Help me understand (zero turn -vs- tractor)

[RedNeckRacin]

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?

MPH faster. A zero turn is built to mow fast. most are 7-10mph plus (If you can stay in the seat). A subcompact tractor is going to mow at between 3-4ish. DO you want a swiss army knife or a dedicated machine? AFAIK you can't push snow with a zero turn so other than mowing, its pretty much useless being the only machine if you have more than mowing to do.

 

[Deere Dude]

Is it needed for snow or other landscaping, or just mowing?

If light landscaping is involved I would consider a JD X7XX garden tractor. Great for mowing and comfort, and can push or blow snow and smooth out gravel. Easy to get around with and to store.

 

[cphilip]

A lot of the Zero turns speediness is its ability to get back online by pivoting in place rather than circling back around to get to the next strip of grass to mow. It wastes no time mowing actual grass rather than trying to come back around or to stop and back up. It shaves about half the time off your grass mowing while also trimming up closer and therefor reducing your string trimming as well. Its not just all about its forward speed. Because a lawn type tractor can be made to go as fast... but it won't ever "mow" as fast. Does that make sense?

 

[RalphVa]

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!

The first question that comes to my mind is "why do you want to regularly mow 1 1/2 to 3 acres?"

I'd get a good walkbehind, self propelled if there's any kind of slopes to it and mow only an area around the house where you want it to look nice. Then get a bush hog (cheaper than any other kind of "mower") and just bush hog the rest every year or maybe 2. Just mow some trails through the rest with your walkbehind where you can walk around and enjoy it as it naturally grows up a bit. Nature's creatures will thank you for it.

Under deck mowers are for people who are lazy and who like to just ride around on tractors. They'll take about 4 or 5 swipes at a tree to get it to look decent unless you do the smart thing of mulching (not a volcano amount of mulch) a big area out to the drip line. They will do a decent job.

Ralph

 

[Atchuuu]

You have received some sound advice from TBN already but I will give my opinion anyway.

I was in a similar position and asked the group several months ago for advice on cutting speed - http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/390204-mowing-speed-kubota-l2501.html

Now that I have used a tractor with a 72" deck and my ZTR with 42" deck I can say positively that a zero turn beats the tractor in speed and quality of cut. (the 72" is not a finish cutter). A ZTR is easier to store, transport and insure and may also be cheaper to purchase. A ZTR does lack the versatility of a SCUT or CUT but you really can't beat it for cutting grass. For three acres I would consider a ZTR myself. I am cutting 15 and prefer the tractor even though it takes longer. Mainly because the ride is a little (not much) better, I am out of the sun and I can do other things with it.

If you can determine a realistic operating speed for your machine this tool may help you calculate the time it will take to cut- Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

 

[Sawyer Rob]

AFAIK you can't push snow with a zero turn so other than mowing, its pretty much useless being the only machine if you have more than mowing to do.

THIS is FAR from the truth!

A Grasshopper front mount mower sno-blows VERY good also has a broom or blade option. Yes they DO work very good!

SR

 

[mercdv]

It really depends on what you want. Yes, a zero turn typically has a much faster ground speed but also typically a smaller deck unless you pay for a really nice zero turn (those can have 72" decks). The zero turn has the big advantage or speed and maneuverability but you can get the same quality cut with a MMM as a zero turn. If you run a MMM at too low RPM the cut will be horrible. Keep in mind that bad blades in either one will also result in a terrible cut. My MMM cuts great as long as I keep the RPM's high and use high lift blades.

Now of course you are talking only 3 acres so it isn't like it will take long to mow it with a tractor MMM or a zero turn. For three acres, an average zero turn might shave off about 30-40 minutes of cutting time if you cut all 3 acres at once. A professional zero turn will shave off more time. If you are the type of person that doesn't want to be in the saddle long, get a zero turn that has the options available for snow removal. Don't just slap something to remove snow on any old zero turn. Some of them have a weaker transmission that won't last long if you do that. Make sure the model is rated for snow removal and towing. If saddle time doesn't matter to you and you want versatility, I'd look at getting a high-end lawn tractor (or SCUT). A high-end lawn tractor with good blades can give a great cut with a MMM and they offer 4-wheel steering on some models for the tight spots. The lawn tractors are excellent for small scale stuff like snow removal, cart pulling, tilling, towing, and other things. I have a SCUT on much less land which is complete overkill but I bought it because I needed something for heavy lifting and digging in hard red clay.

 

[AxleHub]

Gtstricky,

Ztr vs SCUT. Let's go from a different direction than most are posting about. SCUT is 4wd and 2wd while ZTR is only 2wd. If you're cutting flat land both will handle mowing traction but if you have any hills or sidehills it's a different story.

But let's move on to everyone's favorite point about ztr's. . . . It's that speed. But ask yourself a couple questions:

What is negative about ZTR cutting at a faster speed. . the answer is it tears up the ground because the "speed" comes from very fast extremely hard turns . . . and it rips the grass. Technically a ZTr operates more like a skid steer than it does a lawn tractor.

I did a comparison with a landscaper and his high end j. D. ZTr. The lawn showed tearing caused by a rear wheel on turns. . . So the professionals slow down on turns and your speed then decreases. So then what about the speed on the lawn? His $10,000 ZTr goes 7 to 9 mpg but my SCUT on flat ground can cut in high gear at essentially 7 to 8 mpg too. Now let's remember. . Most ZTr units are gas engines but my SCUT is diesel so a 25 HP Diesel has more power and less fuel consumption.

Is his $10,000 ZTr a nice machine? Sure is. . . Except it's a one trick pony for that $10,000 and my SCUT has many tricks. Even though my SCUT weighs considerably more than a $10,000 j. D. Ztr I have no tears in the same lawn the professional landscaper does with his unit.

If you truly want a fine quality multi purpose ZTr. Then evaluate the grasshopper front mounts as they also do great plowing or blowing. But my SCUT with fel and mmm dedicated mulching deck is less money than the grasshopper option with its options. And not only consider lawn damage and riding comfort and fuel costs. . . But consider resale value also.

 

[4570Man]

I’ll run my 72” cut grasshopper against a compact tractor MMM any day. The only way you’re going to beat me is with a batwing finish mower. Even my 50” cut Dixie chopper is a pretty close race against the 60” MMM.A good operator won’t rip up the grass. If I slowed down to finish in equal time as the MMM the ride of the ZTR will be better. I don’t think the comparison comes up very often between a ZTR or a tractor and it’s not even a fair one. A ZTR vs MMM is a lot better comparison. My grasshopper is a 10k one trick pony that I have a lot less than 10k in. If you’re mowing enough to actually need that it pays for its self with the labor bill it cuts in half pretty quick. And the fuel bill with the Kubota diesel sure is better than the gas gussling Kohler.

 

[ArlyA]

Gtsticky, Do you have any hill sides than need to be mowed? Zeros turn mowers do no like to do hillsides. Our yard is all hill, so I tried a ZTM on it and didn't get it.

Nice to have you here with us and hope that helps. Do let us know what you get.

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.