With the rear wheel drive and moving forward, if you need to alter from a straight line, it is quite difficult to get the LM21000SP to move in the direction you need.
I have a suggestion: Since it is powered to the rear wheels, why not make the front wheels like a dolly cart, where they swivel, so you can easily steer L/R to where you need without feeling like you're dragging the whole mower throughout my yard when I need to alter the direction of the mower.
I have a suggestion: Since it is powered to the rear wheels, why not make the front wheels like a dolly cart, where they swivel, so you can easily steer L/R to where you need without feeling like you're dragging the whole mower throughout my yard when I need to alter the direction of the mower.
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338 Points
Posted 1 year ago
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13,058 Points
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338 Points
I also have a small gas mower, also 21" cut, and I don't have any issues steering it. I may need to adjust the main handle down and see how that affects the steering. I had the handle up higher, as I have a bad back, but I can see how that might negatively affect steering. Thanks for your thoughts!
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2,188 Points
The rear drive in the EGO mower is not perfect. It is one motor with a shaft drive that has to disengage in order to do the one eighty turn. If you don't let go of the drive switch before you start the turn you end up dragging the outside wheel. This is my first rear drive mower so now I see why they like to power the front.
No machine is perfect and never will be so I don't quibble about tiny deficiencies.
The bottom line on this mower is that it works great and is the first mower I have ever owned that I actually look forward to using. I hope they make a ridding machine, that would put me in heaven. lol
No machine is perfect and never will be so I don't quibble about tiny deficiencies.
The bottom line on this mower is that it works great and is the first mower I have ever owned that I actually look forward to using. I hope they make a ridding machine, that would put me in heaven. lol
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8,988 Points
Have you had rear-propelled before? After years of using front self-propelled I inherited last year a nice (but older) Honda rear-propelled mower. It took me several runs to get comfortable with the rear drive and mow well. I personally like rear propelled now over front propelled now. Not sure I'd like the "dolly wheels"...I suspect there would be good chance of grass wrapping around the "swivel" and could prevent the wheels from being straight when you need them to be straight. JMHO.
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338 Points
Regarding the swivel wheels concept; I'm thinking of it more in the way of how a typical shopping cart steers, but like you said, grass/dirt would probably get in there and prevent them from turning eventually.
I like this idea of the front wheels swiveling, I think this would make it easier to mow the lawn areas that are curved.
Me too!!
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338 Points
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1,864 Points
KEVIN - My lawns are not boring rectangles. I have created curves to give them a natural, organic look and feel. The borders (some have a brick border) are gorgeous and appealing to the eye. This means, my first 2 courses of mowing are around the perimeter of the lawns. The curves make steering my EGO 21" Self-Propelled mower, for initial course, somewhat difficult to steer in the tight curves. I, like you, believe it is possible, even preferable, to make the front wheels swivel. Also, the overall length of the mower (front to back) could be reduced, which would also help. Even without the curves, front-swivel wheels would make any turn much easier.
Maybe they could mount the front wheel axel over the front of the blade canister, and make the wheels smaller. I may no be an engineer, but know it can be done. Thanks for your post!
Maybe they could mount the front wheel axel over the front of the blade canister, and make the wheels smaller. I may no be an engineer, but know it can be done. Thanks for your post!
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13,058 Points
Some of this also has to do with the wheels only wanting to spin at one speed when in self-propel mode. Try disengaging the self-propel drive just before entering a turn and see if that helps more.
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1,864 Points
Thanks for the suggestion. However, one cannot make the tighter curves
while in the self-propel mode, regardless of the speed. In the more
gentle curves the self-propulsion is not an issue, but smaller, swiveling front wheels would make the mower much more maneuverable. I think KEVIN would agree.
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338 Points
I did notice that with the SP engaged, turning is a bit more difficult, and I would release the SP handle prior to big turns. My next time mowing, I'm going to also try reducing the speed for big turns instead of just cutting off the SP. That, along with adjusting handle height and length should provide some good feedback to share
szwoopp, Champion
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93,858 Points
Kevin - note regarding the handle adjustments
Handle Height is adjustable to 3 operating positions.
Handle Length must be at fully extended length in order to operate.
Handle Height is adjustable to 3 operating positions.
Handle Length must be at fully extended length in order to operate.
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338 Points
Thanks; I do remember reading about the handle needing to be fully extended, but I might experiment with that. I also had read about the 3 operating positions and I think I just selected the wrong one in order to make the steering easier.
szwoopp, Champion
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93,858 Points
ummm....there is no experimenting with the length. If not fully extended the mower will not start. Read the note at the bottom of the page.
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1,864 Points
SZWOOPP - When I mentioned reducing the overall length of the mower, I was NOT referring to the length of the mower and the handle, but to the overall length of the business part (from front wheels to back wheels) of the mower. Sorry I was not more clear on that point. For that matter, when I referred to the tight curves, I especially meant the inside/concave tight curves.
I still need smaller, swiveling front wheels for maneuverability in and around curves, and changing direction up to 180°. PLEASE!
I still need smaller, swiveling front wheels for maneuverability in and around curves, and changing direction up to 180°. PLEASE!
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338 Points
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8,988 Points
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338 Points
