Re: (ET) Mowing

[Charlie <medievalist gmail com>]

Similar situation here.  My 1973 I-5's very simple flat, short mower
blades don't seem to be able to match the evenness of cut that my 1973
Craftsman II gets using modern highly sculpted blades.

I'm told that the 3 secrets to getting a clean cut with the elec-trak
deck are absolutely razor sharp blades (literally sharp enough to
shave with), mid-to-low speed when mowing, and replacing the thin
wires leading to the mower motors with heavy gauge.  However, I have
not confirmed these yet.  I have noted that higher speeds give a more
ragged cut, though.

I think some folks on the list have retro-fitted gator blades to their
decks, but I seem to recall there's a problem with the center hole
size.

--Charlie

On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 12:28 PM,  <paulsouc ymail com> wrote:
>
> I recently acquired a nicely refreshed E12s. I have never mowed with an
> Elec-Trak. This E12s has a rebuilt mower so it is running in top 
> condition.
> My only comparison is with a 36" 3 blade 13HP commercial walk behind. 
> Side
> discharge and allow clippings on to the grass to feed the lawn. Very 
> clean
> cut.
>
> I mowed briefly with the Elec-Trak for the first time and found that it 
> did
> a fair job. Rear discharge. Lots of clumps and some unevenness. 
> Admittedly,
> I am a complete novice in its use. Speed may have been too fast and 
> perhaps
> I need to adjust the cutting height though I believe it was at about 3" 
> and
> I was taking roughly an 1.5" off. I will most certainly need time to 
> play a
> bit and makes some adjustments.
>
> Does the internal combustion engine simply produce a faster blade rpm and
> thereby a cleaner cut? Is there a difference between a side discharge 
> deck
> and a rear discharge deck in terms of performance? I have read that many 
> of
> these decks had no baffles while others do. I have baffles on my deck and
> they are in good shape. The deck was well put together.
>
> I would appreciate comments, thoughts and direction. Thank you.
>
> Paul
>
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