Which model - smaller yard

[clemsondave]

I have about 1 acre of grass at the lake. I currently have a CC tractor that is all belt driven and it is driving me crazy. I'm tired of messing with it and looking for something new.

I'm going to a local dealer to get their advice, but as of now, I have only looked at Home Depot. For this size lawn, is it worth it to get the Z Force or will the RZT be ok? This what I am looking at so far:

RZT50
LT1050 (I think)

thanks!

 

[arthurb]

clemsondave,

Are you just cutting grass? Or, would you like to have something to use with a front or rear blade? Do you have any needs for ground engaging attachments? Do you have flat, or hilly terrain? Are there a lot of trees on your 1 acre? I guess it all depends on what your situation and needs are.

arthurb,

 

[clemsondave]

Just cutting grass. I have about 10 trees. Mostly flat. I am not going for the best looking lawn up there; just want it cut quickly so I can hit the lake.

I have read many posts here about the RZT vs ZForce, but most of them have 3+ acres. I'm just curious about ya'lls thoughts on the RZT on 1 acre.

 

[JTKub]

If your goal is:
1) Get'R done as fast as possible.
2) All you need to do is mow.
3) Your lawn is smooth.
4) Cost is not an issue.
A CC consumer grade ZT would be a great option. Go commercial grade if you want it to last a long time. Don't bother with a 1000 series if you want to rid yourself of belt problems.

Joel

 

[arthurb]

clemsondave,

I agree with JTKub.

arthurb,

 

[gjjbmoore]

Go and drive one. I drove a Troy Built, and a Cub, one at a Tractor Supply, and the other at Home Depot. And I felt the same way about both of them. I hated them. You have to work your arms continuously to make the thing go. The hardest thing to do is mow straight. I tried going around some trees in a near-by grassy area, and almost hit a tree. Just go and drive one before you buy one. And by-the-way, I am very coordinated, I coach my sons little league baseball team, and I know how to drive almost anything...Again, go and drive one before you buy it. There are a lot of used ones on Ebay.

 

[Fordlords]

I drive an OTR truck, and had to tote around to shows one of the 70" JD ZTR mowers, and had to drive it in and out of my trailer- I hated that GD thing! VERY difficult to go straight, and nothing that I would consider to be normal brakes. It reminded me of an amuzement park ride. They (ztr's) are not real fun and easy to drive IMHO, like gjjbmoore said, just test drive one to see for yourself. Some people love them, if not you hate it. Give me a steering wheel or give me death!

Best things on the conventional LGT tractor market now for new machines I think are CC's 2000 series. Great machines, and a great bang for the buck. They are not too big for a small yard, and manuever well around things. They are classed a garden tractor, and will last a long time, and conventional well built GT's will always have the best resale. Even if you just use it for mowing, still well worth consideration. Buy from a dealer either way, forget box stores other than to just look.
-Fordlords-

 

[clemsondave]

Thanks for the help. I have driven a few of them without much trouble. There definately is a trick to getting them to drive straight. I push both forward till I get the desired speed, then I only use the right one for most of the steering and hold the left one still.

Will the RZT50 hold up in my situation or should I go for the ZForce? Is the ZF any faster?

 

[JTKub]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( .. I push both forward till I get the desired speed, then I only use the right one for most of the steering and hold the left one still.)</font>

That's the easiest way to do it. Each ZTR has it's own 'feel' to it to get it to operate most efficiently. Just like hopping in the cab of any pc of heavy equipment. You will be awkward as all get out for the first hour or so. Ever try a skidsteer or crawler? Talk about all over the place at first! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Joel

 

[clemsondave]

Well, I went to my local dealer. It is now between the RTZ50 and the ZF50. The sales guy said I would be fine either way. The little kid in my says go for the ZF. Is there any wiggle room with dealer pricing?