Buying Advice Tractor vs zero turn

[Sawyer Rob]

Same here. I've made this comment on many occasions. I'm really surprised that the tread tires are not offered as an option on zero turns.

They are, on a Grasshopper.

SR

 

[NickTaylor]

Do the AT101's have any tendency to tear up turf? sometimes when I get lazy I use my tractor/shredder to mow my yard, and I usually get in trouble for bar tire damage in the lawn...

 

[dragoneggs]

Do the AT101's have any tendency to tear up turf? sometimes when I get lazy I use my tractor/shredder to mow my yard, and I usually get in trouble for bar tire damage in the lawn...

Been wanting to try them on my ZT but I do alot of spinning in tight quarters and I am guessing they would do some damage. But it might be a push compared to the 'burn' marks I am creating with spinning and sliding issues.

 

[4570Man]

Sometimes in really delicate grass the ATs will cause some scuffing but that’s more due to using a mower that weighs a ton. Overall the ATs are lot better than turfs.

 

[dalola]

Do the AT101's have any tendency to tear up turf? sometimes when I get lazy I use my tractor/shredder to mow my yard, and I usually get in trouble for bar tire damage in the lawn...

Mostly operator dependent. If you truly "zero turn" it, any tire will scalp, more so on heavier rigs. No different with chevrons. If you are prudent with your sticks, the chevrons overall yield less turf damage due to better traction. But again, if you are a careless operator, you will leave scalp marks on your turns.

Also worth noting, the chevron bar is different than both an R1 & R4 bar.....slimmer, and tapers down from center to outer edge.

 

[dragoneggs]

Mostly operator dependent. If you truly "zero turn" it, any tire will scalp, more so on heavier rigs. No different with chevrons. If you are prudent with your sticks, the chevrons overall yield less turf damage due to better traction. But again, if you are a careless operator, you will leave scalp marks on your turns.

Also worth noting, the chevron bar is different than both an R1 & R4 bar.....slimmer, and tapers down from center to outer edge.

I try to Zamboni pattern it as much as I can... I have a few areas where zero turning is pretty much a requirement unless I want to waste a bunch of time jockeying.

 

[Hay Dude]

The bar tires will tear turf. I have learned how to drive them to avoid it, but if it’s even slightly damp ground, it will happen. If you have the flexibility to be able to allow your property to dry out thoroughly, you might be able to learn to drive them. I have a rigid cutting schedule where I can’t wait too long after rain to cut. That creates a challenge. I’m switching to a less aggressive tire over the winter. Not a turf tire, but not a bar tire either. I think an HDAP tread would be ideal, but I’m still doing my research and reading other alternatives.

 

[two_bit_score]

Sometimes in really delicate grass the ATs will cause some scuffing but that’s more due to using a mower that weighs a ton. Overall the ATs are lot better than turfs.

I figure the manufacturer’s put turf tires on the mowers because about 90% of the time they work fine. It’s good to have options though.

 

[tradosaurus]

I figure the manufacturer’s put turf tires on the mowers because about 90% of the time they work fine. It’s good to have options though.

90% is anecdotal evidence?

I think most people don't know there is an option and I'm wondering how many zero turn salesman even discuss it.

 

[BoylermanCT]

The folks at Town Fair Tire thought I was nuts to put AT101's on a zero turn. Turf damage went down significantly when I switched. The turf tires would frequently spin if the grass was wet or going uphill. The AT101's grab much better so there is no spinning. Of course, I have almost given myself whip-lash on turns!

 

[two_bit_score]

90% is anecdotal evidence?

I think most people don't know there is an option and I'm wondering how many zero turn salesman even discuss it.

Anecdotally, I think you are 100% correct!

Ive never had a lawnmower salesman talk about tire options with me. I was looking at Grasshopper mowers the other day and they were the only ones that had bar tires. Not Bad Boy, Bobcat, Hustler or any of the others at this dealership, they all had regular turf tires.

.

 

[lilranch2001]

Any opinions about Tweels?

 

[johncanfield]

Any opinions about Tweels?

Got them, love them. I tested a ZTrack with and without Tweels - they make a huge difference in ride quality.

Edit - I need to update my signature. I bought a new Deere Z945M (fuel injected) last year.

 

[BoylermanCT]

Any opinions about Tweels?

At upwards of $500 each, I'll pass.

 

[lilranch2001]

At upwards of $500 each, I'll pass.

Actually I was recently quoted $1200 for a pair of the drives for my eXmark (2x 24-12-12), I was wondering how the ride quality and traction on them is.

 

[johncanfield]

It was all rolled up in my out the door price. $1k is a small price to pay for hundreds of hours of not busting your butt.

 

[Code54]

I am a former zero turn owner. I LOVED my Ferris stander, GREAT mower, VERY fast, BUT it was not great in my yard - took me a while to decide this but my opinion changed. Now I just mow with the BX and it really works better for me. The ZTR was good on the hills, the BX is excellent, the ZTR is not great when wet, the BX I can mow in the rain on most of my yard if needed. Our yard has some spots that are basically dirt (under large trees, along wood lines, etc) - there is stragglers in the area that I normally need to mow down, don't know why (guessing blade speed) of the ZTR made a cloud of dust that would amaze you. The tractor - pretty much no dust or mess. It does take me 15 minutes longer, but I don't really care. I figure I can spare that time to have less mess, more safety and the ability to cut when I want to even if wet is worth it.

 

[lilranch2001]

I cannot imagine mowing with my Bobcat CT235.

The first year I had it I got a new spray rig for spraying weeds, with filled tires, a 80 gallon spray rig (half filled) I made three passes in my lawn on ground that had dried in June for over a week, and I still have the ruts that I have been trying to coax out for the last 10 years.

Now I only spray after a few weeks of drying, and I NEVER take the tractor into the lawn if it has any serious residual moisture in it.

I know Bobcat and Coyotes are more ruggedly built tractors than Botas B's and BX's but they are not made for lawn maintenance (in my humble opinion)