Buying Advice Tractor vs zero turn

[Mattyboy93]

Looking for buying advice based on mowing.

Currently have a tad more than a acre of flat property... I currently have a 42” toro zero turn... And a jd diesel tractor for yard work...

First thing is I’m upgrading to a 60” deck..

Butttt do I sell the tractor and the zero turn and get a sub compact with 60” deck to mow with (keeping out the yard work aspect right now..) or a 60” deck zero turn?

Regardless upgrading from a 42”to a 60” deck will cut my now time either option..

but now for tough part.. will the zero turn cut nicer than a sub compact with mower deck..

Obviously turn radius is out the window on comparison

Will I hate going from a zero turn (even if it’s 42”) to a tractor to mow..

 

[i7win7]

The John Deere 1585 TerrainCut Front Rotary Mower - YouTube

But it'll be awhile before you're ready to buy a tractor.

 

[9973720wb19]

I get wanting a new toy, but sounds like you already have what you need.

 

[Diggin It]

but now for tough part.. will the zero turn cut nicer than a sub compact with mower deck.

Infinitely. I've never had a ZTR, but my two riding mowers both cut better than the SCUT. I got the SCUT for other reasons, but also to mow the hill that's too steep for the riders. The SCUT is close to 2,000 pounds with me on board and will leave significant ruts in wet or soft ground. Neither rider at around 750 with me on board will do that.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have tractors, I have zero turns, there's NO WAY I'll ever go back to a tractor for grass mowing!!

SR

 

[shovelmike]

I have tractors, I have zero turns, there's NO WAY I'll ever go back to a tractor for grass mowing!!

SR

I absolutely agree, mowing with a tractor is a royal pain compared to a zero turn radius mower, heavier, less maneuverable. A 3 point mounted finish mower is easy to mount and dismount but a pain to maneuver around obstructions, a mid mount deck is a pain to mount and dismount and greatly limits ground clearance for other tasks if you leave it on. My ZTR is 52" deck, (15 years of use,\still like new) I mow a larger area than you, and it does the job very quickly with a nice quality cut.
If you feel that you really need a 60" deck, I see lightly used commercial ZTR mowers here from time to time for $4,000- $5,000 .
As mentioned in another post, you have everything you need.

 

[Reb954]

Looking for buying advice based on mowing.

Currently have a tad more than a acre of flat property... I currently have a 42 toro zero turn... And a jd diesel tractor for yard work...

First thing is I知 upgrading to a 60 deck..

Butttt do I sell the tractor and the zero turn and get a sub compact with 60 deck to mow with (keeping out the yard work aspect right now..) or a 60 deck zero turn?

Regardless upgrading from a 42杯o a 60 deck will cut my now time either option..

but now for tough part.. will the zero turn cut nicer than a sub compact with mower deck..

Obviously turn radius is out the window on comparison

Will I hate going from a zero turn (even if it痴 42? to a tractor to mow..

I don't know the layout of your yard but I would dare bet the 42" zero turn will mow the yard faster than a sub compact with a 60" deck.

If you mow the lawn I suspect you will be disappointed mowing with the sub compact. If your wife mows the lawn, she probably won't say anything until her upper body strength is built up enough from mowing with the sub compact, but after it is she will probably beat the crap out of you for getting rid of her zero turn.

 

[JJZ 109]

I got sick of getting stuck in wet yards with the 2 zero turns I owned. A little more aggressive tire only made turning tear up the grass. Sold the last one (Ferris) and went with a John Deere X394 tractor. 4 wheel steer, power steering and hydraulic deck lift & lower. No regrets here. Obviously doesn't spin turn like a ZT but close enough for my needs.
I'm awaiting delivery of a BX2380 with 60 inch belly mower and turfs but the John Deere is not going anywhere. The BX will handle mowing the rougher lot next door to the house property as well as light duty loader stuff that causes my skid steer to leave ruts in the yard.
Worst mowing move I ever made: a Troy Built unit to pull behind a 4 wheeler. Under powered and a crappy cut.

 

[RalphVa]

No question. Zero turn for mowing unless it's just plain rectangle you're mowing.

Ralph

 

[EddieWalker]

If your lawn is smooth, then nothing comes close to what a zero turn can do. If it's rough, the zero turn will still be faster and give you a better finish, but a riding mower, or tractor, is going to be more comfortable.

I mow several acres with my zero turn. I started with a riding mower, then got the tractor with a bush hog and a finish mower. Each has their place, but the zero turn is by far the best at getting the grass cut quickly, with the best results.