On Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:18:36 -0600, Eggs Zachtly
wrote:

Doug B. said:

On Sun, 14 Jan 2007 09:12:41 -0600, Eggs Zachtly
wrote:

Doug B. said:

On Sat, 13 Jan 2007 21:24:48 +0000, restrorob
wrote:


Doug B. Wrote:
My Cub Cadet Z-force really chews up the lawn at the turn/pivot points
when the grass is the least bit damp.
Since my yard is over clay, it is almost always damp.
Will a different tire tread help reduce this?
Or is the only solution coming to a complete stop at each turn?
Thanks.
Doug B.


Have you tried slowing down while turning and reversing one tire ?

Yes.
What I was specifically wondering about was increasing the wheel/tire
size. I've noticed the commercial versions of these zero-turns have
bigger wheels all around.

I really think the rear slip is mostly caused by the small size of the
front caster wheels. The mower won't turn until the front wheels are
in the position that allows them to roll, versus drag. It takes just a
second for the front wheel to spin, but is enough for the rear tire to
lose traction.

Never had this problem on my old garden tractor.

Is it actually pulling the turf out, or just digging in as it turns?

The rear wheels spin during the turn. This leaves a muddy patch, so it
would seem it is doing both. Sometimes it just grinds the grass into
the mud.

I don't have a ZTR tractor, so I surely won't have a definitive answer for
you, sorry. My question was more of a wondering if there wasn't an insect
problem in your turf. One sure sign I've ever seen with grubs, was how easy
it was to pull turf out by hand (because of the decimated roots).

If the tire's spinning, it seems to me a poor design. As was suggested, is
it possible to reverse the inside tire, during the turn?

That is what how 90% of the turns are accomplished. It doesn't stop
either tire from slipping though.

I was hoping some professional lawn contractors might have some tips.
Doug B.