Best type/make/model for 1-acre of residential lawn with hills - did I buy wrong?

[Jack Vines]

My lawn is an acre, has hills, fence corners and half of it has trees/flower beds. For thirty years I mowed it with an 8hp Wards/Yard Machine rider, then the next eleven years with a Cub Cadet 2135. I didn't realize it at the time, but the Cub was nearly perfect for my application.

When the Cub went missing, I thought zero turn would be faster and give a better cut. I found a decent deal on a like-new Toro TimeCutter SS 4235. The learning curve has been much steeper than I expected, but I may just have bought the wrong machine for my layout.

There is one fenced corner which slopes downhill from both directions. I haven't found any combination of steer which will work. The Toro just flat won't turn or back up on the slope. Not sure the fence will survive another tangle.

There's another steep slope which the mower won't climb up and slides when mowing sideways. That hill required some skill on the Cub (steep enough so the rear wheels slid going down under compression) but I mowed down/across it every week.

Right now, I'm considering selling the Toro and buying another Cub Cadet.

Questions:

If I give the Toro another chance, how can should I be steering in the downhill corner?

The Toro has only two wheels on the deck and it scalps worse than the Cub which had five anti-scalp wheels on the deck. Anyone ever added a front roller and two rear wheels to the Toro deck?

If I decide to go back to the tractor style, what's the best ever made in a 36"-42" deck? I was happy with the Cub Cadet 2135 and it seemed better made than the current models. The old Kohler single shakes like a dog ****tin' a peach pit, but it seemingly runs forever and 13hp was enough.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

jack vines

 

[Ed of all trades]

Could you get tires that have more grip?

 

[Jack Vines]

I've spent hours reading about different tires. Seems to be a lose/lose situation. Tires with more grip/lugs chew up the lawn when zero turned. That's why the OEMs equip their machines with the turf tires.

jack vines

 

[murphy1244]

Maybe a Ventrac or a Steiner would do..Great at hills but a tad pricey.

 

[ShowroomShine]

Maybe a Ventrac or a Steiner would do..Great at hills but a tad pricey.

While fantastic machines, I dont think a Ventrac or Steiner is the right machine for a 1 ac homestead, especially considering the OP is talking about buying a $2K Cub Cadet. I think a $40,000 Ventrac is out of the price range.

 

[murphy1244]

While fantastic machines, I dont think a Ventrac or Steiner is the right machine for a 1 ac homestead, especially considering the OP is talking about buying a $2K Cub Cadet. I think a $40,000 Ventrac is out of the price range.

40K??? What are you on? Less than 25 with mower.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I would consider Walker Grass Handling System with bar tires and 42 inch deck. I don't think you can get a better cut than a Walker front mount mower zero turn. Aggressive tires are only a problem until you learn how to use it without spinning a tire. Several professionals I know swear by them and won't use anything else. I bought a used one a few years ago and will never be without one either.

Kevin

 

[Jack Vines]

The Walker is interesting to me. Wonder why it's so difficult to find the MSRP? How much would I expect to pay for the 42"?

jack vines

 

[Yamaha2112]

Budget?

 

[ShowroomShine]

40K??? What are you on? Less than 25 with mower.

Ok even still.