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.