Lawn Tractor vs Zero Turn

[drumminj]

Get two pieces of tire tread and inch or so larger than the pedal then with two bolts each side and one on top with locknuts - put enough tension to slip over the pedal tightly - you can layer them to make thicker too.

Interesting suggestion. Leaves me with two questions though:

1) where to get random tire tread? Maybe craigslist?
2) how to cut it?

 

[jyoutz]

Interesting suggestion. Leaves me with two questions though:

1) where to get random tire tread? Maybe craigslist?
2) how to cut it?

Tire shops or junkyards. Reciprocating saw with demo blade.

 

[LittleBill21]

How does it do on hillsides? Will it slide or tumble down?

supposedly awd and 45% capable. I have 25%, we shall see

 

[dj1701]

I mow VERY steep slopes with my zero turn (ZD-331) and it is much more stable than the tractor I previously used (BX2200). As far as traction goes, yes a tractor will get better traction. But Zero turns are more stable on hillsides once you learn how to drive one.
The speed at which a zero turn can cut compared to a tractor is like comparing a sports car to walking.
As far as a “one trick pony” goes, I use my zero turn to pull a leaf vacuum.
Others use them for running a spreader. I also pull an aerator and a de-thatcher.


There’s many attachments they can run. They can do more than just mow grass.

Yes, they can do more than mow grass. I have seen them pull carts. I have even seen them with a snow plow. (I laughed my ass off when I saw that) Just because they can be fitted with such ridiculous things don't mean they are a capable alternative.

Zero turns were invented to mow grass. they don't do anything else very well. Actually, quite poorly.

If you live in the south and can mow all year, then it might be a good option for you. However, I did not want a mower setting in my barn all winter long taking up room. I wanted something that I could use all year long, and for many more tasks.



Summer version.

Winter version.

Mowing in the summer is not all that hard.

Let's see a zero turn do this.

 

[Hay Dude]

I just used mine to sweep my 3 acres of grass with a 48” grass catcher. Very fast & effective. With a 31 HP diesel, it’s a breeze. I also aerate and dethatch with ease.

I see you like PA’s Yuengling. I enjoy it, too.

 

[MoKelly]

Time is valuable. At least for me. I can cut my grass 3x faster with a 60” zero turn v a 60” finish mower.

The Z-turn does sit unused from Nov- March but that is fine. I also sit much more in the winter v the summer.

 

[drumminj]

Tire shops or junkyards. Reciprocating saw with demo blade.

Thanks. I'll keep this idea in mind!

 

[tradosaurus]

I knew I was going to have trouble sitting in Toro with the MyRide system.
The local store near me had a Toro Z Master 2000 with a 60" cut on display. After I sat in it my all caution was thrown to the wind and I traded my 6 yr old Toro Titan 2000 for the Toro Z Masters 2000.
About the same tractor except for larger rear tire and Kawasaki engine. But the MyRide is why I bought it. The dealer brought the new mower to my place and took my old one. Mowed for 2 hrs and and the ride was excellent. Could barely feel the bumps and holes that would normally jar my spine.

 

[GeneV]

Yes, they can do more than mow grass. I have seen them pull carts. I have even seen them with a snow plow. (I laughed my ass off when I saw that) Just because they can be fitted with such ridiculous things don't mean they are a capable alternative.

I've seen snow blades mounted more on stander mowers than on sit-on z-turns. Toro Grandstand for instance, their Multiforce has a pretty cool setup with hydraulics to lift/tilt the blade. They seem pretty effective so long as the operator keeps in mind the limitations of a fairly light machine pushing too much snow...like you're not going to be plowing down the length of a 100' driveway with 6" on the ground. The upside is the maneuverability and compactness off the machine, being able to clear sidewalks/walkways and stuff. Plus, standers are super fun, can't beat em in that department.

 

[kozal01]

Yes, they can do more than mow grass. I have seen them pull carts. I have even seen them with a snow plow. (I laughed my ass off when I saw that) Just because they can be fitted with such ridiculous things don't mean they are a capable alternative.

Zero turns were invented to mow grass. they don't do anything else very well. Actually, quite poorly.

If you live in the south and can mow all year, then it might be a good option for you. However, I did not want a mower setting in my barn all winter long taking up room. I wanted something that I could use all year long, and for many more tasks.



Summer version.
View attachment 826974

Winter version.

View attachment 826976

Mowing in the summer is not all that hard.

Let's see a zero turn do this.

Besides a the snowplow you mentioned ZTR's are in fact very capable of pulling attachments and in my experience do so much easier than Lawn Tractors as they attachments follow much closer to the path behind the ZTR, are easier to turn and maneuver with and in many cases (with exceptions of course) the hydro motors on most high end residential and into the commercial grade ZTR's are significantly stronger than that found in most residential lawn tractors. My JD Lawn tractor could not pull my small yard trailer full of wood up my hills in my yard but my Exmark ZTRT does it with ease. What ZTR did you have and what attachments did you pull with it for comparison?

 

[Carl_NH]

My Ferris IS2000 with Parker wheel motors and hydrogear pumps pulls my Trac Vac loaded or empty - 500 lbs full weight maybe more. The tongue weight is 80 empty 120 or so full.

I did put a cooler on the hydro transmission - an 8x12" transmission cooler with 3/8 hose in/out in the return line to the tank- lowered the oil temp from 190-200 to 140-150 range.

All the bigger units IS3000 erc, had them so I installed one.

 

[Hay Dude]

I want a Ferris diesel…..all loaded up

 

[dj1701]

Yes, this is exactly a concern of mine.

Right now my gf likes "mowing" the pasture, but she'll only do the flat parts of it, and at about 1mph . I then do the hilly/uneven/parts with trees.

I'm a "research first" type person to find the "optimal" set of choices to decide between in person, but you're right that it may simply come down to whether she's comfortable with a ZT vs a garden tractor.

These might be an option. They side hill better than the floppy wheeled versions. Your girlfriend might be more comfortable with a steering wheel.

I looked at the pro models before I settled on the BX.

Ultima Series™ ZTS - Zero-Turn Mowers | Cub Cadet US


Dave

 

[Bob_Young]

Anyone have experience with the Country Cutters with joystick control? The local small-engine shop sells them.

 

[NoTrespassing]

 

[NoTrespassing]

 

[drumminj]

These might be an option. They side hill better than the floppy wheeled versions. Your girlfriend might be more comfortable with a steering wheel.

I looked at the pro models before I settled on the BX.

Ultima Series™ ZTS - Zero-Turn Mowers | Cub Cadet US


Dave

Thanks, yeah...I see you didn't read to the end before responding, but I ended up with a Cub ZTXS. Haven't had a chance to use it too much, but happy with it so far!

 

[LittleBill21]

Thanks, yeah...I see you didn't read to the end before responding, but I ended up with a Cub ZTXS. Haven't had a chance to use it too much, but happy with it so far!

I fired up my robot mower, bought it for my mother, but I may just buy one for myself, it works pretty well.

 

[skipmarcy]

Anyone have experience with the Country Cutters with joystick control? The local small-engine shop sells them.

If you are referring to Country Clipper, yes I have owned one since 2015. I have the Edge XLT with the joystick, 60" deck, pivoting front axle and the Kawasaki 24 hp. It has right at 510 hrs. on the clock.

I changed rear tires to ATV type tires after the first season (Sedona Bazooka) and I added a Trac-Seat suspension under my stock seat a few years ago.

Those tires I use aren't bar type, they have "X" shaped **** and my machine will go where you aim it and don't slip on the hills, wet or dry.

The stock seat has excellent foam in it and a good cover and that seat suspension made it all possible to cut at speed - I cut right at 5 ac. each time of basically undeveloped, hilly pasture (my yard).

The joystick is the highlight of my mower, I'll never understand why anyone would rather have the twin bars on a ZT. Your right arm stays on the armrest and you use 2 fingers to operate the mower, plain & simple. Your left hand is free to move tree/bush branches, put your hat back on, take a drink of water or whatever ...

Country Clipper also has the stand-up deck. Being a retired mechanic and always big on maintenance this was a no-brainer just like the joystick. I clean under the deck after EVERY mow - always at least a little moisture-holding dirt/grass to remove, sometimes ALOT of it and I want that surely expensive deck to last me. That 60" deck on that 850 lb mower isn't easy to stand up but I used the FEL on my tractor for a few years before finding I could use a 6' rock bar stuck in the front center anti-scalp roller and put her on up by hand.

I've only replaced the belts once now in over 500 hrs, did have to replace 2 of the idler pulleys on the deck a few years ago. The spindles are non-greasable but ARE iron and the bearings ARE replaceable when the time comes.

I paid $5300 in 2015 (with my wife's employee discount) at our local Co-op. The tires cost me I think $100 a piece, the TracSeat suspension was $159 shipped. The Kawasaki has been flawless so far, uses not a drop of oil all season - I change it once a year with the Kawasaki 30w and the Kawasaki oil filter. The 2800 series HydroGear units have been stellar, have changed oil & filters twice since new and have never had to adjust the joystick controls. I blow the whole thing off with air hose after every mow, keep it in an open-weather shed, wash it once a year before storing for the winter and remove the battery.

Just my personal experience with the brand, others may differ.

 

[Camofurever1]

Just get the ZTR mower. Get one with the Kawasaki commercial engine and a 60" deep deck. You will be glad you did and will never want to go back to a steering wheel. I have a Deere 930M that I bought new almost 7 years ago. It mows approx 5 acres of grass 9 months out of the year. Occasional belt, grease the zerks, sharpen blades and change the oil and filters on a regular basis.