Lawn tractor vs ZT

N80 · Apr 2, 2021

I have 3 or 4 acres I normally mow with a 45hp utility tractor and 6' rotary cutter which is not exactly 'lawn' but more like lawn than field. (I have mowed this with someone else's JD yard tractor and it did okay). I also have the yard around my cabin which I push mow. Getting tired of push mowing and the tractor + rotary cutter is not ideal for the job because there are lots of obstacles and the grass doesn't look great when I'm done. Ruts up the grass sometimes if it isn't perfectly dry too.

Thinking about a ZT but cost and the bouncy terrain have me concerned. Plus ZT isn't useful for much else.

So my question is this, does anyone have a recommendation on brand/model of large yard tractor (minimum 48" deck, prefer larger) that cost significantly less than a ZT and does most of what a ZT can do. I know tight turns will not be a strong point for the lawn tractor and I'm aware it will likely be slower. (But I'm thinking the less-than-smooth terrain of my lawn-fields will slow the ZT down anyway).

Any advice much appreciated.

RalphVa · Apr 2, 2021

We had Sears garden tractors with underbelly mowers for the near 5 acres of church property in NJ. Well, my travel schedule got lax enough so I could volunteer to do the lawn. Said I would if they'd let me buy a ZT mower. They did. We got a Scag. The Scag would mow the lawn with all its trees in half the time that the Sears tractors required. Each tree would be hit at top speed with a once-around vs. 2 or 3 passes with the Sears. In the fall, I even mulched up the leaves by discharging inward until the Scag about choked down and then reversed for a round and then back. Before, they had an engine mounted behind the seat that sucked the leaves from the underbelly and discharged into a trailer pulled behind, a horrid, noisy mess.

BF2011 · Apr 8, 2021

N80 said:
I have 3 or 4 acres I normally mow with a 45hp utility tractor and 6' rotary cutter which is not exactly 'lawn' but more like lawn than field. (I have mowed this with someone else's JD yard tractor and it did okay). I also have the yard around my cabin which I push mow. Getting tired of push mowing and the tractor + rotary cutter is not ideal for the job because there are lots of obstacles and the grass doesn't look great when I'm done. Ruts up the grass sometimes if it isn't perfectly dry too.

Thinking about a ZT but cost and the bouncy terrain have me concerned. Plus ZT isn't useful for much else.

So my question is this, does anyone have a recommendation on brand/model of large yard tractor (minimum 48" deck, prefer larger) that cost significantly less than a ZT and does most of what a ZT can do. I know tight turns will not be a strong point for the lawn tractor and I'm aware it will likely be slower. (But I'm thinking the less-than-smooth terrain of my lawn-fields will slow the ZT down anyway).

Any advice much appreciated.

I purchased 3 acres of land in 2015 that was rough (former pasture). I had this same debate and ended up buying a Craftsman GT5500 "Garden Tractor" with a 54" deck because I wanted to be able to use ground engaging implements like a small box blade, aerator, spreader, tiller and wagon. Things that I couldn't do with a zero-turn mower without risk of destroying the dual transmissions. Craftsman claimed as little as a 7" turning radius, but in reality it's closer to 15" radius. I just make sure I mulch my newer trees to a minimum of 18" radius and I never have to back-up and redo. I paid $2600 for it in 2015 and in 5+ years have only had minimal tune-up work to do on it even with putting it through an absolute beating. A comparable zero-turn would have been $4-5k and I wouldn't have been able to do some of the things I do with my GT.

If you're only mowing, the trade-off is a ZT is more expensive, but faster mowing. The GT is cheaper but slower. Time is money for some, but mowing is my relaxing time.

One other thing to think about is the deck width. A 54" deck is actually over 60" with the side discharge and deck lips. If your gates or trailer are 5' or less, it's a tight squeeze. There is a point when the wider deck slows you down instead of speeds you up if you're mowing around obstacles.

Good luck.

5030 · Apr 8, 2021

Keep in mind that most ZT are solid ride so bumpy terrain equates to a rough ride. There are exceptions, but you will pay for them. The high end Ferris has suspension and so does the Kubota diesel ZT but be prepared to take out a second mortgage for either one.

N80 · Apr 8, 2021

@BF2011 Very good info. I'm leaning that way. No narrow gates to worry about.

@5030 That level ZT is way beyond my current means or needs. I may borrow a friends garden tractor and see how it does.

5030 · Apr 8, 2021

Beyond my means as well. I just keep running my old trustworthy M60 Tank and call it good. Added a suspension seat so my kidneys survive.

blacktruck · Apr 8, 2021

N80 said:
I have 3 or 4 acres I normally mow with a 45hp utility tractor and 6' rotary cutter which is not exactly 'lawn' but more like lawn than field. (I have mowed this with someone else's JD yard tractor and it did okay). I also have the yard around my cabin which I push mow. Getting tired of push mowing and the tractor + rotary cutter is not ideal for the job because there are lots of obstacles and the grass doesn't look great when I'm done. Ruts up the grass sometimes if it isn't perfectly dry too.

Thinking about a ZT but cost and the bouncy terrain have me concerned. Plus ZT isn't useful for much else.

So my question is this, does anyone have a recommendation on brand/model of large yard tractor (minimum 48" deck, prefer larger) that cost significantly less than a ZT and does most of what a ZT can do. I know tight turns will not be a strong point for the lawn tractor and I'm aware it will likely be slower. (But I'm thinking the less-than-smooth terrain of my lawn-fields will slow the ZT down anyway).

Any advice much appreciated.

Since you asked.
If I were mowing this regularly, I would be using a ZT mower. For the most part they only do one thing but if the thing you are needing is mowing, they do that very well. In the case of obstacles, the ZT will make much shorter work of your grass cutting duties. Several of the newer models of the ZT are equipped with suspension to smooth out the imperfections in your yard. If you are set on a tractor, get a subcompact diesel powered model. Find a dealer you can work with that is easy to access and that will be your best choice.

N80 · Apr 8, 2021

Subcompact diesels cost as much as nice z turns. I already have a 45hp tractor with loader.

4570Man · Apr 8, 2021

Mowing 4 acres on a 48” lawn tractor doesn’t sound like my idea of a good time. I’d way rather have a 60” ZT. If that’s not in the budget I’d look for a finish mower for the tractor. It wouldn’t help the rutting problem but it would be better around obstacles and the cut quality is good.

coobie · Apr 8, 2021

5030 said:
Beyond my means as well. I just keep running my old trustworthy M60 Tank and call it good. Added a suspension seat so my kidneys survive.

Those cute little M60 tank mowers are ok for short grass small acre use but taller grass more acres need a diesel Kubota ZTR..

Bearsixty7 · Apr 8, 2021

I'd say look at a 61" Spartan SRT model and the new suspension seat if you have a good dealer near you. They are just as well built and better in some ways as the JD, Scag or Kubotas but $2-4K less money.

www.Spartanmowers.com

Bad Boy has similar models as well, someone in another thread just bought one.

RSKY · Apr 9, 2021

You do not have to buy a top of the line diesel powered supercharged eight foot deck zero turn to mow four acres. Get a smaller gas powered mower with a welded (thick) deck and slow down over the rough spots. Buy from a reputable local dealer who has been in business for a while, not from a big box store. The field will smooth out with the tractor off of it. Or buy a cheap roller and pull over it when the yard is wet to smooth it out. I am a cheapskate with my money and my time and that is what I would do. To mow grass, buy something designed to mow grass.

I prefer Bad Boy or SCAG mowers simply because of the local dealer who sells them. My Bad Boy has been used and abused for nearly ten years now and I would not hesitate to buy another.

RSKY

BigBlue1 · Apr 12, 2021

5030 said:
Keep in mind that most ZT are solid ride so bumpy terrain equates to a rough ride. There are exceptions, but you will pay for them. The high end Ferris has suspension and so does the Kubota diesel ZT but be prepared to take out a second mortgage for either one.

The Bad Boy Maverick is a residential grade zero-turn with suspension that starts under $6500 MSRP for a 60". Judging by the amount of discount off of MSRP for my recently purchased Rogue I'd bet you could get into a Maverick for around $6k.

Rob

5030 · Apr 12, 2021

That is about 5 too much for what I'd pay for a specialized machine.

5030 · Apr 12, 2021

For that little patch, I'd hire a commercial lawn service and not mow it at all. No gas, no equipment and no hassle.

MoKelly · Apr 12, 2021

Just my opinion. I have learned over the years once we bought our farm. I began trying to find equipment that covered lots of tasks. Bought inexpensive stuff. Bad decisions.

I have learned:

- buy quality stuff. It lasts, it starts, it works when you need it to work.

- buy the right tool. A ZTR is designed to mow grass. It does mowing the best of anything. It cuts well and is as fast as you can mow.

A tractor can cut grass, but it’s not designed to cut. A tractor can do lots of stuff, but not many things better than some other tool.

My tractor now is used to brush hog and carry dirt, rock and mulch to where it’s needed. It doesn’t mow grass or dig holes.

MoKelly

5030 · Apr 12, 2021

All mine do is farm. What tractors are supposed to do far as I know. I have more than one....

metalbender · Apr 12, 2021

Tractors don't make good mowers. Rough stuff, sure, grass, no. My choice was a Toro Titan 60 inch with the My Ride system. Turned a three hr chore into an hr and a half of cruising the yard.

N80 · Apr 23, 2021

Agree about tractors and mowing. I've worn the shoes off my rotary cutter using it like a lawn mower. Having said that, I've been getting by that way for 16 years.

Anyway, today I bought a Z turn. I had already decided I could not afford a JD or Kubota 54" zero turn or riding mower. So I decided on Cub Cadet. I know, I know, I know....not top tier.

I went to the dealer undecided about whether to buy their top of the line 54" rider or one of their lower end z turns. Pretty much flipped a coin and went with z turn. It is a ZT2. Residential. One step up from their lowest end 54". Very basic but beefy welded deck, 24hp Kawasaki, comfortable seat, good warranty and dealer nearby. Made in USA (except for the Kawasaki I'm assuming). Cost about $1500-$2000 less than a comparably spec'd JD or a Kubota.

Mowed about an acre of my bumpiest terrain. No problems, just had to slow it down in the bumpy stuff. No problems with scalping etc. Most of the bumps are ruts from the tractor which I'm going to repair so mowing will be smoother in the future.

The only real shocker was the dust. It is dry right now and that sucker was putting up clouds of dust. Got all in my eyes. The bush hog will do the same thing but its a ways behind me so not as bad. Anyway, rain coming tonight. In the future I will wear shop goggles if its dry.

Cut looks great and looks better now than it ever has with the rotary cutter.

Not sure I made the right decision about z turn vs rider or about buying a Cub Cadet. We'll find out I guess.