Traction ztr stuck in mud

[jlp14346]

Hi

New member here - first post.

I have a deere z445 mower and its been a very wet spring in northeast ohio. I was out trying to cut the grass the other day and I got my ztr stuck in the lawn/mud several times in low wet spots. Rocking back and forth just seemed to dig it in deeper. Fortunately, I had a come along and some rope and I managed to winch it out each time

This is our first year at this home and it is a sloped yard towards the street where there is a drainage ditch. Also the back is sloped to one side. Anyhow with the record rainfall this year the whole yard (even the high spots) feel like a sponge when you walk on it. I am hesitant to try cutting the back for fear of getting it stuck again.

Several questions from this experience:

1. Would different tires with a higher profile tread help or would they just dig up the yard?
2. Is there some other technique for getting unstuck?
3. Would a regular lawn tractor where the weight is more evenly balanced over the four wheels be better that a ztr for soft lawns?

thanks for the help

John

 

[nybirdman]

Hate to say this....wait until it dries up.Why rut up your lawn;you got all summer to cut grass.My back is all clay..standing water right now...don't like it but I have to wait,grass is six inches high right now.I am going to french drain my worst areas this summer,some-thing you may want to think about.

 

[Thomas]

Also agree w/nybirdman,not unless you have some extra $$'s.

 

[B8FISH]

I'm in the wait it out camp as well! I would think non-turf tires would rip up the grass pretty good in tight radius turns. When I mow at this time of year (or whenever its pretty wet), I look at the set of tracks from the last time around, if I see any dirt/mud in either of the tracks, I don't go any further in to that likely wet area (usually the "downhill" track will have a slightly dirty look to it from water kicking up ).

 

[beenthere]

ztr's are real tough to get the traction as the steering is built into the drive wheels. Same goes with slopes and wet grass as traction to steer is necessary.

Two wheels (or 4wd) driving with two steering helps for wet spots, but agree on the points to not mess up the lawn. Let it dry and mow the tall grass once or twice later.

 

[Jay4200]

1. Would different tires with a higher profile tread help or would they just dig up the yard?
2. Is there some other technique for getting unstuck?
3. Would a regular lawn tractor where the weight is more evenly balanced over the four wheels be better that a ztr for soft lawns?

Rule #1 for mowing grass is to NOT mow it when it is wet. Wait for the ground to dry up. If you have a chronically wet area, either just leave it alone and let it overgrow, or fill it with rocks and call it a day.

JayC

 

[9973720wb19]

the first year on my property with my Z I fought to mow all areas and i got my JD 997 Z stuck 3 times per mow and it was covered in mud and i worried about pulling it out with the tractor each time - affraid i was going to damange the trans. i have since learned my land and i stay away from the wet areas until about june - no one else notices the high wet spots and i finished the lawn clean faster and in a better mood. my advice, just learn your land and stay away from the wet areas until it drys out.

 

[Bird]

I have my second Toro ZTR and I learned early that it's very easy to get in a situation where they just spin their wheels. However, when I had a Cub Cadet lawn tractor, I got it stuck mowing the borrow ditch and had to go get my Kubota to pull it out.:laughing: So I don't know that a lawn tractor would be much advantage; perhaps just a little.

 

[NWOH_Grizz]

Wait it out. Nothing good is going to come out of going into spongy soil to mow. Anything but turf tires are just going to tear up the yard, its easy enough on regular turf tires with a zero-turn mower.

I use a Toro commercial ZTR on my lawn, and have got it stuck a few times trying to cross a shallow ditch or getting a few inches too close to the wet spots. Just pulled it out with an ATV with a winch. If your JD is similar to the Toro drive system, using hydraulic motors to power the drive wheels, be sure to unlock/release the hydraulics before pulling the ZTR out of the mud. Done by flipping a lever on each of the two hydraulic motors on the Toro, YMMV.

 

[probolpher]

I've battled this same situation for years living on the side of a mountain in VT. I have a Kubota B2920 with a belly mower that will go through it if you want giant ruts in the lawn. Obviously that is not ideal.

The best thing to do is wait until it dries a bit. However, If the grass gets too tall it will slow the drying process of the clay assuming the sun finally comes out. It was the wettest April on record here in VT.

If you find that it never dries out, (Some of our soil doesnt dry out until August) you can buy a push mower to finish the spots you cannot get with the ZTR. You can also buy an old wheelhorse with a manual transmission. These are not too heavy and tend to be able to get through the mud. The beauty of the manual tranny is that if you get stuck, you can turn the mower off and leave it in gear and push it out with the wheels turning.

To eliminate the need to do all of this you can dig curtain drains or try mixing sand into the clay with a rototiller and reseeding the lawn. You would be suprised how much this lets the water drain through your exisiting clay.

Good luck. Happy Mudding!

 

[Bird]

If your JD is similar to the Toro drive system, using hydraulic motors to power the drive wheels, be sure to unlock/release the hydraulics before pulling the ZTR out of the mud. Done by flipping a lever on each of the two hydraulic motors on the Toro

Yeah, and I just bought a new Toro ZTR and they've added something. In addition to what you said above, you must have the key turned on so it'll release the electric (or electronic) brakes. Neither I nor my dealer think that was a bright idea for an addition to the ZTR.

But otherwise, it does seem to be nice machine.:laughing:

 

[MikeA57]

I sent my son out last Friday to cut the backyard and told him to not go near the lower areas, just stay up on higher ground. He came in about 10 minutes later saying, "Mower's stuck!" It took me, him and a ATV to get it out and he was up on the high ground. Now I've got ruts and after we got it out I just told him, "Put it up we'll deal with it when it dries up..."

 

[DianneInVA]

I have my second Toro ZTR and I learned early that it's very easy to get in a situation where they just spin their wheels. However, when I had a Cub Cadet lawn tractor, I got it stuck mowing the borrow ditch and had to go get my Kubota to pull it out.:laughing: So I don't know that a lawn tractor would be much advantage; perhaps just a little.

I was cutting in deep, wet grass and slipped into the drainage ditch. Decided to turn straight into it, rather than tip. The mower is a Kubota Z-122e and stuck but good. I have plenty to pull it out (B2620, RTV or an F150)..., but don't know where to attach the tow strap/chain. I could use the FEL and lift....dang. this is embarassing.

 

[DianneInVA]

I was cutting in deep, wet grass and slipped into the drainage ditch. Decided to turn straight into it, rather than tip. The mower is a Kubota Z-122e and stuck but good. I have plenty to pull it out (B2620, RTV or an F150)..., but don't know where to attach the tow strap/chain. I could use the FEL and lift....dang. this is embarassing. Still stuck.

 

[roadhunter]

Just chain up when it's wet. LOL

 

[kthompson]

One thing zero mower is terrible for is bogging down. If you realize you are bogging in time raise the deck as far as possible as quick as possible and it may help give you the clearance to get out of there but I have had to pull mine out more than once.

If you will be pulling it far you may need to release the I guess the hyd oil valve in drive system. Normally one or two rods coming out the back of the mower, you pull them out and drop into locked postion to release the pressure as you move the mower. As where to hook to the mower I would suggest the frame on the end you are pulling it toward and certainly not the deck. I try to use a strap and tie it around bumper or frame for chain will mare the paint.

 

[4570Man]

I've never released the fluid when pulling my ZTR out of a bind. If it doesn't have enough traction to drive out then the wheels easily slip. I usually only need to move it about a foot and I can drive it out.

 

[DianneInVA]

Thanks for the answer. I should have done a followup: I was really hung up ---. I called for help so that one of us could be on the mower and one in the tractor. Hooked a chain to the FEL/other end to the trailer hitch and more or less lifted it up and out. Psalm 37 is my guide...(the whole thing, but v 3&4 for on the homestead) Thanks again. I know I will be back. I am humble enough to laugh and ask.

 

[nap61]

The LAST time I got my ZTR stuck, it was near a high spot. I figured I would just use my Titan to pull it out. YEP, you guessed it. I had to go back and get my tractor to pull both the truck and ZTR out. Lesson learned.
Also, most of the times I got stuck was when the deck was too low and hung up on a patch of high ground. Now, when the ground is still a little wet, I raise the deck a little to prevent the hang-up.

Norm

 

[DianneInVA]

getting stuck and then unstuck is just part of the fun. I got the RTV stuck this spring -texted a neighbor who responded he was working. I replied I knew, but I wanted him to know incase I got the tractor stuck, too.