"New Rider"
I thought this thread was going to be about motorcycles for beginners, LOL.
I thought this thread was going to be about motorcycles for beginners, LOL.
New Rider - Thoughts
- Thread starter PontiacHO
- Start date
I’ve been using a 42” Timecutter (708cc twin) for 5 seasons. It’s been perfect, so far.
As long as you dont have hills, you will like it. You can turn tight, just don't completely do a zero turn , it will spin especially on wet grass. do shorter 3 point turns. Its still way faster than a tractor type. Blade speed is there.
I'm on a 2013 time cutter 50 inch deck. The orginal deck belt lasted lasted 10 years, mowing 2 acres a time. I did rebuild the deck as the bearings went. But it mowed a lot of grass. That's all i've done other than 1 fuel pump.
When you get yours, check the engine speed with a tach, mine was slow, like 3200, had to bump it up to 3600.
Stay away from " Toy Built". What a P.O.S. Has this huge honkin sticker on it " Made in USA " Mine is 3 years old. Been thru countless spindles, the tranny is already whining, ( and I don't go Nascar on it either ), ignition switch crapped out causing the starter to enage while engine running, so it killed the starter too. Burnt out a set of cheap Chinese headlight bulbs already, eats deck belts for breakfast. It's a good thing I'm handy. Could you just imagine sending it out to a repair shop when it throws a belt ? I don't even beat on this thing.!!!! Just poorly designed. Oh, DO NOT buy a machine from Home Depot, or Lowes, or whatever big box store you chose if the machine is OUTSIDE. Rainwater gets into the magneto/flywheel and rusts up EVERYTHING. Buy it off the floor INDOORS. You're wallet is you're limit, so do you're homework on the Internet.
Good to know. Thanks. The engine speed does need to be right to get the most out of the mower cutting performance. What engine is yours? Mine is the V-twin Briggs. I do have ditches with a slope. I’ll push mow those at least until I learn the capabilities and limitations of the Toro.
Look at bad boy mowers or Ventrac. You didn't specify if you have steep terrain or not.
Check model # of Craftsman. 247 is MTD and 917 is Husqvarna. Avoid MTD.
I would go for John Deere.
It’s just like pushing a cart around the store.
Granted it’s a zero turn, but my cub cadet ZT2 50” has been great. Just hit 105 hours on it.
MTD is also " Toy Built" with a different sticker. STAY AWAY !!!! Made in America with Chinese parts. Sticker should say " Assembled in America using Global Parts"
OK, the TimeCutter will work. What engine? Break the engine in on conventional oil. After break in use a good brand synthetic as your regular oil. Change it every year or sooner depending on your usage. I run Amsoil Small Engine 10w-40 and change it each year. Do not wash it after each use. That just starts and increases rust. Use an air compressor and blow it off. Once a year I use Gunk engine cleaner and spray everything down and lightly rinse. Keep it dry when not in use.