Whatever you feel like thread.

[CloverKnollFarms]

Lightweight machines don't hold slopes well. Traction is poor. A lot of difference between a 600lb machine and a 1200lb machine in that regard.

 

[ArlyA]

What was happening with the slope? Sliding? not enough power to mow going up the slope? Could you mow going downhill or sideways?

On the way up, the front was getting real light. On the way down it would tend to slide. Side hills worst! There yard is quite steep so I was there just to see if it was functional.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

It's not the weight of the machine. It's the weight distribution

 

[EddieWalker]

I tried mowing with the rear bumper not on my zero turn. I was working on the engine, and wanted to test it out. I was shocked at how poorly it did without all that extra weight on it.

 

[WinterDeere]

It's not the weight of the machine. It's the weight distribution

Good post. And to take it a step farther, how that distribution affects soil contact pressure. A light machine is just fine, if the tire size is adjusted for similar contact patch pressure.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I wonder if there is an option to add a weight rack for suitcase weights, or even weights that can be bolted on. I've seen that for other zero-turns so it would make sense.

 

[Runner]

On the other hand..... he said this was just an experiment to see what the capabilities of the machine are. Well, he now knows what the limitations are, and as he said previously, it works fine on his own yard, which I understood to be the only place he's really going to use it.

So, trying to add weight, etc., is just trying to solve a problem that doesn't really exist. It might also put extra strain on the drive train and cause it to have less range.

That slope looks to be at least 20 degrees which would be quite a bit for any mower.

Arly, are you planning on mowing this yard (or this kind of slope) regularly, or just a one time thing?

 

[ArlyA]

On the other hand..... he said this was just an experiment to see what the capabilities of the machine are. Well, he now knows what the limitations are, and as he said previously, it works fine on his own yard, which I understood to be the only place he's really going to use it.

So, trying to add weight, etc., is just trying to solve a problem that doesn't really exist. It might also put extra strain on the drive train and cause it to have less range.

That slope looks to be at least 20 degrees which would be quite a bit for any mower.

Arly, are you planning on mowing this yard (or this kind of slope) any more, or just a one time thing?

No. The neighbors were out of town and let there yard go so I was only there to see if it could do it. It was really steep.

 

[Runner]

Thanks for being a "test pilot" on this. Good information to have. Did you try doing any side-hilling on that slope? Would be interesting to know how steep it could hold on. Maybe even measure the slope to see how steep it actually is.

 

[tradosaurus]

I cut at full speed here all the time. A ZTR with full suspension will allow that. When cutting all the mower is doing is just soaking up the bumps and transmits very little to the operator. Full suspension and the weight of a big mower does that. Ever ride a good suspension side by side ? The big ones have giant shocks to absorb the bumps at speed. That allows you to travel faster on a bumpy trail than anyone else. Hence the reason for full suspension on a ZTR. And in control I'll add too. Not just flying along out of control.

I have a Toro MyRide ZMaster 2000. It has the full suspension. Unfortunately my property is not very smooth and mowing bahia grass I can't go full speed. More like 1/4 speed.
But the full suspension is easy on my back. I traded in my Toro Titan 2000 because it would beat me hard.
My only wish was that I bought the ZMaster 4000 with the bigger motor.