Northern Virginia Roll Call

Sure Eric, you're welcome. I didn't want to "tell you what you need", only offer some insight on the choices. An aerator can be pulled behind anything. So can a dump cart/wagon. One thing that some people don't care about that is important to me, is a active reverse cut ability. On some residential riding mowers, for safety, they make it so you can't cut in reverse. Stupid. On some you merely pull/depress the PTO or Blade Engage switch/button.

If your son is going to ride with you, you should definitely try that out on zero turn to see if both of you fit. Make sure you work the controls as some of those might be in the way. Some are very sensitive and that could also pose a serious safety issue. I've had my nephews son on mine, he's 1.5 years old. The rules: Never Never Never with the blades engaged. Period. Never on any hills. Always with the seat belt on. Only at slower speeds on the flats. I also make sure he wears safety glasses and hearing protection. Mine is a diesel and a little loud. He loves it though! I can't wait until he's old enough to do it for me while I supervise from a lawn chair with a cool beverage. I think it's great you are encouraging it.

I'm going to show you a very nice Garden Tractor (below) and it's not cheap. However, it has features I'd expect in this price range. The sad part is, other brands in the same range will not have the same features. The three main components you need to really look at are 1) The Engine - Kohler is a nice engine, but a Kawasaki is better. Bigger is definitely better. 2) The Frame and Deck - Cast and welded steel is worth the cost. Stamped steel will require a cover or shed. I leave mine out year round, and in 10 years, zero rust. (I throw a tarp on it in the winter to keep the snow off so I can use it without wasting time cleaning it off). 3) (Often Overlooked) Operator Comfort and Safety - Pay attention to the seats, steering wheels, and foot/hand controls. All riders have these. Not all riders are created equal. There are some things I wish I had. Arm rests on the seat for one. They help hold you in the seat on hills. Is the seat high or low? Low sucks unless your yard is smooth as a gold course. Your back will thank you. The "deck wash" system is nice. I would use that.

One thing I would look hard at is how hard is it to detach the deck. Or can the deck be detached at all? If you want to use the tractor for other tasks like snow removal, you don't want the deck on there. If the deck comes off, you can sharpen the blades easier. Otherwise you're going to need a lift. HF sells two that are very nice. I used my Hi Lift the other day and it was sketchy to say the least. I usually just remove it. I can drive over mine and hook it up but I still need to get on the ground to hook up the driveshaft and lift mechanisms. Deere has a subcompact that you drive over and it hooks it up mechanically somehow.

Anyway, with a quick search here's a couple interesting garden tractors I would not hesitate to buy if I didn't need any more machine than these.

https://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/riding-lawn-mowers/ts-354d/960450066/ (rear locker)

https://www.troybilt.com/en_US/riding-lawn-mowers/lawn-and-garden-tractors

https://www.cubcadet.com/en_US/lawn...10.html#product-finder-riding-mowers=&start=0 (rear locker)

From here the prices start to go up considerably. Oh, look at the cost of a bagger system. Do you have to bag? No. However, grass clipping are pure fertiliser and you will find yourself cutting twice as much without one.

Also, there are some great used sub-compact deals from private sellers out there. Try to look at some of those. You might be able to get something really worth the money for 25% less than new.

 

@bbq4133 If you want to join me, I'm probably going to make the commute to flagpole/ second mountain trail tomorrow.

 

GMRS license has no test, you register to pay the FCC and click type click and you get an immediate electronic copy and then they mail you your "official" watermarked license on a regular 8.5x11 of paper. Pay $70 and it's good for you and your family members for 10yrs.

 

You literally break more laws modifying your truck in VA than you would with these radios. Just saying.

 

Appreciate the offer, but can't go tomorrow unfortunately.

 

I just got caught up and then @RobP62 vomited words all over my screen.

 

Hey welcome back Jerry. Welcome to the wall of text that is Rob.

 

No doubt, which is why I haven't done anything too tricksy. I'd much rather deal with Virginia than the Feds, especially given the purported penalties associated with each.

But that gets a bit into a discussion that gets a bit too close to what I do professionally lol.

 

The only people you have to worry about are ham operators who get off on catching people operating illegally. Nobody is chasing GMRS frequencies and even the FCC isn't chasing anyone in any case unless someone reports it.

 

Immediate, you say? Guess I'll get to paying.

 

Yes. Immediate in that I got my license the next day, but yea.

 

I'm in the same boat and honestly, this is almost nothing. You aren't operating illegally in the sense you're on frequencies the public can't use or using too much wattage on any given frequency, it's just that the radio isn't certified to operate on those frequencies because it's capable of being both 2m/70cm ham dual band and a GMRS radio. You're obeying the serious rules (so long as you give the FCC their $70 for a GMRS call sign) that get you in trouble and the FCC made a statement some time ago that they were not going to pursue violations using the Baofeng radios so long as you weren't violating actual broadcast regulations.

 

Well I head up to C-ville this afternoon to swap front bumpers with Cody, so I'd love to hit up something like FPK, but can't convince the wife that the 6 month old can make the drive up, the trail ride and the drive home without issue...but then again as mild mannered and chill of a baby we have been bless to have, I might be overselling it to myself.

Perhaps a drive up to Skyline/BRPkwy for some scenic views might be all I can swing!!!

 

You guys suck.

 

I paid them my $70, so that makes me feel a bit better.

Do you have any more info on that BaoFeng bit?

 

You can do peters mill without anyone else. enter from fort valley and take your time. you can do it without airing down and wont have any issues except a rough ride. airing down to around 19-21 is super smooth on stock tires. if you are not modified its a good run to have some quick fun.

 

We still love you Roberto

 

What would you do about the stock mud flaps? These things seem stiff as hell.

 

I have never ripped my stock mudflaps at peters mill but always break them at flagpole

 

Awesome, that makes life a little easier.