[AT] mower deck coating

[Stephen Offiler]

DR has a ZTR??  Cool, I'll have to check that out.  I have learned
something with my DR brush mower.  The more I mow the brush, the more
it starts to look like a  #$%^&* lawn!  After a couple of seasons, I
am using the brush deck rarely now, and doing a lot more mowing of
those areas with the finish deck.  I am up to a 4-6 hour session every
time I mow (4-ish hrs if I catch it within 7-10 days; and up to 6 hrs
if I get up past 10-14 days) and that's with a 42" deck and a fast
walking pace with the DR in 3rd.

My experience with the DR is fine so far.  It's reasonably well built.
 I've mowed all kinds of crap with the brush deck; it's literally a
30" bushhog and down in 1st with the diff locked that machine will
climb a tree.  I think my biggest complaint was the ergonomics of the
finish mower.  It's heavier than the brush deck.  I think the whole
machine was originally designed around the brush deck and the finish
deck is an afterthought.  The finish deck is therefore harder to
maneuver and takes a fair amount of downforce on the handlebars.  I
fixed that by welding up some scrap stock into a 45 lb weight and
bolting it to the handlebars.  It's much better now, although now it's
pretty light and wants to "wheelie" using the brush deck.  It's a fine
tradeoff for me.

Back to ZTR.  I need to spend less hours on this job!  Might be an option.

Steve O.



On Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 9:11 AM, charlie hill <chill8 at suddenlink.net> wrote:
> Steve speaking  of DR.  Have you noticed that they are now making a line of
> zero turn mowers?  They look pretty good but I don't have any experience
> with DR stuff.
>
> Charlie
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Stephen Offiler" <soffiler at gmail.com>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 7:54 AM
> Subject: Re: [AT] mower deck coating
>
>
>> Claude:
>>
>> My brother does lawn maintenance and runs a Scag with a 19HP Kawasaki.
>> He follows the various Internet forums pertaining to his trade.  He
>> tells me Kawasaki is the defacto standard in pro lawn equipment.  On
>> his recommendation I bought a DR brush mower with a 17HP Kawasaki
>> (these are V-twins, by the way, and very smooth).  I also have a
>> finish deck and the DR has become my primary mower.  Only a  couple
>> hundred hours but so far it's a joy to run. I don't think 1400 hours
>> is really all that much, especially if you trust that it has been
>> maintained.  The machine overall should tell the tale; the pro
>> machines are usually served up a real beating by the hired help, and
>> it'll show in obviously worn and bent parts.  The Kawasaki is the
>> least of your worries; it'll run forever.   Oh, one more thing:  is
>> the Scag hydro?  My brother started out with a gear-drive mower and he
>> raves about his hydro now.  Huge difference.
>>
>> Steve O.
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 18, 2008 at 5:32 PM,  <Claudeprintequip at aol.com> wrote:
>>> Pam?
>>>
>>> Everybody loves a smart a ...   I don't really know but...
>>>
>>> I have a lawn mower question.
>>> I'm looking at a used ztr  Scag Tiger Cub,  with 21hp Kawasaki  motor
>>> with
>>> 1400 hours. It's priced OK but has a lot of hours.   I  know the owner
>>> who
>>> bought it new and he said he has always done the prescribed  maintenance
>>> and the
>>> only thing he had to replace was a starter solenoid or  something like
>>> that.
>>> Also there are a couple of dealers in the local  trade area.
>>> Does anyone know about the reliability of these units? And are they
>>> maintenance friendly and that sort of thing?
>>> All answers graciously received, I think.
>>> Claude
>>>
>>>
>>>
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