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Re: (ET) Should I get an Elec-Trak?

Larry, et al,
 
I've just recently become interested in having a wider seat - my kids that like
to ride on my lap are simply starting to get too big to ride there.
 
Does Bill carry wide seats?  Has anyone found a wide seat that can work
on the ET?  (I have an E16).  If you know of any suitable products/retailers,
please pass the information on, including price.
 
Thanks.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 9:52 AM
Subject: RE: (ET) Should I get an Elec-Trak?

I mow 2 acres of flat land (in Michigan, but not very near Albion by the way) with a total of 29 trees, and in addition a farm lane with another 9 trees, all on a single charge with an E12.  Your Scag is easier to mow around trees with, but the ET is not too bad.  GE used an unusually short wheelbase to compensate for the 44" front mower deck.  The combination is not great (rear-steer would be better, but no one thought people would buy them in '69) but it works.  Turning radius way up front isn't symmetric to the center the way a belly deck is, and that causes some problems.  If the trees are not too big (20 of my 29 are less than 8" dia) there is a forward/backup you can do; drive by the tree, reverse with the steering turned hard the other direction and then repeat from the other side.  You won't leave much.  BTW, 'the other side' implies that you have a rear-discharge not side-discharge mower.  You need rear discharge with lots of trees; the side discharge won't let you within about 9" of the right side, the rear discharge gets you within 1" of either side.  If you have pines, the front mower lets you nudge in under low branches real well.  I do also have to admit that the nice double seat I bragged about some months ago is a problem in fruit trees; you may clear the deck and tractor and then catch the arm rest and nearly rip the hinges off the seat mount.  But very few people have the wide two person seat.
 
Larry Elie
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: W. Jeffrey Wilson [mailto:Wjwilson albion edu]
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 8:50 AM
To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Subject: (ET) Should I get an Elec-Trak?

Hi all -
 
I'm new to the group - I found it in searching for info on Elec-Traks.  I mow about 1 ½ acres, mostly flat but with LOTS of trees.  I like the idea of the silence and (at least local) environmental friendliness of the Elec-Trak, but wonder about running time and maneuverability.  With my (BIG, noisy) 48" Scag walk-behind mower I can finish my mowing in about 2 hours, and work around the trees without too much difficulty.  Will I be happy with the E15 with its front-mounted mower?  Will I finish the job on one charge?  Will I constantly be backing up to work around trees?
 
Any guidance or suggestion will be apprciated.  Thanks!
 
Jeff Wilson