Zero turn vs. 4X4 tractor for mowing

[tradosaurus]

Um... It's situational! Why would I want to be "swayed" into using something other than what I've already found to work for ME and in my SITUATION? I NEVER tell people what they SHOULD use/get, I only offer why I use what I use. What I use, and how I use/operate it, most certainly wouldn't be suitable for others with different conditions/environments.

Woah! Take a chill pill.

 

[Torvy]

I met a Altoz owner last week. Bought in 2019 for 16k. He was very happy with it I his hilly yard.

My robo mower will be here in July that cuts a 45deg/100% slope. I have wasted so much of my life mowing grass, not for much longer though!

Which one did you get.

 

[Fixastuff]

Which one did you get.

Lymow one.

 

[Torvy]

Sounds cool. Keep us posted on how it works. Pros/cons.

 

[sklunk]

I met a Altoz owner last week. Bought in 2019 for 16k. He was very happy with it I his hilly yard.

My robo mower will be here in July that cuts a 45deg/100% slope. I have wasted so much of my life mowing grass, not for much longer though!

A+++ on the robo mower - you will love it!

They are a little different than what the OP was looking for (and a whole lot more expensive!), but they are a beast. You don't see too many of them going to residential users (mostly municipal) but if you have a need for one it will be a great investment!

ADDED IN EDIT:
Sorry, I just saw your follow-up post about LyMow. I initially thought you were talking about these:

Remote Control Mowers

Our remote control mowers are heavy-duty and maintain slopes, dense brush up to 2 inches, and rough or wet ground up to 50 degrees. Request a demo today.

www.rcmowersusa.com

 

[2manyrocks]

When I was looking at slope mowers, I came away with the impression that the larger remote controlled slope mowers were priced to soak up money from utility companies and muncipalities that had slopes to mow.

 

[WinterDeere]

When I was looking at slope mowers, I came away with the impression that the larger remote controlled slope mowers were priced to soak up money from utility companies and muncipalities that had slopes to mow.

Seeing as I haven't come across many non-profit mower manufacturers, I'd venture to say all mowers are built to soak up money.

Manufacturing volume has an enormous effect on price. Some of my customers end up paying as much as 6x higher pricing than others, based soley on their requested manufacturing volume for similar products, and how that affects my component fabrication costs.

Despite the obvious shock at the high pricing, they're actually getting a good deal at that rate, because my price only goes up 6x for each 7x increase in component cost, due to other fixed costs and overhead.

 

[Torvy]

Seeing as I haven't come across many non-profit mower manufacturers, I'd venture to say all mowers are built to soak up money.

Manufacturing volume has an enormous effect on price. Some of my customers end up paying as much as 6x higher pricing than others, based soley on their requested manufacturing volume for similar products, and how that affects my component fabrication costs.

Despite the obvious shock at the high pricing, they're actually getting a good deal at that rate, because my price only goes up 6x for each 7x increase in component cost, due to other fixed costs and overhead.

Municipalities are rarely good stewards of tax dollars. If you say full retail is X and give them X-10%, they will pay. Nevermind that your typical customer with the same sized contract would be paying X-50%.

The argument for the mower would be that it is likely cheaper than the injury or death settlement if a city employee is hurt.

 

[Fixastuff]

Municipalities are rarely good stewards of tax dollars. If you say full retail is X and give them X-10%, they will pay. Nevermind that your typical customer with the same sized contact would be paying X-50%.

The argument for the mower would be that it is likely cheaper than the injury or death settlement if a city employee is hurt.

My township just bought a UTV and trailer fire suppression and a trailer for emergency rescue. They got a great deal on it.

 

[Up to the Axles]

I would consider a new PTO flail mower for the tractor before a ride on mower just for the ride comfort.

I was going to suggest same....

 

[UpNorthWi]

For the past ~10 years I have been using my Ford 1620 HST 4x4 with 60" 914 deck to mow about 7 acres. I'm at the point now where I don't look forward to mowing due to many mower deck breakdowns (tractor is great) along with the the time required to mow all 7 acres. It basically kills one whole day of my weekend. I think the top speed of the 1620 in MED gear (fastest I can go due to blade speed and cutting) is something like 1.5 mph.

I have been hesitant to get a zero turn due to the fact I have a decent strech of mowing along ditches & pond banks (~1200ft of pond banks, ~ 1000ft of ditches), where sometimes it can be a bit wet. I have never gotten my 1620 stuck to the point I needed another piece of equipment to pull it out. The rest of the mowing is very flat.

I have been looking at thie Ferris mower: Ferris 5902073

I assume my cutting time will decrease, but it also seems like I am going to not be able to cut some areas, especially on the steep ditches?

I have been in the same boat with my property. Depending on how much I choose to cut, I can "mow" an average of 5 acres but sometimes it's more if I choose to trim up the fields. I have a 2000 foot driveway with ditches on both sides, I also have a pond. I've been cutting it with a utility tractor with a 6' finish mower and a loader that I leave on because it's a pain to take on and off. I average 2 days a week, about 9- 10 hours to get it done. The tractor still beats me, is a pain to maneuver around obstacles and trees.

I originally was looking for a good rider, like the John Deere X739. I briefly thought of a zero, but heard of control issues, quality etc.

I saw an ad for Hustler talking about their stability on hills. I went and talked to the guy, test drove it, and he brought it to my place and mowed around the pond and all my spots that concern me.

Zero turns need width and weight for stability, and decent tires. I won't lie, you can slide on wet ground. You can also slide on very dry grass. There is a learning curve of what to do and not do, not being stupid, knowing your limits etc. I have a heightened sense of fear as I had a rider flip on me, so I get overly cautious. Often, more power is the way to go. I was uneasy around the pond, the salesman came out and demonstrated again that going faster gives me more control.

The simple solution is using your tractor on the areas that you're afraid of, use the zero on the rest. Depending on the mower, if the deck is attached more to one side than the other, you can keep your wheels out of trouble areas.

I looked at Ferris, it was expensive as was Kubota. Get a commercial quality mower with good commercial hydros. Look for a heavy machine, mine weighs about 1400 pounds. I have a simple seat, but I did add flex forks, I can't complain about the ride. I've had my Hustler X-One-i for 11 years, no issues other than oil and filters. I now get all my mowing done in 3.5 hours, maybe 4 if I change patterns. It's a beast and I've done a bit of bush hogging with it as well

 

[KenBike]

Another option is Altoz zero turn mowers with tracks. Been use a TRX 39hp with 66" all terrain deck for 6 years and really enjoy mowing. It is really safe on slopes, does a good job just flat ground and offers a great ride.

 

[walnutman]

You cannot beat the Ferris for ride.
I have four acres of bumpy Texas ground to mow.
Moved here from SE Pennsylvania 5 years ago.
Had to get a new mower. Opted for a big eXmark cause that's what all the commercial landscapers were using up in PA. Figured if they rode on them day in and day out they must be good.

Big mistake... thought my kidneys were gonna break loose.
Sold the eXmark for a $1k loss after a year. No big deal.

Bought a Ferris.. 62" model. Was a dream.

But after looking at the neighbor's diesel Kubotas... I'm a diesel guy, I sold the Ferris and got the biggest baddest Kubota diesel ZT they make.. the ZD1611.

I figured a 72" heavy diesel would have a decent ride and get the job done faster.

For me it was exactly what I needed. The front axle pivots in the center and has a built in jack for cleaning the underside.
Has a real air ride seat with air pump.

Very comfortable ride.

 

[Aquabird]

Last year I bought a grasshopper front mount deck diesel zero turn. I do have a tractor with a 72" finish 3pt mower deck. What i have found is that with the grammer seat and diesel on my ZT, it is as comfortable and as fast to mow with as my Tractor. I really think it is cheaper as well. I have about 20 fir trees I mow around and under too. I have a field from my septic tank that my tractor is too heavy to mow over. With that said, I still found myself using the tractor once in a while.