jlbota
Gold Member
The only thing I don't like about my ZD21 is that is seems a bit underpowered at times. Like mowing up a steep hill really seems to slow the deck and machine to a crawl sometimes.
I would think a grass catcher might make it even more sluggish at times. On even grades and downhill it just buzzes right along and really throws the grass...
The one thing I learned very quickly in running a ZD is to not force the direction you want to go...it takes finesse.....For instance if your coming down a steep hill and want to slow down don't pull back on the handles as it will just break your tires loose. I found that if you want to slow down to just pull back gently in a quick pumping motion and it will give you better control as you come down the hill (kinda like anti-lock brakes) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Actually after awhile once you get the feel of the ZD operation you really don't have to exert much force at all to get it to do what you want.
The other thing I can say that I learned is when doing a zero turn to go back in the other direction it is much easier on the grass if you do a 2 point turn. I usually get to the end and start backing up and then zero turn and it is much easier on the yard because your not actually turning from a dead stop and pivoting on one wheel.....It took a few yard divots to figure that one out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Enjoy your machine...and before too long running it will just come natural. They are blast to mow with! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I would think a grass catcher might make it even more sluggish at times. On even grades and downhill it just buzzes right along and really throws the grass...
The one thing I learned very quickly in running a ZD is to not force the direction you want to go...it takes finesse.....For instance if your coming down a steep hill and want to slow down don't pull back on the handles as it will just break your tires loose. I found that if you want to slow down to just pull back gently in a quick pumping motion and it will give you better control as you come down the hill (kinda like anti-lock brakes) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.
Actually after awhile once you get the feel of the ZD operation you really don't have to exert much force at all to get it to do what you want.
The other thing I can say that I learned is when doing a zero turn to go back in the other direction it is much easier on the grass if you do a 2 point turn. I usually get to the end and start backing up and then zero turn and it is much easier on the yard because your not actually turning from a dead stop and pivoting on one wheel.....It took a few yard divots to figure that one out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Enjoy your machine...and before too long running it will just come natural. They are blast to mow with! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
