What would be faster?

[trook]

Lets suppose you have a 5-7 acre property (large yard) to cut. It is a large yard, and it is relatively smooth and fairly flat. It has a few trees, but not many and they are evenly spaced. Would you be faster with a 72"-84" rear finish mower behind a JD 4320 or with a 54" zero turn dedicated commercial mower?

I feel that someone could probably drive the ztr at a faster ground speed than a tractor with a rfm. However, would the speed and maneuverability of the ztr, under normal conditions, make up for the smaller 54" cut?

Your thoughts?

 

[RoyJackson]

The ZTR would be faster, I think, due to the higher speed in mowing, turning and maneuvering around those trees. This comment assumes both the tractor and ZTR operators have the same degree of experience with their machines.
Of course, the ZTR is a one task machine whereas the tractors are capable of many different tasks.

 

[beenthere]

I think RoyJackson answered it well.

 

[DK35vince]

I mow around 7 acres of lawn.
I mow using a ZTR with a 54" deck for around the house, the smaller back yard and around all the trees where it is tight for the tractor, they work great for this.
I still prefer to use the tractors running an 84" rear finish mower or a 72" MMM for the larger more open areas. They just seem smoother,faster, more comfortable for the larger more open areas.

 

[CharlieR]

Why not use a large MMM and a tag a long mower off to the side.
My friend does this and cuts about a 10 or 11 ft swath real fast!
Do the trimming with something small.:thumbsup:

 

[whistlepig]

The wider the mower the quicker the mowing will be done. If there are few objects to mow around the 72" RFM will be quicker than the 54" ZTR. Things with larger diameter tires ride better. A 3" hole to a twelve inch diameter tire is a bigger bump than a 3" hole to a 36" diameter tire. A good RFM will go as fast as you want to go. If one buys a cheap one that weighs about 200 pounds you will have to slow down because it will bounce so much it won't stay on the ground. My Woods weighs 720 pounds and it stays on the ground no matter how fast I go.

 

[jenkinsph]

I think I would vote for the ztr but would ask if you can get it wider than the 54" you mentioned? Seems a wide ztr or front mower would be the trick.

I know I have NO plans to mow my lawn with my 4520...yet.


edit, I wish I had this problem in town, good excuse to buy an X749 which should mow this in about 2 hours.

 

[gwjd]

i think one has to account for price here a little bit a nice ztr vs deck cost

 

[jenkinsph]

i think one has to account for price here a little bit a nice ztr vs deck cost

What does price have to do with this? Were spending someone elses money.:laughing:

 

[whistlepig]

I looked at a nice Scag 72" ZTR with a 28HP Caterpillar diesel motor. Around $15,000. That's just too much money for me for something that just cuts grass. I'm sure it's worth every penny but I sure can't afford it.