Lawn Tractor vs Zero Turn

[Gem99ultra]

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

Is it true that robot mowers do NOT handle slopes well? Hopefully you'll be able to give us some insight.

 

[WM75Guy]

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.

I am not so sure of that. I got a deal (steal) on a Kubota F2560 with a 72" front mount deck. It actually is more comfortable to ride and easier to steer than my ZD1211 ZTR. With a ball on the steering wheel it takes one hand to get around, the other stays on the armrest. It turns as sharp as the ZTR, it did take a little adjustment with the deck out front.

 

[2manyrocks]

Slope mowers tend to be pricey, and I wonder how much of the price goes to pay for products liability insurance. I also wonder how much manufacturing cost is needed to make a mower that is operated by a person versus a mower like this that has remote control.

https://www.koeppl.com/en/produkte/crawler

 

[drumminj]

I'm impressed this thread is still going! Spent some time today working on a gas pedal modification for the girlfriend and figured I'd share some photos.

This only adds about an inch to it, but if she's wearing her big boots it will be fine. I cut up some scrap stall mat from Tractor Supply I had laying around and drilled some holes in it. Two layers on the front (to get 1" on top of the pedal) and 1 layer behind just to avoid having the washers/nuts directly against the pedal. 5/16" x 2 1/2" bolts with washers and nylock nuts.

Execution could be a bit better, but overall I'm happy with how it turned out. Maybe not the most elegant, but not totally ghetto either . I had thought about counter-sinking the washers on the top side (so the bolt heads don't stick out so much), but I think this works fine and the bolt heads actually give it a bit more reach.

 

[drumminj]

I am not so sure of that. I got a deal (steal) on a Kubota F2560 with a 72" front mount deck. It actually is more comfortable to ride and easier to steer than my ZD1211 ZTR. With a ball on the steering wheel it takes one hand to get around, the other stays on the armrest. It turns as sharp as the ZTR, it did take a little adjustment with the deck out front.

I had not thought about adding that to the mower, but that absolutely would make turns easier. Thanks for bringing it up!

 

[Hay Dude]

I am not so sure of that. I got a deal (steal) on a Kubota F2560 with a 72" front mount deck. It actually is more comfortable to ride and easier to steer than my ZD1211 ZTR. With a ball on the steering wheel it takes one hand to get around, the other stays on the armrest. It turns as sharp as the ZTR, it did take a little adjustment with the deck out front.

My F3680 rides worse than my ZD331. It’s also a lot slower.
Did you add an air-ride seat to yours? Mine really gets to bucking when the smaller rear tires hit bumps

 

[WM75Guy]

My F3680 rides worse than my ZD331. It’s also a lot slower.
Did you add an air-ride seat to yours? Mine really gets to bucking when the smaller rear tires hit bumps

It came with a TSC aftermarket suspension seat, which is pretty comfortable. I have a lead on an aftermarket air-ride seat that will fit the mower but it is $1,600. I don't use it enough to justify it, I just go slow and enjoy the seat time. Now that I am retired I have more time to devote to mowing.

 

[Camofurever1]

I'm impressed this thread is still going! Spent some time today working on a gas pedal modification for the girlfriend and figured I'd share some photos.

This only adds about an inch to it, but if she's wearing her big boots it will be fine. I cut up some scrap stall mat from Tractor Supply I had laying around and drilled some holes in it. Two layers on the front (to get 1" on top of the pedal) and 1 layer behind just to avoid having the washers/nuts directly against the pedal. 5/16" x 2 1/2" bolts with washers and nylock nuts.

Execution could be a bit better, but overall I'm happy with how it turned out. Maybe not the most elegant, but not totally ghetto either . I had thought about counter-sinking the washers on the top side (so the bolt heads don't stick out so much), but I think this works fine and the bolt heads actually give it a bit more reach.

View attachment 829233
View attachment 829234

View attachment 829235

Nice mod. It's good that folks can still banter back and forth about which product is the best for them and no one gets their panties in a wad over it.

 

[two_bit_score]

 

[two_bit_score]

I’ve been looking at stand on z turn mowers - either JD or Grasshopper is top right now.

if I was considering a conventional zero turn I would seriously look at a Stihl with Kawasaki engine. Right now several are $1,000 off.

https://www.stihlusa.com/products/lawn-mowers/zero-turn-mowers/

 

[tradosaurus]

Had to buy these to extend the handles. I think the MyRide deck cause the rider's knees to sit higher.
However it was short sighted not for the mfg to design more holes for extending the handles.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I’m looking at a stand on unit, and the Bad Boy Revolt has some great reviews by landscapers. Thinking about doing some lawncare on the side… I’ve perfected it over the past couple decades.

 

[drumminj]

I’m looking at a stand on unit, and the Bad Boy Revolt has some great reviews by landscapers. Thinking about doing some lawncare on the side… I’ve perfected it over the past couple decades.View attachment 829362

That's some pretty grass you have there!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

That's some pretty grass you have there!

2 acres weed free…. The rest is “pasture grass” but still well maintained. Mowing is easy, lawn applications take some knowledge, still easier than the day job.

 

[LittleBill21]

Is it true that robot mowers do NOT handle slopes well? Hopefully you'll be able to give us some insight.

its rated to 45%, that said I tried to make it slip, i had it back up on a 15% grade in the pouring rain, and it never slipped the 100's of times its tried, I will have a better answer next year when its permanently installed

 

[two_bit_score]

Which way would you go?

$6000 total narrows the field a bit. You can probably get the Scag Liberty Z for that.

 

[jyoutz]

$6000 total narrows the field a bit. You can probably get the Scag Liberty Z for that.

I bought a Stihl ZT this year for about $6k. The Stihl is basically a Ferris machine painted orange and white. I really like the 4 wheel suspension on this model, especially on rough ground.

 

[two_bit_score]

I bought a Stihl ZT this year for about $6k. The Stihl is basically a Ferris machine painted orange and white. I really like the 4 wheel suspension on this model, especially on rough ground.

I have seen those and I think they are going to be good. I know their larger models have a choice of Kawasaki and Kohler engines. Which does yours have?

 

[jyoutz]

I have seen those and I think they are going to be good. I know their larger models have a choice of Kawasaki and Kohler engines. Which does yours have?

Mine actually has the Briggs engine, which I originally didn’t want. But the dealer I bought from is a friend and he said this was the commercial grade Briggs and he hasn’t seen any problems with the commercial motors. He said they were easier to get parts for than the Kawasaki and Kohler motors. He also runs a repair shop and works on all brands even though he’s a Stihl dealer. I don’t like the consumer grade Briggs motors, but decided to take a chance based on his recommendations. I guess time will tell.

 

[two_bit_score]

Mine actually has the Briggs engine, which I originally didn’t want. But the dealer I bought from is a friend and he said this was the commercial grade Briggs and he hasn’t seen any problems with the commercial motors. He said they were easier to get parts for than the Kawasaki and Kohler motors. He also runs a repair shop and works on all brands even though he’s a Stihl dealer. I don’t like the consumer grade Briggs motors, but decided to take a chance based on his recommendations. I guess time will tell.

A big motor working easy is better than a little motor working hard.

Someone said the other day their shop said they never had parts for Kawasaki and didn't even know how to work on them - because they never HAD to work on them.

The Grasshopper mowers are known as excellent mowers and their Vanguard engines are well regarded. I follow a Grasshopper owners group because I've been considering a Grasshopper and don't see complaints about the Briggs Vanguard over there. But lack of having the choice has given me some pause about buying a Grasshopper. I had made the dealer an offer on a Grasshopper Stand On mower with the Vanguard and he came down a good bit. We were only $500 apart. I was surprised he could get that close but there was a couple new Stihl Z turns sitting there too. And when I found out Stihl was coming out with a Stand On with a Kawasaki I hesitated. I'm between a JD and a Grasshopper now.