Posts Tagged ‘ultracut’

Exmark Advantage: Spindles

Wednesday, March 9th, 2016
Exmark Navigator

A half-mowed playing field doesn’t look so good, so this isn’t the time when you want trouble with a blade spindle.

When it comes to what makes an Exmark an Exmark, there isn’t one single thing you can point to and say “that’s it.” Rather, there are countless things — some big, some not so big — that add up to the unmatched performance, productivity and durability you get with Exmark mowers and lawn care equipment.

Today we’ll take a look at the blade spindles: a key feature of Exmark walk-behind, stand-on, and zero-turn riding mowers. Since they’re covered by shrouds atop the cutting deck, they aren’t parts you often think about, unless you’re having trouble with one.

Exmark Series 5/6 blade driver

This UltraCut Series 5/6 spindle cutaway shows the maintenance-free sealed bearings and 30mm splined blade driver, which eliminates impact-related bolt tightening.

If you’re relying on that mower to make your money for the day, that’s not a very appealing option. And even if you just want to mow your lawn, an awesome mower with a bad blade spindle isn’t going to get it done for you.

As a result, our designers, engineers and test crew have spent a lot of time and energy on the blade spindles on our UltraCut cutting decks. The result are spindles that do the vital job of making the blades go around with industry-leading efficiency, durability and low-maintenance.

Exmark uses tough cast aluminum housings with maintenance-free sealed, non-greasable bearing design. 25-30mm splined blade drivers (depending on UltraCut series) eliminate bolt over tightening and the spindles are completely serviceable. Exmark spindles are designed with features that minimize the opportunity for moisture ingression into the spindle assembly and/or bearings. This increases spindle lifespan considerably.

Learn more about the advantage of Exmark blade spindles at Exmark.com/Exmark-Advantage/Features/Spindles.

Exmark Advantage: Cutting Systems

Sunday, January 24th, 2016

Exmark Cutting System

The true test of any mower deck is the quality of cut it delivers. Landscape professionals depend on it. Homeowners thrive on it. And our reputation rides on it. That’s why we’re constantly improving our cutting decks with the goal of perfection in-mind.

Exmark cutting systems are designed to work as a unit, with each part contributing to its performance and overall durability. Patented flow-control baffles accelerate airflow under the deck, working with the blades to facilitate easy movement of materials and an even, controlled discharge.

Today, we’ll examine two of Exmark’s best cutting systems: the UltraCut Series 6 side-discharge and the UltraCut Rear Discharge.

Exmark UltraCut Series 6

The UltraCut Series 6 cutting deck is featured on the Lazer Z X-Series zero-turn riding mower.

UltraCut Series 6 Cutting System

  • 5.5″ deck depth. 4-point suspension. Full-floating.
  • No maintenance, sealed and non-greasable spindles; 7.75″-diameter cutter housing with 1.75″-diameter splined blade driver and 30mm (1.18″ ) diameter spindle shaft.
  • Patented spherical bearing design on idler arm pivots requires only annual greasing.
  • Coned anti-scalp rollers.
  • (3) 7-gauge steel reinforcement rings at spindle mounting area on 52,” 60″ & 72.”
  • High-strength polymer belt covers.
  • 10-gauge steel top.
  • 7-gauge steel side skirt.
  • Heavy-duty trim side wear guard.
  • 18,500 fpm blade tip speed.
  • Patented flow-control baffles.
  • No-maintenance, sealed ball bearings.
  • Flexible discharge chute reduces impact damage of trees and other obstacles.
The UltraCut Rear Discharge cutting deck is available on select Pioneer and Lazer Z zero-turn riding mower models.

The UltraCut Rear Discharge cutting deck is available on select Pioneer and Lazer Z zero-turn riding mower models.

UltraCut Rear Discharge Cutting System

  • 5.5″ deck depth. 4-point suspension. Full-floating.
  • 7-gauge high-strength low alloy deck construction.
  • High-strength polymer belt covers.
  • Reinforced anti-scalp rollers.
  • Compression molded UHMW side bumper protects deck and follows ground contours.
  • Lazer Z DS-Series: No maintenance spindles are sealed and non-greasable. 7.75″ diameter cutter housing with 1.75″ diameter splined blade driver and 30mm (1.18″) diameter spindle shaft.
  • Lazer Z S-Series: No maintenance spindles are sealed and non-greasable. 7.75″ diameter cutter housing with 25mm (.98″) diameter spindle shaft and splined blade driver.
  • 18,500 fpm blade tip speed.
  • Patented spherical bearing design on idler arms requires only annual greasing.
  • No-maintenance, sealed ball bearings.

Learn more about the advantages Exmark cutting systems can give you at Exmark.com/Exmark-Advantage/.

2016 New Product Showcase: Lazer Z Suspended Operator Platform

Monday, November 16th, 2015

Exmark Expands Suspended Operator Platform for 2016

Following the successful mid-year debut of a suspended operator platform for its Lazer Z commercial zero-turn mower, Exmark announced it is expanding the platform’s availability for 2016.

Exmark Lazer Z Suspended Operator Platform, rear-view

The Suspended Operator Platform is easy to adjust for any operator weight without tools.

Exmark added suspended operator platform-equipped 52-inch Lazer Z E-Series and 72-inch Lazer Z X-Series options to the existing 60-inch options in both models for the 2016 model year. The suspended operator platform uses three coil-over hydraulic dampers to significantly reduce the impact of bumps and vibration. It provides 3.6-inches of travel in vertical and fore-aft directions, with trailing arms to limit lateral travel and increase operator stability.

“We initially launched the suspended operator platform on 60-inch versions of our Lazer Z E-Series and Lazer Z X-Series mowers, as it’s our most popular cutting deck size,” said Exmark Director of Marketing, Daryn Walters. “Almost immediately we began to receive calls, emails and social media messages inquiring about the platform’s availability with other cutting deck widths.

“These new models are the direct result of the feedback we received.”

Exmark Lazer Z Suspended Operator Platform, action

The Suspended Operator Platform raises the bar on comfort while preserving the performance advantages that have made the Lazer Z the #1 choice among landscape professionals.

The suspended operator platform preserves the performance advantages of that have made the Lazer Z the most popular commercial zero-turn mower on the market, and it significantly reduces the negative effects of mowing rough terrain on the operator. The design is easily adjustable for operator weight and ride quality preference without tools, making it easy to achieve the desired ride quality for any operator. There’s no harsh bottoming, regardless of operator weight, and the design eases access to hydrostatic drive system components, making routine maintenance easier to perform.

Suspended operator platform-equipped Lazer Z models are equipped with a new seat design that uses patented Elastomeric Vibration Control (EVC) stretch fabric and plush foam padding for maximum comfort. In addition, Exmark’s patented Iso-Mount isolation system provides a controlled .75-inch of lateral and .5-inch of vertical isolation to further insulate the operator from bumps and vibration.

Learn more about Exmark’s suspended operator platform-equipped Lazer Z models or locate your local Exmark dealer at Exmark.com.

Rear Discharge vs. Side Discharge: Why Choose a Rear Discharge Mower?

Sunday, August 16th, 2015
Exmark Lazer Z Rear-Discharge

A rear-discharge mower offers numerous advantages, not the least of which is the ability to trim on both sides of the deck.

An increasing number of Exmark mowers are now available with our UltraCut Rear Discharge cutting deck. And as our customers learn more about the advantages of a rear-discharge mower, they’re choosing the option more and more.

Today we’ll talk through the reasons somebody would choose rear-discharge riding mowers over the more common side-discharge mowers, and what cutting conditions rear-discharge commercial mowers excel in.

Reason 1: increased clipping control

Rear-discharge decks send clippings out behind the deck, under the mower, instead of through a side-discharge chute. The operator stays cleaner and clippings are distributed uniformly over a wider area. Rear-discharge decks also reduce the potential for debris or foreign objects to be discharged at dangerous velocity, making them a popular option with municipalities as well as parks and recreation departments.

Reason 2: increased cutting efficiency

With one counter-rotating blade, the UltraCut Rear Discharge cutting deck offers increased cut quality and even clipping distribution.

With one counter-rotating blade, the UltraCut Rear Discharge cutting deck offers increased cut quality and even clipping distribution.

The UltraCut Rear Discharge deck reduces clipping over-processing using a counter-rotating blade design and patented Flow Control baffles. Because clippings are cut once and discharged, a rear-discharge deck uses less horsepower than an equivalent side-discharge deck, which must pass clippings from blade-to-blade to be discharged. As a result, rear-discharge is a great choice for cutting taller grasses and in rougher cutting conditions, so they are an appealing choice for use on farms or acreages.

Reason 3: ability to trim on both sides of the deck

Whether you’re a landscape professional looking to maximize productivity, or an acreage owner looking for maximum versatility, the ability to trim on both sides of the cutting deck is a big advantage for a rear-discharge mower. No longer must you plan your entire mowing pattern based on the location of landscaping. Now, you simply take the most efficient route and get the job done faster.

Reason 4: reduced noise

Exmark rear-discharge

The decreased noise and increased clipping control of a rear-discharge mower are ideal for maintaining residential properties.

Discharging clippings behind the deck, under the mower, dramatically reduces the noise level of the deck for both the operator and for bystanders.

For those looking for additional noise reductions as well as an increased quality of cut for the most highly manicured appearance, Exmark offers its Finish Cut baffle kit for the UltraCut Rear Discharge deck. It’s perhaps the ultimate combination of cut quality, productivity and clipping control.

Bagging is perhaps the one challenge that the UltraCut Rear Discharge deck doesn’t tackle. That said, our Navigator – a dedicated bagging machine – uses a rear-discharge deck, so if you’re committed to bagging and like the benefits of rear-discharge, it just may be the rear-discharge commercial mower you’re looking for.

The UltraCut Rear Discharge deck is available on select Pioneer and Lazer Z rear discharge mower models. Visit Exmark.com to learn more about Exmark’s entire line of UltraCut decks.

The Exmark Vantage: One Year Later

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Vantage_Outdoor_01It’s been almost a year since the introduction of Vantage, our stand-on mower, and since then, the positive reviews have been pouring in.  The features that really stand out in the minds of pros and dealers are the mower’s platform and suspension system, and the exclusive Exmark deck.

When we first started working on Vantage, we spent a lot of time with customers, talking to them, watching them work and figuring out their pain points. We discovered that comfort is key for the guy who is standing all day long. We designed the suspension to be easier on the operator’s knees and joints. And, as always, the deck delivers the distinct Exmark cut.

A few of our customers mentioned that they actually waited for the launch of this machine to buy a stand-on mower. They also told us it was well worth the wait. That makes us very proud.

Vantage features:

  • Powered by 20 or 24 hp Kawasaki V Twin engines.
  • Available with 48″and 52″ UltraCut Series 4 cutting decks.
  • Ergonomically designed steering system includes an adjustable front reference bar that can control the top-end speed of the machine.
  • Self-compensating suspension makes standing easier for pros of all shapes.
  • Platform folds up, allowing the machine to function like a walk-behind.
  • Superior traction and handling allows you to mow, changing landscapes effortlessly.
  • Angled platform sides allow operator to shift body weight for a smoother ride when mowing hillsides.
  • Greaseless spindles eliminate the need for yearly greasing.
  • 11 x 4.0-5, smooth-tread, semi-pneumatic front caster tires for increased reliability.
  • 20 x 10.0-8 Turf Master drive tires for optimum traction. Tough 1.5″ x 3.0″ steel-frame blades ensure maximum durability.
  • Integrated tie-down points for secure trailering.

Have you been on the Vantage? Share your thoughts below.

The First Year Report Card for the New Lazer Z

Monday, February 15th, 2010

It rarely happens around here – we almost never take the time to stop and look back. But with the first anniversary of our Next Lazer Z launch, we couldn’t just move ahead without reflecting and sharing the positive report that came in from the field. For starters, landscape pros have said that to call the newest Lazer Z’s increased durability, “dependable”, was quite the understatement. We’ve also heard that the mower isn’t just easy to maintain, but it’s easy on the body, making it one extremely comfortable ride. As for the cut, pros couldn’t be more pleased. They’ve confirmed the UltraCut Series 6 deck delivers Exmark’s signature cut with each pass. Other features that have the pros raving are the new spindles and hydros. Needless to say, the evolution influenced largely by landscape pros has become quite a hit. To see just how much pros are loving it, visit http://www.exmark.com/otherssay.asp. Also check out our latest video on the new Lazer Z on our YouTube channel.

The author of this post is John Cloutier, senior marketing manager for Exmark.

Exmark Lazer Z AS

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Hello. Ross Hawley here again, a product manager at Exmark. This post is the next in our series highlighting the newest from Exmark in 2010. Today, we’d like to highlight the Exmark Lazer Z AS.

We made sure the newest member of the Exmark Lazer Z family lives up to its high performance lineage. The Lazer Z AS is a commercial-grade, zero-turn mower with a 20 hp Kawasaki FX or Kawasaki FS engine. It comes with 48- or 52-inch full-floating UltraCut Series 4 cutting decks and offers a compact, heavy-duty, unibody frame with standard rear-sloping, easily foldable ROPS.

Here are some of the other features that set the Lazer Z AS apart from the rest:

  • Exmark exclusive Parker unitized 12 cc pump and wheel motor system with no hoses for improved performance and reduced maintenance.
  • 12 x 5.0-6 smooth-tread, pneumatic front caster tires for increased reliability.
  • Speeds up to 8 mph forward for increased productivity.
  • Heavy-duty canister air filtration system (available on FX engine models) to improve engine life and simplify maintenance.
  • High-capacity, 8-gallon, single fuel tank with single fill location to reduce time at the gas pump.

It’s certainly a mower that you need to experience firsthand at your local Exmark dealer.

Update: The Exmark Lazer Z AS is now the Lazer Z E-Series.

Exmark Vantage

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Hi, everyone. I’m Ross Hawley, product manager for Vantage – Exmark’s new stand-on mower. For months, Exmark has been designing and planning for this new unit – our first stand-on mower.

Vantage is built with the same craftsmanship and eye for detail as our other mowers. With a host of great attributes, I’d like to point out a few that truly set it apart from other mowers:

  1. Platform: Vantage’s stand-on platform allows for movement to maximize performance and conveniently folds up, leaving plenty of room for bigger machines on trailers
  2. Heat shield: The rubber heat shield separates you from the heat of the drive system
  3. Cutting deck: The single-point height-adjust means you can quickly raise and lower the cutting deck to meet your needs
  4. Fuel tank: The centered, eight-gallon fuel tank helps maintain consistent performance regardless of travel direction
  5. Muffler: Vantage’s heavy-duty muffler guard protects the muffler from the typical wear and tear
  6. Quality of cut: As with any Exmark mower, our exclusive UltraCut deck cutting technology provides beautiful results
  7. Controls: You can easily step off and on the mower without doing anything more than letting go of the controls
  8. Suspension – Self-compensating suspension makes standing easier for pros of all shapes

We interviewed a handful of landscape professionals about what they love about Vantage. You can see their testimonials and learn about other benefits of Vantage on our YouTube channel. Vantage will be available in late-February, I encourage you to visit your local dealer to experience the Vantage advantage for yourself.