Simplicity Lancer front mount mower

[slammer]

I am really surprised you did not get it the first day. They come fully assembled in the crate. All the dealer had to do was service and test it. (about an hours work).

Slam

 

[Mark_in_NH]

The mower was in my yard when I got home tonight. It was almost dark and starting to rain so I really only had enough time to start it up, drive it around the yard quickly and park it in the garage. Further updates will have to wait until I can spend a little time with it.

 

[slammer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The mower was in my yard when I got home tonight. It was almost dark and starting to rain so I really only had enough time to start it up, drive it around the yard quickly and park it in the garage. Further updates will have to wait until I can spend a little time with it. )</font>

Well I am glad you finally got it. Remember what I told you about getting used to it. I was a half acre or so into my first mowing before I really got the hang of it and relaxed. Now I can't hardly wait to mow.

Slam

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Mark, pictures please, and your first mowing impressions. I know I was blown away by my Ventrac when I first tried it, but it does come with quirks that took a little getting used to.

 

[yellowsocks93]

I came across a Simplicity dealer on my quest to find that Husky articulating mower which I will probably order next week since I am getting very antsy. Anyhoo, the Lancer seemed to be very well built. The mower deck looked sturdy and well crafted like my John Deere. And the price on those is reasonable too. The Lancer I saw had the nice Mulit Trac C/S tires on it which Deere does not use any more.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Update !!

My first impression of the Simplicity "Lancer" was. What The He11 Have I Done !!!
But !!!! The more I play with it and feel it it out, the more I like it.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but it does come with quirks that took a little getting used to.)</font>
Bob;
Your not kidding !!!!!!!!
I have never driven a forklift or any other rear steering machine. Quite an experience in a small lawn mower. I am so used to my walk behind and my lawns that while mowing today, I copied similar paths and movements. While trimming the outer edges closely, I would steer around a rock, only to stuff my my tail end into the tree branches. Oops! Tail Swing !
Branches that I am used to and able to duck under, while walking behind the walk behind mower, I can't seem to duck low enough with the rider. I suspect some limb trimming is in order !!!
With my walk behind I can lock one brake and pretty much make a zero turn, can't do that with the Lancer. I will just need to alter my method of attack. More learning curve !
I believe and feel that with a little time to overcome the learning curve's, I am going to like this mower very much.
Attached and following a several pictures of the lancer.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Mark, front deck & rear steer is an amazing thing, and takes getting used to. But once you get used to it you will wonder how you ever got anything done the old fashioned way. The front deck also comes in very handy for mowing under shrubs.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

I was not home at the time of delivery. One of the houses I manage, which also happens to be a summer rental house, "yes it was rented" lost it's water pump Wednensday night, so Thursday, All Day was spent getting people to replace the Artesion pump. Old one lasted 18 years so no real complaint. Anyhow.
Mower was delivered to my yard before I got home Thursday night. After a very crappy day, that shiney spalsh of Red was a pleasant sight! Unfortunatly the salsemen neglected to leave me with my manual(s). No big deal. Alot of the little details are fun to just plain figure out on your own ie. Switchs, levers etc.
The mower is truly 97% Self Explanatory !!
Starting, shuting off, safety switchs, forward, backward, parking brake, engaging blades etc.
Knowing that the mower deck rotates up for servicing, I wnted to know. How to accomplish this. I eventually discovered that if you need to remove a pin on either side of the mower frame.
Once these 2 pins are removed, you can lift on the front of the mower deck and rotate it upwards. But First , please do as I say and Not as I did and read the Warning label that clearly states to "Remove the Drive belt Before Servicing"
I did not read or even see this label and without a manual to assist me. I of course lifted the deck, "once learning how", without removing the belt. I looked it all over, washd it down with the hose and lowered the deck and replaced the pins.
Within my first 4 feet of mowing today I thru the decks drive belt. I now know why. When I lifted the deck without removing the belt, I upset the alighnment of the belt on the pully's. It took sleeping on the matter for me to figure out how the belt went back on properly. Whould have been alot easier with a manual. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

picture of mower deck rotated up into the service position

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Now knowing that I need to remove the drive belt before lifting the deck, explains the small black lever that is at the front of the deck. The lever takes the tension off the idler pully so you have Plenty of slack to release the belt. I suspect that within time the removing / replacing will become 2nd nature.
attached is a picture of lever to the right and you can see the drive belt in my fingers.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

The electric pto is real nice. Simply lift the Yellow knob to engage, push down to disengage. I like this feature

 

[Mark_in_NH]

another side shot

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Loaded on the trailer, ready for it first mowing.

 

[slammer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Loaded on the trailer, ready for it first mowing. )</font>

Sure is purty! LOL! I should have told you about the belt, sorry about that. Also when you take it off I have found it easier to push the belt release lever with my left hand and reach under with my right and remove the belt from the pulley under the engine. Doing it that way keeps the belt on the deck pulleys so you just have to put it back on one pulley without all the re-routing. I have found it much easier that way. Also you can get a manual anytime online if you need it before tuesday. Just go to....http://www.simplicitytechpubs.com/techpubsearch.php

Slam

 

[Mark_in_NH]

slammer,
Thanks for piping in with that bit of belt advice. I was actually going to ask you if you had any tips or tricks concerning the belt.
Picturing things in my mind, I believe your way of removing the belt rom the engine pully would be much easier. I will try that today.

 

[slammer]

It's definately easier for me. Generally the belt will stay on the 3 pulleys on the deck throughout the maintenace process. So you just have to mess with pulley on the engine.

On another note, did you notice how every moving part on your machine has a grease fitting? Your not gonna find that on most mowers these days. The Lancer is a quality machine.

Slam

 

[Mark_in_NH]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( On another note, did you notice how every moving part on your machine has a grease fitting? )</font>

Yes, in fact I had noticed that and was quite pleased to see them.
I just came in from mowing some of my own lawn and although I am mowing little slower, I am having a heck of alot more fun.
One thing I am not impressed with is the apparent fuel consumption. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I am unsure if it Is Actual and True consumption or just a quirk of the fuel guage. Time will tell.
I have more pictures to post but I need to reduce them first.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> I just came in from mowing some of my own lawn and although I am mowing little slower, I am having a heck of alot more fun.
</font>

<font color="black"> Mark, so apparently my brother was right about how much fun it is to drive around on these things! I know I put my daughter on my Ventrac and while she has no concept of mowing in a straight line (she is 9 years old) she did drive around yelling YIPPEE and WOOHOO a lot. I know that I bought the Ventrac for my wife because she enjoys getting out on a small garden tractor to mow, but I've definately put more time on the machine than the lovely Mrs_Bob, and I think I've smiled a lot more driving that thing than anything else I've tried.

Front mount mowers are a blast. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying yours. It is also nice to hear how well made the machine is. </font>

 

[slammer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
One thing I am not impressed with is the apparent fuel consumption. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I am unsure if it Is Actual and True consumption or just a quirk of the fuel guage. Time will tell.
)</font>

Now that is a shocker! I mow about 21/2 acres on 3/4 of a tank. I would be on fumes with the Deere.

Slam

 

[slammer]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( although I am mowing little slower, I am having a heck of alot more fun.)</font>

You will definately get faster with it overall. Especially if you deduct the time you would have spent trimming. I used to have to weedwhack around around 6 pear trees, 3 apple trees, 2 cherry trees, 4 pines, 6 monster oaks, and 3 maples. Plus the house and shop. Now it's just the house and shop.

I know we can't just zip around the smaller trees like the ZTR guys can but I can get em' with just 2 moves. The big trees are just a spin like the ZTRs. I came up with a simple solution for the small trees.....I just de-nude the ground out about 12" and spin right around the radius. I am doing the same thing around the shop and house. I'll probably finish it today. Then I am putting the Stihl weedwhacker into early retirement! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Slam

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Bob,
The mower does seem to built quite well. The one possible weak point, I think may be the steering. I have yet to really examine this area to see how it is designed and constructed.
So far it seems to handle my 230 lbs. ok, but I am going to keep things clean and well lubricated so as not to cause undue wear.

slammer,
Have you discovered any weak points or area of concern ?