs on one side to have an area to do their business, and the fence ends on a slope. I may have to finish that slope off in rock and shrubs just so I don't go careening into the fence everytime I mow.

Or, I could always hire a service and park the thing for the occasional time I'm feeling frisky!

There are people (lots of ‘em) who will cut your grass for not that much money. Especially if you run the weed whacker and all they do is cut and run.

[joosttx]

Originally Posted by smontanaro

Ummm... You realize it's No Mow May, right?

No I didn't. We have a pretty biodynamic lawn. In a former life I ran a global soil microbe enhancement business for a large conglomerate.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by joosttx

No I didn't. We have a pretty biodynamic lawn. In a former life I ran a global soil microbe enhancement business for a large conglomerate.

That’s in addition to the lithium mining? And the family ranching? https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...ranular&page=3

Wow. You certainly have a very varied pedigree. Impressive. Hats off.