Zero turn fatality

[masscity]

I almost flipped mine on top of me, so I installed AG tires and what a difference.

 

[RjCorazza]

I almost flipped mine on top of me, so I installed AG tires and what a difference.

I put bar tread tires and spacers on my backup diesel zero turn a few years ago. It sticks on slopes much better ... BUT, it has enough traction to pull the front end up and over if I'm going uphill (which I generally avoid).
It's also counterintuitive to me to pull back on the direction bars when the front end comes up. I am always thinking in my head what I'm gonna do if...

 

[RayIN]

Many years ago a professional mowing firm owner told me to mount my R1 tires backward. When I questioned that he said, you need more traction backing out of soft spots/mud than going forward, and they hold better on side slopes.
Time and experience has proven that true, at least on my Hustler ZTR.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Many years ago a professional mowing firm owner told me to mount my R1 tires backward. When I questioned that he said, you need more traction backing out of soft spots/mud than going forward, and they hold better on side slopes.
Time and experience has proven that true, at least on my Hustler ZTR.

I am thinking that Dixie Chopper's used to be set up like that?

 

[Ltcmikesr47]

More details in the article would be helpful.

My assumptions would either no roll bar up or no seat belt or both.

I have used one (Ferris) commercially since 2014. Have seen so many with ROPS folded down. Sometimes a pain under low tree branches. Small price to pay. The performance and sensitivity is scary for new, inexperienced operators.

 

[RandyT]

I have used one (Ferris) commercially since 2014. Have seen so many with ROPS folded down. Sometimes a pain under low tree branches. Small price to pay. The performance and sensitivity is scary for new, inexperienced operators.

The rops gets folded down or removed because the owners previous Z turn didn't have one, and his first zip around the yard catches that branch and either bucks it up on its tail or in some cases have turned the mower over backwards. Have heard of a few that the branch broke and hit the operator in the back of the head causing serious injury.

 

[Hay Dude]

The rops gets folded down or removed because the owners previous Z turn didn't have one, and his first zip around the yard catches that branch and either bucks it up on its tail or in some cases have turned the mower over backwards. Have heard of a few that the branch broke and hit the operator in the back of the head causing serious injury.

I got a concussion from that exact situation.
I was backing up in a powerful, heavy zero turn not knowing I was flexing a 4” pine branch backwards.
It skipped over the ROPS and clubbed me good on the back of my neck. Luckily I weigh enough that it didn’t knock me over onto the mowing deck.
I got a concussion.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I got a concussion from that exact situation.
I was backing up in a powerful, heavy zero turn not knowing I was flexing a 4” pine branch backwards.
It skipped over the ROPS and clubbed me good on the back of my neck. Luckily I weigh enough that it didn’t knock me over onto the mowing deck.
I got a concussion.

This is why mine is down... Unless I go cut a lot of branches

 

[Hay Dude]

This is why mine is down... Unless I go cut a lot of branches

Mine was down, too. Mine folds down to about a 45* angle. Still managed to get whacked.

 

[RjCorazza]

Mine are also down almost all of the time. I replaced the OEM pins with quick release pins so that when I'm mowing on a slope it's more convenient to raise and pin the rops.

 

[Hay Dude]

Mine are also down almost all of the time. I replaced the OEM pins with quick release pins so that when I'm mowing on a slope it's more convenient to raise and pin the rops.

Do you have pictures of the quick release pins you speak of?
I have the tethered pins

 

[RjCorazza]

Do you have pictures of the quick release pins you speak of?
I have the tethered pins

I used a piece of garden hose as a spacer, but not really necessary.

 

[ning]

I used a piece of garden hose as a spacer, but not really necessary.
View attachment 2996064
View attachment 2996065

One side of mine is really snug and I have to use a pin and a hammer to get it out. Otherside comes out nicely. They use hitch pins. Perhaps I should open up the one side very slightly with a drill. Still I like that quick release ....

Found "quick release ball lock pin". eBay example $50 for 3/4"x4".

Also found at McMaster-Carr, "L-Handle Locking Quick-Release Pins"

(similar price as the ebay example)

and "Loop-Grip Quick-Release Pins"

those you don't push a button, just yank and the ball on a spring gets out of the way (much cheaper but not as secure)