ZTR slides down hill and over wall, driver was saved- very lucky

[Poopdeck Pappy]

that's the reason i purchased one of these (36" model) for my pond dams. awesome machine on steep slopes. hydro model is the way to go...initially a bit pricey, but just entry level compared to a hospital bill or worse.
Hydro Drive - Encore

Smart man. That's exactly what I was talking about. If it starts heading into the pond, at least you can let go of it.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

that's the reason i purchased one of these (36" model) for my pond dams. awesome machine on steep slopes. hydro model is the way to go...initially a bit pricey, but just entry level compared to a hospital bill or worse.
Hydro Drive - Encore

Smart man. That's exactly what I was talking about. If it starts heading into the pond, at least you can let go of it.

 

[yomax4]

Why is a ZTR more dangerous that a lawn tractor? just curious because I have both and the lawn tractor is a newer Husqvarna YT2554 or something like that and it couldn't go backward if it's or my Arse depended on it.

 

[4570Man]

Why is a ZTR more dangerous that a lawn tractor? just curious because I have both and the lawn tractor is a newer Husqvarna YT2554 or something like that and it couldn't go backward if it's or my Arse depended on it.

A ZTR does better straight up or down a hill than a regular riding mower. The huge problem comes in with the swivel wheels on the front. They drift down hill, and then the rear wheels loose traction. It is a down hill slide from there. I am trying to figure out a way to lock the front wheels on my ZTR. Due to the wide wheel base and low center of gravity a ZTR with locking front wheels would be a excellent slope mower. My ZTR can drive up a steeper hill and back up a steeper hill than any of our other riding mowers contested only by the 4wd B7200.

 

[big bubba]

Due to the wide wheel base and low center of gravity a ZTR with locking front wheels would be a excellent slope mower. My ZTR can drive up a steeper hill and back up a steeper hill than any of our other riding mowers contested only by the 4wd B7200.

have to respectfully disagree. ZTR's are not designed for steeper slopes. their center of gravity is just too high with a relative short wheel base. even locking the swivel ft wheels would not prevent sliding on wet ground, and dangerously give the operator a false sense of confidence. once you talk about special techniques such as backing up a slope, etc, imho you're asking for trouble. but this is only my opinion and limited experience on slopes...and i intend to keep it limited!! use the right machine for the job at hand.

 

[k0ua]

I have never operated a ZTR, but I will make this humble observation. Too wet, and too steep with a drop off is a bad recipe for ANY machine. Then operating without the ROPS up was the final nail in the (almost) coffin for the hapless operator. IF not for the kindness and quick action of others, he would have been dead. And that is all I have to say about that! (Forest Gump, over and out.)

 

[rd_macgregor]

I really, really wanted a ZTR, but my land, including the yard, is pretty much all hill; the steep drop-off to the creek is especially uninviting. I looked at available 4WD ZTRs, but the price is 'way outside my comfort zone....so, I just have to carry on with my old ride-on mower, euphemistically called a "lawn tractor".

 

[4570Man]

have to respectfully disagree. ZTR's are not designed for steeper slopes. their center of gravity is just too high with a relative short wheel base. even locking the swivel ft wheels would not prevent sliding on wet ground, and dangerously give the operator a false sense of confidence. once you talk about special techniques such as backing up a slope, etc, imho you're asking for trouble. but this is only my opinion and limited experience on slopes...and i intend to keep it limited!! use the right machine for the job at hand.

What are you comparing a ZTR to to say it has a high center of gravity? My ZTR has a lower center of gravity than any other mower I have. This includes a F series Kubota, a Kubota G3200, a John deer F525, a B7200, and a regular riding mower made by Cub cadet. A ZTR can't compete with a real slope mower rated to something ridiculous like 45 degrees, but with locking front wheel would do better than a regular riding mower.

 

[Coyote machine]

Locking fronts on a ZTM would already be in place if the mowers were intended for what you're trying to mod them into.
If you want to mow slopes, and not to some ridiculous unobtainable 45 degree slope, then get something like a Ventrac articulated mower specifically designed to handle steep slopes. Or a less expensive homeowner version like a Husky 322T all wheel drive articulating mower, that can also run a snowblower, blade, sweeper, broom, flail mower etc.
Case closed- move on.:confused3:

 

[aczlan]

What are you comparing a ZTR to to say it has a high center of gravity? My ZTR has a lower center of gravity than any other mower I have. This includes a F series Kubota, a Kubota G3200, a John deer F525, and a regular riding mower made by Cub cadet. A ZTR can't compete with a real slope mower rated to something ridiculous like 45 degrees, but with locking front wheel would do better than a regular riding mower.

I agree. Most of the ZTRs I have run (Exmarks, Huskvarnas a Cub Cadet Tank and a Kubota) had a COG that MIGHT have been 18" off of the ground. You might slide it sideways down the hill, or go over backwards if you ran over a drop off at speed in reverse, but you aren't going to roll it sideways unless you REALLY work at it. If you rolled it sideways, any of our current machines (BX2660, B7500 or L3830) would have been on its side much earlier.

Aaron Z