Finally found time to mow pond dam

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Had a ZD326 before this F3680. The ZD couldn't sidehill this dam, tried it couple of times, ended up at the bottom, no saving it. Stopped trying to mow this area with the ZD. Yes...the top 6 feet is the problem. Rest not so bad.

Almost impossible to tell how steep a place is without being there. I have some fairly steep areas. I've owned F model mowers since 2008. 3 different ones and one of them I owned two times. I've heard a lot about Z mowers over the years but never owned one until a few months ago and now own two of them.
The Z is faster mowing around tight areas with lots of straight up nd down objects. F is faster around over hanging trees and open fields. The F is much easier to control on unlevel ground than the Z. On steep slopes the F is far superior to the Zs. The F has a better ride with deck out front with it's own suspension vs under you with the entire machine riding together. People want to compare them just like they want to compare a Z to a BX for mowing or even a B or L but major differences with major better/worse points. Bottom line is the F is a major step up for mowing larger areas and the price reflects that step up. The Z is better for small areas with lots of small trees and small yards in apartment complexes so the Z is better than the F in this situation. Hillside stability between Z and F, no comparison from my ownership of both history and experience.

 

[FTG-05]

Had a ZD326 before this F3680. The ZD couldn't sidehill this dam, tried it couple of times, ended up at the bottom, no saving it. Stopped trying to mow this area with the ZD. Yes...the top 6 feet is the problem. Rest not so bad.

JC did you ever put water ballast in any of your mowers, either the ZD or the F3680? If so, did it have any affect?

I put 8 gallons each of water/RV antifreeze so I would have a little bit more traction in my ZD326; I hope I don't have to find out if it helped the rollover potential or lack thereof.

Thanks,

 

[FTG-05]

Had a ZD326 before this F3680. The ZD couldn't sidehill this dam, tried it couple of times, ended up at the bottom, no saving it. Stopped trying to mow this area with the ZD. Yes...the top 6 feet is the problem. Rest not so bad.

JC did you ever put water ballast in any of your mowers, either the ZD or the F3680? If so, did it have any affect?

I put 8 gallons each of water/RV antifreeze in the rear tires only so I would have a little bit more traction in my ZD326; I hope I don't have to find out if it helped the rollover potential or lack thereof.

Thanks,

 

[jcummins]

No i have not. I am mulling over changing the turf tires on the F to a bar tyle tire commonly seen on Grasshoppers. I don't think the tires are big enough to carry enough weight to make a difference.

 

[FTG-05]

Hard to say. On my ZD, adding 120-130 lbs to the bottom end of the CG *should* make it better out of a +1800 lb machine.

 

[Parkanzky]

You're posting worried about how steep that slope is but you're mowing it without your ROPS up? :thumbdown:

 

[big bubba]

No i have not. I am mulling over changing the turf tires on the F to a bar tyle tire commonly seen on Grasshoppers. I don't think the tires are big enough to carry enough weight to make a difference.

ballast is a good idea. foam fill, although somewhat costly, is another route. it can make a difference lowering center of gravity & improved traction. however you may check into warranty issues 1st if the rears are filled. good luck

 

[Xfaxman]

I was looking at post #10 and it doesn't look that steep on anything other than the top 6 feet or so where it drops at a pretty steep angle but not too steep that I couldn't mow it with my ZTR on the horizontal. Speed and wet grass would be the limiting conditions to mowing on any side hill. None of that looks as steep as I see the highway boys mowing around overpasses.

Yep, hard to tell when looking at a picture.

This is 22 degrees of body lean (the swaybar is disconnected) on a 18 degree slope. The tow rope shows true vertical.

If the grass and weeds are wet I did get some side slip with the 88" front deck TORO.

 

[big bubba]

to: jcummins, OP:
well lots of good response here, esp noting the steeper angle @ top of dam (that i overlooked). my feeling is, mow when everything's dry & forget the dam top area if you must mow with a rider rather than a walk behind or weed eater. everything has it's price....how far up did the hay harvest go on the dams as you mentioned?

 

[jcummins]

You're posting worried about how steep that slope is but you're mowing it without your ROPS up? :thumbdown:

I ain't worried. It's something I couldn't mow with the ZD and can mow with the F. That's really all I was pointing out.