f 2690

[ironpen]

Thanks. I've got one on the way. Since there was not one at the dealershiip....I hope I like it! I just hope it's not underpowered. My current front deck mower is a New Holland MC35 which has 35 hp. Never a strain at all....but it is old and worn out especially the deck and that is about $5k to get a new one, plus using oil, constantly overheating, etc. I decided to replace the whole mower. Shied away from the 3990 because of the DPF filter (checked and the part is $2500 if you order it, plus labor), the rpm governor, etc.

 

[kuboman]

Thanks. I've got one on the way. Since there was not one at the dealershiip....I hope I like it! I just hope it's not underpowered. My current front deck mower is a New Holland MC35 which has 35 hp. Never a strain at all....but it is old and worn out especially the deck and that is about $5k to get a new one, plus using oil, constantly overheating, etc. I decided to replace the whole mower. Shied away from the 3990 because of the DPF filter (checked and the part is $2500 if you order it, plus labor), the rpm governor, etc.

In my experience the engine has as much power as the deck can handle. My deck will begin to plug and do a poor job of cutting before the engine powers out.

 

[ironpen]

Dealer called and they are delivering it tomorrow. I'll post first impressions afterwards. I told them to set the deck at 1.25 inches...hope that is not too low.

 

[ironpen]

All is great except one thing. The cruise control is totally worthless. All my HST's I own you set your ground speed, turn on the cruise and it maintains that speed. With this one at max setting the machine slows down to a crawl and it doesn't matter where the foot pedal was or is. Anybody have a similar experience?? I am calling the dealer in the a.m., but does this experience sound like anyone else's??? Ruined my whole day. They brought it by just before dark after they closed. Help!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Contact your dealer. You may not have cruise control.
You may want to work it a few hours to insure you don't find any other issues, like A/C or heater not working, which can be fixed all at the same time. Just call your dealer.:thumbsup:

 

[ironpen]

It definitely has cruise control. It works but it only moves you at a snail's pace. They gave me a booklet on the cruise control. It says it is supposed to lock in the speed that the foot pedal is pushed to....which it does not do. They came and picked it up this afternoon. Man, I hope they can fix it. I told them I didn't want the mower otherwise and they said ok. It bothers me that they thought it was working ok when they delivered it?? It is interesting that the "main" owner's manual has about 10 pages dedicated to the DPF filter. I am glad I avoided that. I adjusted the mower height to a different setting than they delivered it....that was a real rodeo for sure. I don't anticipate having to do that again..thank goodness.

 

[4570Man]

How do you have to adjust the height? My F2560 has pins on the front wheels. I could change heights in under a minute like that. The pins kept vibrating out and I replaced them with bolts with double lock nuts. It takes a little longer like that but still not bad.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

How do you have to adjust the height? My F2560 has pins on the front wheels. I could change heights in under a minute like that. The pins kept vibrating out and I replaced them with bolts with double lock nuts. It takes a little longer like that but still not bad.

There is also a rear deck adjustment which I never bother changing which is as easy to change, almost as the front.
I also broke several of the pins in the front wheel adjustment and the wheel(s) came off and I ran over them with an operating mowing deck resulting in buying some tires and rims. I thought I was doing something wrong but apparently the front pin isn't hardened steel and the forward push against the wheel at certain changes in elevation was like trying to do grade work/landscaping with the front wheel. I also changed to hardened steel bolts/nuts and haven't chopped up another tire or rim since then. I use my F like it's a 4wd tractor and I don't have a "lawn", I have a yard with rocks, gullies, ditches, trees (big and small).
I say replace those front wheel locking pins if your "yard/lawn" isn't golf course smooth.

 

[4570Man]

Yep, I've mowed the front wheels a few times. It's not good for anything involved.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Yep, I've mowed the front wheels a few times. It's not good for anything involved.

I foam (Canned insulation foam) filled one of my cut tires and got a mowing season out of it. It's still on but falling apart.