Discovered something while mowing.

[John D 2]

My property is about 1.5 acres. I use my B2601 with the 54 inch MMM as my lawn mower.
Today I decided to try mowing with the engine rpm at 2400 instead of the 2800 rpms (540 pto rpms)

I discovered that it mows the Johnson grass a lot better. At 2800 rpms it would miss some of the stalks causing me to have to go over it a second time. At 2400 rpms it cuts everything clean and leaves no stalks to re cut.

The only explanation I can think of is at 2800 rpms the air flow caused by spinning blades keeps some of the stalks pushed down until I pass over them. At 2400 rpms it doesn't have as much air flow and cuts them clean.

Blades are the original ones that came with the tractor.

Less noise, less fuel, and a better cut. Winning!!!

 

[Shawn T. W]

Is your ground speed slower as well?

 

[chim]

Different PTO speeds work better for me in different seasons / grass conditions. The grass varies from thick and juicy to thinner and drier depending upon the weather and time of the season. One setting doesn't work the best all the time. It's been pretty wet here up until a week or so ago and my setup (L4240 and Caroni 91" deck) has been doing best at around 2000 engine RPM's.

 

[John D 2]

Is your ground speed slower as well?

No, it's the same ground speed. My property is too rough to mow full speed in medium range.
Even with the lower rpm I can't run full speed.