zero-turn mower, turning around w/o wrecking the grass

[GeneV]

Guys, last fall was my first time with the stander mower, never had a zero-turn before, and quickly learned that zero-turn doesn't mean I SHOULD zero turn coz it tears up the turf. What I mean is you know mow one direction, turn around for the next pass opposite direction. So off to youtube I went, watched a bunch of vids on turning, especially landscaper vids, and see everybody does the 3 point turn or K turn.

So that's how I've been doing it all year so far, and then yesterday I "discovered" that if I do a zero-turn turn, but reverse the direction of the tire on which the mower pivots on (as opposed to keeping it stationary), there's no damage to the turf. I finished mower that way, and it was totally fine. So now I'm perplexed why isn't that done that way? What am I missing here?

 

[GeneV]

Also, here's my new method for getting under the deck to scrape it out, I just drive the mower up my mountain of branches lol. It works.

 

[RoyJackson]

Guys, last fall was my first time with the stander mower, never had a zero-turn before, and quickly learned that zero-turn doesn't mean I SHOULD zero turn coz it tears up the turf. What I mean is you know mow one direction, turn around for the next pass opposite direction. So off to youtube I went, watched a bunch of vids on turning, especially landscaper vids, and see everybody does the 3 point turn or K turn.

So that's how I've been doing it all year so far, and then yesterday I "discovered" that if I do a zero-turn turn, but reverse the direction of the tire on which the mower pivots on (as opposed to keeping it stationary), there's no damage to the turf. I finished mower that way, and it was totally fine. So now I'm perplexed why isn't that done that way? What am I missing here?

That's exactly how we prevent tearing up the lawn...always keep all wheels (especially the rear tires) turning

 

[RjCorazza]

It isn't done that way because the average employee is not careful or skilled enough to smoothly get the inside tire reversed while keeping the outside wheel slowly turning forward.
I will admit I do K style turns sometimes - usually on wet turf or when on a slope. I think the biggest technique missed is to vary where you turn so the same spot isn't always under pressure.

 

[GeneV]

That's exactly how we prevent tearing up the lawn...always keep all wheels (especially the rear tires) turning

What's up Roy. So you mean you do it like I just discovered, outside wheel turning forward and inside wheel turning reverse? Or you mean you do 3 point turns?

For clarity (for those who don't use zero turn mowers), here's the conventional advised way to to turn on these things:

 

[GeneV]

Duplicate, sorry

 

[GeneV]

It isn't done that way because the average employee is not careful or skilled enough to smoothly get the inside tire reversed while keeping the outside wheel slowly turning forward.
I will admit I do K style turns sometimes - usually on wet turf or when on a slope. I think the biggest technique missed is to vary where you turn so the same spot isn't always under pressure.

So is that all that is, lack of skill in coordinating the 2 wheels turning in opposite directions? It's not as though doing a 3pt turn is risk free for the lawn either though...learning curve to slow down properly, not reverse direction too fast, etc.

 

[RjCorazza]

So is that all that is, lack of skill in coordinating the 2 wheels turning in opposite directions? It's not as though doing a 3pt turn is risk free for the lawn either though...learning curve to slow down properly, not reverse direction too fast, etc.

I believe so. I've got many thousands of hours on zt mowers, and there is definitely skill and coordination involved. True about slowing down properly... Even without sliding to a stop, stopping too fast is hard on the turf.

 

[oldnslo]

There are few other variables involved in turning.
Size of mower. I have noticed smaller home owner spin the wheels much easier than larger commercial style mowers.

Is there any suspension. Mowers with pivoting tag axles turn much easier than rigid frame mower.

Tire type: neighbor has an older Dixie Chopper with aggressive tires that is next to impossible to turn without tearing up the lawn.

 

[MossRoad]

What's up Roy. So you mean you do it like I just discovered, outside wheel turning forward and inside wheel turning reverse? Or you mean you do 3 point turns?

For clarity (for those who don't use zero turn mowers), here's the conventional advised way to to turn on these things:

Well, doesn't the K or 3 point turn kill the old "zero turns cut your mowing time in half because you aren't spending time turning around." selling point??

That's the exact same way I used to turn my riding mower around, and, the same way I turn my articulated machine around and the end of a run.

I agree that the best way to avoid making those turn marks in your lawn is to never skid a wheel. That takes finesse.

 

[GeneV]

Well, doesn't the K or 3 point turn kill the old "zero turns cut your mowing time in half because you aren't spending time turning around." selling point??

That's the exact same way I used to turn my riding mower around, and, the same way I turn my articulated machine around and the end of a run.

I agree that the best way to avoid making those turn marks in your lawn is to never skid a wheel. That takes finesse.

I mean to a degree, right? I will say though even with making 3 pt turns it's faster, but definitely not half the time. Either way, personally I got the stander mower primarily coz my back was taking a pounding mowing on a tractor.

 

[Handloader109]

I'm new to the zero also, and yes, if you slow down, and just ever so slightly reverse one wheel while forward with the other, you can keep from having the ground in grass pivot point.

 

[GeneV]

See that, here's another guy like me. My friends, are we slaves or are we free men? Is it not time to cast off the chains of the 3 point turn? Must we forever toil our grassed fields with such archaic methods like the K-turn? NO, I say! In fact, I declare give me zero-turn liberty or...I guess keep mowing like on a riding mower, as Moss said. Hmm.

 

[5030]

My wife wanted a ZTR with a steering wheel so I bought her one and amazingly, the linkage executes a zero turn and rotates the opposing wheel backwards all by itself. No torn up grass at all.

 

[Creamer]

Zero turn basically means it can turn inside its own radius, i.e. if the operator is good enough you can turn it around its center and no part of it will extend outside the radius of that part from the center. While this may not mean much for some it allows you to get into very tight spaces- no larger than the mower diagonal measurement - and then turn around and get out of them. Very handy because when you turn in this tight space you are going
the correct direction when you come out and and can just keep going.

You can turn much faster than with other mowers - < 1 second on 180 degree turn which is impossible on other mowers - so you stay in the cut a much higher percentage of the time. The tight turning radius also minimizes trimming that needs done.

 

[mikester]

1. change your mowing patterns regularly to prevent making turn tracks permanent
2. use a zamboni ice clearing pattern so you can make bigger gentle turns and maintain speed

 

[RjCorazza]

1. change your mowing patterns regularly to prevent making turn tracks permanent
2. use a zamboni ice clearing pattern so you can make bigger gentle turns and maintain speed

True.
I've tried various patterns to make larger radius turns, but the resulting patterns do not work with my ocd requirements. Whatever angle or wave pattern I'm cutting, I like alternating stripes. To move the zero turn point I vary the number of perimeter cuts, which works well also.
Same idea though... Vary where the machine turns.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I think it is impossible to mow without doing it from time to time. Mowing when the ground is soft increases the degree of difficulty.

 

[5030]

My wife's steering wheel ZTR never tears up the lawn, damp or not,

 

[Gord Baker]

That's exactly how we prevent tearing up the lawn...always keep all wheels (especially the rear tires) turning

By slowing down slightly, and having one drive wheel going opposite to the other and not Full Pull on steering handles it can be quickly mastered. The 3 point turn is a huge waste of time. Might as well do the lawn in 'lands' and only make a 90° turn.