Re: (ET) Mowing

[Charlie <medievalist gmail com>]

I use L for a better cut with the I5.   D1 is much too ragged for me.

If I use D2 I keep bouncing up off the seat and releasing the deadman 
switch...

My machine runs slower in cruise than when I have the pedal all the
way down - don't know if that's normal or not.

--Charlie


On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 6:21 PM, Cz <cz alembic crystel com> wrote:
> 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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