From: Jim Coate
<lists freerangeelectric com>
To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012
5:37 PM
Subject: Re: (ET)
Mowing
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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