ZT or Lawn Tractor?

[paulss]

I've got about 3 acres, mostly flat w/20% trees,& have been using a 42" 16hp lawn tractor w/hydro. I'd like to get a ZT mower but can't spend the $5-7000 that most of the commercial brands run. I've seen some Cub Cadets at TSC for about $3000 and wonder if one of these would work or would I be better off spending the same amount on a larger, more powerful lawn tractor? Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations about these or any other models?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Spiffy]

I'd be a little afraid to put one of the $3K ZTRs on 3 acres, but some of the $4K ones might be a perfect match; you'll want the heavier transmissions, bearings, and engine.

Also, check out all the financing plans; that might help some of the figures.

For just mowing, I'd prefer the ZTR; you should see quite a time savings on the area you described, but if you don't mind spending extra time mowing and trimming, your options are wide open. Also, extra HP alone won't really do anything for you [unless it augments a wider deck or higher blade rate, etc].

 

[MarkV]

I’ve been looking into the same thing and found that the Cub RZT is rated for 1.5 acres or less. The Cub Z Force is the next step up in quality with a better transmission, frame and front end for 4k with a 50” deck. That mower would be the one Cub would recommend for your amount of mowing. The ZRT’s are not designed for towing anything so if you use your garden tractor for things other than mowing you’d be best off looking at that type of mower.

MarkV

 

[JimMorrissey]

You can tow with many of the ZRTs as long as it's not too heavy. Many of the machines have an optional tow setup. I didn't get one on mine, but it is available for towing a sprayer or sweeper etc. I'm sure a smaller trailer for little stuff wouldn't be out of the question.

Towing something obviously limits how much zero turning you do /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[FOURTEEN]

<font color="red"> ZTR is the way to go!! Even the small Hustler Mini FasTrac is far superior to the Cub Cadet!! Just look at the construction!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif </font>

 

[gamble77]

that always make me laugh...The closest Cub dealer to us also sells Hustler and boy does he push them. I have seen the Hustler machines that are suppose to be "far superior" to the Cub's, I even had Hustler offer me a dealership, but I said no. There is nothing on the Hustler machines that Cub doesn't have. If you say a fully fabricated deck then just look at the Z-Force 48. Plus I do not like the engine choices on the Hustler's, the Kohler Commands are much better then what Hustler is offering (Honda, and Kohler Courage last time I checked). The models I saw had the exhaust right next to the air filter...not a good design. They use the same transmissions, and Cub has a pivoting axle

I am not tyring to say that Hustler makes poor equipment, that is not the case. I just didn't see any advantage in carrying their line over Cub, plus Cub's financing is better.

 

[Buster57]

I just purchased a JD 717A to replace my JD 318.

Somewhat ironic that I have gone JD-JD-JD on riding mowers, Honda for commercial WBs, and only use Kubota for CUTs /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The commercial ZTRs start with Dixon and go up to Toro and Scag.

I bought mine for about $6k. It will mow 7 days x 8 hours. I will withstand different crews and abuse.

I don’t know? Is Cub Cadet is that tough? Exmark, Scag, Hustler, Kubota, John Deere… no problem.

 

[Spiffy]

<font color="blue"> I don’t know? Is Cub Cadet is that tough? Exmark, Scag, Hustler, Kubota, John Deere… no problem.
</font>

To compare the ones I think you are thinking of you need to look at the CubCommericial line: The Tanks (minus the M50, which I have nothing against, just think it should have it's own name; it and the ZF60 would be a great ZF Heavy Duty or maybe Tank Jr. IMHO).

Hustler (and most of the mower names for that matter) is now offering units in the ZF class and I believe Dixon has had a broad range for quite a while. Ironically, I believe many of the old friction drive Dixons weren't built any heavier than the ZForce class, but they were so simple they were indestructable in their own respect. Of course, it sounds like people are getting great results with the ZF and similar units.

 

[TedBell]

A brochure from a local farm store specifically says that the Hustler's FastTrack and Mini FastTrack are for 2 acres or less and not meant for commercial use. I would think the same would apply to other brands - so you might end up moving closer to the $4K range.

 

[RSKY]

I'm not going to argue brands with you but let me tell you this. I had a 17-hp 42" cut lawn tractor and it took me from an hour and forty five minutes to two hours and thirty minutes to mow my one acre. The yard is broke up into four different sections and has twenty two trees, a house, two buildings, two flower beds, a fish pond, sidewalks, and a patio. The time difference depended on how close I got to everything. I got a zero turn and now I can trim close and finish in about an hour and ten minutes. The wife can do it in less than an hour and trim closer than me.

The point I am trying to make is that a zero turn will cut your mowing time in half IF you have several trees or other obstructions to mow around.

My zero turn is a Gravely 1740 with 17-hp and a 40" deck. At the time I bought it I would say that it was the best homeowner model available but advances have been made in the past four years. The 40" deck is the largest that will fit in the bed of my Dakota pickup.

Nearly all the homeowners I know that have gone to ZTRs have bought much too big for what they are mowing. They are much quicker mowing, even a little one like mine, and I for one would rather have the money for something else.

Oh yeah my 82 year old mother mows four acres with a 30" 10-hp Snapper. It takes her two days but that doesn't bother her. I can mow it in three hours trimming close around the thirty or so trees.

 

[jcmseven]

There is no question to me Gravely makes the top machine in the homeowner ZTR line, still. It is worth the extra few hundred to get one, as it is nearly a commercial mower in a tiny package. The local Gravely dealer says they sell them and they do not see them come back except for blade changes, etc. They also say most homeowners do not maintain them the way most commercial users do (hours notwithstanding). I also have had a Gravely P260Z commercial mower which I really liked. I have mostly John Deere equipment now and I am picking up a 757 Z trak JD Monday that I can use for my mowing and share with my father. I am looking forward to using it to mow, but if I were to buy a residential mower, a Gravely would definitely be the one. I saw in our local paper they are running a spring promotion. I do not know if this is local only or nationwide but probably worth checking out.

John M

 

[Buster57]

All my mowers are commercial so I have really no comment on home owner applications. I stay away from even thinking in that space.
I do know that Gravley is very well respected-to say the very least! Top shelf.
I was going to go Exmark, but the Deere dealer got hold of me. I am a 99% Kubota and Stihl guy, but as usual JD had the right product at the right inflection point...bla bla bla, and I think I made the right choice with JD riding mowers for the 3d time.
It seems that no matter how hard I try to get away from John Deere, they end up with the right product at exactly my purchase price max. This is incredible market knowledge. Coming form my perspective, that should mean something to some one some where…

 

[jjj0923]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I’ve been looking into the same thing and found that the Cub RZT is rated for 1.5 acres or less. The Cub Z Force is the next step up in quality with a better transmission, frame and front end for 4k with a 50” deck. That mower would be the one Cub would recommend for your amount of mowing. The ZRT’s are not designed for towing anything so if you use your garden tractor for things other than mowing you’d be best off looking at that type of mower.

MarkV
)</font>

I was told by a Cub Cadet dealer this morning that they won't carry the Cub Cadet ZTR's. He said they're too new to the market and have been having lots of problems. The promote Scag and Grasshopper.

 

[beenthere]

That sounds like the usual salesman 'gibberish' (BS) given out to steer you to the equipment they have available to sell. Believe it if you want, as it may even be true /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. They have their loyalties too, and controlled by commissions, etc.

 

[fastpat]

I picked up my Deere 757 w/60 in. deck last Tuesday, and am really impressed with its' abilities.

I'm mowing about 4 acres now, with the potential for 1-2 more in a short while. I mow two orchards and around the perimeter of a pasture, vegtable patch which means a lot of turning to avoid damage to valuable trees, or obstacles.

This ZTR mower is the deal for this type mowing, and is probably what someone needs if mowing more than 1/2 acre, just varying the mower size and power.

The negatives, so far, are a pretty rough ride which I should at least partially solve with a seat suspension system, and fuel consumption which is supposed to be 1 gallon per hour. With 9 gallons of fuel onboard, that's still a lot of mowing.

For three acres, I's seriously look at at least a 48-54 inch deck and 19 horsepower, which means the Deere 717 or 727 or equivalent in another brand such as Ferris or Scag. Toro has some nice machines too.

 

[jcmseven]

I have really liked my 757 so far. I thought about the 797, but it was so wide, I thought transporting it would be tough. The JD I have does not ride too bad. My dealer let a little air from the tires and that did help. Unfortunately so far, I think the engine in this machine is going the direction of the other Kawasaki's I have had, a fuel hog. I only got three hours mowing on five gallons gasoline this past time. I did this to see if the fuel consumption was as advertised. The JD booklet says 1.1 gallons/hour at WOT when mowing. No way this machine does that, but boy it runs so good I can handle the increased consumption, as on flat ground, I can mow about eight/nine acres or more in that timeframe, v. my father who can mow about three-four with his 335.

John M

 

[fastpat]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have really liked my 757 so far. I thought about the 797, but it was so wide, I thought transporting it would be tough. The JD I have does not ride too bad. My dealer let a little air from the tires and that did help. Unfortunately so far, I think the engine in this machine is going the direction of the other Kawasaki's I have had, a fuel hog. I only got three hours mowing on five gallons gasoline this past time. I did this to see if the fuel consumption was as advertised. The JD booklet says 1.1 gallons/hour at WOT when mowing. No way this machine does that, but boy it runs so good I can handle the increased consumption, as on flat ground, I can mow about eight/nine acres or more in that timeframe, v. my father who can mow about three-four with his 335.

John M )</font>

I thought about the 777 with the same deck as my 757, because it's watercooled which might mean more longevity. It has a higher fuel consumption according to Deere than the 757, and being 10 inches longer was just too large. It would have been an additional $850.00 also.

I did call my dealer today to order a seat suspension system, the mower does ride pretty hard, which slows you down to avoid kidney bruises. I have several places with 300 ft. runs one way, and a little more speed would be nice, hopefull the seat suspension will enable that.