AWS or Zero turn

[jenkinsph]

In November, I thought I knew what I wanted, so I wanted to shop for a good deal. But, after shopping, and listening to people, it has flooded my mind with a lot of valid concerns.

Question: When you demo, is that the mower that you get? Or do they then go back and give you a brand new mower if it is the one that you like.

I want a traditional lawn/garden tractor because I like the idea of drinking my tea while I mow. I can do this with a steering wheel, but I don't think I can do that on a zero turn. I know it is silly to pick a mower based on whether you can mow with a drink in your hand.

Can anyone offer experience with the x324, or x534 verses a zero turn on their own yard time wise verses a traditional lawn tractor?

Reading this last post I think you want power steering, go for the 534. I also think you will be happier with the larger tires on the 534, one of the things I didn't like about the 324 was the small tires when shopping and comparing. I really like the 26x12x12 hdap rear tires on the X749, they provide excellent floatation and a nice smooth ride.

 

[Gittyup]

Make sure to add a speed knob so you can drink your tea and steer good too. And if this is important, then you must go power steering.

 

[beenthere]

I have 2.6 acres. ........What is your advise for a cut that rivals a golf fairway?

Thanks.

Either will produce a great cut...whether it rivals a golf fairway will depend on the many other variables in addition to mower deck that enter into the golf fairway equation.

As to speed, might get more speed out of the zero turn, but less overall utility for other jobs that the AWS can do for you. I prefer the AWS as I have many other uses for my 445, 425, and 455 including hillsides that I wouldn't even attempt with a zero turn.

And the acerage isn't very much so the time to mow wouldn't be a factor for me. I mow about 6-8 acres with my 54" deck, AWS. The AWS speeds up mowing and is real close to the zero turns IMO.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[magicheater]

In November, I thought I knew what I wanted, so I wanted to shop for a good deal. But, after shopping, and listening to people, it has flooded my mind with a lot of valid concerns.

Question: When you demo, is that the mower that you get? Or do they then go back and give you a brand new mower if it is the one that you like.

I want a traditional lawn/garden tractor because I like the idea of drinking my tea while I mow. I can do this with a steering wheel, but I don't think I can do that on a zero turn. I know it is silly to pick a mower based on whether you can mow with a drink in your hand.

Can anyone offer experience with the x324, or x534 verses a zero turn on their own yard time wise verses a traditional lawn tractor?

With my zero turn I am to busy mowing to have a drink in my hand, and I save so much time I would rather look out over a freshly mowed yard with that drink in my hand! You might read this.

 

[beenthere]

Some zero turns have a steering wheel. That what we are talking here, or the hand levers ??

 

[phiferpharm]

I have both a traditional 52" mower, a tractor with a 6' PTO mower, and a Zero turn. I stopped using my full size tractor and traditional mower for my 20acres for everything but bush hog work and use the zero turn only. It has cut my time in half. If you need to sip the kool-aid, zero turns are available with a single lever stick control. You may want to look at that.

 

[jcummins]

I had a JD425AWS 60" cut, now have a Kubota ZD326 60" cut. BOTH caused some lawn damage, the ztr a little more. The cut is outstanding with the ztr compared to the aws. Mowing time with ztr cut the time in 1/2. I have a ditch in my front yard, the ztr handles the sides of the ditch much better than the aws. Going straight thru the ditch, I do hang the ztr up more do to the motor overhang in the back....that's more of an operator problem than the machine.

For me the ztr wins.

 

[JB2]

Hi

It all comes down to preference, I have ran both ZTR's, traditional Garden tractors and Front mount mowers.

From running ZTR's: I work for a local conservation authority as well as run my own part-time lawn care business. The conservation authority has a Deere 997 Z-track and a Kubota ZD28( Kubota suppose to be traded this spring). On hills, the Kubota was lower to the ground and more stable on hillsides then the Deere, but I found the Deere 997 Z-track to really cut grass in a hurry on a flat ground which does a nice job. You get into wet conditions though, and they can get stuck easy. We have lots of weeping beds that we cut in the park and with so much grass we are cutting rain or shine in prime growing seasons. If you run a ZTR properly they won't cut up the ground.

AWS: I currently have 2 AWS mowers in my fleet, a 455AWS with 60" deck and a 2007 Deere X744 AWS with 48" deck. I went with AWS, as I can do more with a tractor then I can a ZTR.... I am thinking of putting a Rotary broom on one for power sweeping. The AWS's Deere do a nice job cutting grass as well and are very versalitle machines but when repairs are needed on the AWS, it can be pricey. You do get 4X4 on a Deere X749 AWS that would really help stablity on the hills as well.
I still like steering with a steering wheel, so I went AWS instead of ZTR.
But it all comes down to preference.
I have a hydrolic Dump MCS on the back of my JD 455AWS and is a really slick machine for leave pickup in the fall, another reason I went AWS. I did look at a Walker ZTR( which are Awsome) but the closest dealer was 50 minutes away vs the Deere dealer which was 10 minutes away. That and the JD dealer offered great service and support.

Its all up to you, but I prefer AWS my self for my applications, but that does not mean its the same for your plans with it. There are some nice ZTRs out there as well, that would suit your needs as well. My suggestion would be to demo both, a ZTR vs an AWS and see which one you like better.. If you like the ZTR go ZTR, you like the AWS go with AWS.

A Grasshopper or Walker ZTR would work well, because you can put other attachments on them, like a blade, snowblower, broom etc... plus if you got a lot of trees, the MCS on the Walker is nice to have as well. I looked seriously at a few Walkers, but they were expensive.

Take Care Jason B

 

[Soonerskins]

My wife just occused me of being obsessed. I research and research. I think I finally get it that I need to demon my yard to know for sure which investment is right for me.

Since I mow often enough, and in the afternoon, when it is too hot to golf, I always mulch my grass. My father-n-law has the same mower as I do, except no mulching kit. I broke a belt last year, and borrowed his mower to finish. It drove me nuts having to see the discharged grass. I also like that I can mow any direction toward the road or house and I do not have to worry about clippings going where I don't want them. SO, enough said, how do I go about getting dealers to demo a mulching kit as well. Two local JD dealers told me their mulching kit worked very well, and that they could order it. I also looked at xmark, grasshopper, and scag. Same situation. I also didn't overlook walker. I have their DVD and brochures. They have a mulching deck. But, the dealer in my region is over a hundred miles away. I just got a DVD in the mail on a marty j mower. I never heard of them, and they look weird, but I want to get a quality machine and cut. A steering wheel will be icing on the cake.

 

[Soonerskins]

I also would like a 48 inch deck. I have a couple of spots that need some sand to help the levelness. I know to be careful around those spots with my 50 inch so I don't scalp the lawn. I was told that the smaller the deck, the better the cut. Also, is it true that two blades always leave a more even cut verses the larger cut 3 blade decks. My grandpa swears by this, an he used to cut 5 acres with a 38 inch liquid cooled jd. He is the reason I want to keep Deere in the family, but I am open to anything.