2550 user issues?

[leadcons]

Hi all:

Longtime lurker, recent poster here!

I bought a 2550 late last summer, and love the unit overall. Cut my mowing time down about half.

But here are my questions.

Whenever I park the tractor on the lawn, the area under the engine browns out, seem the grass gets burned. I have to make sure I head to the drive way to park the unit. Any fix to this? A sheild or something missing?

The other problem, which is probably just me, is spinning wheels when taking tight turns. Like when mowing in a circle around a tree or something. The outside wheel makes a nice rut in the grass. I have tried to do this MUCH slower but the same thing happens. What am I doing wrong?

Finally, if I press the forward pedal all the way down the tractor seems to go slower than if I hold the pedal about 3/4's or 7/8's the full travel. Normal?

Thanks!

Tom

 

[Flip221]

I have the same issue with the burning grass... I moved about 4 yards of topsoil with a dump cart a couple of weeks ago, and put the parking brake on while I was emptying the cart. I ended up with about 12 nice big brown spots all around my lawn!

On your speed/pedal issues, check the linkage under the forward/reverse foot pedals. Sounds like it may need some adjusting or may need to be tightened up a bit.

 

[micman32]

I have the same problem with my 2518. I am not aware of any fix with the burns. Do you have the AG tires on your machine? I had then put on over the winter and have noticed the same problem of digging in when mowing around trees. I have tried going slow but it doesn't seem to help. At least we get great traction! Let me know what you find out!

 

[emt812]

Try not to turn so sharp a turn. have a 2544 had the same problem until I started mowing around objects in a box pattern. Mow one side straight back up mow straight all around object. One person I heard of turn the exhaust pipe upward with an extension pipe.

 

[leadcons]

Hi Again:

Nice to know (in a twisted way) that I am not the only one with the exhaust/brown grass issue.

Micman, I run turf tiresd on my 2550, but like emt812, I have learned to use a squared off method instead of mowing in a circle. Seems to work much better, as no matter how slow I went a circle created that diggout.

I will look into redirect the exhaust. I did some research here on TBN, and found at least one or two other posts like this with possible solutions.

So thanks to all, and thanks for having me here.

Tom

 

[micman32]

Thanks for the tip I will have try the square method!

 

[stevebig]

I have the 2554 06 model, which does the same thing. I first thought it was the exhaust, but that points straight out the front of the tractor. I believe it is just the heat off the engine and with the hood closed between the pulleys and probably the fly wheel directs all that heated air too the grass. I have put my hand under the tractor after cutting 1.5 acres with it running and it is plenty hot.

I lifted the hood and it seemed to relieve the air direction traveling to the grass. But I have not tried to see if the grass still got burned. Most of the time I just shut it off if I get off the tractor, or if cleaning the mower deck with the deck wash I do it on the driveway.

 

[aaabelha]

I am the guy who redirected the exhaust pipe upward with a turned end extension. I assumed it would have solved the problem but sadly I recently experiened the browning issue again when doing some landscaping work with my dump cart in tow. I had idled the tractor at various spots around the yard over my lawn and it STILL scorched the grass.

It appears that you are correct that it is simply coming from the engine bay itself.

 

[leadcons]

Hi all:

Drats about the exhaust redirect. I checked out my old Craftsman 15 horse (Kohler Commander) tractor last night. I was preparing it for the guy who bought it. I noticed that it has a shield underneath the muffler. I wonder if that is there to block heat from the grass....hmmmmmm.....

Anyhow, I have taken to placing an old 1/2" sheet of plywood on the ground where I clean the deck with the wash system. Drive onto it, drop the deck and clean away. When done set it up on end in the sun to dry off. So far so good.

Tom

 

[MrWiggles2]

I am surprised that the 06's do the same thing with the redesign. Too bad they couldn't have designed a small plastic bladed fan to attach to the mule drive. That would push some fresh air and keep the area cooler. But, maybe just a homemade aluminum heat shield is in order. I have a couple spots that haven't come back, I killed the grass. ouch! Maybe if you leave it sit, pop the hood open and see if it pulls the heat upwards. Cutting the grass the other day with flipflops and my left foot felt like it was being scorced. A lot of heat pouring out of the metal side vents. So, its getting pretty darn hot under there if parking for 30 seconds kills the grass.