You’ll learn to drive it faster than you think. As is always mentioned, how much acreage do you mow, are there steep hills and what’s your budget? As for time saved, if I did my entire property with a 42” tractor it took over 5 hours. With my 54” ZTR, I can finish my entire place, the in-laws next door and trim in under 2 hours.

I guess I am in the minority here. I own a 25 HP 60" Exmark twin stick and a 24 horse John Deere 758 tractor with the same size deck. I mow a slightly rough 1.75 acres about 70% open ground and 30% with some trees on it. I can use either mower and can drive a twin stick well. I can mow the yard in one hour with the tractor and I can save about 10 minutes with the twin stick. (fifty minutes mowing time) I can drive the twin stick full speed but it is only slightly faster than the Deere tractor and even with a suspension seat it rides rougher. The twin stick is a little more tiring to drive. (I'm an older guy) I have no prejudice and own both machines so I can use whichever I want any time. I think some of these stories about cutting the mowing time in half may be because an older, smaller deck, smaller horsepower, less expensive tractor was replaced by a larger new twin stick. I think it is hard to answer which is better for someone else until they have mowed their actual lawn with both kinds. Anyone is certainly entitled to favor either type of machine based on their own experience. I'm just sharing mine.

Again I thank ALL who have shared their experiences. I got this JD ZTR from a friend who is moving & giving up the large yard scene, and it turns out that the engine size AND deck size for the ZTR and the tractor are the same - so I'm not gaining any "edge" automatically by going with the ZTR. The reason I wanted it is because of the Z's reputation of being faster (and I'm getting older AND I think it's about time to let my wife help me with the 3 1/2 - 4 acres I mow). I DO KNOW - after looking at "specs", that the ZTR travels a lot faster than my old X520 tractor.... AND I DO KNOW that when I try to push the tractor for more speed the quality of the cut decreases A LOT. Doesn't seem to be the case with the ZTR.... and I don't understand that. But again I say "thanks" to all who have responded - and I would like to hear even more stories.... FredT

The reason the commercial grade zero has a better cut at faster speeds is largely due to the blade rpms. If you notice a reduction in cut quality you’re either in high grass or the blades are dull/damaged. The decks are also designed better and they discharge grass much more efficiently than run of the mill box store tractors. Hope you enjoy your machine and get your money’s worth from it!

The shopping cart example listed above is spot on. If I was mowing 4 acres I would look for a gently used commercial zero turn for roughly the same price as the new z445. You will get better hydros, a better motor and a better deck. All of which will let you mow even faster while giving you a better cut. Depending on its condition, it will probably outlast the new residential mower aswell.

I mow 3.5 acres of flat land with an exmark with a 60" deck. The commercial grade hydros were very touchy at first so I get your hesitation, but once everything clicks you'll be just fine. The fx series Kawasaki never bogs down and the fabricated deck never clogs or discharges clumps. After 3 years its got just over 100 hours, at this rate I expect to get 30 years out of the mower.

marked for info looking at buying one or the other

Got my first ZTR last summer. Ferris 32hp, 61” deck.

Have had a Gravely 18hp, 60” deck for 30+ years. It still runs great, but I thought it slow.

Wife thought it was about time to upgrade (only 30 years? What’s the rush?). Anyway, I wasn’t going to turn that idea down.

Got the Ferris for about 1/2 price with 600 hours on it. Really nice shape.

One problem, steering was sloppy. Aim in a direction and it drove kind of like a drunken sailor. Didn’t know why. Research said the hydraulic drive pumps might need rebuilt. Could be expensive. Rebuild or replace two pumps? Started checking things on the mower (already at home). Turned out two set screws on the pumps, linking to the controls, were loose. Pumps were fine. Controls are now very impressive.

One more note - there were some gas struts on the control handles. Like what used to hold the hatch back windows up. Dampers of some kind for the controls. One of mine was dead, the other iffy. I took them off completely after find the replacements a bit pricy. I am very happy without them. Control as noted is precise. I don’t drive with fists on the controls, I drive (comfortably) with fingertip control. Love it just the way it is.

I love mine. The only trick was to not do a true zero turn or you will tear up the yard. Keep both wheels moving and do a three point turn. I got one, let my neighbor borrow it, 2 weeks later he owns one.

My grandson mows a few yards with a "Big Dog" and its top speed is 6 MPH. My Ferris top speed is ~10 MPH. We figured that out after he showed me a yard that took him 6 hours to mow... I said no way! I bet I could do it in half that... turns out I probably could, with 13 inches wider and 4 more MPH. So a big difference in how much time saved vs a lawn tractor.

Speed wars got the attention of OSHA a few years back and they stepped in and set a maximum blade tip speed of 19,000 feet per minute. So due to physics and quality of cut max useable mowing speed is effectively limited.

quote:

Originally posted by sig77:
The only trick was to not do a true zero turn or you will tear up the yard. Keep both wheels moving and do a three point turn.

Not necessary if you deck extends past the tires enough. I just make a U turn, no stopping. The inside tire doesn't have to spin in place, you let it drift over 12 " or so as you do a 180 and the deck extension covers that distance. Very fast to do! Only have to baby it if the ground is wet.

But there are youtube videos on the three point turn if someone needs to learn it.

My son is approaching mowing age. He will get a 21 inch push mower to mow our 0.7 acres. No more expensive mowers needed here!!