Considering a ZTR

[lhfarm]

If you mow 2+ acres with a ZTR and don't have a bagger do you let the clippings sit or rake them? It seems that raking (even with a power rake) would negate all your time savings from using a ZTR.

I just called my local Dixon dealer, he says that he cannot get a bagger for the used model on CL. It's a 3304.

The Snapper is still looking good, maybe I'm just cheap but that's a lot to pay for a lawnmower!

Greg

The only time I rake is if the grass gets too tall. Then I just mow in a square, blowing the clippings to the center and rake those up. I enjoy mowing so those times are rare. My wife thinks I'm crazy. In my work situation, I may not see results on a project for months. I think that is why I like to mow so much.

 

[shot_gun]

Valley dueller, I would try a 4 wheel steer machine. It will out perform a ZTR around obstacles. Go to a dealer and drive them side by side and you'll see what I mean. A ZTR is still a 2 wheel steer machine. ZTR's have there place and if the obstacles are not to small they work great. I think a new JD X304 is only 3500 dollars and an extra 400 for the bagger. Good luck.

 

[art]

Take a look at the iseries Cadet!

 

[valleydweller1]

Valley dueller, I would try a 4 wheel steer machine. It will out perform a ZTR around obstacles. Go to a dealer and drive them side by side and you'll see what I mean. A ZTR is still a 2 wheel steer machine. ZTR's have there place and if the obstacles are not to small they work great. I think a new JD X304 is only 3500 dollars and an extra 400 for the bagger. Good luck.

No thanks. I've had 4-wheel machines and they aren't suited to me. I want something that can turn on a dime.

Greg

 

[Dargo]

Valley dueller, I would try a 4 wheel steer machine. It will out perform a ZTR around obstacles. Go to a dealer and drive them side by side and you'll see what I mean. A ZTR is still a 2 wheel steer machine. ZTR's have there place and if the obstacles are not to small they work great. I think a new JD X304 is only 3500 dollars and an extra 400 for the bagger. Good luck.

I don't mean to be contrary, and I like many of the 4 wheel steer machines, but what you wrote just simply is not true. In no way, shape, or form will a 4 wheel steer lawn tractor our perform a ZTR in cutting around obstacles. I've owned a mowing service and have spent many thousands of hours on many different machines. A 4 wheel steer lawn tractor will perform better than a standard lawn tractor, but does not compare with the mowing productivity of a zero turn radius machine. How many lawn service companies do you see carting around 4 wheel steering lawn tractors? I haven't seen any. It's not because people don't like them, it's because they simply are not as productive in mowing abilities as a ZTR machine; especially around obstacles.

 

[AlanB]

What Dargo said about turning abilities

is a 3033 one of the mechanical drive models? I can't remember all the numbers but make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

We ran a 30" mechanical Dixon for a couple years. Sat down one day and figured we were doing about 1 year of residential use, every 1.5 days of operation....

At some point I had 3 transmission's with drive cones etc. I would have one in the machine, one being rebuilt (by me) and one ready to go in. I got fast enough the dealer was bringing them too me to get them fixed. I think I could put one in and be running again in about an hour.

My dad still runs that machine, and it does well for him.

Don't know what too tell you as to which machine to buy, I always try and find a dealer I like and support them, but honestly most my stuff comes out of J thomas and I just do it myself. It is my business failing when the mower is down, and the dealers just don't have the same sense of urgency to get them going again as I do.

Good luck, a well set up mechanical drive dixon on a flat yard for a homeowner is a really nice thing.

 

[Alan L.]

Jump on this:

2005 SCAG WILDCAT 61 Commercial Lawnmower-- 282 hours

It's a Scag Wildcat 61" 282 hours - $1980

That Scag is going to be a much better mower than the Snapper.

I think that deal is too good to be true. I see where the listing has been removed. Unless that mower was dropped out of airplane it would bring about 3 times that much.

 

[shot_gun]

Looks like I stired up a hornents nest lol! Dargo it sounds like you are profesional landscaper.You want speed for all your jobs and a 4 wheel steer lawn tractor is not the answer when your tring to cram all the lawns you can in a day. you said it they don't produce wich a key element of making money. Yes 4 wheel steer is not for everybody. It was just merely a suggestion. I have been to a demonstration where a saw a 48" zero turn go up against a 48" 4 wheel steer and not keep up. Keep in mind this a demo designed to highlight the 4 wheel steer's capability. It is not a speed demon by any means but when cutting around TIGHT obstacle you will tear up grass tring to stay with a 4 wheel steer. I guess that is what I should have said.

Valley Dueller, you know what your up to then. Good luck

 

[AlanB]

Looks like I stired up a hornents nest lol! Dargo it sounds like you are profesional landscaper.You want speed for all your jobs and a 4 wheel steer lawn tractor is not the answer when your tring to cram all the lawns you can in a day. you said it they don't produce wich a key element of making money. Yes 4 wheel steer is not for everybody. It was just merely a suggestion. I have been to a demonstration where a saw a 48" zero turn go up against a 48" 4 wheel steer and not keep up. Keep in mind this a demo designed to highlight the 4 wheel steer's capability. It is not a speed demon by any means but when cutting around TIGHT obstacle you will tear up grass tring to stay with a 4 wheel steer. I guess that is what I should have said.

Valley Dueller, you know what your up to then. Good luck

I guess I would suggest to you, that an inexeperienced operator, or one trying to sell 4 wheel steer machines will tear up grass, but there is no comparison in the efficency and manuverability of the 4ws to the ZTR machines.

Driven properly a good ZTR will not tear up grass.