My new (2010 leftover) Conquest

[tony binkowski]

nice mower!!!! i have a citation zero turn and i love it! the cut and stripping of a simplicity is hard to beat for the $$$$$$$$$$$. dont forget to aerate and fertilize!!!

 

[Carl in CT]

Yup, two cuttings so far and great cuts on wicked tall grass. Last night not only was it tall but it was wet and it did a great job with the clippings. There were some and I did a tiny bit of sweeping but my old Toro/Wheelhorse would have gagged on them and left a mess everywhere. This morning when I looked at it in the sunlight it looks like the outfield at Fenway Park (go Sox)! Ok, that may be exaggerating just a bit but that's because the grass is half weeds. My mower can seriously cut like a Fenway grounds machine.

Got any pics of your Citation?

 

[Carl in CT]

Here's an update. Still love the Conquest but have a few observations. The automatic traction control is more of a traction assist. If one wheel spins it does not stop that wheel or fully engage the other wheel, really doesn't seem to do a lot. That is what I observe and the dealer agreed, it is not supposed to opperate like an old school limited slip differential. If anyone disagrees please chime in because I'd like to get it looked at while it's still under warranty if it's not working properly. The differential lock is awesome but it does have to mesh some gears or splines to engage so it's best to see hills coming and engage it before you get stuck. Once engaged both wheels spin like a posi rear end and I only had it spin on me twice on very wet grass and trying to back up a steep hill where both wheels were spinning on the slippery wet grass. Even still it eventually got out with me rocking back and forth a bit.

The biggest thing I am concerned about is the engine fluctuating when started cold. It smoothes out after 15-20 seconds as it warms up. It would not bother me if that was it but when I go through tall, thick grass it seems to bog just a tad and when I come out to a spot that has been mowed the engine fluctuates for 2-3 seconds before smoothing out again. The dealer took it back and cleaned out the carb and it's no different. He thinks it is OK but said he would see if Briggs will warranty the carb if I'm still not happy. Am I being paranoid? I just want a brand new engine to run perfect but am I better off leaving well enough alone?

 

[wallace]

Carl
Try this...Once the wheel spins quickly let off and start again, you should see that the spinning wheel will no longer as the traction control should take over.
I was able to trade in a Prestiage this year and both my conquest and prestiage opperate like this.

As far as your looping engine....seen tons of them do it. Not really a lot to do about it.
Check high rpm setting
Maybe adjust governor
Thank our goverment for that....EPA Regs.

 

[Carl in CT]

Thanks Rick. I will try your suggestion with the traction control.

As far as the engine, I guess I feel a little better if you have seen engines behave like this tons of times and it's not a problem. It runs fine and when I say it bogs a little in heavy grass I mean very slightly, not like it's really having trouble, just that there is a slight load on it. It's not really the slight bogging that bothers me, that seems normal, it's the little bit of looping that gets me.

I will mow today and see what happens. I may have the dealer give it the once over again after mowing season. Maybe I'll push for a new carb just so I know for sure that is not the problem. It's under warranty so it can't hurt to ask. I just don't want to let it go and regret it later after the warranty runs out.

 

[murphy1244]

I started buying Simplicity witha 30" Cornet with bagger in 2001. The price then was 2,500$ with bagger. You can't beat the cut for stripping and ride. The deck rides on top and follows the contour of the lawn. I moved and needed a bigger machine so I bought a 2011 Conquest with a 23HP Vanguard and a 54" Cut with a 42" Snow blower attachment. I have 67 hours for grass cutting and zero hours on snow My Cornet is now for sale.

 

[twodogs]

I gotta say its a nice looking tractor, but what sets it apart from a craftsman or Husqavarna that makes 2-3X as much?

No disrespect meant here, but the difference is night & day! I just sold a craftsman that I had for about 6 years. It was okay for the first year, and then I had trouble for every year after that.

Ideally, you could compare them side-by-side, and the construction differences would stand out. The Simplicity line is built MUCH better. Everything from deck construction, spindles, frame, etc.

I am done going the inexpensive route. I have been burnt enough times to know that in the long run, it is usually worth paying more up front than to save a few dollars at the time of purchase.

Congrats on the new tractor! Enjoy!