Lawn roller on zero turn

[fatjay]

I've done a bunch of work with some big machines in my yard, and i've managed to create some uneven areas, hills, ruts, etc. I'm thinking about getting a 60" lawn roller to pull behind my kubota zd21, but I don't know if it's safe to pull. The roller can get up to 1400lbs. It's all flat areas.

 

[Halftrack]

I would question whether a zero turn is designed to pull such a load on a continuous basis. Check with your dealer on its capabilities. Then check with your rental yards for a self-propelled roller. You may be money ahead to rent.

 

[fatjay]

I have 7 tractors, there's no need for a self propelled machine. I'd just prefer it to be a wide roller. My b8200 has a cab on it and can't get under the tree's, my craftsman's are underpowered/underweight. My kubota b8200 is hydro trans, how is that different from a zero turn transmission.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I have 7 tractors, there's no need for a self propelled machine. I'd just prefer it to be a wide roller. My b8200 has a cab on it and can't get under the tree's, my craftsman's are underpowered/underweight. My kubota b8200 is hydro trans, how is that different from a zero turn transmission.

I’d use the 8200. We have a zd1211 and I want to say it’s max pulling was considerable less than 1400 and more in the couple hundred pound range. I’d just hate for you to stress the tranny and smoke it when you have so many other options

Brett

 

[MESSMAKER]

Dixie Chopper is the only zero turn that I know of that can pull over 1000lbs. most max out at a few hundred pounds.

 

[Ford850]

I have 7 tractors, there's no need for a self propelled machine. I'd just prefer it to be a wide roller. My b8200 has a cab on it and can't get under the tree's, my craftsman's are underpowered/underweight. My kubota b8200 is hydro trans, how is that different from a zero turn transmission.

Tractors are built to pull heavy loads so they have much heavier duty hydro transmissions. Z turns are made to carry the weight of a driver, so they size the hydro tranny accordingly.
I do use my Grasshopper mowers to pull some loads (trailers, sprayers, spreaders) but they are mostly under 500 lbs, and occasionally max out at 1000lbs for short term. All those that I pull are on trailer type wheels and pull much easier than a 1000lb roller. A 1400lb roller is a lot of mass to get in motion.

 

[fatjay]

Good to know, I think i'll scale back if I'm going to use the zero turn. When I got it I had to rebuild the trans, and while a great learning experience, I don't want to do it again.

 

[NWOH_Grizz]

Pulled my 60" roller, weight over 900 lbs, with my Toro ZT. It didn't like doing that at all, the hydraulic motors were whining. I stopped immediately, and now I pull the roller with an ATV. I don't think a ZT is going to pull that much weight for very long.

 

[mikester]

I pull a 6 foot roller with my golf cart!

I’m sure the ZT would do it but if you’ve got hills it will be pretty squirrelly

 

[jeff9366]

I pull a water filled TSC poly lawn roller behind my 15.8 horsepower Kubota RTV500. I use the UTV tire width as part of the packing area.

You will find a lawn roller will flatten about 1" - 2" irregularities, not more. The soil needs to be WET.