Stripes in Lawns

[livincountry]

One thing to remember is to follow the striping for a few weeks and then cut 90 degrees to the original stripes for a few weeks. This will train the turf to lay down in one direction and when you switch it creates a checkerboard pattern. Changing the pattern occassionally keeps rutting down but mowing over dry soil minimizes the rutting anyway.

One thing to remember..... "follow the light". You mow in the direction of the last mowing when the mower is following in the path of the lighter stripe. The dark stripe is created when the mower returns. My stripes are still prominant and it's been a couple months since I mowed last.

I made my own striping kit using 4" pvc pipe, 3/4" all thread down the center, filled with concrete and capped. I drag the pvc pipe assembly behind my walk behind mower with short linkage (connected using the all thread) so I don't trip on it. Works great and cost me nothing.

 

[Mith]

You'll get nice stripes with a brush (fixed or rotating). You need to have a well adjusted mower deck or it will look jagged.
I use a powered brush that also serves to collect the cut grass.

 

[kthompson]

Just wondering, could your commercial friend be running higher blade speed or sharp blades compared to yours? He probably is running faster ground speed also.

 

[SCOOBY14B]

As stated, the stripes come from a stripe kit. These are either rollers, chains, flaps, etc.

My Scag has the factory roller kit and stripes nicely.

The MOST important part though, is the condition and type of turf. Fescue and other taller cool weather grasses are the best. The stripe is also better when the grass is left taller. I would suggest cutting at 3.5-4" for best results.

 

[Charlton John]

Thanks for the replys guys, I will cut taller as suggested. I plan on building my own stripping kit now that I know what I am looking at. My neighbor has commercial ZTR'S and I beleive he has a factory kit built right in. Our grass is mainly kentucky blue but also w/ some fescue built in as well.

 

[ChuckinNH]

The Simplicity mower decks have full width rollers that ride on the ground when you are mowing. They create the stripes you are looking for, and the tractors are pretty well built in my opinion. I had 1400+ hours on my first one, and have 500+ hours on my Legacy now.

 

[Charlton John]

Thanks Chuck, Yes I have heard good things about them as well. This is my first ZTR (always mowed w/ the tractor) and I didnt want to go "all out" as I also didnt have a lot of $$$$ at the time. I spent 3k for my Toro which is been really good to me so far. I plan on using this for 3-4 more years and then when the tractor is paid off I am going to look into a real nice commercial ZTR. I beleive my neighbor uses X-marks.

 

[Ace Power Equipment]

John,

Remember striping assumes that your machin is ready to go at peak performance
Couple of things to check prior to adding attachments for striping. Make sure tire pressure is correct. Also make sure your deck pitch is correct . You need to have the front of the deck slightly lower than the back to create vacuum for the blades to lift the grass prior to cutting. Make sure the deck is cleaned periodicallly so you dont have build up that affects air flow and or discharge. If you have a homeowner Z that does not have a tachometer, put a tach on the engine and make sure you are getting enough rpms. Kohlers sb turning around 3600 rpm, maybe tweak it a little from there so when blades are engauged you have max power.

Hope this helps

Brian
848-992-6150

 

[Charlton John]

yes theis is very helpful, Thanks I also just sent you a PM w/ more ?'s thanks again for your help!