Deep deck design

The mower deck has a deep-deck design:

• Constructed from heavy, 9-gauge, 0.15-in. (3.8-mm) steel
  • Minimizes the number of welds required
  • Has a smooth underside for reduced material buildup
• Deep-deck design delivers excellent airflow so large volumes of material can be processed quickly and efficiently.
• A wider and higher discharge opening provides even clipping dispersal for an excellent finished appearance in all conditions.
• A durable, plastic deflector spreads grass clippings evenly across the lawn, is hinged, and can be raised to minimize the storage space required.
• 1-in. (25.4-mm) cold-forged spindles are heat-treated for strength and are supported by ball bearings.
• Standard front rollers and two double-captured wheels provide a more even mowing job and reduce the chance of scalping.
  • Adjustable for different mowing heights
• The front edge is raised above the blade plane to allow for even cutting of tall grass.
• Blade overlap is greater than many conventional decks for a clean cut.
• The mower can side-discharge, mulch, or collect material.

MulchControl limitations

While in the side-discharge mode, MulchControl will still mulch about one-third of the material. Therefore, the side-discharge mode is essentially a partial mulch mode. This can be an advantage when side discharging or bagging, as it helps reduce the amount of material being discharged. Other times this could work as a disadvantage:

• When cutting strong southern grasses, such as Zoysia and Bermuda
• When cutting in wet, high-growth conditions, such as those found in the Pacific Northwest United States
• When optimum bagging and lawn cleanup is desired

Optional MulchControl™ attachment

The MulchControl attachment makes mulching more practical for many mowing situations because it not only does an excellent job of mulching but it also allows the mower to be easily converted for times when it is more desirable to side discharge or collect the lawn material. Advantages of mulching grass clippings include:

• A beautiful looking lawn
• Grass clippings not blown onto the operator, driveways, or flower beds
• Less fertilizer required
• Elimination of the effort needed to dispose of clippings

MulchControl is an innovative, simple design that is easy to use and maintain:

• The MulchControl attachment includes baffles to control the flow of material under the deck.
• Mulching blades to give a more complete mulching job are included.
• The left mower blade area is completely enclosed and optimized for mulching and will mulch even when the mower is in the side-discharge mode.
• Baffles around the center and right blades are optimized for mulching when the discharge baffle is closed.
• A MulchControl kit is not available for 48HC mower decks.

MulchControl operation

The optional MulchControl attachment comes with a handle on top of the mower deck that is used to open and close the discharge baffle:

• The operator is required to get off of the machine in order to engage or disengage mulch mode.
• Changing from mulching to side discharge or vice versa with the hand lever takes only a few seconds.

MulchControl is well-suited to the following mowing situations:

• Usually mulch, but side discharge when grass gets too long
• Usually side discharge, but would like to be able to close the chute to control clippings
• Always mulch a main lawn, but often side discharge secondary lawns
• Bag clippings, but want to go farther before emptying bags

MulchControl puts the operator in control of the clippings. The operator can have all the benefits of mulching with the ability to easily change to side-discharge or bagging when needed.

Specifications

NOTE: MulchControl attachments and MCS components are not included in base equipment for a Z500 Series machine and must be ordered separately.

Quick starts and top performance from 44.2-cu in. (724-cc) V-twin engine with electronic fuel injection (EFI) and electronic throttle control (ETC)

• The Z545R engine includes EFI and ETC features for superior performance:
  • EFI meters the correct amount of fuel directly into each engine cylinder for all operating conditions.
    • Simplifies engine starts and warm-up by eliminating the need for the operator to use a choke.
      • Fast, reliable starts are routine just like with a modern automobile.
    • Fuel usage is reduced up to 20 percent compared to a carbureted engine.
    • No adjustments are needed at altitude
    • No choke-related problems since the choke is eliminated
    • Reduced maintenance expense because of fewer complaints related to hard starting, vapor lock, misfire, run-on, or fouled spark plugs
  • ETC works in conjunction with EFI to electronically adjust the supply of fuel air mixture.
    • Increases torque as needed to maintain engine operating speed under load.
    • Ground speed and mower blade-tip speed remain constant, even in heavy-grass conditions, to improve productivity and cut quality.
    • Mechanical governors cannot respond fast enough to maintain a constant engine speed.
    • Some torque rise remains to warn the operator before the engine stalls.
• Large 44.2-cu in. (724-cc) displacement for torque to pull through tough operating conditions.
  • Easy inspection and removal of any debris that may have collected using two large cleanout ports that are integrated into the engine shroud over the cylinder heads.
  • Engine service times, reliability, and life are increased with the use of premium engine oil and air filtering systems, as well as the cooling design.
• 25 hp (18.6 kW) at 3500 rpm for excellent performance
  • Greater torque, lower vibration, and improved sound quality from the V-twin cylinder design
  • Fast starts with electronic ignition
  • Long engine life with cast-iron cylinder liners
  • Excellent power and fuel economy with overhead valves
  • Reliable operation with in-line fuel filter

No choke control is needed:

• A servo motor controls the intake air butterfly valve and the air stream.
• For cold starts, the actuator will close the valve, making starting the engine easier. No choke lever is needed.
• Starts are quick and easy, even for inexperienced operators.

Since the Z545R engine is equipped with EFI and ETC, simplified electronic control of engine speed and power for optimum performance in varying conditions is advantageous:

• MAX – full power and performance for the toughest mowing conditions, such as longer, thicker grass
• ECO – fuel saving setting for easier mowing conditions, such as shorter or dryer grass
• MIN – engine idle speed for transport

Protective zone around the operator is provided by the rollover protective structure (ROPS)

The spacious operator station has been designed for comfort, visibility, and ease of use:

• Getting on and off easy with the flat operator platform.
• Convenient-to-use controls are located close to the operator.
• Operator controls are color coded and designed for easy identification and operation.

The ROPS and seat belt work in conjunction to provide a protective zone around the operator:

• It reduces the operator’s risk of being crushed under the vehicle should it overturn.
• In most situations, the ROPS limits the overturn to little more than 90 degrees.
• When used with a seatbelt, the ROPS is very effective in preventing deaths and serious injuries.
  • Use of the seat belt is recommended when operating with ROPS in the upright position.

Foldable ROPS and retractable seat belt are standard equipment:

• Handles on the position pins provide a good grip and make changing the angle of the ROPS easier.
• The door height of most garages will accommodate the machine with ROPS in the fully raised position.
  • Easy-fold ROPS improves the ability to store the ZTrak™ mower in structures with a lower door opening.