What speed range do you use to mow?

[dmftoy1]

I was just out mowing my lawn and you can see to the horizon from my front yard. As I came around on my second pass I noticed some very large thunderheads had appeared and were headed in my direction. To make a long story short, I decided to try mowing in High range (which I've never done before) and now I'm curious as to what other people do. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I typically mow in Medium range and that allows me to easily manuever at slow speeds, but on the large open areas I have my foot all the way to the floor and wish I had a bit more speed. In High range I can't use all the speed I have available but it is nice on the large open areas to be able to move a bit faster. (the mower seems to cut just as well) The only concern I have is whether the deck will take a major beating by running in High range. My yard is pretty smooth for a farm yard, cut it IS a farm yard. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The other question I had was whether operating at "partial" high range was harder on the tranny than having the hydo pedal fully depressed. I suspect it isn't . . . .but I don't know.

Just curious what your experiences/opinions are.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Bird]

My experience was about like yours, Dave. I usually mowed in mid-range, frequently with my foot on the floor, but I hurried one day with the brush hog by running in high-range with no problem except for the beating I took from riding on rough ground.

 

[dmftoy1]

LOL . .yeah, I'm walking like John Wayne right now.

I guess I'll probalby stay in Medium. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mahlon]

When I mow with my BX2200, I mow at WOT in low range & have the hydro pedal to the metal (usually). Slowing down for the turns & rough spots, of course...

regards,

Mahlon

 

[Jim_Becker]

I mow with my BX in low range; about 80% throtle and vary the speed with my foot as appropriate to exactly where I am on the property. I find I need to do "more footwork" if I mow in high range as there is not very much opportunity to go "fast" anyway on our property.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I mow with my TC24D in HIGH range, throttle set to 540pto speed and I use the foot pedal to determine my ground speed, but I rarely get to top speed.

With my Ventrac I often run at full throttle, it only has one range, and because of a combination of the stability and the manuverability of that tractor I often run that at full speed right up to the corners where I let off just enough to make the turns. The Ventrac seems to take rough terrain better than any of the other tractors because the frame oscillates 12 degrees and articulates 45 degrees so it pretty much just follows the bumps and keeps all 4 wheels on the ground all the time.

I've never mowed with my B2910. The Cub was run at full throttle and at full speed as much as the terrain would make possible.

 

[PowerMax]

<font color="blue">The other question I had was whether operating at "partial" high range was harder on the tranny than having the hydo pedal fully depressed </font>

There is no question that operating your hydraulics partially open generates much more heat than operating with the hydraulics wide open. It isn't as much as a big deal these days with the improved hydraulic systems, but I had some older tractors (70's models) that this was a big concern and very hard on the hydraulic pump. Wide open is better - more fluid flowing equals better cooling and less heat generated.

Jeff

 

[BIGUN]

I mow with my BX 1500 in high range; about 80% throttle. For most of the yard it has enough power to run pedal to the metal in high range but the cut then looks ragged so I usually mow at a speed part way between max low range and max high range.

 

[dmftoy1]

Thanks guys!

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[gsxr1100]

I mow at 100% throttle and in either full slow or full fast; whatever mood I am in....