You know what's fun?

[AKM]

Done something fun lately?  Tell us about it.  What it was.  Why it was fun.  Anything else pertinent.

 

*****

 

Zero turn mowers. 

 

Man, are they fun!  As I understand, they have two separate drives, one for each wheel.  This allows the two drive wheels to turn independently, and even in different directions, which in turn allows the vehicle unprecedented maneuverability.  The mower deck is usually out front, under the operator's feet, supported by two non-motorized "floating" wheels.  The drives themselves are controlled by two  handle bars. They spread apart so that the operator can get in the seat, then come together to form an upside down "U" shape that's split in the middle.  Push one handle forward, that wheel goes forward.  If the other is stopped, the vehicle pivots on the stopped (or slower) wheel.  Want to turn even tighter?  Push one handle forward, the other back, and the thing will spin on it's axis.  The amount of displacement of the handle controls speed.  This takes some getting used to, but not much.  A few trips around and you'll probably have the general idea, though the first few rows are likely to be rather wavy lines that look like they were done by a drunk until you know just how much you need to displace each handle to get the desired effect.

 

It's awesome to be able to zip around and get turned around for anther pass in a small fraction of the time a regular riding tractor mower would take.  They also tend to be somewhat wider than your standard riding tractor type mower, which means even less time.

 

Advantages: Tight turning ability, speed

 

Disadvantages:  Unusual operation, can tear up terrain (especially soft grass when doing turns on stopped wheels), price (expensive!), the one I used today didn't handle industrial size (really tall) grass, which probably requires my industrial size mower, currently down (of course).

[whiteboybob]

hmmm

[LordJerle]

Stick a bigger motor on that fucker and go racin.