new toy....hustler 52!!!!

[theplayer]

Shouldn't you run at full throtle? 2 hours seems quite long to cut 2.5 acres..I bet you can cut with same quality going much faster..give it a try.

 

[Spiffy]

Yep, nothing like gettting the rated blade tip speed [i.e. full throttle] for perfect cut through a wide range of speed! Even if full throttle doesn't help mowing time [I'm betting experience will have an exponential effect there], it should help longevity.

Most [yes, pretty ambiquous term] air cooled engines in mowers are designed to run full throttle for proper cooling. I only run less in a couple situations [no particular rules, may not even be right, just hybrids of my strange mix of engine knowledge]:

1) 1/2 throttle for 10sec to a minute after startup to let the oil circulate before full throttle [some splash lubes or oil-fuel mix may or may not have benefit here]; I like at least a minute total of warm-up before mowing, but once at full throttle I consider driving time ok. If the book doesn't say different, I revert to this [and often do anyway].

1.5) Right [5 seconds?] before turning off the key [after about a minute or better of cooldown at full; I count driving as cooldown time too]. But read your engine book; to reduce backfire, the shutdown may require full throttle.

2) I'm also guilty of throttling down for a few seconds to better hear somebody yelling at me through the ear plugs. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I did read a somewhere [don't think TBN] where a couple proffesional guys were running 3/4 to save fuel, but I have to wonder if these weren't situations with small lots or cool climates where the engine never got much heat anyway.

Happy mowing!

 

[BLUEBONNET2]

good evening,
OK posted a couple of foto's in the photo gallery at the top of the page.....under related equipment/lawn and garden.....
9 hrs so far..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif......no flames...

regards,
bluebonnet2

 

[cphilip]

One thing the Hustler dealer told me was to go to low RPM's before shutting the PTO off. He said it saves wear and tear on the integral brakes in the PTO. They do not have to stop as fast a spinning hub. Makes sense.

I however did not ask him about the current logic on shut down. I am shutting down at like half throttle at this point.

However my two cents is to run full throttle while mowing. The cooling shroud and fan is relative to RPM and flow output, so it should do its job in any RPM range and you control forward (and reverse) speed by lever postion anyway. And if I am not mistaken they rate all these little engines at full throttle use though. But I suppose it would save a tad of gas not to. I just don't think its in the design envelope of these smaller units to build that into it to use them at lower throttles. I could be wrong.

 

[BLUEBONNET2]

good morning,
last nite, about 8 PM, i decided to mow a bit /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif..... so about 8:45, i turned on my lights for the first time and WOW did they impress me..... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif......
the lights sent out a beam about 30' and about 20' wide.....you could see the whole deck and was able to trim around "stuff" without any issues.....finished about 9:45

well worth the $100 to me....14 hrs so far......no flames /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

regards,
bluebonnet2

 

[deereowner]

I am looking at purchasing the same thing, Fastrak 52", to replace my JD LT 1100, for cutting 1.25 acres. Now that you have used yours for a season, are you still as high on it as you were at the beginning? I really have the itch to get one, especially since it has a Honda engine on it.
thanks,

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( i just haven't taught my dog(Tokes) how to use the camera yet /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. so you can see how difficult it would be to have a photo. )</font>


<font color="red"> Is this you on your new FasTrac!!??!!
</font>

 

[BLUEBONNET2]

good morning,
sorry i haven't posted in a while, however, for the last two days, been a little busy.......no damage(limbs mostly)....i now have 24 plus hrs. on "mr. jim" and would do it all over again.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. great machine. i sharpened the blades about 3 weeks ago and the cut was great. fuel, as close as i can figure it, about 1.5 gal per hr. holds slope real well and i love the way the height adjustment system works..... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif yep i'd buy another.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
hope all is well with everyone......

bluebonnet2
P.S. to move 2.5 million folks in about 2 days is awsome!!!!!