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(ET) Cutting height adjustment?
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I wanted to ask a related
question. How does one change the cutting height on the mower deck? (I
don't own an Elec-trak, but do have an electric tractor).
Thanks,
-Phil Trice
-----Original Message-----
From: elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu
[mailto:elec-trak-bounces cosmos phy tufts edu] On Behalf Of Dave &
Debbie Barden
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 2:19 AM
To: lelie ford com; agp vt edu; elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Subject: RE: (ET) Large Frame Mower Deck
I've not yet used my mower but this discussion has been interesting and
good
for my future reference.
so I am left with 2 dumb questions:
1. if the blades overlap how come they don't collide with one
another?
2. I haven't lookd closely but are the blades only sharpened on about
the
outside 3 inches or so? and if so how is that the inner 10 or 11 inches
of
blade cut?
Like I said dumb questions but I was raised using a push reel mower. My
father
also claimed they did a better job and would have nothing to do with a
rotary
mower because they hacked the grass rather than cut it. Fortunately for
me we
lived in the city with a small lot and not much lawn.
dave
Seattle
E12S
E15mod
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Poush [mailto:agp vt edu]
> Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2003 9:51 AM
> To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
> Subject: Re: (ET) Large Frame Mower Deck
>
>
> I was thinking about this some more and I realized that there are more
> questions I need to add to the survey. So to repeat all the current
> questions plus the new ones:
>
> So now to a question:
> Does anyone out there use a large frame deck to successfully cut the
> lawn in only one cut?
>
> YES!
>
> And a survey:
> Can all those with large frame mowers tell me: 1) How many cuts does
> it take to do your lawn?
>
> One; if it takes two you are doing something wrong (and that's very
> common!)
>
> 2) Side or rear discharge?
>
> Have used both. I like the rear discharge better; the clippings are
> more
evenly
distributed.
>
> 3) With or without baffles?
>
> I never made it cut right (for a factory deck) without baffles.
>
> 4) What is cut height (number of spacers below front wheel caster
bearing)?
>
> It depends on what height you want. I use 3 or 4 spacers below the
> caster.
>
> 5) What numbers and/or text appears on the deck nameplate?
>
> Now you're meddling. No, I have used at least 3 types of deck, and
> they all
can be made
to cut well.
>
> 6) Is deck OEM?
>
> Yes.
>
> 7) If it came with the ET, what is ET s/n?
>
> Ditto 5; it shouldn't matter. E12/E15.
>
>
> First, check to see if the blades are turning the right way!
>
> Second, keep the INSIDE OF THE DECK CLEAN! Don't try and mow 'damp'
> grass.
If you have
too, that's fine,
> but don't expect it to look good. It sticks in the deck and overloads
> the
motors. The
blades turn slow
> and it doesn't cut. I use a 3 fingered weeder to scrape off any grass
thicker than 3/4"
on the inside of
> the deck.
>
> Third, sharpen the blades, ESPECIALLY THE OUTSIDE 3" and the tip. If
> the tip
isn't sharp
and square, you
> will leave the strips. This isn't unique to the GE; I have seen it on
> Bolens
and Sears
decks too. It IS
> more pronounced as the GE tip speed is slower than on many other
> decks; it
isn't the RPM
that cuts, it's
> the linear speed; a longer blade is turning faster.
>
> Fourth, are use using the SAME types of blades? The 'lift' blade has
> more
bend. I have
used them, but am
> not at the moment. I'm not sure, but I think they were standard on
> the
side-discharge
deck. Either will
> work, but your ground speed will be different.
>
> Fifth, is the deck LEVEL? Front to back very important.
>
> Sixth, with rear discharge you want the rubber boot to spread the
> clippings
more
uniformly.
>
> Seventh, when the blade is worn to the width of a butcher knife,
> replace it.
>
> LAST, and most common mistake; don't expect it to mow if you can hear
> the
blades slowing!
The GE mows at
> about 3,000 RPM as I recall. With a radius of 7.25" or so, that's a
> tip
speed of 127 MPH.
Sound good?
> A Bolens 20 HP with 19" blades cuts at 3600 RPM; that's 203 MPH.
> Don't get
me wrong;
anything like 100 MPH
> will cut fine, a reel mower is cutting in the 10's of MPH, and it
> works ON A
LITTLE GRASS
AT A TIME! The
> problem is that a gas tractor like a Bolens or a John Deere uses a
> governor
to control the
engine speed;
> more grass and the RPM doesn't droop too much. The GE gets more load
> and the
current can
go way up to
> add power, but the RPM drops off REAL FAST. You have all heard it.
> When the
roar stops
you aren't cutting
> well. Go slower. Or raise the deck and go slow too. If you're
> re-cutting,
wait a day
and let the grass
> dry out so it doesn't plug the deck. If you don't do this you will
> ALWAYS
LEAVE TWO
STRIPS OF GRASS!
>
> If you do it right, you can cut as good as anyone. My nephew has a
> 14.5 HP
Sears, and I
cut along with
> him at times. I can leave the grass looking SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER than
> he can
when cutting
more than an
> inch and a half of grass, but I can't do it as fast.
>
> Now if I could find one of the front-mounted GE reel mowers to try,
> that
would be fun.
>
> Larry Elie
>
>
>
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