What Is Exmark’s Turf Tracer Walk-Behind? (Drive & Deck Setup)
Exmark’s Turf Tracer is a walk-behind rotary mower with a twin hydrostatic drive and a powered cutting deck. The two drive sides can respond independently, helping you steer and control travel speed. Turf Tracer deck widths have included 48, 52, and 60 inches, depending on model year. Check your exact model’s manual for setup and service details.
A metal mower deck can look simple from the outside, but its height setting, blades, discharge area, and drive controls all affect how the machine works. I have found that new owners often understand the general idea but hesitate when they meet unfamiliar terms such as “hydrostatic” or “PTO.” The useful starting point is to identify your exact machine, then learn what each system does.
What Is an Exmark Turf Tracer Walk-Behind?
The Turf Tracer is an Exmark walk-behind mower designed to cut maintained turf. It has a rotary deck, where spinning blades cut grass, and a twin hydrostatic drive that powers the left and right sides independently. The exact engine, controls, deck, and service details depend on the model and year.
“Hydrostatic” means the drive uses hydraulic power to move the mower, rather than a fixed set of gears alone. The drive lets the operator control movement through the mower’s controls; the precise layout and response vary by model.
“PTO” means power take-off. On this mower, it refers to the system that engages power to the blades. The deck is the housing around the blades. It helps direct the cut grass toward the discharge opening or an approved collection setup.
Turf Tracer offerings have included 48-, 52-, and 60-inch deck widths. Those figures describe the nominal cutting width, not the machine’s total outside width. A wider deck can cover more ground per pass, but it also needs more room to pass between obstacles. Availability varies by model year.
| Deck width offered | What the measurement describes | Practical consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 48 inches | Nominal cutting width | Check the actual machine width before planning access through gates or narrow spaces. |
| 52 inches | Nominal cutting width | Match the mower to the open space and turning room on the property. |
| 60 inches | Nominal cutting width | Confirm there is enough room to maneuver and transport the mower. |
These widths are not a guide to cutting height, blade size, or machine width. Confirm those details in the manual for your model and serial number.
Turf Tracer Setup, Controls, and Safety Checks
Setup means preparing the mower for a specific job without guessing at settings. Before you adjust the deck or use the controls, match the mower’s model and serial number to the correct Exmark operator’s manual. Model year and installed equipment can change the instructions, so a manual for a similar-looking machine may not apply.
Identify the mower and set the deck height
Start with the model and serial number on the mower’s identification label. Use those details to find the matching operator’s manual. The manual is the authority for control operation, cutting-height settings, blade service, torque values, and shutdown steps.
Set cutting height with the machine’s deck-height mechanism, following that manual. Do not assume every Turf Tracer has the same adjustment range or increments. If you need to check the blade-to-ground height, use level ground and the method described in the manual. Keep hands and tools clear of the blades.
Choose a cutting height suited to the turf and conditions. If you are unsure, consult the manual and avoid making large, unverified adjustments. The deck-height indicator or control position alone may not tell you the blade-to-ground measurement.
Inspect before starting
Wear close-fitting clothing, eye and hearing protection, and sturdy footwear. Before each use, check that guards and the discharge deflector or approved collection setup are present and secure. Look over the tires, controls, visible blade area, and mower for leaks or damage.
Clear people, stones, wire, and other debris from the mowing area. Debris can be thrown by the blades, and people should remain away from the discharge path. Check the operator-presence and safety interlock functions as directed by the manual.
A failed or bypassed operator-presence interlock can allow the mower or blades to remain engaged when the operator leaves the controls. That creates a risk of run-over or blade-contact injury. Never defeat an interlock. Stop using the mower and have a failed safety control repaired.
Start and test the controls
On level ground, set the drive controls to the required neutral position and disengage the PTO so the blades are off. Start and warm the engine as its manual directs. Engine type, fuel, oil grade, oil capacity, and service schedule depend on the engine installed.
Do not use a chainsaw’s two-stroke fuel-and-oil ratio for this mower. Follow the engine maker’s label and manual for the correct fuel and oil. With the mower in a safe, open area, test steering and neutral or brake behavior at low speed, following the Turf Tracer manual.
Drive and Deck Operation in the Field
The drive and deck do different jobs: the hydrostatic system moves and steers the mower, while the PTO powers the cutting blades. Learn each system separately before mowing. Use the controls only from the prescribed operator position, and follow the specific sequence in the operator’s manual.
How the twin hydrostatic drive steers
Twin hydrostatic drive means the left and right drive sides can be controlled independently. Changing how each side moves helps the mower turn. How it responds depends on the installed controls, mower model, and operator input; it is not safe to assume every Turf Tracer handles exactly alike.
Use smooth, measured inputs. Avoid abrupt steering, especially near obstacles or on uneven ground. Reduce speed for turns, rough areas, or heavy growth. Follow the manual’s limits for slopes and operating conditions; do not treat a walk-behind mower as suitable for any slope simply because the operator walks behind it.
How the deck cuts
The mower deck contains rotating blades that cut grass as the machine passes over it. The deck’s height setting affects how high the grass is cut. The discharge path moves clippings away from the blades, unless the mower is set up for an approved collection method.
Engage the blades only as directed and while in the prescribed operator position. Keep bystanders away from the discharge path. If grass clogs the deck, disengage the blades and shut down before inspecting or clearing it. Never reach under the deck while the blades may still be moving.
Illustrative setup situations
These examples show how to apply the checks; they are not reports of specific customer jobs or a substitute for the manual.
| Situation | What to confirm | Safe next step |
|---|---|---|
| A mower has a 52-inch deck and must pass through a gate | The deck width is not the mower’s full outside width | Measure the actual machine at its widest point and confirm the route has safe clearance. |
| Grass is clogging or leaving an uneven cut | Deck height, blade condition, discharge setup, and operating speed may matter | Stop, disengage the PTO, shut down, remove the key, and wait for complete blade stoppage before inspection. |
| A control feels different from the manual’s illustration | Control arrangements can vary by model | Stop and verify the model-specific instructions rather than guessing at the control sequence. |
Blade, Deck, and Hydrostatic-System Maintenance
Maintenance keeps the mower’s cutting and drive systems in working order, but the correct parts and procedures are model-specific. Use the manual that matches the mower and engine. Do not use a guessed blade type, installation direction, torque figure, fluid specification, or service interval.
Blades and deck hardware
Blade type, rotation, installation orientation, and fastener torque depend on the model. If a blade needs replacement or removal, use the specified Exmark blade and follow the manual’s steps and torque value. A generic torque number may be wrong for the fastener and mower.
Before any deck inspection or blade work, shut off the engine, remove the key, and wait until the blades have stopped completely. Never work beneath a raised deck unless it is supported as specified by the manufacturer. Do not operate with missing guards, an unsafe discharge opening, or loose or damaged parts.
Hydrostatic system and engine
The hydrostatic drive is the mower’s motion system. If steering or travel response seems abnormal, stop in a safe place and consult the troubleshooting section of the matching manual. Do not adjust or service drive components based on a procedure for another model.
Engine specifications are separate from the mower’s deck and drive specifications. Check the installed engine’s manual for fuel type, oil grade and capacity, and service intervals. If you cannot identify the correct fluid or procedure, pause and verify it before servicing.
Cleaning, Storage, and Seasonal Preparation
Cleaning and storage begin with a complete shutdown. Grass buildup can hide damage and make inspection harder, but the deck must be safe before you approach it. Follow the manual’s cleaning instructions, including any limits on water or cleaning methods for your model.
Disengage the blades, place the controls in the prescribed shutdown position, stop the engine, and remove the key. Wait for the blades to stop fully and allow hot parts to cool. Then clean grass buildup using the approved method; never reach into the deck or clear a clog while the blades may move.
After cleaning, inspect for visible damage, loose hardware, leaks, or worn parts. Use the manual for storage and seasonal service instructions, including engine preparation. Do not invent a storage treatment or service interval based on another mower or engine.
The key next step is simple: identify the exact Turf Tracer, then use its manual for every adjustment that affects the blades, drive, or safety systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Exmark Turf Tracer a riding mower?
No. It is a walk-behind mower. The operator walks behind and controls the machine using its installed controls.
What does twin hydrostatic drive mean on a Turf Tracer?
It means the left and right drive sides can be controlled independently. Their combined movement helps steer and move the mower.
What deck sizes have been available?
Turf Tracer offerings have included 48-, 52-, and 60-inch decks. Availability depends on model year and configuration.
How do I know the correct cutting height?
Check the matching operator’s manual. The height range, adjustment steps, and measurement method can vary by model.
Can I use a chainsaw fuel mix in a Turf Tracer?
Do not assume so. Use the fuel type and oil instructions for the installed engine; do not apply a chainsaw two-stroke ratio.
Can I use a generic blade or torque value?
Do not assume either is suitable. Use the blade specification, installation direction, and tightening torque listed for your exact model.
What should I do if the blades keep running when I leave the controls?
Stop using the mower. Do not bypass the operator-presence interlock; arrange repair of the failed safety control.
Can I clear a clogged deck with the engine off?
Only after the prescribed shutdown, key removal, and complete blade stoppage. Follow the manual’s safe clearing method and keep hands clear of blade edges.
Can I mow any slope with a walk-behind Turf Tracer?
No. Follow the slope and operating limits in the manual for your specific mower. Do not assume a slope is safe based on mower type alone.
What should I check if the mower steers differently than expected?
Stop and check the controls and troubleshooting guidance in the matching manual. Avoid adjusting hydrostatic components without the correct procedure.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Evan Bradley. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
