Test Drive Error

[Nuru]

Well I was getting familiar with my new 4100 on my property, checking it out on the two slopes that I have and whammo, I forgot that I had the blade on the front and I sliced about a two foot x 1 foot section of grass (looks like a sod cutter did it) out of my lawn. I put it back and I hope it does not look tod bad for too long next year, but the trip made me think more about getting a tilt meter and I did notice the 4100 was more bouncy than my GT225 over the same terrain. I did go over one of the mild slopes and it was fine, on the other one I only got to do the lower end of it, not the higher end of it. I also am still debating on whether a rear mower deck or a mid-mount.
Impressions:
4100 has a much tigher turning radious than advertised. It was not that far off from my GT225, on my landscape, it seems to be able to handle the turns that I require.

Very quiet compared to my GT, I have yet to hear it with a mower deck, but the engine is quite a bit quieter, even at full PTO speed.

Nice smooth machine - overkill for my lawn mowing, but I will get it done very quickly.

Questions:

Should I lower the air pressure a little in my rear tires to reduce the bounce?

How do you use a rear mount mower deck on a short slope, or do you do this at all?

Is there a mulch kit for the 54" mid-mount deck

Anyone know where I can find a used deck for a 4100? (just hoping!)

Thank

Nuru

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...Should I lower the air pressure a little in my rear tires to reduce the bounce?</font color=blue>

A number of us found that the tires were inflated very high when the machine was delivered. My 4300 recommends 12 PSI in all four R4's.. but the dealer delivered it with about 30 PSI. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Lowering to 12 really improved the ride! I'm probably crazy, but it also seems less tippy than my GT235.. although I can't see how that's possible.

I can't answer your rear mower questions yet.. got one sitting in the garage but no opportunity to try it out yet.

Enjoy your new toy!!

Bob

 

[RoyJackson]

"How do you use a rear mount mower deck on a short slope, or do you do this at all?"

I got a rear mower for my Deere 670. For a short slope with no place to turn around...I back down and drive up. My slope is probably 30' so so, then a tree line starts, so there's no turning around. Definately too steep to drive across.
Now, this is a gear tractor. When you let the clutch out, you want to be smooth...no jerking. This slope is 20°-25°...not too steep, but steep enough to do a rear rollover if you "pop" the clutch. I've an FEL on the 670...this is good counterweight, but it raises the COG, I believe. It'll be coming off before next Spring. I'll be putting suitcase weights on the front bracket then.

Just one man's humble methodology.

 

[Nuru]

Thanks for the info and perspective, my longest slope is about 30' and there is a mulch bed, so I may not be able to turn around with a rear deck. I will take a look around my property and map out course for each type of deck and see which one will potentially be easier to utilize.

Nuru

 

[Nuru]

Bob, you may have something there. I will check my tires and see where they are, but boy are they bouncy. I rolled over a flat rock sticking out about 3 - 4 inches and it seemed that the tractor bounced up into the air a little and I was only going no more than 4 - 5 miles/hour. Kinda surprised me. Here is a picture of my unit from today.

 

[Nuru]

Pic 2 of my unit

 

[tbarber]

I have a 60 " mmm on my JD 855 and it cuts great. On the other hand mmm are real noisey you will want ear muffs.
Also the mmm is super easy to put on and remove, much easier
than my NH1220.

 

[JackIL]

Nuru,
Since you have some slopes to deal with I would recommend the mid-mount mower. John Deere mower decks are designed to be operated suspended from the tractor with the wheels barely contacting the grass. The wheels and rollers on the mower do not carry substantial weight unless the mower is on uneven terrain. The net effect is that the suspended deck lowers the total system center of gravity and also adds weight to all of the tractor wheels thus enhancing stabiltiy and traction on side slopes. With a rear-mount deck you do not get these important effects. These decks work well if you have relatively level terrain and a lot of open space to mow. It is also easier to trim around trees, bushes, and along buildings with a mid-mount deck. Installation and removal of a JD mid-mount deck is very easy and fast. It helps to do this on a paved surface.

As to the tire inflation pressures, it is typical for tractors of all sizes to be shipped with around 30-35 psi in the tires. This makes them very stiff and is done so that when the tractor is tied down on a truck or trailer for transport, it will not bounce thus keeping the chains or straps tight. The dealer is supposed to reduce the 30 psi to whatever pressure is required for normal operations. In many cases, they neglect to do this. Refer to your 4100 operators manual for specifics, but I would expect the front turf tires need about 12 psi and the rears about 10 psi for mowing and the blade you show in the photos. If you attach a loader and ballast, the pressures would need to be higher.

 

[Nuru]

JackIL; thanks for the info. The manual recommends 14 for the rears and I will be checking what it actually is today. They seem real bouncy, so the bet is that they are overinflated. i will also check the fronts. The info you provided on the MMM's makes a lot of sense and that is what i will go with is the MMM now. I think the manual recommends tire pressure for loader ops, when I get a loader I want to see what it recommends.

Thanks

 

[Nuru]

tBarber, thanks for the infi, and yes that has been my experience too that the MMM is way louder than rear mounted mowers, but you are correct, it should be a lot easier to take off and on.

Thanks

Nuru