Zero turn mowers

[Ancient Mariner]

While zero turn mowers are great on flat ground they are a accident waiting to happen on steep side slopes.After a close encounter with a barb wire fence (since removed ) and some Oh **** moments requiring recovery by Defender I made up some caster locks The results are the Oh **** parts are now just another part of the lawn[thumbsupbig]


AM

[Chops]

That's a good looking fix, and rather professional looking too.

I'm not sure I understand why it's a problem on slopes though. Aren't these normally a "skid steer" type arrangement from the back wheels? I would have thought that would make them fairly stable (?).

[Slunnie]

It probably depends on the machine, my work does some seriously steep side angle mowing but they are designed for it. But for the vast majority, I agree they do look sketchy for hills!

[Svengali0]

They are not suitable for grassy hilly areas- wet grass and they start to lose traction.
I had an accident rollover on my john deere 425 mid mount with no ROPS. I promptly then went out and bought an industrial commercial grade 72in zero turn mower. Turns out that this design has even more drawbacks than the mid mount setup...ended slipping the thing onto a four line tensioned fence.
Promply sold it off and learned that lesson quickly.
I need a 4x4 mid mount with ROPS...

[roverrescue]

Noel,

I’m a little disappointed you made such a mod
what your zero is lacking is actually horsepower, to drive the pump and wheels harder, lean into the slide and power out?
what about a turbo or better still nitrous ?

Ive put about 30hrs on a new toro HD5400 , had a couple of slope vs fence line moments
with enough anticipation, knocking the PTo switch disengaging the blades gives enough extra boost to power out of the mess (as well as limiting spinning metal things)

Obviously if we all obeyed the 15* slope recommendations that would probably be safer!!

Just to clarify, I assume you have just one castor lock with one pedal engagement?
come to a sketchy slope, lock castor and prevent any slide and kick?

steve

[Ancient Mariner]

Noel,

I’m a little disappointed you made such a mod
what your zero is lacking is actually horsepower, to drive the pump and wheels harder, lean into the slide and power out?
what about a turbo or better still nitrous ?

Ive put about 30hrs on a new toro HD5400 , had a couple of slope vs fence line moments
with enough anticipation, knocking the PTo switch disengaging the blades gives enough extra boost to power out of the mess (as well as limiting spinning metal things)

Obviously if we all obeyed the 15* slope recommendations that would probably be safer!!

Just to clarify, I assume you have just one castor lock with one pedal engagement?
come to a sketchy slope, lock castor and prevent any slide and kick?

steve
Hi Steve
Considered those ideas as well as a ejector seat but at 75 my reaction times are not what they used to be so took the chicken way out and went with the 2 wheel locks .Have to say wet grassy side slopes are not a problem and quite pleased with how well it now works

Noel

[roverrescue]

Aha
So two castor locks

Keeps front end from sliding up slope when you power up in a slide?
Makes sense

It took me by surprise first time it happened being a skid steer rookie but when you lose control it snaps uphill not down hill!

Nitrous would be fun for the 500m blast down our rural road to the bottom paddock though?

S

[67hardtop]

Snow chains????

[roverrescue]

Traction can ALWAYS be overcome with horsepower

Nitrous or bust !!!

In all honestly I’m a little surprised at the 15* recommendation
Yesterday I was mowing up about 30* of slope with three foot grass
One lap at full height
Second lap at 2.75”

At no stage did the zero feel front end light?

I don’t think I’d side slope it but I just can’t see it wheel standing on anything till approaching 45*

One thing is for sure 54” of zero with “my ride” suspension ****es all over 32” of rideon!!!!

S