Right Tool for Mowing Bumpy Ground - SCUT, Small CUT or ZTR

Poopdeck Pappy · Jan 20, 2015

I have a 2.5 acre lot that I own, where I intend to eventually build a home. I've been mowing it with a John Deere GT235 garden tractor. But the ground has crawdad mounds and holes where my neighbor's cows clomped around when it was wet, and it's a rough ride on my GT.

The property is a mix of about 20% bermuda and 80% johnson grass and weeds.

I'm trying to decide whether the right tool for mowing it is a BX, a B or a ZTR. I'd really like to have a ZTR, but I'm afraid the rough ground will beat it to death. I'm not sure a BX will ride any better, though, since they have small wheels also.

Also, does a front-mount ZTR ride any better than a mid-mount on rough ground?

Footnote: I have a Kioti DK50 and a BX23 at my 30 acre property, but this 2.5 acres is not close enough to my 30 acres to trailer one of those tractors to the 2.5 acres every couple of weeks.

Parkanzky · Jan 20, 2015

Re: Right Tool for Mowing Bumpy Ground - BX, B or ZTR

Might be worth trailering the Kioti there and spending the day re-grading the lot. I think that you could make 2.5 acres pretty smooth with a box blade and some patience, then you'd have to re-seed all the lawn you'll have torn up. A pain, but it would beat suffering through a bumpy mower ride every week for the rest of your days.

GPintheMitten · Jan 20, 2015

Re: Right Tool for Mowing Bumpy Ground - BX, B or ZTR

Parkanzky said:
Might be worth trailering the Kioti there and spending the day re-grading the lot. I think that you could make 2.5 acres pretty smooth with a box blade and some patience, then you'd have to re-seed all the lawn you'll have torn up. A pain, but it would beat suffering through a bumpy mower ride every week for the rest of your days.

Ditto. Look at Ratchet Rake attachment for your loader for smoothing and prepping.

Xfaxman · Jan 20, 2015

The smoothest ride would be on a UTV or ATV pulling a trail mower.

jenkinsph · Jan 20, 2015

Re: Right Tool for Mowing Bumpy Ground - BX, B or ZTR

Parkanzky said:
Might be worth trailering the Kioti there and spending the day re-grading the lot. I think that you could make 2.5 acres pretty smooth with a box blade and some patience, then you'd have to re-seed all the lawn you'll have torn up. A pain, but it would beat suffering through a bumpy mower ride every week for the rest of your days.

I agree with most of the above, a tiller and lpgs would smooth it up ready to replant. Then use a ztr and cut your mowing time to an hour+.

Tractor Tom · Jan 21, 2015

Re: Right Tool for Mowing Bumpy Ground - BX, B or ZTR

I agree with the above about smoothing the ground out first. If you don't, it's always going to be a rough ride mowing and you'll beat your equipment to death. The BX will be a slow mow because of it's speed or lack of. Mow with the DK and a rear finish mower, done in no time. Or a zero turn if you have the bucks.

Poopdeck Pappy · Jan 21, 2015

Well, of course you guys are right about smoothing out the land. I have the tools to do that, and I will. But the dang crawdads will rebuild their mounds with the first rain. And I pray the neighbor's cattle don't get out again after a rain.

So, let's assume it gets smoothed out but not as smooth as a lawn. Which one is going to give me a better ride - a SCUT or a ZTR? I've got a BX23 (no MMM), so I know those small wheels are somewhat rough riding (although better than the even smaller wheels on my GT235).

A larger commercial ZTR will have drive wheels about the same size as the ones on my BX.

Parkanzky · Jan 21, 2015

Poopdeck Pappy said:
Well, of course you guys are right about smoothing out the land. I have the tools to do that, and I will. But the dang crawdads will rebuild their mounds with the first rain. And I pray the neighbor's cattle don't get out again after a rain.

So, let's assume it gets smoothed out but not as smooth as a lawn. Which one is going to give me a better ride - a SCUT or a ZTR? I've got a BX23 (no MMM), so I know those small wheels are somewhat rough riding (although better than the even smaller wheels on my GT235).

A larger commercial ZTR will have drive wheels about the same size as the ones on my BX.

I think that some of the newer zero-turns have a suspension. That might make mowing the bumpy stuff more tolerable.

smstonypoint · Jan 21, 2015

Parkanzky said:
I think that some of the newer zero-turns have a suspension. That might make mowing the bumpy stuff more tolerable.

Ferris ZTRs have a reputation for their suspensions. I haven't used one, so I have no personal experience.

Steve

Xfaxman · Jan 21, 2015

Patented Suspension Zero Turn Mower Models | Ferris Commercial Mowers
Suspension system consists of rear coil-over-shocks with dual cast-iron maintenance-free suspension arms (shown) and front independent adjustable coil-over-shocks.