Why are 60" ZTRs so much more popular than 72"

[vanguard]

for acres per hour hustler super z 104 inch deck

Wow, I didn't know about this option. I'll be looking into it.

 

[vanguard]

$24,000! Wow, they sure are proud of that lawn mower.

2014 Hustler Turf Super 104 Kawasaki FX1000/35hp/104"

 

[boggen]

tossing it out there. some folks use "rotatory cutters" aka lamen term "bush hogs" to cut regular grass like a finishing mower, they either swap out the blades, or sharpen them more like a finish mower blade vs a rotatory cutter blade.

zero turns vs regular tractor or riding lawn mower... ground speed ground speed, and again ground speed, but also turns, turns can be a killer if ya add up all the time and amount of turns. and that pretty much sums up a zero turn.

i have a old allis chalmers CA 1954ish tractor with belly mower, R1 / Ag tires on the rear, and then basically a 1 wheel up on front (actually 2 wheels but they set right together under the front) for hills, rough ground, and grass getting rather tall at times. it keeps on going, and love the ground speed, and your not "jittering / tingly" after riding it. granted sore from no power steering but...

zero turns not all cracked up to what they are to be, different style of controls from a single steering wheel to 2 handles, and variations of the two handles. some variations of the 2 handle setups can be rather taxing holding both handles for a few plus hours.

i would forget about "gang reel mowers" if grass gets a little bit to tall from understanding they don't cut, and need to really... really stay on top of keeping grass cut.

there are double and triple regular finish mower decks out there. small length decks, combined give a much bigger cut, the smaller decks able to handle hills, rough ground etc... much better, without scalping the yard. (cutting clear down into the dirt).

HST (hydrostatic transmission) tractor or like transmission on a tractor = a good mowing tractor. from belly mowers to 3pt hitch finishing mowers.

================
i am all for mowing, to an extent... mow enough to keep the rodents and other critters at bay, around house, sheds, wells, cabin, path ways etc,,, through farm. a couple acres here and there are mowed completly (open) to make things look better up by road side other wise... it all grows tall. to much upkeep, to much time mowing vs enjoying life.

ya need to remember that there are a whole bunch of folks with smaller size acres vs folks with more acres. a dealer going to go were his bread and butter is.

with above.... many folks recommend 2 units, 1 for mowing (finishing mower), and 1 tractor for everything else (dealing with snow, driveway, rotatory cutter, etc...). lots of hours mowing vs handful of hours with tractor with other stuff. though some folks do go with a single tractor doing. there simply to many variables. figure out what you want / need and go from there, best of luck to ya!

 

[tcartwri]

zero turns vs regular tractor or riding lawn mower... ground speed ground speed, and again ground speed, but also turns, turns can be a killer if ya add up all the time and amount of turns. and that pretty much sums up a zero turn.

I tell ya if I could find a garden tractor with the ground speed of my ZT I would trade it tomorrow. The time saved in the turns is a moot point, because you can't actually zero turn a ZT. You just destroy your lawn if you try.

 

[Xfaxman]

If you have 5+ acres of flat ground, wide enough storage doors, and no need to transport the mower-the 72" is for you. I'll consider one when I build a house on my property-for now, I would hate the thought of loading a 72"ZTR on my 76" wide trailer and fitting it between the fenders.

I also now that I would want a 35 hp engine if I was going to consider a 72" machine.

Will

That is why I bought this tilt trailer to haul the TORO 72" front deck mower.

No ramps to handle, just drive it on!

 

[RoyJackson]

$24,000! Wow, they sure are proud of that lawn mower.

2014 Hustler Turf Super 104 Kawasaki FX1000/35hp/104"

I've seen a few of those. I believe the outrigger mower decks can be disconnected for smaller fields. If one has large (5 plus acres) area to mow, such as a huge estate or school playing field, that would be a good mower.

 

[Navasot]

6ft deck is a lot of metal to be held up. Longevity would be my concern especially if your on rough ground

 

[Navasot]

Remember since 6ft is much less ordinary than a 5ft parts will most likely be just the same

 

[FTG-05]

Hopefully, not too much of a thread hijack:

I need a 60" ZTR for my 38 acres, of which about 5 acres I mow. What are the commercial brands out there that are good. I don't plan on buying anything from HD/Lowes but will probably try to get a good used commercial.

Thanks,

 

[RoyJackson]

Hopefully, not too much of a thread hijack:

I need a 60" ZTR for my 38 acres, of which about 5 acres I mow. What are the commercial brands out there that are good. I don't plan on buying anything from HD/Lowes but will probably try to get a good used commercial.

Thanks,

I bought a lightly used Deere Z920 with a 23-25 HP Kawasaki engine (originally rated at 25 HP, but some kind of controversy result in most manufacturers down rating the HP). This is a commercial grade mower and does a fantastic job. The previous owner traded up to a higher powered Deere ZTR so he could use a bagging system.
My preference would be a 997 (diesel engine) Deere ZTR, but those are hard to find used and are pricey if you do find one.

Deere has a a MOD (Mulch On Demand) system on their zero-turn mowers. Mine does not and I've read mixed reviews about the MOD systems.