[BuenPatron]

I get the impression that there's not all that many maintenance guys out there, but here goes:
I have three Walker mowers. The first (42" GHS w/21 1/2 hp kubota gas engine, 1997) is the best. Handles well, runs like a top. Second (36" "mini" GHS w/18 hp Kohler gas and small tires and grass catcher, 2006) quaffs gas but handles well.
The third is the problem child.. Flagship of the fleet, it's a 48" GHS w/ kubota 21 hp diesel, large grass catcher, and high dump feature (also 2006). Cuts like a dream, but loses control on the slightest hill.
It's way too top heavy.
Does anybody know if low profile tires help at all? Knobbies will tear turf all to heck.
Sometimes I switch in a mulching deck, but tires still spin.
I hate to limit the use of this otherwise fine mower.

[sleepy]

bob.,
Are you going sideways or vertical on the hill.
Just being that Walkers,track best up hill going backwards. No turning on hills . up down up down feet first!
who knows?

[yardguy]

Have the same problem here, especially in morning hrs on irrigated proprties. I too recommend reversing, although my walker doesnt bag well in reverse

[Mark Oomkes]

Ditto to the others. Our diesel doesn't do worth a crap on hills. When we had a gasser while ours was being repaired once, it went all over the place, where ours would do nothing.

[BuenPatron]

Yeah, backing up hills works best, but ya know there's times when you hafta go sideways. Besides, I'm talking about even the slight grades, like in the middle of a nice stripe pattern. I've tried all approaches, and hate to cut the same way all the time.
I've disabled the seat sensor and sat on the thing like an outrigger. I've waited 'til drier times.
Dealer says try low-profile tires. But everything about Walkers cost a jillion dollars and what if they don't work?
Why don't we all chip in and buy me a pair, and then I'll let yoou know.

[Mark Oomkes]

Originally posted by BuenPatron
Dealer says try low-profile tires. But everything about Walkers cost a jillion dollars and what if they don't work?
Why don't we all chip in and buy me a pair, and then I'll let yoou know.

Actually, I think I have the LoPro tires, not 100% sure though.

Check's in the mail for your tires. Let me know how they work out.

[4seasons]

when I ran maintenance crews we had the lowpros worked well but all the machines were gas.
backing uphills always worked if the slope wasnt too long.
My friend runs knobbies and isnt tearing up his lawns. They look to be lowpros also.

[BuenPatron]

Maybe I'll do low-pro knobbies on the diesel, and see how they work out. Can't really get any worse, after all.

We may have to re-learn how to drive to avoid the tire marks. It's a shame, you know? It's really a super nice mower otherwise. The high dump makes it worse, I'm sure, but it's so cool to dump directly into the dump truck.

Thanks for the input. I'll let you know.

[Pelican]

I don't know much about this machine, but from what I'm reading here I wonder if adding weight to the front of the machine would help stabilize it?

[BuenPatron]

Good Idea, Pelican!
How to add removable weight to the deck? I have no idea. It's simple enough to test, though: just have someone stand on it . We can try it today. Stand by...

[BuenPatron]

F!@# it, Orville; it won't fly.

Weighing down the deck didn't help. Besides, who wants to schlep around sandbags or something anyway?

Back to the drawing board.

[Ax Man]

Did you try wheel weights?
I know when my ghs with a full hopper of wet grass gets sloppy on the side slopes a little body english helps.