Zero Turn Mower?

[vettebob1]

I 'was' looking at a 'garden' type tractor. The reason being is I live in the mountains, so to speak, and my 1/2 acre of mowable area needs a machine that can handle the inclines. In my attempt to measure the slope, using the page in an owners manual, I have just less of 15 degrees mostly with one area that might be the 15 degrees and maybe a tad more. I was told by the John Deere dealer NOTto consider a zero turn mower. He said I needed at least a X320. So for the last week or so I have been investigating Cub Cadet, Sears 'garden' type tractors....due to the heavier duty transmission.
I went to the ExMark dealer who also handles other brands and told him about my incline and he immediately shows me the Zero Turn!!!! I said why are you showing me this? I was told NOT to look at these and I did tell him by whom. He kinda chuckled and said he would not say anything negative about the JD folks. His reasoning sounded legit about why a zero turn. 1) the engine is in the rear which puts the weight where it is needed for inclines. 2) the machine is built with a low center of gravity (the John Deere place was going to put fluid in the tires to keep the center of gravity low?) 3)the driver is in the middle not at the end of the machine.

So what do ya'll think? With my incline is the Zero Turn a good choice? The eXMark is kinda expensive but maybe not that much more than other 'good' ones?
I look forward to the responses.

 

[PossumHound]

:welcome::welcome:

ZTRs can be problematic on high slope angles - especially units that do not have a brake as most don't (Kubota and JD are exceptions, though Everything Attachments does sell an after market setup for the front wheels of other brands). If there is any question in your mind about safety, by all means demand a test drive on your own property before commiting to a purchase.

PH

 

[richamor]

ZTR is NOT made for steep slopes. Too much weight at the rear.
A nice garden tractor would fill the bill nicely. I would recommend something from the Simplicity line. Nothing cuts a better lawn.

 

[Eagle09]

I would have to agree that a garden tractor style would likely be a better choice in the situation you described.

Lots of different makes and models out there, so good luck choosing what works best for you.

 

[Bird]

My experience has only been with the 38" and 32" Toro ZTRs. They're great on dry, level ground and not worth a flip on any slope or damp grass. I can sure get stuck easily.

 

[om21braz]

The main point to remember regarding use of the typical zero-turn mowers (mid deck, deck under machine) is that when you lose traction - you also lose the ability to steer. It's different strokes for different folks. Some people feel more comfortable on inclines with a ztr and some prefer the tractor-style. As PossumHound mentioned, nothing beats a demo on your property - an experienced ztr operator would be welcomed also.

 

[4710JD]

I have a Cub Cadet Tank-S model S6031 that will hold on an incline of alittle over 18 degrees with no slip at all. Excellent machine if you are looking for a zeroturn that will hold a hill. I have found no problems with this machine so far and am well pleased with it.

 

[g0rd0]

I agree with possomhound 100% the markup on these machines is huge so get the dealers to come to you with their machines and try before you buy! Your property sounds to be quite the chalange for any machine and a reputable dealer will be happy to bring a couple of machines to you for a test drive. And on that drive you do the drive and challange the machine. When you are finished with a couple of machines your question will be answered and you will have your machine. And if a machine screams at you "I am yours" write a cheque, get out the cash or what ever method is your choice, shake a hand smile and say thank you. Oh ya, dont forget to thank any other dealer that shows up with macines that dont measure up.

 

[vettebob1]

I have posted several sites. It is quite confusing. Tractor? ZTR? People have their favorite.

I will go with the advice of 'bring it out here and test drive it'.

The model I have been directed to is an eXmark 'Quest'. It seems sturdy. It is the residential model so it is not huge. It has a 44" deck which is more than enough for my needs. Plus it weighs as much as the garden tractors; maybe more than some.

The 'garden' tractors are 54" decks and are 'large'. But to get the 'tranny' that is what I had/have to look at; one was only 46".

Need more thought on this I guess.

thanks

 

[LBrown59]

I 'was' looking at a 'garden' type tractor. The reason being is I live in the mountains, so to speak, and my 1/2 acre of mowable area needs a machine that can handle the inclines. In my attempt to measure the slope, using the page in an owners manual, I have just less of 15 degrees mostly with one area that might be the 15 degrees and maybe a tad more. I was told by the John Deere dealer NOTto consider a zero turn mower. He said I needed at least a X320. So for the last week or so I have been investigating Cub Cadet, Sears 'garden' type tractors....due to the heavier duty transmission.
I went to the ExMark dealer who also handles other brands and told him about my incline and he immediately shows me the Zero Turn!!!! I said why are you showing me this? I was told NOT to look at these and I did tell him by whom. He kinda chuckled and said he would not say anything negative about the JD folks. His reasoning sounded legit about why a zero turn. 1) the engine is in the rear which puts the weight where it is needed for inclines. 2) the machine is built with a low center of gravity (the John Deere place was going to put fluid in the tires to keep the center of gravity low?) 3)the driver is in the middle not at the end of the machine.

So what do ya'll think? With my incline is the Zero Turn a good choice? The eXMark is kinda expensive but maybe not that much more than other 'good' ones?
I look forward to the responses.

A Zero turn for a half acre is over kill like using a semi to haul 1 tooth pick.