Help me understand (zero turn -vs- tractor)

[gtstricky]

In the next 30 days or so I will be the owner of a small lot (3 acres) with a 1500sf home on it. I am converting the home into a small office for my business and will be adding a 8 space parking lot. Right now the lot is about 1/2 lawn and 1/2 meadow, very flat and not many trees (5-8). I expect to have to mow the lawn, plow the lot, and take care of the meadow (or possibly turn it into lawn over time).

I want the lawn to look very nice when mowed.

Can a sub-compact with a mid deck mower create a great mow? I am leaning that way over a zero turn since it will give me options for snow and other property maintenance. If not I might have to do the zero-turn for now and add a tractor down the road.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[9973720wb19]

I think a MMM with correctly sharped blades would produce the same result as a Z-turn...only much slower though. If getting your mowing done in a timely manner is important, get a Zero-Turn. It might take more investigation, but you could look into getting a used tractor (with a FEL and without a mowing deck) and a used Zero Turn...for the price a one new tractor.

 

[1010]

Is the parking lot gravel or paved?
I'd want a JD 4thousand series tractor with a 6 foot finish mower or flail mower.

If you were just cutting grass the zero would be fine, you need something versatile.

 

[gtstricky]

Paved with a 30' entrance drive.

Speed is important... is it mostly the turn radius that speeds it up or does a zero turn have a noticeable mph difference?

 

[1010]

Both, Zeros are way faster then anything else. And will get up very close to obstacles, that a tractor wouldn't be able to.

 

[coolreinfarm]

There are some zero turns out there that will handle a plow or snowblower depending on your budget. I’ve seen some z turn videos plowing snow and blowing snow quite well.

 

[jeff9366]

Time is the issue.

A subcompact tractor with a MMM will be more versatile, but slower mowing. Subcompact tractor is slower over the ground and requires more space/time to turn than a shorter wheelbase, pivoting Zero Turn.

Zero Turn will be much faster.

Well adjusted, with equally sharp blades, both will give an excellent quality cut.

MOWING CALCULATOR MAY BE USEFUL:
Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

Most MMMs are either 54" or 60" wide. As your land as FLAT a 60" MMM is probably realistic.

 

[TractorNH]

Is a zero turn faster just because of the turning or does it have a deck design that cuts more efficiently? Do the blades spin faster?

 

[JerryK]

A tractor has uses other than just mowing. Sadly, the mid mower being mounted takes away some of it's versatility/ground clearance. I know of folks that have tractors with a mountable backhoe, a mid mower, and a FEL... While they have a useful tool to help them in their yard, it is something that requires a lot of patience to change from mowing to say, dirt work... It is hard to beat a ZTR for flat out mowing. I am in the camp of those that think that a tractor should be for 'tractor stuff', and if you want to mow your yard.... bite for the separate ZTR. But, heah.... that's just me.

 

[seasled]

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