Can a Zero Turn mow high weeds in a bumpy pasture?

[Gem99ultra]

It will do it, but raise the deck and take it slow. I have a crappy place I have to do 2X per year that I really shouldn’t, but I do it.
I set the deck at 5” and go slow and ready to raise deck in the blink of an eye if needed.

I'm using a Kubota Z2412 (26hp Kawasaki engine) with a mulching kit. I have one area with the same tall weeds situation, i.e. it gets mowed about twice per year. I raise the ZTR deck to about 4" and mow rather slowiy. Then I go back a remow it to about 2.5".

On the other hand, I'm totally disatisfied with the slope cutting ability of my ZTR. Bar-type tires would definitely solve the traction problem, but then, it would destroy the other 90% of my mowing requirements by tearing up the lawn.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Could you use a drag harrow on the most aggressive side to help knock down the high areas and help level?

 

[John0829]

Mowing a bumpy field with a ZT will make you miserable, the bigger tires of your tractor will smooth out and make the ride better than the 26" tires normally found on ZT's. I KNOW!!! I have used both, my neck and spine are fused... so I know about pain involved from using each.

 

[newkiotiguy]

On the other hand, I'm totally disatisfied with the slope cutting ability of my ZTR. Bar-type tires would definitely solve the traction problem, but then, it would destroy the other 90% of my mowing requirements by tearing up the lawn.

No, it will not if you aren't an idiot. Just because the machine will make super tight turns doesn't mean you have to. In the area that you would do that make a 3 point turn and you will have no damage. 2 extra seconds to turn around is well worth the change in traction the bar tires provide. Turf tires are an accident waiting to happen on hills.

 

[duffer]

I've only got 5 acres to mow, but I borrowed my neighbors commercial grade ZT and tried mowing my bumpy yard with it once. Never again. It wasn't about the ZT not cutting well, it was the extremely short wheel base that accentuated every stinking bump. I have a 7' PTO finish mower that I normally use, and while it's still bumpy, it ain't nothin compared to the ZT torture.

My 2¢

 

[plowhog]

I have a 7' PTO finish mower that I normally use, and while it's still bumpy, it ain't nothin compared to the ZT torture.

The CAT-powered 48hp Ferris mower has a MSRP of $38k. Based on feedback, I would be reluctant to purchase without actually trying it.

Regulations have chased many of the mower offerings out of the market-- except battery models. And trying to mow 15 acres of tall weeds using a battery is somewhat beyond ridiculous.

I don't have a problem going to another state (oregon?) to purchase. But that precludes trying it out. Catch-22.

 

[2manyrocks]

Much as I'd like to have the time to mow much more often.

With the tractor and rotary cutter, I mow about 3mph. With the Ventrac, I mow about 5mph. Since the deck sizes are different it takes the same amount of time with either machine. I was hoping to find something faster with a better ride, but no I am not so sure.

It just seems to me that rough ground can only be mowed so fast. Faster ground speed means getting the tractor and your back getting thrown around that much more. Going slower with your 8' cutter would seem easier on your back than trying to go faster.

The problem with the ZTR is that the cutting deck isn't designed for mowing a tall field. You may gain the advantage of the suspension system, but it comes at a steep price.

I'm curious what suspension seats you have on your tractor and your Ventrac. For the kind of money you are thinking about spending, I'd think you could buy the very best suspension seat available and still have a lot of money left over.

 

[plowhog]

I'm curious what suspension seats you have on your tractor and your Ventrac. For the kind of money you are thinking about spending, I'd think you could buy the very best suspension seat available and still have a lot of money left over.

I think this is very wise.

I paid extra $$ for the upgraded seat system in my Massey 1758 and Ventrac 4500Z. Because of back issues-- a wise choice. And even with the 8 large low pressure tires on the Ventrac, plus a seat cushion, I still get bumps where I go ... ahhhh.

But although I paid for the upgrades, I don't know if there are after market options that might upgrade even further. (Perhaps a helium filled backpack to lighten the load, lol?)

I need to investigate if there are seat upgrades beyond what I already have. Even spending "stupid money" on a premium seat is very little compared to purchasing another piece of equipment.

 

[Midniteoyl]

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You can mow a lot with a good zero turn, but would you want to? I used the one shown in my field (not shown. This is a very bad 'lawn') a few times and it about beat my kidneys death, even with an air ride seat.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

And he is only taking a half cut. So what, 30”? Some mowers are made for high capacity cutting, ZTRs are not.

 

[Midniteoyl]

And he is only taking a half cut. So what, 30”? Some mowers are made for high capacity cutting, ZTRs are not.

Ya, and we went back the next day to cut it again at a normal height once all the ones that laid over had stood back up.

As I said, you can do it, but would you want to?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Ya, and we went back the next day to cut it again at a normal height once all the ones that laid over had stood back up.

As I said, you can do it, but would you want to?

Nope

And for the cost of a 48hp ZTR I could buy another tractor, attachment and a decent used car

 

[rgr33]

I love my z turn, but I have better pieces of equipment to cut anything over 12 inches high. At that stage of growth, you are cutting hay, not turf.

I think your best bet is investing in a better suspension system for your tractor, and possibly a finish mower with a wider cut.

 

[deserteagle71]

I know about bumpy fields. I mow 50 acres of desert that has never been worked (leveled) every year and sometimes twice a year depending on how much moisture we have. I do that with my 6' rotary mower so it takes a while but unless I invest in a batwing anything wider could not handle the many dips and gullies. Best solution I've found is to really lower the air pressure in the tractor's tires - to where there is a very noticeable bulge in the tire sidewalls. Makes a huge difference.

Looks level? Believe me, its not. When I mowed with my old John Deere I used to stand up and use my legs as suspension!

 

[Richard001]

I know about bumpy fields. I mow 50 acres of desert that has never been worked (leveled) every year and sometimes twice a year depending on how much moisture we have. I do that with my 6' rotary mower so it takes a while but unless I invest in a batwing anything wider could not handle the many dips and gullies. Best solution I've found is to really lower the air pressure in the tractor's tires - to where there is a very noticeable bulge in the tire sidewalls. Makes a huge difference.

Looks level? Believe me, its not. When I mowed with my old John Deere I used to stand up and use my legs as suspension!
View attachment 865752

Why are you not cutting, windrowing and baling this, it's hay.

 

[plowhog]

really lower the air pressure in the tractor's tires - to where there is a very noticeable bulge in the tire sidewalls. Makes a huge difference.

Can I do that with loaded tires? My rear tires are loaded with rimguard. If I remember correctly, recommended pressure is low, something like 10 pounds??

 

[5030]

Why are you not cutting, windrowing and baling this, it's hay.

Don't look like hay to me. Looks more like entertainment for stock with almost no nutritive value at all. Quality hay is about feed. That stuff is what I call mulch hay or IOW, junk.

 

[deserteagle71]

Why are you not cutting, windrowing and baling this, it's hay.

That is 90% mustardweed and the rest mainly cheatgrass. Both classified as noxious weeds. How much a ton are you willing to pay me for it?

Cattle won't eat mustard. The cheatgrass they will eat when it is very young, before it heads out. Once the heads are mature cheatgrass is awful stuff...the heads have microscopic barbs that allow it to go in but not be pulled out. It will penetrate jeans or the shoelaces on your boots. It will get in your dog's or your cows ears and cause all sorts of problems. Read this:

https://www.townoflyons.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/170#:~:text=Because%20it%20emerges%20early%20in,are%20potent%20tinder%20for%20wildfires.

 

[jmc]

My mower deck drive belt failed prematurely and the dealer speculated it was from mowing high grass. (Toro zero turn, but not commercial grade) Makes sense with heat buildup from extended mowing sessions. Expensive belt; pain to change it.

 

[shooterdon]

A lawn mower is not a bush hog or flail mower.