Background: Our tractor type Craftsman riding mower finally died after about 25 years of service. So we need a replacement. The yard is fairly rustic with a fairly steep hill, dips and divots, and so forth. No one would ever use it for a putting green.
We've been wondering if a zero turn mower would work for us or if we should stick with the tractor type. Also if anyone has a favorite or hated brand, I would sure like to hear from them.
... stirred anti-clockwise.
Posts: 2200 | Location: Michigan | Registered: May 24, 2009
I like Scag. We had one for a few years before moving to Central America. My Father in law is currently using it in Kentucky. He has some fairly steep hills. His yard sounds similar to yours. I can tell you from cutting his grass with our old Scag and a traditional John Deere riding mower that he owns, there is no comparison in time spent mowing. The zero turn is much faster, more stable on the hills and does a better job that the traditional rider.
I'm on my second tractor. I had a Craftsman for six seasons and upgraded to a JD X300 in 2010. The ability to tow a utility trailer is a plus, especially now as I'm clearing a portion of my lot that is overgrown with deadfall trees, assorted brush and concrete chunks that were dumped there when the house was built in the mid 90's.
-------------------------------------—————— ————————--Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even, usually, surpassing knowledge(E.J.Potter, A.K.A. The Michigan Madman)
Posts: 8453 | Location: Livingston County Michigan USA | Registered: August 11, 2002
I'm on my second tractor. I had a Craftsman for six seasons and upgraded to a JD X300 in 2010. The ability to tow a utility trailer is a plus, especially now as I'm clearing a portion of my lot that is overgrown with deadfall trees, assorted brush and concrete chunks that were dumped there when the house was built in the mid 90's.
A zero turn can be easily adapted to pull a utility trailer.
One thing I discovered after replacing my Simplicity tractor mower with a zero turn. I have a section of side yard that stays semi-waterlogged after a rain and while I could drive the Simplicity thru that section, the smaller front wheels of the new zero turn will dig in to the soft ground and I’ve gotten stuck a couple of times. Just something to be aware of.
Posts: 1241 | Location: NE Indiana | Registered: January 20, 2011
How large is your mowing area? I just took delivery of a Kubota Zero turn. I have mowed for years with a Deere lx 176 and my Deere x350. The zero turn is very slick and much faster. You will spend a little more for a good zero turn. The maintenance on this Kubota is minimal and easily accessible. The learning curve on a zero is about an hour and very intuitive. The Kubota has a stainless steel dealer hitch bolted on. The mower deck on this Kubota is a fabricated 5 inch height deck that is tank like.
I'd say the two factors are how much you mow, and what else (if anything) you would use a tractor for.
I'm on 6 acres and it's not a golf course. When I first came out here I used a 6' 3 point mower behind my tractor. It took me 3 hours a day over the course of 2 days to mow. I wasn't interested in a zero turn at the time because I was beat to death enough on the tractor that I couldn't imagine the same issues combined with a faster speed.
A few years ago I went all out and got one of the largest Ferris mowers with suspension. It's much better than the tractor, and cut my time in half (or more depending on the conditions).
Depending on your hill a zero turn will "walk" on you side-hilling it. If you go straight up and down your hill, if you loose traction, you will have no control trying to steer. I would ask a local dealer for their advice on the matter. Not someone that is looking to sell you a zero turn, but someone that has safety in mind.
If you go with a tractor you can add attachments for snow removal or rototilling a garden. A larger deck will cut down on seat time too. I'm not talking a lawn mower, but a garden tractor. Either way, a zero turn or garden tractor is not cheap.
Posts: 3690 | Location: PA | Registered: November 15, 2009
My Kubota 22 HP zero turn will mow circles around a tractor style mower. I mow about 2.5 acres every 5 days in season and ditch my JD tractor 10 years ago. I owned 3 JD tractor styles over 20 years and they were all basically junk. All bought from JD dealer with the last one nearly $4k.
I have a hitch on the back that I fabricated and pull a dethatching rake, sweeper, aerator and cart easily. There are lots of quality zero turns. By once, cry once.
I'm sorry if I hurt you feelings when I called you stupid - I thought you already knew - Unknown ................................... When you have no future, you live in the past. " Sycamore Row" by John Grisham
Originally posted by petr: Depending on your hill a zero turn will "walk" on you side-hilling it. If you go straight up and down your hill, if you loose traction, you will have no control trying to steer. I would ask a local dealer for their advice on the matter. Not someone that is looking to sell you a zero turn, but someone that has safety in mind.
You can get chevron tires that greatly improve hillside traction.
Another vote for a zero turn. Mine has worked great for over ten years now. Never had a problem with hills or holes. Best $1500 mower I could buy.
Posts: 9468 | Location: Somewhere looking for ammo that nobody has at a place I haven't been to for a pistol I couldn't live without... | Registered: December 02, 2014
Originally posted by tsmccull: One thing I discovered after replacing my Simplicity tractor mower with a zero turn. I have a section of side yard that stays semi-waterlogged after a rain and while I could drive the Simplicity thru that section, the smaller front wheels of the new zero turn will dig in to the soft ground and I’ve gotten stuck a couple of times. Just something to be aware of.
I am a big fan of zero turns BUT they do get stuck quite easily in wet soggy ground. Other than that they are the only way to go. If you have rough ground I'd suggest a Ferris as they have suspension.
I would urge you to find a neighbor of friend / family with a ZTR you can try out. I am 100 percent sold on ZTRs and would buy nothing else, however your yard or just personal preference tells me you should try one. They are easy to learn.
