Hydro on rough ground

BenderKC · Sep 27, 2004

Has anyone else had trouble maintaining a smooth speed when operating the hydro on less than smooth ground? I was mowing today and decided to go "against the grain". I mowed across my usual path and was rather surprised to find the ride rather rough. Given the record rain falls here in KC this summer it has been moist when I mowed on several occasions. I guess I was leaving depressions with the tires. When mowing across the usual tracks I had the washboard effect which seemed to be made worse by my foot moving irregularly on the hydro pedal. I used the speed control but then only had dental filling problems. I know the answer is to slow down, but believe me I was not going off to the races. Any other thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

SteveH_CT · Sep 28, 2004

I've never cut grass with mine - but I regularly traverse rough ground and I haven't had trouble maintaining a good speed. On just about any surface I find it easier to maintain good control of the tractor by wearing the seatbelt. Being strapped in (or on /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) keeps me planted and able to keep things moving smoothly. Also, not to state the obvious, but if the seat is too far back, and I have to reach for the pedal, it can make for more challenging driving if I'm bumping around - so I keep the seat at a position where I can easily reach the pedal.

I guess you could also try using the motion match feature - not sure if that's the proper name, but it's the button that switches between quick and more gradual take-off and stopping.

Just out of curiosity what range are you running in when mowing, and what RPM?

Take Care,

Bird · Sep 28, 2004

I have hit bumps that bounced my foot off the pedal, but rarely. I guess it might depend on how you position your foot on it. I always had my heel on the deck and my toes on the pedal, so it would take a pretty good bounce to change my tractor speed.

rockyridgefarm · Sep 28, 2004

Hey, KC been a wild summer, hasn't it?

When I started maintaining my pasture, I had a buddy warn me about switching patterns. "You won't believe how quickly you'll make ruts, even on dry soil!" Well, with this summer, it sure could speed things up...

Sounds like you have things figured out. Use speed control, go a little slower. (one side effect of how much less force is required by the pedals on eHydros, is that it doesn't take much force to bounce them...) Steve's motion match suggestion is a good one, as it will even out the pedals actions.

You might want to get your hands on a harrow. It will level out those high spots, dethatch, aerate, and break up manure pies (if you've got critters...)

Have f-f-f-f-un-n!!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BenderKC · Sep 28, 2004

I mow in the B range. The tachometer is set to generate 540 PTO rpm. Perhaps the higher engine rpm is compounding the speed issue.

Gary_in_Indiana · Sep 28, 2004

I've hit some spots that took me off the seat and caused the PTO to cut out momentarily so I have no problem imagining having a hard time maintaining constant pressure on your pedal.

As to mowing in the same direction or not, I'm of the school that changes directions. In fact, I alternate four different patterns of N-S, E-W then diagonally NE-SW & NW-SE.

BenderKC · Sep 29, 2004

I am working on the diagonals now. My daughter actually bought me a book about mowing designs in the grass. Cool little book. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SteveH_CT · Sep 29, 2004

Yeah - it probably is a combination of RPM and the B range. I know that I'm moving along real well when I get into mid-range and I've got the RPM's cranked up. Actually, I rarely work with the tractor over 2100RPM's, but as I said befoe, I've never used it to cut grass. Typically I'm creeping around the land I'm clearing, dodging trees and other obstacles that I haven't gotten to yet.

rockyridgefarm · Sep 29, 2004

Hey, Bender, some other factors...

Do you have the loader on or off? I imagine that 4in1 is pretty heavy.... With the loader on, you will exaggerate the effects...

Do you have the new style seat (Three controls and lumbar "wings"), or the old style, (two controls)

On the new style; the little knob (between the others) adjusts the uo and down motion of the seat. It adjusts the tension on the spring that afeesct how easily and also, how far the seat travels. It is pretty easy to forget that after having the machine for a while. Of course, mentioning it in the owners manual might have helped...

NEVER adjust that control from the ground. ONLY do it while setting on the seat. I could yell you why I know this, but, well, trust me!

Gary_in_Indiana · Sep 29, 2004

<font color="blue"> "My daughter actually bought me a book about mowing designs in the grass. Cool little book." </font>

That sounds great! Should we expect pictures of your property with designs like the major league baseball parks? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif