Do ZTR's have ~same grass height cutting ability?

[beppington]

Until my recent Kubota tractor, I've only ever owned a little Sears 42" riding mower & haven't tried out a ZTR, so I don't know ... Will a $4K Home Depot ZTR have about the same mowing capability, as far as grass height/ thickness, as my 14 HP (I think it is) 42" riding mower?

Or can they handle higher/ thicker grass?

My dad has about 8 acres of Bahia grass fields that he has no intention of mowing as often as you would a lawn, but would like to mow it occassionaly & have it not take forever (i.e. He would mow sometime after the stalks have grown; Monthly at best, prob more like every 3 months). But he also has ~2 acres of lawn right around their house he mows weekly.

So ... given this choice, which would you do: A $4K HD ZTR (JD or Cub Cadet) with a 54" deck or a 6' Caroni flail mower attached to his Mahindra 4110?

Would you be concerned the Mahindra + Caroni would leave tire tracks all over the lawn?

 

[LD1]

Until my recent Kubota tractor, I've only ever owned a little Sears 42" riding mower & haven't tried out a ZTR, so I don't know ... Will a $4K Home Depot ZTR have about the same mowing capability, as far as grass height/ thickness, as my 14 HP (I think it is) 42" riding mower?

Or can they handle higher/ thicker grass?

My dad has about 8 acres of Bahia grass fields that he has no intention of mowing as often as you would a lawn, but would like to mow it occassionaly & have it not take forever (i.e. He would mow sometime after the stalks have grown; Monthly at best, prob more like every 3 months). But he also has ~2 acres of lawn right around their house he mows weekly.

So ... given this choice, which would you do: A $4K HD ZTR (JD or Cub Cadet) with a 54" deck or a 6' Caroni flail mower attached to his Mahindra 4110?

Would you be concerned the Mahindra + Caroni would leave tire tracks all over the lawn?

The flail mower will definatally handle taller/thicker grass than the ZTR. As to wether it will leave tracks, that depends on how soft it is. The 4110 is a pretty heavy tractor for mowing lawns.

You would probabally be better off in the long run to put that 4k towards a commercial grade machine wether new or used. If you are even questioning the ability to cut the thicker stuff, you probabally won't be impressed with a HD model, allthough it would be better than what you currently have.

Shop around at DEALERS. A lot of commercial grade ZTR's start around 5-6k. Decient used ones can be had for under 3k. You don't need the best and most expensive 10-11k machines, but something like a 5-6k bunton, bobcat, toro, ferris, scag, etc will be of much better build quality than a boxstore model.

 

[beppington]

The flail mower will definatally handle taller/thicker grass than the ZTR. As to wether it will leave tracks, that depends on how soft it is. The 4110 is a pretty heavy tractor for mowing lawns.

You would probabally be better off in the long run to put that 4k towards a commercial grade machine wether new or used. If you are even questioning the ability to cut the thicker stuff, you probabally won't be impressed with a HD model, allthough it would be better than what you currently have.

Shop around at DEALERS. A lot of commercial grade ZTR's start around 5-6k. Decient used ones can be had for under 3k. You don't need the best and most expensive 10-11k machines, but something like a 5-6k bunton, bobcat, toro, ferris, scag, etc will be of much better build quality than a boxstore model.

OK, thanks!

You have 666 posts


:laughing:

 

[MarkV]

I think the 4K residential lot ZRT will be pushed on 8 acres. A ZRT will do what you are asking but I think you will have to start looking at 6K and up.

MarkV

 

[om21braz]

I've cut rye (wet on top of that) about 12-15" tall down to 5" at a decent pace with a commercial diesel ztr, but cut quality was lacking w/ freshly sharpened blades (60" deck). That Bahia has some tough foilage - if I were you, I'd have to demo a ztr on it. That way there is no doubt about what it is capable of. I'm sure the flail cutter would have no problem cutting it, but I too would question the the finished look. Especially if you cannot easily mow different patterns each time out. Hope you find a suitable solution.

 

[beppington]

Hey thanks for the replies, guys. I think the demo idea is good. We could probably know in about 100 feet of mowing whether or not a "low" priced ZTR would do. Of course that assumes HD will let us demo one. If not, I guess it's on the dealers.

 

[Jim Thompson]

My suggestion would be to look for a used, full commercial rated, ZTR with at least a 25 hp engine and 60" cut. With the economy like it is, I'm seeing quite a few deals here in FL and a used commercial unit, Gravely, Toro/ Exmark, Grasshopper or comparable, in decent condition will outlast any of the homeowner units. I personally like Exmark because they are the biggest seller in the US so replacement parts, new or used, seem to be more plentiful. Any of the main players in the commercial market would work just as well.

Sometimes, if you're a decent mech, you can find large older units from golf courses for super cheap. Be very careful though because most of them use parts that are of limited availability thru aftermarket sources.

I mow 10 acres of bahia every other week with a 60" Exmark and a 61" 10 yr old Grasshopper with my helper in less than 3 hrs.

Jim

 

[JGM]

ditto on a commercial grade ztr for that much property.

back in the 1970's I used to cut 8 acres with a Cub Cadet 126 (36 inch deck). Those old Cubs were built more like today's commercial grade. Unfortunately, it only had a 12 hp Kohler engine. Even that little tractor had a tough time.

Look at the commercial ZTR's, you will be a lot happier.

Also, I have used mowers with Kohlers, ONans, Diesels and Kawasakis. Out of all the engines, I really like Kawasaki.

Onan parts are way way too expensive.

Today, I cut the remaining 4.5 acres with a NH TC33D and a 6 foot Brush Hog finish mower. I really wish I had that back in the 1970's

 

[SHCTammie]

Sears has ZTRs in different price ranges with reviews a long side. http://bit.ly/c70XyU Since you are unsure of what type is best for your lawn you can try searsyardguru.com After a few questions about your yard it will give you recommendations. You can also compare competitors. I hope this helps. Keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[sweettractors]

Until my recent Kubota tractor, I've only ever owned a little Sears 42" riding mower & haven't tried out a ZTR, so I don't know ... Will a $4K Home Depot ZTR have about the same mowing capability, as far as grass height/ thickness, as my 14 HP (I think it is) 42" riding mower?

Or can they handle higher/ thicker grass?

My dad has about 8 acres of Bahia grass fields that he has no intention of mowing as often as you would a lawn, but would like to mow it occassionaly & have it not take forever (i.e. He would mow sometime after the stalks have grown; Monthly at best, prob more like every 3 months). But he also has ~2 acres of lawn right around their house he mows weekly.

So ... given this choice, which would you do: A $4K HD ZTR (JD or Cub Cadet) with a 54" deck or a 6' Caroni flail mower attached to his Mahindra 4110?

Would you be concerned the Mahindra + Caroni would leave tire tracks all over the lawn?

I think my Son, Greg can get you going with a Dixon SpeedZTR 46 for quite a bit under 3k. I have a link to the Dixon website below. If interested he is at the Munfordville, Ky store and Can ship if needed. Ken Sweet

Dixon - SpeedZTR? Series