Buying Advice Tractor vs zero turn

[dragoneggs]

Well you just beat the ZT by a little bit by using a lot bigger deck. Point proven on how much more efficient they are. I bet I could equal if not beat your time with my 72” zero turn. If it was a fair match of equal decks the ZT would lap your time. If you want to make a lopsided comparison the other way get a 96” zero turn vs a 58” tractor mower and see what kind of difference there is.

Yep, if you’re not comparing apples to apples the logic isn’t logical.

 

[DK35vince]

Well you just beat the ZT by a little bit by using a lot bigger deck. Point proven on how much more efficient they are. I bet I could equal if not beat your time with my 72 zero turn. If it was a fair match of equal decks the ZT would lap your time. If you want to make a lopsided comparison the other way get a 96 zero turn vs a 58 tractor mower and see what kind of difference there is.

I mow 8 acres.
My 35HP tractor with 84" deck takes me around 3 1/4 hours to mow it. (2.46 acres per hour average).
I can mow the same lot with my 35 HP 72" deck zero turn in 2 hours. ( 4 acres per hour average on our lot)
The difference is huge. When I say our zero turn mows circles around the tractor I'm not kidding. It will mow at 14 MPH.

 

[dragoneggs]

I mow 8 acres.
My 35HP tractor with 84" deck takes me around 3 1/4 hours to mow it. (2.46 acres per hour average).
I can mow the same lot with my 35 HP 72" deck zero turn in 2 hours. ( 4 acres per hour average on our lot)
The difference is huge. When I say our zero turn mows circles around the tractor I'm not kidding. It will mow at 14 MPH.

That's impressive! Going 14mph mowing must be fun?

 

[BoylermanCT]

I resisted getting a zero turn for years. My Craftsman 46" tractor would mow my 5 acres in 5 hours. Then I decided my free time was worth something and I bought a consumer Hustler Raptor SD 54" zero turn. Cut my mowing time down to 2.5 hours. In year 2 of owning the zero turn, I sent it in for a new deck which was under recall due to peeling paint. They let me borrow a commercial X-One 60". Wow, what a difference. Cut my mowing time down to 1.5 hours and it will mow at 11 mph. Yes, a zero turn may be a one trick pony, but I will mow my lawn 36+ times a season and the time dividend is way worth it.

 

[chim]

Yep, if you豎*e not comparing apples to apples the logic isn遞 logical.

Same logic that is applied when the Zero guys state that "nothing is faster than a ZT", "my ZT will mow circles around any tractor", or "a ZT will cut mowing time in half" when they picture using their Zeros to dominate 38" box store riding mowers?

There are some owners for whom a Zero may well be the only machine suitable for them. That doesn't translate into it being the only machine for everyone else. Same thing applies to tractors with finish mowers, flail mowers, ganged reel mowers, etc.

C'mon and lighten up and realize there's more than one way to get the job done. LandPride, King Kutter, Woods, Caroni, Bush Hog, Agmate, etc. still manage to sell their wares in addition to the factory decks available from the tractor manufacturers.

 

[4570Man]

Same logic that is applied when the Zero guys state that "nothing is faster than a ZT", "my ZT will mow circles around any tractor", or "a ZT will cut mowing time in half" when they picture using their Zeros to dominate 38" box store riding mowers?

There are some owners for whom a Zero may well be the only machine suitable for them. That doesn't translate into it being the only machine for everyone else. Same thing applies to tractors with finish mowers, flail mowers, ganged reel mowers, etc.

C'mon and lighten up and realize there's more than one way to get the job done. LandPride, King Kutter, Woods, Caroni, Bush Hog, Agmate, etc. still manage to sell their wares in addition to the factory decks available from the tractor manufacturers.

In anything that resembles a fair comparison a ZT will mow way faster than a tractor. And that’s once you get started mowing. If you’ve got to attach your finish mower and drop the loader I’ll already have 2 acres cut.

 

[lman]

That's impressive! Going 14mph mowing must be fun?

Better have your seat belt on when you're going around a tree at that speed.

 

[DK35vince]

Same logic that is applied when the Zero guys state that "nothing is faster than a ZT", "my ZT will mow circles around any tractor", or "a ZT will cut mowing time in half" when they picture using their Zeros to dominate 38" box store riding mowers?

There are some owners for whom a Zero may well be the only machine suitable for them. That doesn't translate into it being the only machine for everyone else. Same thing applies to tractors with finish mowers, flail mowers, ganged reel mowers, etc.

C'mon and lighten up and realize there's more than one way to get the job done. LandPride, King Kutter, Woods, Caroni, Bush Hog, Agmate, etc. still manage to sell their wares in addition to the factory decks available from the tractor manufacturers.

That's all true.
I mowed for years with my tractor and rear finish mower. ( I still often do while my wife runs the zero turn)
Many people don't want to store/maintain or can't afford multiple machines. And that's fine.
But it doesn't change the fact that zero turns are more efficient mowers.

 

[DK35vince]

Completely agree. However, when mowing the steep hills make sure they are bone dry; I went down about 60 ft on a wet hill, backwards, sideways, and back and forth. Puckered up like a prune and left grip marks on the handles.

Mine would do that too on hills until I threw the stock turf tires away and replaced them with the Carlisle AT 101's.
Made a HUGE difference and I've never had an issue on our hills again. (wet or dry)

 

[Hay Dude]

Mine would do that too on hills until I threw the stock turf tires away and replaced them with the Carlisle AT 101's.
Made a HUGE difference and I've never had an issue on our hills again. (wet or dry)View attachment 657774

I did the same thing. Can damage turf quickly if its a little damp.