Z-Force 50 vs. GT 1554

[RazedRite]

I wanted to get a new mower to see if I could reduce the time required to cut my two acres.

Anyone have any input on which of the two cadets I'm looking at could help with that the most?

Thanks!

 

[gamble77]

Well obviously you are looking at two completly different machines. So lets see if we can lay a little ground work for making some kind of decision.

What kind of land do you have? Is it hilly with lots of dips or fairly flat? Are you going to be towing anything with your new mower? Do you want the ability to have implements attatched?

 

[RazedRite]

It's a mostly flat lot with a few gentle slopes. I don't see any need for much towing if any. And no attachments will be needed except for maybe a bagger or something of that sort.

I mainly am concerned about cutting down on the four hours it takes right now with my Craftsman (42").

 

[gamble77]

Well if you are only planning on cutting grass with the unit then there is no question that the Z-Force would be the prime choice here. It will run circles around the GT 1554 as far as time it takes for cutting and will also give a better cut because of the pivoting axle and floating deck. Go with the zero turn, you won't regret it.

 

[aratapuss]

I've got the Z-Force 50 and a CC 2180. Love them both, but the Z-Force is head and shoulders above the tractor when mowing.

Z-Force is a "one trick pony", mowing only, get the tractor if you need to pull a wagon around after mowing, etc.

 

[aratapuss]

I've got the Z-Force 50 and a CC 2180. Love them both, but the Z-Force is head and shoulders above the tractor when mowing.

Z-Force is a "one trick pony", mowing only, get the tractor if you need to pull a wagon around after mowing, etc.

 

[squirrelly]

SO you can't pull any cart with the z force

 

[squirrelly]

SO you can't pull any cart with the z force

 

[Spiffy]

Can't or CC doesn't want you too? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

There is no hitch on the ZF; I'm guessing CC either is avoiding some legal issue or wants to keep the transmission stress minimized.

That said, I know at least one thread where somebody bolted on a hitch plate.

For a light cart, not going long distances or up & down hills continously (or for that matter not going up steep hills for safety's sake), I can't believe there'd be much more wear & tear than mowing stresses.

 

[Spiffy]

Can't or CC doesn't want you too? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

There is no hitch on the ZF; I'm guessing CC either is avoiding some legal issue or wants to keep the transmission stress minimized.

That said, I know at least one thread where somebody bolted on a hitch plate.

For a light cart, not going long distances or up & down hills continously (or for that matter not going up steep hills for safety's sake), I can't believe there'd be much more wear & tear than mowing stresses.

 

[gamble77]

The reason for no hitch plate on any of the Cub Cadet zero turn mowers is due to the fact that when towing with a zero turn it is so easy to flip a cart because of the zero turn ability. Cub is just covering their a$$. That being said I have "seen it done"...although I for one would never recommend it be done. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[gamble77]

The reason for no hitch plate on any of the Cub Cadet zero turn mowers is due to the fact that when towing with a zero turn it is so easy to flip a cart because of the zero turn ability. Cub is just covering their a$$. That being said I have "seen it done"...although I for one would never recommend it be done. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Spiffy]

They're worried about flipping the cart; that makes sense.

I figured it was a CYA issue, but thought they were worried about flipping the ZTR. Learn something every day around here! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Spiffy]

They're worried about flipping the cart; that makes sense.

I figured it was a CYA issue, but thought they were worried about flipping the ZTR. Learn something every day around here! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Fordlords]

A tractor has one inherent mowing problem the ZTR's don't. When mowing with a tractor in tall or moist grass the front wheels tend to mat down the grass they roll over before the deck gets to cut it. Then the grass will come back up and show high spots a few minutes afterwards in the wheel paths. With the ZTR most of the weight is at the rear of the machine, and the front pivot wheels are small and narrow which eliminates this problem that sometimes occurs with tractors giving the ZTR better cut quality.

I'm still the old fashioned tractor man as I do many tasks with my tractor besides mowing, but now see a lot of the worthiness of the ZTR's as superior mowers.

-Fordlords-

 

[Fordlords]

A tractor has one inherent mowing problem the ZTR's don't. When mowing with a tractor in tall or moist grass the front wheels tend to mat down the grass they roll over before the deck gets to cut it. Then the grass will come back up and show high spots a few minutes afterwards in the wheel paths. With the ZTR most of the weight is at the rear of the machine, and the front pivot wheels are small and narrow which eliminates this problem that sometimes occurs with tractors giving the ZTR better cut quality.

I'm still the old fashioned tractor man as I do many tasks with my tractor besides mowing, but now see a lot of the worthiness of the ZTR's as superior mowers.

-Fordlords-