Posts Tagged ‘zero-turn’

How to Mow Like a Pro

Sunday, May 15th, 2016

(StatePoint) You might not earn your living taking care of lawns, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the same quality of cut as landscape pros.

For a consistently superior cut, experts say average consumers should look for Exmark Lazer Z E-Series commercial zero-turn mowercommercial grade products.

“Homeowners can also benefit from the performance and reliability a true commercial mower offers,” says Lloyd von Scheliha, product manager at Exmark, a leading manufacturer of lawn care equipment. “You’ll get lawn care done faster and it will look better in the end. Your mower will also last longer and require less maintenance.”

Homeowners should be advised however that the term “commercial grade” is thrown around a lot these days in advertising. If you’re in the market for a new mower, you should understand what commercial grade really means before making a purchase.

“Take a look at the equipment your local landscape professionals are using and you`ll get a good feel for what commercial mowers look like,” says von Scheliha.

He says homeowners should consider the following:

  • Your mower should offer superior durability to stand the test of time. Look for fabricated cutting decks, which are stiffer, stronger and more durable than stamped decks — even reinforced models. The durability advantage should extend to the components as well.
  • Productivity and maneuverability in a mower offer average consumers time-savings, reducing the time that’s needed to cut a lawn, and then do trim work. Consider a zero-turn mower, which delivers a finished appearance more quickly than other mower types.
  • Even a commercial mower will deliver superior results longer if you perform routine maintenance. Always consult your owner’s manual to determine what specific maintenance is necessary for your machine. Cleaning, sharpening or replacing blades as they dull, replacing belts as they become worn, oil and filter changes, and other specific maintenance as outlined in your owner’s manual, will improve equipment performance and longevity.

More information about lawn care and commercial grade lawn equipment can be found at Exmark.com.

This season, take steps to be informed so you can mow like a pro.

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in Education, Exmark Information, General, Maintenance Tips, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Why EFI? A Look at the Benefits of Electronic Fuel Injection

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

In addition to traditional carbureted engines, most Exmark commercial zero-turn, stand-on and walk-behind mowers are also available with engines equipped with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI). Today, we’ll discuss EFI’s benefits and why you might want to consider equipping your next mower with a fuel-injected engine.

Exmark EFI propane

Exmark offers state of the art EFI-propane engines on its commercial zero-turn, walk-behind and stand-on riding mowers.

What is EFI?

EFI replaces the carburetor as the mechanism responsible for mixing fuel and air, and delivering the mixture to the engine cylinders, so it can be burned, and power can be produced.

Unlike a carburetor, which relies on the vacuum created by the engine to work, a fuel-injected engine uses pressurized injectors to spray a precisely-metered amount of fuel into the air stream as it enters the engine. The system’s ability to adjust the fuel/air mixture based on altitude and environment is a major benefit for commercial mower users on a number of levels.

Exmark Navigator

Electronic Fuel Injection reduces fuel consumption, downtime and maintenance costs, while it increases power, performance and ease-of-starting.

EFI Benefits

  • Productivity — EFI optimizes the fuel/air mixture to deliver maximum power and responsiveness at any altitude, in any weather. You’ll get more work done thanks to the optimized performance.
  • Fuel economy — Save up to 25 percent or more on fuel costs compared to similarly equipped carbureted mowers. For a landscape professional, this can amount to hundreds of dollars of fuel savings per year for each machine.
  • Easy starting — With no choke, you’ll get quick starts every time, hot or cold.
  • Reduced service/downtime — With no carburetor, fuel injected engines have no carburetor-related maintenance costs or downtime.

Exmark EFI-Equipped Mowers

Exmark offers Electronically Fuel Injected engines across its line of commercial mowers, including Lazer Z (zero-turn rider), Navigator (dedicated bagging rider), Vantage (stand-on rider) and Turf Tracer (walk-behind) models.

Learn more about Exmark Electronic Fuel Injection mowers.

Additional Information

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Tips, Eco-Friendly, Exmark Information, General, Products, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Zero-Turn Mower or Lawn Tractor: Productivity Comparisons

Sunday, January 10th, 2016

PRODUCTIVITY OF $4,000-5,000 MOWERS

EX16_Quest_S-Series_InUse_1web72Whether it is a zero-turn mower or a lawn tractor, most mowers in this price range have 48- to 54-inch cutting decks and top speeds of 6-7mph. As a result, the raw productivity numbers are fairly similar in this category, but in reality, the differences in maneuverability are greatest in this price range. That’s because lawn tractors in this category don’t offer maneuverability-enhancing features such as four-wheel steering. On the other hand, the Exmark Quest S-Series is a true zero-turn mower, with the ability to quickly make 180-degree turns. This not only lets you maximize productivity, but also create the distinctive striped appearance that’s the calling card of a professionally maintained lawn.

An Exmark Quest S-Series zero-turn rider with a 50-inch cutting deck is capable of cutting approximately 2.8 acres per hour, or roughly 1/2 acre more per hour than an X320 lawn tractor with a 48-inch cutting deck. Even when you bump up to a 54-inch cutting deck, the X320 is still about .2 acres per hour less productive than the zero-turn machine.

See the productivity chart for these mowers at Exmark.com.

PRODUCTIVITY OF $7,000-8,000 MOWERS

EX16_Pioneer_S-Series_InUse_6_web72Raw productivity numbers for machines in the $7,000-8,000 price range jump roughly one acre per hour for ZTRs, and one-half acre per hour for lawn tractors, when compared to the lower priced mowers. Within the category, the most productive machine – a 60-inch Exmark Pioneer S-Series zero-turn rider – can save homeowners about 23 minutes when mowing five acres, compared to the lawn tractor example.

Similar to the lower price category, the majority of lawn tractors in this price range steer with the front wheels only. This compromises productivity due to reduced maneuverability relative to zero-turn riding mowers. The Pioneer S-Series zero-turn rider offers true zero-turn maneuverability, making the real-world productivity gap even greater when compared to a lawn tractor.

For example, and Exmark Pioneer S-Series zero-turn mower with a 52-inch cutting deck is capable of cutting about 3.35 acres per hour. The same mower equipped with a 60-inch cutting deck can mow up to 3.87 acres per hour. When compared to a similarly priced lawn tractor (an X540) with a 54-inch cutting deck, the 60-inch Exmark zero-turn mower is nearly 3/4-acre per hour more productive.

Check back for our next installment of this series on Thursday, January 14. We’ll compare the productivity of $13,000-14,000 mowers and dive into some other factors to consider when choosing the right type of mower for your lawn.

Dig Deeper at Exmark.com:

  • Learn more about the factors to consider when choosing a zero-turn mower or lawn tractor.
  • Learn more about how to determine mower productivity.

*Productivity rating in gross acres per hour is based on the published specifications for each product. Actual performance may vary from specified performance based on conditions.
Formula for calculating acres per hour at 80% efficiency: (MPH x width of cut in inches)/124

Tags:, , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education, Exmark Information, General, Products, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Zero-Turn vs. Lawn Tractor: Introduction

Sunday, January 3rd, 2016
Zero-turn riding mower

Whether mowing wide-open spaces or tackling a highly-landscaped lawn, zero-turn mowers get work done more efficiently.

Home and acreage owners with one or more acres of property are faced with more choices than ever when it comes to mower type, size, features and price.  Among landscape maintenance professionals, it’s safe to say the zero-turn riding mower has become the tool of choice to consistently and quickly achieve a beautiful after-cut appearance. However, when it comes of homeowners, are zero-turn mowers still the preferred choice? Read on to find out.

Productivity: A faster mower = more free time

Landscape pros choose zero-turn mowers because they deliver the finished appearance their clients expect, and they do it more quickly than other mower types. And while it may be true that homeowners don’t have to make money with their mower, it’s a good idea to consider what their time is worth.

Exmark Lazer Z zero-turn mower

An increasing number of home and acreage owners have found the productivity benefits of a true commercial duty zero-turn rider like this Exmark Lazer Z.

Let’s take the case of an acreage owner with about 5 acres to mow, with moderate landscaping, a mixture of mature and small trees, and a kids’ play area in the back yard. We’ll compare lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers at three popular price points: $4,000-5,000; $7,000-8,000 and $13,000-14,000 in posts spread out over the next two weeks.

The comparisons will provide an estimate of the relative productivity that could be expected at each price point from a lawn tractor and zero-turn rider. That said, raw productivity numbers don’t factor in other aspects of mower performance such as maneuverability, durability, operator comfort or quality of cut. As a result, the ultimate productivity of a mower will depend on a combination of factors.

To determine the acres-per-hour productivity of each mower, we used the top speed of the mowers, along with the published width of the cutting deck. Since most mowers are not able to produce a good quality of cut at maximum speed, we assumed 80-percent efficiency from the mowers to account for this, as well as for time spent not actually cutting grass, such as turning around or overlap.

Look for our next installment of this series on Monday, January 11.

Dig Deeper at Exmark.com:

  • Learn more about factors to consider when choosing a lawn tractor or zero-turn mower.
  • Learn more about how to determine mower productivity.

Tags:, , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education, Exmark Information, General, Maintenance Tips, Products, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Mid-Season Mower Maintenance

Thursday, July 16th, 2015

By David Martin, Exmark customer service manager

Maintenance: mower cleaning

Minimize the use of water when cleaning your mower. Instead, use compressed air whenever possible.

Now that mowing season is well under way, the last thing you want to happen is for your mower to experience downtime. The following maintenance tips will help you keep your mower running in tip-top shape.

Maintenance: mower blades

Sharp, balanced blades are critical to the performance of the cutting system. Check and sharpen blades if necessary.

  • Check the operator’s manual to see what might need to be greased. Keeping the right parts greased is an important step in extending the life of a mower.
  • Check the air filter (inner and outer) and change it if necessary. Never use compressed air to clean a filter. The powerful air stream can compromise the filter’s ability to effectively filter the air coming into the engine.
  • Depending on how many hours the mower has been running, consider changing the fuel filter. Consult your owner’s manual or http://www.exmark.com/Service-And-Support/Maintenance/Schedules/ for the recommended replacement interval.
  • Check and, if necessary, change the spark plugs.
  • Blow the debris off the unit:
    • Remove the belt deck belt shields and blow off all foreign material.
    • Blow the grass off the areas around the pumps and wheel motors (overheated oil leads to shorter component life).
    • Blow through the openings in and around the console or remove the console mounting screws to get debris out of this area.
  • Check for loose hardware.
  • Verify torque on wheel motor castle nut and tire mounting lug nuts.
  • Verify oil changes are being performed at the proper intervals, and perform the service if necessary. NEVER, under any circumstances, exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations by more than 100 hours. Significant damage will result that will reduce the machine’s lifespan and compromise productivity.

Learn more about how to effectively service and maintain your mowers and lawn care equipment at http://www.exmark.com/Service-And-Support/Maintenance/Service-Tips/.

Tags:, , , , , , , ,
Posted in Education, Exmark Information, General, Maintenance Tips, Safety | No Comments »

The Lazer Z Seating System: A More Comfortable Ride

Thursday, May 14th, 2015

Riding mowers are a time-saving wonder, but your backside should pay the price for productivity. That’s why at Exmark, we’ve come up with a way to mow more comfortably. With some original thinking and a whole lot of innovation, we’ve designed a seat every backside can love. We call it the Lazer Z Seating System.

Lazer Z Seating System

The Lazer Z Seating System significantly reduces the effect of bumps and vibration on the operator.

What Is the Lazer Z Seating System?

Most riding mower seats follow the same old pattern: some padding and a couple of springs that may or may not be useful. After a few hours of riding, you may find the mower’s vibration making you stiff while all the jarring impacts can leave you sore. That’s no way to run a landscaping business, whether you maintain one property or several.

Why Is It Different?

This seating system is different in a number of ways. It’s a unique design that utilizes research, science, and engineering innovation.

The system includes 4 major elements that make all the difference:

  • Ball-bearing suspension with a 3-inch range of controlled vertical travel – delivers a better ride with less bouncing
  • Patented Iso-Mount isolation system with ½-inch vertical and ¾-inch lateral travel
  • Custom vinyl seat with plush foam – comfort starts where the operator meets the seat
  • Vibration control stretch fabric – sits below the seat foam for an additional layer of isolation from vibration and bumps

Together, this comprehensive approach delivers less vibration, less bouncing, and more long-term comfort.

If professionals with desk jobs get ergonomic chairs, so should you. It’s that simple. A mower seat needs to support your back, legs, and arms in a way that keeps you comfortable and doesn’t lead to chronic problems.

The end result is reduced vibration, less soreness, and less stiffness after a long day of mowing. And when you’re comfortable, you get more done. Not only will you feel better after a day’s work, but you’ll also be able to deliver your services day after day. Test the difference for yourself between a traditional riding mower and an Exmark mower with the Lazer Z Seating System. We’re confident you’ll love it.

Learn more at Exmark.com/Exmark-Advantage/Features/Seating.

Tags:, , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Exmark Information, General, Products | No Comments »

Fuel for Your Mower: What’s Best For You?

Sunday, April 5th, 2015

When it comes to the purchase of a new mower, you have more choices than ever before. Instead of merely the choice between a push mower and a riding lawn mower, today we have walk-behind mowers, stand-on mowers and zero-turn mowers to choose from.

Once you’ve decided which mower type you want, it makes sense to consider which fuel is your best option. Gasoline isn’t the only choice anymore. There are also a wide variety of propane lawn mowers to choose from. But which one is better, gasoline or propane?

Advantages of Propane

There are several advantages to propane as a mower fuel. For example, propane stores longer than gasoline. You don’t have to worry about fuel quality degradation over the winter, so you can store the mower in the garage and from a fuel standpoint, it’ll be ready to go when it’s time to mow again in the spring.

Propane is typically less expensive than gasoline. You’ll also find that propane prices don’t fluctuate as much as the price of gasoline. Since propane prices are often lower in the summer, propane-powered lawn mowers are becoming more popular with landscape professionals, too.

In addition to paying less per gallon, using propane also eliminates the possibility of a hazardous and costly spill. Propane also reduces the likelihood of fuel being stolen for use in other vehicles. Last but not least, propane is environmentally friendly. Propane-fueled mowers produce fewer greenhouse gasses than gasoline mowers, making them a good choice in areas where air quality is an issue.

When it comes to using propane-powered lawn mowers, it’s important to remember to fill the propane tank (or keep an alternate) before you start mowing. But propane’s growing popularity as an alternative fuel means you shouldn’t have trouble finding a filling station nearby.

Advantages of Gasoline

Gasoline-powered lawn mowers continue to be popular for a number of reasons, but universal fuel availability is a big one. If your mower runs out of gas, it’s easy to get it refilled. You can purchase gasoline at any gas station, virtually any time of day. Plus, it’s relatively easy to carry a small gas canister to and from the filling station.

Gasoline engines are available in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, so chances are you’ll be able to find a mower type and size to suit your needs. As a result, today, gasoline engines power the majority of our mowers.

Gasoline can for lawn mowerWhen Gasoline-Powered Mowers Make Sense

We recommend gasoline-powered lawn mowers to most homeowners. For a small or medium-sized property, you’ll find a wider variety of gasoline-fueled mower options suited to the task. While you may still like to take one of our zero-turn lawn mowers for a ride, you might be better served with a smaller self-propelled walk-behind for your property. And nine times out of ten, those mowers will be gasoline-powered.

For a smaller property, you’re not going to be mowing the yard for several hours. This means you probably aren’t going to use enough fuel each year to be able to realize a significant cost benefit using propane. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t purchase a propane-powered mower to maintain a small- to medium-sized property. But the difference in fuel cost really pays off for commercial and professional users.

When You Should Choose Propane

Propane-powered lawn mowers, whether they are zero-turn mowers or not, are most useful for commercial and professional users and large properties. Propane mowers give these users the opportunity to reduce fuel expenditures by up to 25 percent, which is a big deal. If you’re running your lawn mower for eight hours a day or more, you’re probably spending a lot of money on fuel.

When it comes to mowing the lawn professionally, it’s also a good idea to consider the environment. After all, switching to a propane-powered lawn mower is really noticeable when you cut grass for a living. Fortunately, you don’t have to trade energy efficiency for power. Thanks to state-of-the-art Kohler EFI-propane powerplants, our propane mowers offer exceptional performance while being easier on the planet.

If you are a landscape contractor, you may also want to look into grants or rebate programs from the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), or other agencies to help you defray the initial cost of the propane mower. That said, even without financial assistance, your business would benefit from the cost benefits a propane mower will deliver over time.

References:

Tags:, , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Exmark Information, General, Products | No Comments »