Am I Destroying My Brand New Zero Turn Gravely Mower???

If you all recall, I did a video about a year ago showing my 3 month review of the Gravely ZT HD 52 Zero Turn Mower. I recently received a comment from a viewer of that video who said I would be damaging my clutch by engaging the mower deck at full throttle. I decided to do a deeper dive and find out if that is really true! Thanks for watching!
#gravely #zeroturnmower #lawncare

[jamesWilliams-chsn]

I have the ariens Apex 60 . Love it . I always engaga at high rpm . Disengage at low rpm

[SamW]

Thank you. I often wondered about this question and engaged my Gravely ZT XL 42's PTO at mid throttle with no problems. However, now I will only engage it at full throttle.

[krflyguy]

Your review video helped me make my decision to get a Gravely 60". I just was reading the manual a couple nights ago and it agrees with you and state to engage the blades at full throttle. That coincides with what my dealer said to do. I absolutely love my Gravely ZT HD. Thanks

[stevenlong]

I own a Toro zero turn and the manual plainly states to have full throttle before engaging the PTO

[dennisschofield]

Thanks for the video. I just purchased new ZTX 42 and am following the manual and the delivery mechanics instruction and am engaging the blades at full throttle. Thanks for bringing it up.

[aaroninks]

My Gravely ZTR is more than 20 years old, and looks new. I have always started blades at 3/4 throttle. Never at full throttle. My electric clutch has never been replaced.

[ericminniear]

When I bought mine in 2019 60 inch. I was told always engage it at 3/4 rpm’s from the dealer. 👍 but I do full throttle sometimes 👍

[malcolmh]

I've had my Gravely ZT 42 for several years. I've always engaged PTO at higher but mostly at full throttle but I typically bring speed to slow or stop but engine at higher RPM. I've never had any issues whatsoever. There has never been any belt noise. Nothing has broken ever. To me, it feels intuitive to engage at full throttle and reassuring that the manual you read states that. I just sold the ZT 42 and getting the new 2023 ZTX 42. The only problem I had with the old ZT 42 is the front welded frame broke and had to be re-welded but they seemed to have fixed that in new model. I agree with you sir, this mower has been an unreal purchase and saves me a LOT of time! Thanks for the video!

[howardkettner]

Very interesting. Thanks for taking us to the manual for the official explanation. I’ve always engaged at full throttle until one day I got a comment on my channel cautioning me about that practice.
HOWEVER, the comment was in relation to my compact tractor and engaging the snow blower - which is a completely different can of worms given the nature of driveline components, inclusive of u-joints, that are vastly different than what you’re talking about.
Your video helped give me confidence about the correct procedure for a zero-turn. Thinking that I need to reference my manuals more often. Haha.
Huge thanks again John.

[keithpeterson]

I have a 23 Pro-Turn 572. The instructions clearly state to only engage the PTO at full throttle. If you are following the manufacturer instructions and their is a failure, then your warranty will cover it.

[trunkmonkey]

I have the same ZT 52 HD. About 80 hours and had to replace the deck belt (rear PTO/blade drive) because it rolled/burned and delaminated. ( I thought I caught a wire or something in the blades)

Had vibration and a "slapping" noise and looked down and saw the belt was oscillating/flapping. Shut it down, lifted the plate over the deck and saw the belt was twisted, stretched (loose) and chunks were missing.

I suspect I may have had some debris caught between pully and belt (I have some bamboo that I have tried to cut) or that I have engaged/disengaged the PTO at other than full speed without being aware of doing so. I am pretty certain it was my ignorance/negligence, and after replacing the belt, I will be making certain I am at full throttle when I engage/disengage, and I do not attempt to cut anything but grass. (the bamboo will meet the tip of my shovel...)

$100 a pop, for a belt is more than I want to pay per 100 hours...

[leegoolsby]

I have a 2023 Pro Stance 32 and the first 5 hours of use had in shop twice for snapped belts. 2 issues were determined by the vendor. 1. the belt setup was incorrect for lower height settings of deck. I was cutting at 2.5 on a property when 1st belt snapped leaving me stranded. 2. I was engaging blade at lower than full throttle when blade belt snapped. I have since run the mower 65 hours with zero issues and ALWAYS engage blades at full throttle.

[mikerobinson]

I have a Kubota 726X and the owner's manual and dealer said to start engine at 1/2 throttle and to engage PTO at 1/2 throttle. I wonder why it varies from brand to brand when most mowers use the same engines and clutches and so on? Before this mower I always engaged at full throttle on all the mowers I have owned, although this my first zero turn. But it's still under warranty so I will do as they say I guess.

[donm]

I have heard and makes sense disengaging should be done at lower rpm. Since brake mechanism in place to stop blade from spinning in a short second time frame.

[tractortalkwithgary]

I have always been told to not engage at full throttle. Always thought it was easier on the machine to engage and then throttle up.

[darrelbiolo]

I own a gravely pro turn 160 and a ZT/HD 48” I engage at full throttle and disengage at idle

[iplaymytele]

I have had my gravely for probably seven or eight years….
And I always engage the mower deck at full throttle …..! When you do it at just above its idle, it acts like it will kill the motor….

[Rocky-xxzg]

Full Throttle, then engage blades, on my Gravely 460. No issues as of today.

[prostreetgsxr]

My 2024 Pro Stance 48”manual says exactly what yours says

[mitchschenkel]

I was told by the owner of the mower store to engage my Gravely ZTX 42 at half throttle and no higher.