couple questions on my new mower

[gunner76]

My owners manual for the mower was AWOL so the dealer had to order me a new one. In the time being I have a couple questions that I thought of after I got home.

First, do you need to have the optional ramps for driving over the deck? It looks like you could just get by with placing some blocks of wood on the ground to get the height difference a little closer than just going from ground level to the top of the deck.

Second. I noticed the coolant is in the middle of the full/low mark on the overflow tank, is this ok or does it need to be at the full?

 

[SteveM70]

What tractor and mower deck do you have?

The coolant level is fine. I would top it off but it's not "low".

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Based on your other posts, I assume you have a GC1715. Also, assumings things haven't change in the last year, I have the same 60" drive over MMM, and I didn't even know there was an optional ramp. I just lower it down, put the tractor in 4wd and drive over slowly. It works better on the lawn, as the mower tends to roll forward if you are on a hard surface.

 

[gunner76]

Thanks guys. Yes I have the 1715 with the 60" mid mount. I didn't know anything about the ramp either until the mechanic at the dealership told me Massey has them, I was afraid to ask the price. I really don't think they are needed with as heavy duty as the deck is, about all you'd gain would be to lessen the height difference.

Another question. I notice that when I start the engine I get a puff of black smoke, is this normal? I know it's normal on the older engines but always thought these new tier 4 engines produced zero smoke.

 

[SteveM70]

Fiziksgeek gave good advice (use 4 wheel drive to climb up on the deck and take the deck off in a spot where it won't try to run from you when you attemp to drive over it) I constantly take my deck off and on and doubt you will find an absolute need for the ramps. If so, a couple pieces of wood, as you said, would suffice and likely save you some cash.

The puff of smoke on startup is normal.

 

[gunner76]

Fiziksgeek gave good advice (use 4 wheel drive to climb up on the deck and take the deck off in a spot where it won't try to run from you when you attemp to drive over it) I constantly take my deck off and on and doubt you will find an absolute need for the ramps. If so, a couple pieces of wood, as you said, would suffice and likely save you some cash.

The puff of smoke on startup is normal.

Thanks. I hate getting a new piece of equipment because I'm always paranoid something will go wrong with it. Give I a few months and I'll get over that and use it like it's meant to be used.

 

[SteveM70]

Also, remember to drop your deck height adjustment all the way when hooking up or unhooking the mower deck. This is a small but important step to make life easier. Then remember to raise the three point all the way up and turn the deck height adjustment knob to "lock" so the deck lift arms will stay up, out of the way, when not using the deck.

Mine doesn't go all the way to the lock position so I just turn it as far as it will go. So far so good.

 

[charlton289]

I made a couple of wood block ramps out of some 6 by 6 cut at a about 45 for ramps they are about 10 inch long like others have said it works just get the front axle started to climb over but it is wise to use 4 wd I have a 1705 with the same mower deck.

 

[charlton289]

I made a couple of wood block ramps out of some 6 by 6 cut at a about 45 for ramps they are about 10 inch long like others have said it works just get the front axle started to climb over but it is wise to use 4 wd I have a 1705 with the same mower deck.