For the zero turn owners

I have a 2006 Husqvarna cz3815. This is an entry level residential model that I bought used about 10-12 years ago. It's always been a good mower, but traction is limited. I attributed this to cheap tires and it's light weight.

I was noticing earlier this year that my neighbor's Toro, which gets around quite well, had a weight block mounted behind the engine. This got me thinking, and I started looking around for some weights. Another neighbor had 4 25 lb. weights from a barbell set that he didn't need, so I mounted them in a convenient location and what a difference! It spins around on a dime now, and doesn't tear up wet grass.

If anyone else has had difficulty tearing up the grass when turning around, this might be a solution.

Thanks!
I did the same thing to an older Cub Cadet that had handling problems. I built a weight box, bolted it to the rear bumper and filled it with
scrap metal. It does make a difference in how the Cub Cadet handles.

The main thing is not to add so much counter weight that the front end hops off the ground.

The dealership I work at sells Toro and used to sell Husqvarna zero turns. For some reason most of the smaller Husqvarna mowers seem to have
a bit too much front end weight, or rather weight bias, when compared with the toro mowers.

I have been planning to drill and mount barbell weights on my Ferris. I have 15 hours on it.Mows and rides great, but I was mowing last week and the dew was just coming on. I stopped on a small grade and slid all the way down with both wheels sliding. That prodjet is right after I get my tool box mounted over the engine. Thanks for your post about your resulates with weight.

I can get a 4" wheelie.

The ride will probably be a bit joltier, though. Leo

(quoted from post at 20:39:46 09/15/23) The ride will probably be a bit joltier, though. Leo

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ot that I've noticed, but I'll pay closer attention next time out. I usually slow down when I get to the rougher parts.

I've had my Cub Cadet LZ 54 TANK commercial duty zero turn for 8 years, 330 hours run time. 27 hp Kawasaki
V-twin engine, 850 cc. The small front caster wheels cause it to ride rough, but the 4.00/4.80x8 wheelbarrow
tires on front of my two oldest Cub Cadet tractors rode rough too, the 18-8.50X8 tires on my 982 Cub Cadet
with the 26-12.00x 12 rears lug tires did ride smoother but I got tired of the Bank Robber prices on Onan
engine parts and parked it. The 982 was 50 deck, Zero turn 54 but I waste SO much less time on turns it's
cut my mowing time in HALF. Sitting in front over the mower deck on the zero turn you eat A LOT of dust but I
have goggles to keep it out of my eyes. Zero turn uses quite a bit LESS gas, 3 gallon vs 4 gal for the 982.
I kept the 982, doubt I ever use it to mow again but it's the PERFECT tractor to pull my Pronovost P503 hyd
dump trailer, hard telling how many loads of brush, dirt, and crushed rock I've hauled, but Hundreds of loads
is a good estimate.
I would like a more aggressive lugged tire for the zero turn, I have Firestone Ag lug tires on my 3 Cub
Cadet tractors, but a 24-12.00 x 12 is tough to find. I hate to add weight that those hydraulic wheel motors
would have to carry. Maybe wheel weights?

(quoted from post at 19:20:39 09/14/23) I have been planning to drill and mount barbell weights on my Ferris. I have 15 hours on it.Mows and rides great, but I was mowing last week and the dew was just coming on. I stopped on a small grade and slid all the way down with both wheels sliding. That prodjet is right after I get my tool box mounted over the engine. Thanks for your post about your resulates with weight.

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That sounds like operator error more than a traction problem.
Z turn mowers will climb uphill all day long or do side slope work without sliding. But you must follow two rules to any z turn mower.

1.Never try to go forward down any hill. You will slide. No if, and or buts.

2. When mowing side slopes. Always keep the front end pointed slightly uphill. If the front wheels gets slightly lower than the rear. You are going for a ride to the bottom. No ifs, and or buts.

No amount of weights will help in either situation.

The reason for the no going down hill is that the weight on the ground is basically through the front tires and the rears are light. I
have a 61 Ferris with ATV 2 ply snow tires on the rear and it too will loose traction even on dry grass if I don't creep down the 30*
slopes on my pond dams...Its easier to drive up and drift back down moving over for the next uphill cut.

I have installed 2 ply ATV studded snow tires on the rears and some fronts of all my mowers. Rear reason is soft ride and good traction without tearing up the sod. On the fronts, ZT is for a softer ride and for my conventional riders where I choose to mow the pond dam horizontally, the studded fronts help me maintain the desired steering on the rather steep slopes...... while sitting on the uphill side of the seat.