Questions about lawnmower options

[jyoutz]

I have a small 50x100’ lawn that I mow with a push mower, but also acres of native grass that I mow several times a year. I mow most of the area with my tractor and 6’ rotary cutter, and use a small riding mower to mow tighter areas close to the house, around buildings and the orchard. My riding mower is on its last legs and I will probably replace it soon. I have been eyeing the zero turn mowers, but have never used one. How well do they work on areas outside of lawns, cutting native grass and navigating bumpy ground. My land isn’t that rough and I can cut it fine with my current rider, but it’s not lawn and is rough in places. Would a zero turn be a good option or should I replace it with another riding mower? I wouldn’t want any wider than a 52” deck, because that would defeat my purpose for the mower.

 

[2manyrocks]

Zero turns typically have infinitely adjustable speed so you can slow down or speed up to suit ground and grass conditions. The mower decks are similar to lawn mowers so they will cut normal height lawn grass, but tall grass will tend to bend over and may not be cut as well. Some of them have basic fixed seats others have suspension seats available.

The reason to get a zero turn is when you have a lot of trees or other obstacles to mow around. That's where they cut your mowing time dramatically. The time savings aren't as great if you are mowing a totally open area with few obstructions that could have just as easily been mowed with a traditional lawn mower.

 

[jyoutz]

Zero turns typically have infinitely adjustable speed so you can slow down or speed up to suit ground and grass conditions. The mower decks are similar to lawn mowers so they will cut normal height lawn grass, but tall grass will tend to bend over and may not be cut as well. Some of them have basic fixed seats others have suspension seats available.

The reason to get a zero turn is when you have a lot of trees or other obstacles to mow around. That's where they cut your mowing time dramatically. The time savings aren't as great if you are mowing a totally open area with few obstructions that could have just as easily been mowed with a traditional lawn mower.

So how do they handle bumpy ground? I’m wondering because the wheels look a bit smaller than the typical garden tractor mower.

 

[RjCorazza]

Smaller wheels will result in a harsher ride on rough terrain, but in general, zero turns are no worse than a normal lawn tractor. The exception is that zt's tend to have higher ground speeds, which can make for a wild ride over rough terrain.
Features on ZT's that help smooth out the ride are suspension seats, front and rear suspension springs, and pivoting front axles.
I believe (?) Bad Boy makes a full suspension ZT, as well as Ferris.

 

[WM75Guy]

Stihl makes a ZTR with four-wheel suspension, springs in the front and shocks in the back.

 

[2manyrocks]

So how do they handle bumpy ground? I’m wondering because the wheels look a bit smaller than the typical garden tractor mower.

To me, no different than a regular mower except it's so easy to slow down to go over the known bumpy areas.

I used to have nearly an acre yard with a lot of trees. The salesman said I'd cut my mowing time in half with a ZTR, and I actually cut my mowing time by more than that. I wouldn't want to go back to a regular mower.

 

[jyoutz]

I looked at a Cub Cadet ZT1 yesterday and it seems like a pretty solid machine. Thoughts on this? Also the same 54” deck Cub Cadet machine is sold at TSC with a 24hp Kohler engine, and by Home Depot with a Kawasaki engine. Same price both places. Any recommendations as to the best option?

 

[2manyrocks]

The ZT1 seems priced pretty well compared to the other brands and there are a few YT videos on them.

I couldn't tell you which engine between Kohler and Kawasaki is the better choice. After all the trouble I had with a Briggs on my John Deere Z225, I automatically lose interest when I see a Briggs on anything now.

You could probably find that machine at a dealer for the same price and at least then, you could ask the dealer mechanic which engine gives the least trouble.

 

[RjCorazza]

I looked at a Cub Cadet ZT1 yesterday and it seems like a pretty solid machine. Thoughts on this? Also the same 54” deck Cub Cadet machine is sold at TSC with a 24hp Kohler engine, and by Home Depot with a Kawasaki engine. Same price both places. Any recommendations as to the best option?

Kawasaki is the better engine imho (no contest, not even close).

 

[jyoutz]

Looking at the Cub cadet and Ariens, both higher end residential models with Kawasaki engines. Fairly equal, or ?

 

[WM75Guy]

I started with a Cub Cadet RZT50 with the 22HP B&S that I bought it at TSC. It was OK in the yard but not heavy duty or a smooth enough ride to mow rough areas. It also bogged down if the grass was wet or too tall. Sold it off and bought the ZD1211 diesel, which I can use like a small rotary cutter. Spent 3 hours on it yesterday.

If you are buying from a big box store, see who does their warranty work. That could be the difference for me.

 

[jyoutz]

I started with a Cub Cadet RZT50 with the 22HP B&S that I bought it at TSC. It was OK in the yard but not heavy duty or a smooth enough ride to mow rough areas. It also bogged down if the grass was wet or too tall. Sold it off and bought the ZD1211 diesel, which I can use like a small rotary cutter. Spent 3 hours on it yesterday.

If you are buying from a big box store, see who does their warranty work. That could be the difference for me.

We have a local power equipment repair shop that does warranty work for most of the major companies.

 

[jyoutz]

Well I pulled the trigger today and bought a Stihl RZ152 zero turn mower and my first impressions after testing it on about a half acre of native grass is very positive. These are new for 2023, but not new technology, just new with a Stihl badge. They are made by Ferris and have the 4 wheel shocks and suspension and serviceable hydro transmissions. After mowing some rough ground, my back really appreciated the suspension system. The deciding factors for me were the suspension system and serviceability, and the fact that the local Stihl dealer I bought it from does full warranty service and stocks parts. I think I’m going to like this machine.

 

[1Mech]

Unless you are going with a wide cutting swath like 60", what is the advantage of a zero turn over a garden tractor type mower. I know the zero turn has a substantial price premium. What can you do with a ZT that I can't do with the garden tractor of equal size cutting width? My little brother has used a Grasshopper for quite a few years west of Wichita and really likes it on his 5 acres. I see neighbors using them on city lots, I think it is just their big boy toy, am I wrong?
Gathering opinions, as I will be needing to get something for my new acreage.

 

[RjCorazza]

Unless you are going with a wide cutting swath like 60", what is the advantage of a zero turn over a garden tractor type mower. I know the zero turn has a substantial price premium. What can you do with a ZT that I can't do with the garden tractor of equal size cutting width? My little brother has used a Grasshopper for quite a few years west of Wichita and really likes it on his 5 acres. I see neighbors using them on city lots, I think it is just their big boy toy, am I wrong?
Gathering opinions, as I will be needing to get something for my new acreage.

Deck size, ground speed, maneuverability, and efficiency are the basic factors involved. A zero turn generally has a higher ground speed than a garden tractor, and will cut circles around an equivalent deck sized garden tractor. The maneuverability of the zero turn adds to its efficiency, with less time spent in turns and direction changes.

The difference boils down to acres per hour. A garden tractor can cut just as well as a zero turn, just not in nearly the same time.

My retirement gig is mowing about 30 acres per week across 18 rural properties on a 72" commercial zero turn. No way I would cut that with a garden tractor. On smaller properties the waters get muddied. My subjective opinion is that a zero turn may not be as advantageous on say 1 acre or less, but would still cut mowing time.

 

[tradosaurus]

Depending how big a yard you are mowing will decide lawn tractor or zero turn. I personally would use a zero turn if cutting more than 1 acre.
When I moved out to the country I bought a 48" ZT and cut 3-4 acres. In about 4 months I traded that in on a 60" ZT and saved 45 minutes of mowing time.
I have the Toro Titan HD 20000 and my only regret was not getting the MyRide suspension.
Since it's not my money I recommend you get this one: Z Master 4000 MyRide

 

[2manyrocks]

The advantage of a zero turn is in the ability to navigate around obstacles and precise cutting that reduces trimming time. I had a 3/4 acre lot with a bunch of trees. Switching to a zero turn reduced my mowing time by half.

If someone is mowing an open soccer field, a zero turn doesn't have much advantage over a normal mower of the same cutting width and ground speed.