Ariens max zoom won't go max speed

pseudoyams · Sep 7, 2015

Hey guys!
I bought a new Ariens max zoom 60 just the other day. Love it so far and it took off 1/3 the mowing time from my cub cadet that bit the dust. The max speed is listed at 8 mph in the manual and such, however I can only get it to 6.8. This was driving down a flat road with my GPS running watch to watch the speed. Is that something to be concerned about? Is there a way I can get that extra mph+ out of it? I'd really like that extra speed. I have an open 3 acre yard

Thanks

Scooby074 · Sep 7, 2015

Unless your lawn is putting green flat, you likely wont be able to mow at top speed.(my Kubota ZD maxes out at 10.6mph, but there is no way you could mow at that speed)

Being a little under published max speed is likely to be expected. Those top speed numbers are best case scenarios . That said, your control levers might not be set 100% correct. I cant speak for the Ariens because I am unfamilar with them, but on my ZD there are adjustments in the control linkages to set max speed and even out any differences between R and L wheelspeed. This is set by using a contact tachometer. When I set mine, there was approx 20RPM difference between the R and L wheelspeed, and both were under max spec.

Maybe see if you can find a shop manual for it and see if there is a procedure to follow to set top speed (and even up L-R wheelspeed)

pseudoyams · Sep 7, 2015

I checked in the manual and there's not much about what you mention. There is a section on adjusting creep and tracking, but that's about it. My control arms are set to furthest forward position possible. I could see maybe .5 mph under advertised max speed, but 1.2 seems like a lot. And, I agree like in your case that mowing at 10+ would be difficult, but I think I could benefit from that little extra speed if possible to make an adjustment to gain it.

pseudoyams · Sep 7, 2015

I found the engine service manual and found there is a high speed adjusting screw. I made a few rotations and am now running 7.5 mph. Thanks for your help.

Scooby074 · Sep 7, 2015

If you turned up the high speed on the engine, make sure that you arent overspeeding it. The engine might have been under speed from the factory too.

Glad you got it sorted.