Grillo g107d tire size

[Kapster]

Hi all,

Ive been lurking on here for awhile and decided to join. Ive been looking for a used bcs for about 5 years now and havent found anything i like, so decided to get a g107d instead.

I ordered it today from local dealer. Was going to get the 5-12 tires but the dealer talked me out of it. Am i going to regret this? I just bought a tiller for now, down the road possibly a lawn mower and snowthrower. Im tempted to call and see if i can switch but wanted to see what you guys had to say.

Cant wait to get it!

 

[oldmech]

Hi! I own a Grillo 107d for now more five years. The 5-10 tire are ok for the most use. 5-12 add some height more clearance but add speed no always a good thing. I think 5-10 are a good choice . Except may be (I dont have) for rotary plow. For winter I add tire chains for snowblowing.
Good luck !

 

[TimberXX]

I also like the 5-10 setup. I used my 107d to push heavy carts and have never had clearance issues.

Congrats on your purchase!

I thought I would upload a photo too...

 

[farmerboybill]

5-10s are a good tire size for the 107d if just using a tiller, snow blower, stationary equipment - most attachments, really. 5-12s make for better clearance in rough mowing conditions and rotary plowing, and add ground speed when using a trailer. They're fine for a tiller, but the 5-10's will allow for slower ground speed and better tilling. I have a BCS 850 diesel for my personal machine and I have both 5-10's and 5-12's. I very rarely mount the 5-10's, but I also very rarely use the tiller. Most of it's use recently has been on a double rotary plow and a sweeper. When I do use the tiller, 5-12's are acceptable because I never break ground with it, I only use it for fast, light, shallow cultivation in large areas.

 

[Kapster]

Great! I think ill stick with the 5/10s. If its a problem ill just buy the 5/12s later. Timber, i see you got electric start (as did I). A lot of people are really against that, even earthtools was. Im expecting my wife will use it some, and when your planning on using it year round with different attachments why not.

Yesterday was the first time ive seen a grillo in person, ive looked at new bcs' before. I was pretty impressed with everything. Gear shifts seemed less clunky, doesnt have the shifter maize to go through. I like the bcs shuttle on the handlebars better but the grillo was so smooth im not worried. It saves an extra cable to go bad.

One dealer i had spoke to warned me that the clutch is harder to pull on the grillo. This worried me as i cant hardly reach the clutch on the bcs. And my wifes hands are smaller yet so im sure she would have even more trouble with bcs. Well, the grillo might be a touch harder to pull but the distance from the handlebars is way, way closer. First thing i did was reach for the clutch when i got there and i knew this was the right choice.

 

[TimberXX]

Electric start was an easy discussion. As we use the unit commercially, it get turned on and off 5 to 10 times per day.

We are wore out many pull cords in the past, but I never have had a starter go on a small engine.

Plus it keeps the guys from excessively idling the tractor.

 

[farmerboybill]

I usually try to turn people away from electric start as well. While it's a nice feature, I hate the battery placement (harder to work with the clutch fork/cable), and I consider that the $350 spent on it would go a long way toward another attachment.

Still, I sold 4 machines last year with it and just set up the first machine with electric start this year.

I don't think the clutch is harder to pull on a Grillo. Set up right, it actually has a shorter pull more suitable for smaller hands, and the spring requires less strength to pull versus the cone clutch.

I hope you enjoy your new machine.

 

[TimberXX]

We also considered electric start so we can eventually install some LED work lights.

I really like the Grillo integrated hood lights on the non US version.

 

[farmerboybill]

If you're using you machine in mower mode, those lights wouldn't be much value. Best placement would be up on the handlebars so they point in the direction you're going, no matter which way you're going.

 

[Kapster]

Yea i was thinking about lights as well. Im planning on building some implements, if i wanted to run a little electric motor or linear actuator would need the battery. For me, spending that much money and having to pull start would have been worse than spending a little more and having it.

Those hoods on the euro version look pretty neat, is it possibly to get one over here? Im sure it would take some work to mount as they have a robin engine over there.

Timber, how do you like those axle extensions and the generator?

Bill, have you sold any of the zanon 33" mowers? Is it a nice route to take or better just getting a dedicated mower?

 

[TimberXX]

I like the generator. It's greatest feature is portability. There is something wonderful about not having to drag out a full sized genset. But the tank is small. I get an hour and a half of run time. I started to look into larger tanks, but can't find anything.

The wheel extensions are excellent for balance, that's why we bought them. But the also make the tractor turn slower when one wheel is stopped via the brake. This is a huge plus in my opinion. In third gear the "turn on a dime" move can get away from you, it's manageable with the extensions. We didn't account for how wide the tires remain in the shortest position. It looks like they need to be removed before installing the snowblower.

I bit the bullet any bought the cast wheel weights vs the barbels. The barbels wouldn't work with extensions anyway, and I didn't want to hear clanking weights. They are just want we wanted, but I would get filled tires if I did it again.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[farmerboybill]

I've not sold any Zanon equipment. I really don't sell much for mowing stuff. Far and away, the most common mower I sell is the Berta Sharktooth. There isn't a better mower available from any manufacturer.

 

[Kapster]

Timber, thats a bummer about the fuel tank. I hadn't thought about that. Don't know your capability to fabricate, but what about building a bracket that would mount under the engine or in front above the grill and run up to mount a matching Honda tank or clone tank? Would double your capacity. I hate to say it, having ordered electric start, the perfect spot would be where the battery is. How much gas does it use on the generator? Specs say 1.6 gal, is that exaggerated or does it really use that much?

I don't blame you on the barbell weights, that would drive me nuts hearing them clank around. Im a machinist, so was thinking of machining some wheel weights if i can do so cost effectively.

That flail mower does seem very popular. Do people use them as lawnmowers?

 

[TimberXX]

Since I only need the extended tank for the generator when it is sitting, I was considering to install a fuel Y valve. Then attach a marine 6 or 9 gallon tank to the other end of the Y valve with a quick connect. I haven't even looked if those fittings are available.

I see fuel burn between .65 gph and .8 gph (yes I measured it that carefully few times).

I don't run the tank dry because I worry what that would do to the tractor, does anyone have an answer to that?

 

[Kapster]

Motion pro makes motorcycle accessories, they make both a quick disconnect and a y fitting. They also have inline fuel petcocks but that isn't as hard to find in a lawnmower shop.

If you run it dry, that creates a lean condition. If something runs lean for to long it will destroy an engine. And i dont like to shut engines off at anything over an idle, which when it shuts off on a generator its going to be full throttle with a load. I think id try to keep fuel in it like you are.

Edit: forgot to put a link to motion pro
Fuel/Cooling System | Motion Pro

 

[Kapster]

Farmerboy, is there a grillo shortage or something? Ordered my grillo 3 weeks 3 days ago, still havent heard anything. I called dealer last friday, he said it was backordered and should be monday or tuesday. Thats pasted and been another week now

 

[farmerboybill]

Yeah, actually there is. This has been a banner year for machines. Joel orders more every year, trying to anticipate demand. He's air freighted emergency orders twice this year to try to keep up. I am also waiting for a stocking order.

 

[TimberXX]

Im not surprised. From the first 852 we purchased in 2005 the cost for a new machine has risen 32 percent.

I think BCS really hit the ceiling of what people are willing to pay, and then opened the door for Grillo.

Keep up the good work.

 

[Kapster]

The cost of the grillo was about the max i was willing to pay. The grillo with electric start is about 1000 less than pull start 852. I was looking at bcs 732 until i found the grillo, same money and adds third gear/wheel brakes.

Is joel switching to 13hp hondas on 107? The dealer i went to got one with a 11hp and one 13hp. I think theyre actually the same displacement now anyway.

 

[Kapster]

Finally picked up my grillo Tuesday, what a machine! Didnt realize how big it was at the shop i saw them at. Next to my Ariens tiller it seems huge. Spent today tilling my garden and my inlaws. Makes the ariens seem like a joke. glad i didnt get the bigger tires, these seem plenty big for now.

I was tilling for about half an hour and kept thinking man its hard to keep straight with the diff lock disengage. Then i remembered, oh yea i have wheel brakes! Thats a handy feature.

Have a question for you guys. My differential lock seems to take quite awhile to engage, is this normal? Almost like you have to rock to back and forth awhile to get it locked in. I thought it would be instant?

Thanks for all your help with answering questions everyone, really appreciate it.