New Lawn Mower X324(all wheel steer) or Z445 (ztr)

[Grand_Pooba]

My wife and I have decided we need to upgrade our lawn mower. We are currently using a 4 year old JD L120 that has not held up well. We mow 2 acres at our house and a 2 acre cemetery down the road. We need a mower that's around stuff well (head stones) that's why We're looking at the all wheel steer and the EZtrak. From what I've read in other post I'm guessing that most people will favor the ZTR but I'm more concerned about how long the tractor will last and less about how long it takes to cut. I guess my question is which tractor is more robust.

Thanks
Steve

 

[ChuckinNH]

I have casually looked at both for my 3+ acres of rough yard, and really didn't think that either would hold up as long as I would like. If your ground is smoother, and even enough to keep the weight on both rear wheels I think the ZTR you are looking at is a bit more robust, but others with actual experience might know better. I have so many "off camber" and sloped surfaces that I'm afraid that kind of ZTR wouldn't work for me though I'd love to see one demoed here.

 

[LBrown59]

My wife and I have decided we need to upgrade our lawn mower. We are currently using a 4 year old JD L120 that has not held up well. We mow 2 acres at our house and a 2 acre cemetery down the road. We need a mower that's around stuff well (head stones) that's why We're looking at the all wheel steer and the EZtrak. From what I've read in other post I'm guessing that most people will favor the 1*ZTR but I'm more concerned about how long the tractor will last and less about how long it takes to cut. I guess my question is which tractor is more robust.

Thanks
Steve

Where did you get the idea that a ztr wouldn't last as long?
A good quality ztr will last longer than an entry level tractor just as a good quality tractor will last longer than an entry level ztr.
Manufacturing specks rather than type of machine determine what is the more robust

 

[Grand_Pooba]

Both of the mowers in question X324 (all wheel steer) and Z445(ZTR) are "second tier" mower. They use the same Kawasoki engine (not briggs).
I think the ZTR would work well because the ground is flat with lots of obstacles but deere has a 300 hr warranty on the X324 and a 120 hr warranty on the ZTR. So is deere saying they think the X324 is more durable?

 

[ChuckinNH]

Hmm, I hadn't noticed that, but it sure would be a good question for the dealer, or John Deere. I had actually looked a little closer at the X500 series, and I think they have a 500 hr warranty, or 48 months. Trouble is that I'm guessing an X534 is a lot more money too!

 

[pilot-werx]

Not to spin in a different direction, but..... I would look for a good used diesel powered unit. I mow about 5 acres with a 455 with a 60 inch deck, and the diesel uses half the fuel than the equal 445 that I purchased before the 455...

 

[LBrown59]

Not to spin in a different direction, but..... I would look for a good used diesel powered unit. I mow about 5 acres with a 455 with a 60 inch deck, and
1*the diesel uses half the fuel than the equal 445 that I purchased before the 455...

1*That's one thing I like better about my BX1500 over my CC gt2554 .

 

[JANDG]

My Cub Cadet M72KW weighs @ 1550 lbs almost as much as my JD trator, is built maybe even tougher w/ full box frame & if you get dual pumps, etc, you will be wiping out that lawn in short order,The Kawasaki motors are good, I have tried basically to get a couple 14 hp to die, they will not, 15 years old on both.. my new ZTR has a 37 hp Kawasaki. I would go ZTR if I were you.
Joe

 

[Grand_Pooba]

Not to spin in a different direction, but..... I would look for a good used diesel powered unit. I mow about 5 acres with a 455 with a 60 inch deck, and the diesel uses half the fuel than the equal 445 that I purchased before the 455...

I'd love to buy an industrial grade mower but the price goes from to and this purchase will come on the heels of my Bobcat ct230.

 

[Dutch445]

I would recommend you get to a dealer that has both units in stock, and take them both for a good test drive, try to maneuver around obstacles as you would at home or in the cemetery, and see just how much you like using the ZTR.
As far as durablity, part of me thinks that the X324 would hold up better, and I'm referring more to deck components than anything else. Not sure what you haven't liked with the 100 series, but usually decks and deck hardware, and steering areas take the worst beating and don't hold up very well. the Z445 has the kawasaki, and the upgraged hydro drive pump etc, but I wouldn't think that these areas are what will show the wear and tear of 4 acres a week. Look at the deck on the Z445, and it's gage wheels, and the front frame and casters on the mower, and compare them to the gage wheels and front axle on the X324. You can't see the steering pinion on the X324 very easily, but if you could compare it side by side with the 100 series mowers you'd see a big difference. (sure, more expensive , but will out last probably 3-1).
The all wheel steer makes for a great trimming mower, and has been around for years and years in the JD line.