I need help on choosing a Zero Turn mower

[inneedoftractor]

Well here is my issue, I have about 1 acre of grass to mow in my yard but it's very very uneven and hilly terrain. I have one of those raised septics in the front yard so my entire front yard is this big raised mound with pretty steep sides. Right now I am using a push mower but I wanted to get a ride on mower. I at first was going to get a lawn tractor but after talking to some people, they feel a lawn tractor would not be good with the uneven terrain and it would lose traction a lot. Other uses I wanted a tractor for was to pull a 10-cubic foot card of rock/dirt, etc.. and also to use to plow the snow off my 100-foot flat paved driveway in the winter. I live in northern NJ so I often need to plow 1-foot of snow at a time.

So today I stopped at a Ariens/Gravely/Cub Cadet dealership near my home to check out tractors. The owner actually convinced me that a tractor would not be good for my lawn and I would be much better suited with a zero turn mower. He said the Zero Turn would be MUCH better on hills, etc. I could also pull a cart of dirt/rocks, etc. no problem, and they even make snow plows for the zero turn. He said the Zero turns would pull heavier weight and push more snow than a tractor because the weight in over the rear wheels so you would not slip. Also, he says the Zero turns are built better, better chassis, transmissions, etc. so he said the Zero turns would last me a lot longer and be more durable.

So assuming all he said was true, he then showed me a couple of models that he thought would be a good fit. One in particular is the: Ariens HVZ 2350 Zoom which is on sale right now for $3,400 (normally $4,200). This is a new model and he feels it is the best deal right now for the best quality and value.

1.) What do you feel about a zero turn versus a riding tractor for my uses and yard?

2.) What brands of Zero Turns are the best in terms of quality, durability, etc?

3.) I have never heard of Ariens before today, but he said that Ariens and Gravely are the same company, with the same exact zero turn models. Why would the same exact models be under two different company names? also, how is the Ariens/Gravely compared to better know brands like Cub Cadet, John Deere, etc?

Thank you very much for your help in me choosing!

 

[inneedoftractor]

Well here is my issue, I have about 1 acre of grass to mow in my yard but it's very very uneven and hilly terrain. I have one of those raised septics in the front yard so my entire front yard is this big raised mound with pretty steep sides. Right now I am using a push mower but I wanted to get a ride on mower. I at first was going to get a lawn tractor but after talking to some people, they feel a lawn tractor would not be good with the uneven terrain and it would lose traction a lot. Other uses I wanted a tractor for was to pull a 10-cubic foot card of rock/dirt, etc.. and also to use to plow the snow off my 100-foot flat paved driveway in the winter. I live in northern NJ so I often need to plow 1-foot of snow at a time.

So today I stopped at a Ariens/Gravely/Cub Cadet dealership near my home to check out tractors. The owner actually convinced me that a tractor would not be good for my lawn and I would be much better suited with a zero turn mower. He said the Zero Turn would be MUCH better on hills, etc. I could also pull a cart of dirt/rocks, etc. no problem, and they even make snow plows for the zero turn. He said the Zero turns would pull heavier weight and push more snow than a tractor because the weight in over the rear wheels so you would not slip. Also, he says the Zero turns are built better, better chassis, transmissions, etc. so he said the Zero turns would last me a lot longer and be more durable.

So assuming all he said was true, he then showed me a couple of models that he thought would be a good fit. One in particular is the: Ariens HVZ 2350 Zoom which is on sale right now for $3,400 (normally $4,200). This is a new model and he feels it is the best deal right now for the best quality and value.

1.) What do you feel about a zero turn versus a riding tractor for my uses and yard?

2.) What brands of Zero Turns are the best in terms of quality, durability, etc?

3.) I have never heard of Ariens before today, but he said that Ariens and Gravely are the same company, with the same exact zero turn models. Why would the same exact models be under two different company names? also, how is the Ariens/Gravely compared to better know brands like Cub Cadet, John Deere, etc?

Thank you very much for your help in me choosing!

 

[m60mgman]

My understanding is that zero turns are not as stable on steep slopes. There is a tendency for you to lose control and roll over on steeper slopes. If the grade is greater than 10 degrees (about 3 1/2 foot rise in 20 feet) my manual says don't mow it. They say do not start or stop on a slope.

I just got a zero turn and I only have a small area with a modest slope and it is a bit trickier there: you have to go slow and be careful as you turn or else the front wants to go where it wants to and you have no say in it.

Having said that I love my Simplicity Citation. It is built strong. It is fast. It seems to cut well, but my grass is not in real good shape to begin with: I got the Zero for the better ride, speed and maneuverability. I am done in about half the time, which wasn't long anyway, since my lot is only 2/3 acre. The only funny thing it does I don't like is the front casters wiggle when I am going fast on concrete, but there is only one area that happens. In the grass it doesn't do that.

Whether zeros are any good at towing I cannot say, but mine doesn't even have a hitch on it.

 

[m60mgman]

My understanding is that zero turns are not as stable on steep slopes. There is a tendency for you to lose control and roll over on steeper slopes. If the grade is greater than 10 degrees (about 3 1/2 foot rise in 20 feet) my manual says don't mow it. They say do not start or stop on a slope.

I just got a zero turn and I only have a small area with a modest slope and it is a bit trickier there: you have to go slow and be careful as you turn or else the front wants to go where it wants to and you have no say in it.

Having said that I love my Simplicity Citation. It is built strong. It is fast. It seems to cut well, but my grass is not in real good shape to begin with: I got the Zero for the better ride, speed and maneuverability. I am done in about half the time, which wasn't long anyway, since my lot is only 2/3 acre. The only funny thing it does I don't like is the front casters wiggle when I am going fast on concrete, but there is only one area that happens. In the grass it doesn't do that.

Whether zeros are any good at towing I cannot say, but mine doesn't even have a hitch on it.

 

[KRK]

I recently faced the same questions and when all was said and done upgraded from a tractor to a zero turn. The ZTR is much more stable on my hills, and I have plenty. Have them bring you a demo to try and see for yourself.

Other than that, my comparisons to yours were different. My mowing area is rather large and used to take 7-1/2 hours on a tractor. It now can be done in well under three hours due to the ZTR's speed. The decks are the same size, by the way, but as my terrain is also very uneven I opted for a commercial grade mower so it would be able to withstand the abuse and survive for a very long time. If the ZTR you are considering has tow hitch capability, it should be a good puller. Some do, some don't. Quality across some brands, such as Cub Cadet, varies widely across the model line and many of the ZTR's are merely low-end machines with little projected longevity. Lots of brands are trying to catch up in the ZTR field. Be careful and look slowly.

 

[KRK]

I recently faced the same questions and when all was said and done upgraded from a tractor to a zero turn. The ZTR is much more stable on my hills, and I have plenty. Have them bring you a demo to try and see for yourself.

Other than that, my comparisons to yours were different. My mowing area is rather large and used to take 7-1/2 hours on a tractor. It now can be done in well under three hours due to the ZTR's speed. The decks are the same size, by the way, but as my terrain is also very uneven I opted for a commercial grade mower so it would be able to withstand the abuse and survive for a very long time. If the ZTR you are considering has tow hitch capability, it should be a good puller. Some do, some don't. Quality across some brands, such as Cub Cadet, varies widely across the model line and many of the ZTR's are merely low-end machines with little projected longevity. Lots of brands are trying to catch up in the ZTR field. Be careful and look slowly.

 

[inneedoftractor]

what's your opinion on the Ariens ZTR's, most notably the new 'HVZ 2350 Zoom' model?

 

[inneedoftractor]

what's your opinion on the Ariens ZTR's, most notably the new 'HVZ 2350 Zoom' model?

 

[jcmseven]

I can answer some of your questions. A ZTR is more stable on hills--to a point. Some of the hills in my area are not well suited to a ZTR, yet I still have one and really like it. The key is to demo your proposed choices and makes sure they will turn and handle the terrain. A ZTR mower is not as good as a tractor style for pulling carts, etc. They do push snow fairly well, secondary to the large rear weight bias. As for Ariens, there is an important distinction here: Ariens purchased Gravely several years ago for some of Gravely's commercial ideas, etc. The homeowner line of Ariens and that of Gravely is virtually identical, save for badging and maybe a few odds and ends here and there. I personally think they make a better machine for the money than does Cub Cadet. I know CC has a strong following, but I personally have not known anyone who has not had at least some trouble with his/her machine. Some posters also have had trouble with the Ariens/Gravely homeowner line, but the dealer integrity could make a big difference here. Gravely also makes a commercial line and it is top-notch. This IMO is what sets Gravely apart. You might wish to look at the Gravely commercial line. It is a much heavier and better machine, and it might be more, but likely not THAT MUCH more for a machine that would make short work of your tasks. As far as JD and others, I have a 757 which is a commercial level ZTR. Although JD does make smaller ZTR's, they all technically are commercial level machines. One other tractor style machine to check out is the X300 series, four wheel steer JD. They are quite nice and would be competitive in price with what you are now considering, but if I chose between what you have mentioned now, I would go Gravely/Ariens hands down.

John M

 

[inneedoftractor]

Well I ended up buying a Sears Craftsman tractor, I just couldn't let the sale price pass me by. I paid $1,400 for a brand new tractor which I think is pretty nice and should do the tasks I want. Here it is here:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Lawn+Tractors&pid=07127660000&vertical=LAWN&subcat=Yard+Tractors+Series&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

I figure at 3/8's of the price of the Airens ZTR, I got a brand new tractor that should do the job I need.