To answer some q's, parts are readily available at the Fleet Farm by my house. I can get tires, filters, bearings, belts, all the regular maintenance stuff. The entire lot is about 33,000 square feet, - house - driveway - deck - some little garden areas, I estimate the lawn area to be around 26,000-28,000 sq. ft, I mowed it several times with a push mower, and it takes about 1.5 hours if you're really haulin ass, sweating, panting like a dog.. Pushing a mower a lot of work..
I noticed a neighbor down the street with what looks like weights on his wheels, they look like solid metal, about 15" around and a few inches thick. If it IS metal they must weight at least 100 lbs apiece. His yard was about the same slope as mine, I was watching him flying around his yard real fast, turning up hill, it appeara that extra weight really makes him stick well.
I think I might also like a counterweight in the front.. In one of the spots on my yard, where I CAN go up and down the hill, it's also the steepest part of the hill. I started at the bottom and went straight up. I got about 2/3 of the way up, back wheels spun out. I just let the rider roll backwards down the hill. I felt the front wheels would come up and potentially flip over backwards if I popped the clutch too hard. IF the wheels didnt spin out again anyway.
BTW, I bought it.. It's worth it, good condition, runs and cuts great. So even if it doesn't work out I can sell it and I'm sure break even. Anyway, I did my yard with it once so far, and it's not too bad, I lean like a motorcycle racer and it stays up.. It's easy to get a wheel off the ground though, so I'm still a little nervous.. I'd like to try out some of those weights, see how much of a difference it makes.
Comments? How much will weights help? What are 'outriggers'? Google's not helping me figure that one out...
Thanks!