Gravely ZTR questions on stability and driving style

[RSKY]

Could it be that the center deck anti scalp roller is grounding and lifting the right wheel enough for it to break traction? Just a thought.

I have also found that ZTR's are very unstable on a 'wet' grassy slope. Found at the same time that they are hard to pull out of ponds.

RSKY

 

[Nasty135]

Newguy, I believe that the learning curve for the Ztr's would indicate a need for changing mowing patterns, from a down hill pattern to a up hill pattern...Can you keep both tires in the grass and maintain a controlled down hill line? For all the good things a Ztr offers there are a few draw backs and your problem is one. A commercial unit would be better but by how much for the $$$ ,not sure I would go for it on that size property. The tires on your mower don't actually look like they are worth much for your application.. Something like this would actually place more weight over its given contact patch, but is still not a guarantee.
I know first hand about the difficulty in traversing a slope, The up hill tire is just about useless so you will have to learn to drive without tearing up the grass..

If you are successful in selling your Z you may want to look at the new riding mowers offered by Cubcadet or Sears for the very sharp turning standard style riders... Good Luck with your choice...

 

[OKnewguy]

Thanks for the additional tips guys....I have only had marginal interest in the gravely on the selling option. I might end up keeping it and my old mower to do the really tricky parts. That is a good point on the anti scalp wheel. I will need to check that out, my rider has the anti-scalp wheels on the edges and not in the center, so I had not considered it. I have used it a number of times to cut elsewhere, and the cut is very nice. If I was to switch to a different tire, what would you all recomend? Would the style that I see on grasshoppers work better? What are those called? They look kind of like a paddle tire for dunes. There are times when I wish I had foot peddles to control the direction of those front swivel tires.
Thanks, Dave