Ot, combine drivers, and golf course!

JayinNY · Jul 11, 2016

Any of you guys that drive a combine have a problem going in a straight line? I got a job at my friends golf course mowing fairways, seemed simply enought, i run a 9 foot john deere front reel mower, rear wheel steering, iv struggled with trying to go in a straight line, my lines are wavy or sometimes banna shaped. It seem the slightest movement of the steering wheel, moves the reels all over the place, the guys told me to look at a tree in the distance and drive to it, dont look at the reels! Any tips, or any guys work on a golf course? This is my mower, thanks

David G · Jul 11, 2016

My ADHD overrides my OCD, I really want to go straight, but get distracted.

ray hofstetter · Jul 11, 2016

Yep, good advice...pick out something in the distance and aim for it. First pass is the important one.

fixerupper · Jul 11, 2016

Relax, you'll get the hang of it. I really mean it. Aiming for a tree is a good idea but when you don't have a hood in front of you to point it gets easy go wander off line without realizing it. First year I combined wheat I had a terrible time cutting straight but eventually a straight line wasn't too hard to do. I haven't done it for five or six years so I am sure if I got in a combine now I would have to learn all over again. I have a lot of trouble steering straight with the zero turn mower though. the tail wheel on that thing is not an anchor that can be steered, it merely casters so if one driving wheel meets more resistance the mower will want to wander the direction of that wheel.

BarryfromIA · Jul 11, 2016

Every pass is as important as the first if you want it straight.

JayinNY · Jul 11, 2016

Easier said than done the way they cut their fairways they make nine passes when you finish your last pass you have to be right on the end of the fairway where it meets the rough if you overlap too little your off, If you were to overlap too much you might miss spots and then end up in the rough it's quite an art.

JD Seller · Jul 11, 2016

That is FUNNY!!!!! David

ray hofstetter · Jul 11, 2016

Boss owns a golf course....and the guys make it look easy, takes a lot of practice.

MarkB_MI · Jul 11, 2016

Ya gotta focus your attention on a distant object. As any sodbuster will tell you, tumbleweeds and wildlife make for poor targets, so wear your prescription glasses. Also, steering corrections need to be very small; each deviation affects subsequent passes.

IaLeo · Jul 11, 2016

You oughto try a 4ws JD rider on rough ground. Steering wheel is not in any particular relation to the wheels....no steering resistance and the steering wheel slowly drifts around. Everyone is right...don't be watching the lady golfers! Leo

4520BW · Jul 11, 2016

I will have to remember that when dad says my bran rows are not strait. They have all canopied over now so not hearing about it now. I font know how he can lay out such strait corn rows.

Bkpigs · Jul 11, 2016

The most important thing is to relax. If you try too hard to make a straight line you will almost always mess it up. Just try to keep relaxed and like everyone is saying, look in the distance and be slow and diligent in your corrections.

JayinNY · Jul 11, 2016

Thanks all, thats what iv been told, but i havent mastered it yet, thank goodness my boss is so patient, i would have already fired myself! Lol

oldtanker · Jul 12, 2016

Tell him he needs to equip that with GPS and auto steer!

Rick

FBH44 · Jul 12, 2016

that's what t hose headlights are for.... mow it at night so you can't see how bad it is turning out...

Robin Hood · Jul 12, 2016

Never was a fan of JD turf mowers. Very unfriendly to the mechanic. Like any fairway mower, it takes a lot of practice. Don't look down, especially the first pass. Find a tree or something else on the other side of the fairway to stare at; and aim for it. Looking down will cause you to turn.

And always keep an eye out for hydraulic leaks. If you get one, don't make the mistake of trying to drive the beast back to the shop. Head for the closest rough and park it. Those mowers only hold about 6-7 gallons of hydraulic oil and can ruin hydro systems quickly.

Ot, combine drivers, and golf course!

JayinNY

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David G

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ray hofstetter

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fixerupper

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BarryfromIA

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JayinNY

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JD Seller

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ray hofstetter

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MarkB_MI

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IaLeo

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4520BW

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Bkpigs

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JayinNY

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oldtanker

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FBH44

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Robin Hood

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