Hi to all,
We took delivery of the new Greenfield last week. The Kawasaki engine is the FR651V 21.5hp. Seems to have no shortage of torque, even at lower rpms. I have supplied my brief critique of this machine below. Comments are based on comparisons to our previous Toro 17hp 38". From what I have seen, many of the "American" ride-ons available have the same/similar multiple blade cutting systems.
Whilst browsing through the owners manual for the engine I was a bit surprised at the recommended service intervals:
100 hours - Clean air cleaner element, change engine oil etc.
200 hours - Change oil filter, Replace air cleaner element.
I am not very comfortable with this at all. I think I will be carrying out the servicing every 25 hours, considering the initial expense of this machine. What do people recommend?
Dislikes:
- Large turning circle
- Fuel tank too small
- Heel / Toe operation difficult in reverse with my size 12 foot. More clearance required between bottom of pedal and side step/rail.
- Mounting / dismounting mower is difficult - have to take care when feeding left leg across (I'm 6' 1" tall)
- Engine stops when mower is dismounted (even with pto/blades disengaged)
Likes:
- Cuts long grass with ease, even when grass is wet. It is quite unbelievable what it will actually cut without protest!
- Diff lock came in handy in some of the wet, slippery areas.
- Spreads the clippings far from the machine so there are barely any visible grass lines.
- Mulching kit (plug) works as expected with few clippings - only a few small lines where grass was thick.
- No more "mohawk" as I would sometimes get with the dual blades.
- Provides such a smooth, even cut. It is the best our lawn / paddock has ever looked.
- Can travel in reverse as quick as forward.
- No switches or sequences to adhere to to mow in reverse.
- Easy to service, change blades etc.
- Parts are cheap and readily available.
Regards,
Andy