AWS or Zero turn

Soonerskins · Jan 4, 2011

I have 2.6 acres. Of that, about 1.75 is lawn. And, about 1.25 is a weed free stand of Bermuda, and the other half acre is shade grass.

I am a teacher, so I have a lot of time to mow in the summer. I mow with a snapper lt2250 with a mulching deck. I mow at least every three days in the evening. I am **** about the turf. I mow a different direction every time. The mower I have now has 390 hours after 3 seasons. We are going to upgrade while it still works.

My wife has tried to convince me to go zero turn. I like the x324, or x524. We have also considered buying a used reel mower. But, our mature trees are black walnuts. The reels would not last long with those nuts and twigs.

I need a machine that will last a long time, and one that has an outstanding cut. So, how much more time will a zero turn save compared to the x324 or x534? Every 3 years or so, I aerate. But, if necessary, I can borrow a mower to do that, but I would rather do it myself.

Deck quality and mulch kit are my number one priority. Speed of mowing would be next. I have searched and seen every zero turn around here. But, I still keep leaning x series.

What is your advise for a cut that rivals a golf fairway?

Thanks.

jenkinsph · Jan 4, 2011

Haven't had a chance to mow with the new X749 yet but to get the golf course appearance I suspect that frequency of mowing is the key. I am not a golfer but some areas are cut everyday.

Alan L. · Jan 4, 2011

Based on what I read and studied before buying my Scag, seems like if you cut often and so you aren't taking much off, and want a great cut, you can't beat an Exmark commerical ZTR. I don't know how a ZTR would compare time wise, but my Scag is fast. It does cut pretty too, but is a hog on all types of grass and its usually 8" tall more more when I cut it. Some say the Exmark cuts prettier, but it can't handle the rougher areas like Scag.

om21braz · Jan 5, 2011

I know this is the JD forum, but IMHO, it's hard to beat a Walker for cut quality and after cut appearance. Not the fastest mower, but can eliminate lots of trimming.

Soonerskins · Jan 5, 2011

I cannot afford a walker. I have researched exmark and scag. It seems their "hurricane" mulching system leaves as good of rotary cut as you could get.

I have no experience on a zero turn. I also am afraid of tires tearing up my turf. I am sure that I could learn to turn without hurting the lawn. I want to have a lawn/garden tractor with the smallest turning radius possible. That is what I got when I got my snapper a few years ago. But it just can't handle the hours I am giving it. My wife told me that if I don't get a zero turn, then I have to put her in a pool. I can't afford that.

What I would like to see is the 7 iron deck on the x300 series.

Has anyone experienced the mulching kit quality of the x-series?

jenkinsph · Jan 5, 2011

I have tried out my X749 for one cutting only with the mulch plug installed. Seened to do a good job except where I used it in taller grass. For routine cutting without so much growth it should work well.

Get your dealer to set up a demo and try one out or several for that matter. This is the best way since you can verify the results for yourself. You might wan't to consider a diesel if you are going to mow twice a week.

Soonerskins · Jan 5, 2011

I have been told to demo to make sure I like what I am getting. The problem that I have is I was hoping to get a good deal during the off season. I would not get to really demo a cut until mid May when my Bermuda comes out of dormancy.

Am I correct that I can get a better deal now during the off season as opposed to the peak mowing season?

oldnslo · Jan 6, 2011

You should get a better deal in the off season if they have carry over stock from last year.

Your concern about damaging the lawn with ZTR are valid. They require lot's of practice to keep from damaging the lawn on tight 180 degree turns.

Another question for the OP. Is saving a few dollars worth the concern of not knowing if the mower works to your satisfaction Vs waiting until you can demo the mower and know that you have purchased a mower that meets your requirements.

Roy

Gittyup · Jan 6, 2011

I have an AWS425, 54" deck. Love it. But it too can tear the grass under wet conditions. I had a mulching kit on mine and it did a great job as long as the grass was cut often and not while wet. I have bluegrass - grows fast and stays wet). I think it would mulch even better on bermuda. I removed my mulching kit because I just couldn't find time to cut it that often (nor did I want to).

For your lot, I don't think the time difference will be significant. It really comes down to do you need a tractor for other things that the zero turn can't do so well?

Soonerskins · Jan 6, 2011

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?

jenkinsph · Jan 6, 2011

Soonerskins said:
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 · Jan 6, 2011

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 · Jan 6, 2011

Soonerskins said:
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 · Jan 6, 2011

Soonerskins said:
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 · Jan 6, 2011

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

phiferpharm · Jan 6, 2011

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 · Jan 6, 2011

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 · Jan 6, 2011

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 · Jan 6, 2011

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 · Jan 6, 2011

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.