2023 - Volume #47, Issue #4, Page #23
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Zero-Turn Add-On Gives A Smoother Ride
“Zero-turn mowers pretty much own the landscape and larger homeowner market,” says Dave Hockemeyer, Davaus. “The ride can be rough because they don’t allow the wheel to move up and down. The Terrain Tamer allows a scissor action with the polymer dampener absorbing shock.”
Installing the Terrain Tamer requires reversing the fork on the front wheels. The fork is attached to the Terrain Tamer assembly, which, in turn, is attached to the wheel.
Running the fork backward provides room to add a trailing arm similar to suspension on the rear wheel of a motorcycle. Hockemeyer notes that a similar action is also used in some tillage equipment, hinged in the front and floating free at the rear.
“The Terrain Tamer will fit the larger, often welded, mower deck, 60 in. and larger,” says Hockemeyer. “Most of them have either a cast fork or a bent steel fork, and we cover the majority of them, regardless of brand. The Terrain Tamer may not work with legacy zero turns like a 2011 Gravely. However, it’ll work with the vast majority of newer mowers.”
The key factor to look for is if the fork is held in place with an M16 or 1/2-in. bolt. If either is true, the Terrain tamer will most likely fit.
Checking forks is important, adds Hockemeyer. “Two of the same model mowers can have different forks, due to supply chain issues,” he says.
The Terrain Tamer is in the final stage of development. Davaus plans to introduce it this coming September. It’ll be priced at $625 for a pair.
“We’ve tested the Terrain Tamer on a zero-turn Hustler for 3 years,” says Hockemeyer. “In addition to a smoother ride, the increased travel up and down dramatically reduced the time spent on three wheels on ditch sides. We tested it on Deere zero-turns with similar results.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Davaus, 14508 Bruick Dr., Hoagland, Ind. 46745 (ph 260-245-5006; www.davaus.com).
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