f 2690

kuboman · May 9, 2017

Seems like a good way to cut off a toe or 2. JMHO

Sigarms · May 9, 2017

jcummins said:
I know I'm in the minority....but I have my mower set at 4".....don't like cut real short.

Right where I'm at. During a nice hot NC summer, just seems like you want to kill the grass faster any lower IMO.

ironpen · May 10, 2017

The 1 to 1.25 inch level is where I have cut for years. The places I cut mostly have a sprinkler system...maybe that is why they tolerate the lower height? I still need to disable the seat cutoff switch!

jcummins · May 10, 2017

ironpen said:
The 1 to 1.25 inch level is where I have cut for years. The places I cut mostly have a sprinkler system...maybe that is why they tolerate the lower height? I still need to disable the seat cutoff switch!

Under the seat is a connector. Unplug it. Build a short wire with the correct crimp connectors on it. Plug it into the wire coming from the mower, looping it back to itself to close the seat circuit.

Sigarms · May 11, 2017

ironpen said:
When I get off the tractor to pick up trash, etc. I have to disengage the pto and put on the emergency brake. When mowing the soccer fields at church that was about 20 times.
Way too much trouble. I did it on my old MC35 New Holland (also a front mount mower like this one) and it makes a huge difference.

way

I'd be telling the church to let the people know not to be littering, it's both impolite and rude to the church.

ironpen · May 11, 2017

They do clean up for the most part....but with 200 kids 4 days a week, things tend to slip through the cracks. I found the connector and will very soon have the bypass surgery performed!

HoyeTractor · May 12, 2017

I just picked up a new 2690 based on the recommendations on this forum. I got my first hour of seat time last afternoon and I am impressed. I sold my ZD331 and was worried about losing 5hp but I could not tell any difference at all and my grass was unusually tall because of a delay getting the new mower. There was plenty of power.

I got the 72" rear discharge and it made a huge difference in mowing comfort. I have pretty bad allergies and it is always windy here on top of a big wide open hill. I would not say that I felt refreshed after mowing (still some dry weeds blowing around and getting in the eyes- there was 20mph wind yesterday) but I was certainly not covered in grass/weeds and miserable like I was with the side discharge. I thought the ride was surprisingly rough until I let a bunch of the air out of the tires and then it rode very nice! Much nicer ride than my ZD331.

Overall I'm impressed and glad I made the change.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 12, 2017

HoyeTractor said:
I just picked up a new 2690 based on the recommendations on this forum. I got my first hour of seat time last afternoon and I am impressed. I sold my ZD331 and was worried about losing 5hp but I could not tell any difference at all and my grass was unusually tall because of a delay getting the new mower. There was plenty of power.

I got the 72" rear discharge and it made a huge difference in mowing comfort. I have pretty bad allergies and it is always windy here on top of a big wide open hill. I would not say that I felt refreshed after mowing (still some dry weeds blowing around and getting in the eyes- there was 20mph wind yesterday) but I was certainly not covered in grass/weeds and miserable like I was with the side discharge. I thought the ride was surprisingly rough until I let a bunch of the air out of the tires and then it rode very nice! Much nicer ride than my ZD331.

Overall I'm impressed and glad I made the change.

As you'll see, with experience, the F is a class above the Zs. The rear discharge deck also does less windrowing if cutting grass at same level of growth than a side discharge. The F will cut taller grass better than the Z and faster in open areas with less steering wheel manipulation. Rear discharge F is the tops! Been saying so for ever 10 years beginning with a F2680e and also owning two different F3080s and slipping a ZD326 and a small Kubota Z in for a couple years trial use.
You'll not be disappointed. Read the old posts and replace those front wheel pins with hardened steel bolts/pins if your yard isn't a lawn. Keep the screen clean in dry mowing season/watch temp guage. Don't cut rocks/stones, it chips the blade edges.

:cool2::drink:

ironpen · May 13, 2017

Here is my follow up report. Mowed about 10 hours this week on the mower. Beautiful cut. Rear discharge is perfect. Plenty of power. I can't tell the difference between it and my New Holland MC35 which is the same front mower layout. It has 35 hp, but I didn't miss it. I climbed some rather steep hills in the one spot I have that's hilly and did not have to shift into the slower gear. I bypassed the seat switch and that was a Godsend, for getting off to move 24 soccer goals and picking up water bottles, etc. it made a huge difference. My mower is set so low to the ground, I could get my foot up under it anyway. One strange happening was that when I finished, raised the deck to drive home (about 2 blocks), and upon arrival the deck would not go back down. Got out my manual and there is a little knob under the seat that controls this. I had not touched it, but at any rate, the manual said to slowly turn it counter clockwise....I did that and everything returned to normal. This is a top flight mower in every way! I also let some air out of the tires...dealer had about 40 pounds all around and the ride softened up dramatically.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 14, 2017

I've also had the "deck lock up and not go down" happen to me a couple of times over the years. I called Barlows and talked to Gary and he told me to turn knob.:thumbsup: