John Deere GS30

[Byron3243]

I just bought a used GS30 in a 36 in. that is gear driven. I have never ran a walk behind before, always a ztr. Im hoping it will cut my trimming time down in small lawns. Any tricks or tips would be appreciated.

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

What is the background story on why you decided to go with the walk behind vs the ztr's you have been comfortable with using?

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[Byron3243]

Well for one the price. I can buy a used walk behind much cheaper than a ztr. But the main reason is i have a few steep slopes and the walk behind is much safer. I also have a variaty of small lawns and big lawns and once i get comfortable with the walk behind i think i can b more effeciant doing smaller lawns with it, then use the ztr on larger ones. Third thing is I didnt have much more room on my trailer and didnt want to have to buy another one. The walk behind fits but a ztr wont.

I bought a 36" so i can get through walk through gates, before I had to push mow them. If I get to the point i really like it i will go buy a new 48" and just use the 36 where i have to get through gates.

Im off to a very bad start with it though. My guy was on it yest. and the clip that holds the front wheel on came off, not realizing it he popped the front end up the wheel came off and ran over it with the blades on. This machine has timmed blades on it and it came out of time. The blades started hitting each other and broke the timming belt. I have never seen blades tore up so bad.

To top all this off the john deere dealer had to order the parts including the blades. I thought it was very crappy they didnt have them in stock.

[CCL]

Originally Posted by Byron3243

Well for one the price. I can buy a used walk behind much cheaper than a ztr. But the main reason is i have a few steep slopes and the walk behind is much safer. I also have a variaty of small lawns and big lawns and once i get comfortable with the walk behind i think i can b more effeciant doing smaller lawns with it, then use the ztr on larger ones. Third thing is I didnt have much more room on my trailer and didnt want to have to buy another one. The walk behind fits but a ztr wont.

I bought a 36" so i can get through walk through gates, before I had to push mow them. If I get to the point i really like it i will go buy a new 48" and just use the 36 where i have to get through gates.

Im off to a very bad start with it though. My guy was on it yest. and the clip that holds the front wheel on came off, not realizing it he popped the front end up the wheel came off and ran over it with the blades on. This machine has timmed blades on it and it came out of time. The blades started hitting each other and broke the timming belt. I have never seen blades tore up so bad.

To top all this off the john deere dealer had to order the parts including the blades. I thought it was very crappy they didnt have them in stock.

My helper did mine the same way.He hit a water meter and bent the blades and broke the belt.To me this is a bad design.I too bought mine only for small gated properties.That about the only time I use it.It cut my time in half vs the old push mower.

[Byron3243]

Yea i dont like the design eather, and its another belt that you have to worry about. It wasnt really my helpers fault and didnt bother me to much until i went to john deere and they didnt have the parts in stock. That really irretated me. I called 3 dealerships and none kept them. I guess we just have to live and learn.

[CCL]

Well Its ironic.Mine jumped time I guess cause my blades are toast and I didn't hit anything.I also broke a drive belt on my DC..Got home I had a tree down in my front yard.Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[Steve]

This machine has timmed blades on it and it came out of time.

Is this because they cross over each other's path?

Yea i dont like the design either

Do you not like the way the front wheel is attached or were you referring more to the timed blades?

How difficult is it to get them back into position?

[Byron3243]

Yea the blades cross over in each others path. I dont understand why they would design it like that. Its not that hard to adjust back in time. lossen a couple bolts and adjust, then tighten them back

[CCL]

My blades are shot.Bent all to heck.

[Steve]

Did it effect the spindles at all?

What do you feel the total cost in repairs to be to get it running again?