ZTR Attachemnts

[wormstyle]

Does anyone use an attachment on there ZTR? If so what kinds and what do you think about there performance.

[wormstyle]

The reason I was asking is i'm interested in offering aeration and ran across this:

http://countrymfg.stores.yahoo.net/zetumocoaewi1.html

[vaughnslawns]

I Have A Few Tow Behind Attachments There Ok On Wide Areas But You Will Also Need The Smaller Walk Behind Stuff As Well For Corners Around Trees And Such.

[vaughnslawns]

I Replied To This Lastnite Dont Know What Happen To It? Anyway I Have A Pull Behind Aeration Its Ok Not A Plug Puller Nor Spike I Guess Like A Half Moon? Works Ok But Nothing Like A Walkbehind Plus You Will Need A Small Unit Anyway To Get Betwwen Spaces And Tight Corners.

[vaughnslawns]

I Must Be Blind..........................

[wormstyle]

I Replied To This Lastnite Dont Know What Happen To It? Anyway I Have A Pull Behind Aeration Its Ok Not A Plug Puller Nor Spike I Guess Like A Half Moon? Works Ok But Nothing Like A Walkbehind Plus You Will Need A Small Unit Anyway To Get Betwwen Spaces And Tight Corners.

Thanks for the reply. The model that I gave a link to is desiged to be infront of the ZTR but I see what your saying about the tight spots.

[TRANSMAN]

I would be cautious

Does anyone use an attachment on there ZTR? If so what kinds and what do you think about there performance.

Anything requiring pulling or working a hydro driven mower i would personally avoid....

I`v seen two many hydro's ruined from overheating / burning them out , so personally i would use some cheap older gear driven garden tractor that can be bought for nothing to use for strenuous work ...

I`m not saying its out of the question but i would keep my money maker mower just for mowing and get a ATV or whatever (gear driven for any grunt work)....

I`m sure anyone who has paid to replace a hydro drive knows these are some of the most delicate and $$$ expensive components on a mower that is the main unit bringing in the income....

Just my opinion and i understand that what your talking about shouldn't hurt the unit but i like and recommend babying hydro units just because there so delicate , most places only replace them instead of fixing them ,and charge the crap out of you...

[KS_Grasscutter]

I am in the process of buying a Walker, and plan to buy a dethatcher for it before fall. Also thinking about getting a snow plow for it or my 50 inch Dixon before winter.

[jgc8fan]

The only thing my mower tows is a lawn cart... And I only have that for one apartment that has no parking access. I have to park 2 blocks away, so I hook up the cart and toss my trimmer, edger, and blower in it (the first time I did the job I had to walk for every thing and bought the cart before I had to do it again). Other than that my Z just mows.

[rjlmob1]

MyGrasshopper is versatile. The attachment I love the best on it is the front plow blade. They have designed it so you can transfer more weight to the wheels from the blade by pushung down with your feet. The first time I used it was about fifteen years ago. I had a 1500 foot driveway and a 50' X 100' parking area by the house. I actually could do it a lot faster with the GH, than with a truck with a plow. Other than that, I have a Sweepster broom, snow blower and a dethatcher.

My hydro are fine, no increased wear. Transman, if your hydro's are that weak, I'd switch brands of mowers! I make money with my equipment, the easier and faster I get something done the more $$$ I make...and for that reason my mowers do more than just mow!

[jgc8fan]

My hydro are fine, no increased wear. Transman, if your hydro's are that weak, I'd switch brands of mowers! I make money with my equipment, the easier and faster I get something done the more $$$ I make...and for that reason my mowers do more than just mow!

Ummm... Next time you happen to look at mowers (including your Grasshopper) you may want to note that changing brands has nothing to do with it as all commercial mowers use Hydrogear BDP hydro pumps. I've looked at a repair manual for Hydrogear BDP-10As that are in my Z, and you wouldn't believe how many tiny parts are in there.

I just find it hilarious when people use the hydro pumps as a reason to put down a mower brand when they all use the same pumps.

Oh... Not to mention a hydro pump typically costs $700-$800 each to replace. And that doesn't include the labor of whatever shop puts it in either.

[KLC]

I personally dont think hydro gear is all that weak or fragile. I may be new to lawn mowing with a hydro driven ZTR, but I worked several years for a robotics firm that used hydro to power everything. Mostly Parker hydraulics (like what is on my Dixon) but we did use others. The biggest thing that I worked on was a 72ft linear pouring device that was designed to pour 150lbs of aluminum into 5 molds and dip the metal from 3 furnaces. The only real obstacle to hydraulics is keeping a good constant temp (as stated before, dont let them overheat). Using them wont hurt them, but allowing trash to build up or not changing the oil will. Anything that you use in cold weather I would let the mower run for a bit, just to get the hydraulic oil up to temp and in warmer weather if you really plan on working it for extended periods of time I would invest in a hydraulic cooler (just an oil cooler with a 12v fan on it). Just dont let the oil overheat and you should be fine.

You could always call or email the manufacturer of your equipment and ask if they recomend any different maint. schedules when using the ZTR for tasks other than mowing. At the least, it will make you feel better about your decision whatever it may be.