Re: (ET) Mowing

[Cz <cz alembic crystel com>]

Interesting. I use l while mowing on my e20 in cruise, d1 is much too fast.

Jim Coate <lists freerangeelectric com> wrote:

>In general, the Elec-Trak may not give as perfect of a cut as "modern" 
>lawn care standards many now expect (ie perfectly smooth green 
>mono-crop), especially while making tight turns. Once upon a time the 
>goal was to simply keep a nice diverse mix of fescues, clover, etc. cut 
>to a reasonably equal height. On the other hand, it can take down 2'-3' 
>tall grass & weeds without blinking :-)
>
>I've sent Paul other info off-list but the basics: make sure the blades 
>are sharp, installed the right way up, and the motors are all wired so 
>they spin in the correct direction (CCW when viewed from the bottom). 
>Nothing like trying to cut grass with the wrong edge of the blade. And 
>yes, I've seen some wired wrong. Then make sure the deck isn't bent: 
>stand it up on edge so you can see that all the motors are parallel to 
>each other. You want to check that the blades are all in the same plane; 
>I find it easier to visually see that the axis of the motors are all the 
>same. Then check that the cutting height is the same at all four corners 
>(2 casters and 2 ends of the rollers). Also check that the rollers 
>aren't worn badly: 2-1/2" diameter when new, so ideally still over 2" 
>and not tapered at the ends. With the deck unplugged and tilted up, try 
>spinning the blades. All three should turn easily and smoothly, without 
>evil noises. Turning one by hand pretty fast should make the other two 
>turn a little bit as well. Watch the centers and make sure they don't 
>wobble - this could mean a bent shaft which means the ends of the blades 
>will vary in height as it goes around.
>
>When mowing, I mostly use D1; I find D2 too fast. I use L if on steep 
>slope and/or intricate area. Rear discharge is better for tall grass, if 
>using side discharge the clippings from the far side have to all pass by 
>the one blade by the chute so it gets overloaded. With tall grass go 
>forward over it than back up over the same area. For really tall grass, 
>may need to raise the deck up with the lift for the first pass. By this 
>I mean 3' tall or so. If regularly mowing a suburbia lawn, side 
>discharge may give a slightly nicer cut as scatters the clipping better, 
>but rear discharge should be fine if mow frequently so not taking off 
>more than 1/3 the length (also recommended for health of the grass to 
>not stress it too much).
>
>___
>Jim Coate
>540-941-1005
>Free Range Electric, LLC
>*The Electric Tractor Store*
>http://www.ElectricTractorStore.com
>
>
>On 5/10/12 12:28 PM, paulsouc ymail com wrote:
>> 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.
>>
>
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