Clueless about tractors

[jenkinsph]

What is a Zero Turn TRACTOR? (ZTT)

Don't know, never heard that term before but one advantage my x749 Deere has is 4x4 and 4 wheel steer diesel. Much more maneuverable than a scut but not as much as a zero turn such as you have. But it works great for my customer lawns where I need to mow hill sides and around trees. For my uses the x749 blows away the scuts for mowing.

 

[jenkinsph]

I assume he means some kind of thing like this.
zero turn tractor - Bing images

I would like to see this CC turn up a hill and mow around a tree in my locale. SCUFFING comes to my mind. I can only imagine what pulling a 6' wide pine needle rake would be like.

 

[AxleHub]

What is a Zero Turn TRACTOR? (ZTT)

Greetings Jeff,

A Zero Turn Tractor is a Garden Tractor that has the ability to handle like a Zero turn rider but with all the normal abilities of a garden tractor. A couple of examples are the following:

Cub Cadet produced a series of 3 sizes with the largest being the I1050 a 25 hp 50 inch deck model. They were designed for excellent hill and steeper slope handling and the front axle turns the wheels as tight as a near 90 degree angle. It has 2 differentials for the rear drive . . to keep grass from being damaged but also to offer great traction. Engine is in front so normal weight bslance keeps concerns of wherlie issues away. And snowblowers, plow blade, and garden carts etc. etc.. can be used. I have an I1050. Here is a you tube of an I1050. New they were about $ 4000.00 the 42 inch andb46 inch wete of course less. Last spring I got one with 59 hours on it.

Cub Cadet Zero Turn i1 Demonstration - Agrilife New Zealand - YouTube


Another brand is made by Kubota . . A gas version and a diesel version. 4wd is included and while not a true zero turn . . Is as close as 4wd can make it. Thevsteering can be turned 70 degrees making it nearly zero turn. Still a current model product in 2016.

There are a couple of others.

The important things of a zero turn tractor are they are highly manueverable and do more than just cut grass. No soecial skills are required to operatevthem . . and in the case of the Cub Cadet I series . . They were designed to be low and wide for billy goat like handling on hills and side hills..

 

[TheMan419]

I think it is going to be budged dependent. The SCUT will be nice to do work around the place. You will find things to move, haul, dig etc. The ZRT will be much better at mowing the lawn.... assuming the terrain is suitable to the ZRT.

In terms of selecting a SCUT, the advice you are getting is what I followed. Scope out the local dealers. That will help make your selection clear. I got a New Holland because I liked the dealership and believe I will get good help from them when there is a problem.

 

[TheMan419]

I think it is going to be budged dependent. The SCUT will be nice to do work around the place. You will find things to move, haul, dig etc. The ZRT will be much better at mowing the lawn.... assuming the terrain is suitable to the ZRT.

In terms of selecting a SCUT, the advice you are getting is what I followed. Scope out the local dealers. That will help make your selection clear. I got a New Holland because I liked the dealership and believe I will get good help from them when there is a problem.

 

[paulfun9]

I always marvel at how many people recommend getying bigger tractors. They claim they love opetating and running their tractirs . . .yet they always use speed and less time needing the tractor as some of the bigger reasons to get a bigger tractor. In other words when an op states he doesn't want or need to hurry the effort because he wants to enjoy the process . . many try to convince him to hurry the process along by getting bigger.

Thats how a friend of mine got talked into getting the wrong size. He wanted the advantage of a tractor but he also wanted to use it. He got bigger and his time using it was shortened too much and it wasn't fun and it wasn't convenient . . just faster. He sold it and got the size he'd originally wanted and he enjoys it much more.

My point is . . Nobody desires to waste time . . But often people don't want to "rush their lives away" either. Everyone doesn't want to live with the slogan "get ur done" in every conversation.


Just a perspective.

Yes there is a balance point between getting it done and enjoying the day. Today was a was a nice day with the sun shinning and with my dog walking alongside I just kicked back and enjoyed the day but the past few days it was cold damp and rainy so I was at full throttle and just trying to get as much done as possible. Having the ability to get it done when you need to or throttle back and enjoy the day is nice so having the bigger machine has its merits with that alone.
The other thing you must consider is that after years of running a tractor sometimes no matter the job at hand it just starts to feel like work and you just want it done sooner rather than later no matter the weather or what you have planned for later in the day again having the bigger machine to get it done faster becomes priceless.
Many jobs I still enjoy taking my time and enjoying the process but for lots of things no matter how long its been or how nice the day its still work and I just want it done as soon as possible. So much of this has to do with the job, the amount of spare time one has and what else their life consists of. I sure don't want to be spending an extra hour or two on the tractor when the weather is really nice as I still enjoy taking my motorcycle for a ride or getting in the boat and going for the day.
Also one must consider the job at hand and the toll it takes on your equipment. When you push a smaller machine to its limits you will inevitably make it wear out quicker just to get some jobs done in a reasonable timeframe yet with the bigger machine those tasks are getting doen just as quick without pushing the machine to its limits thus more longevity of the machine and this also bleeds over to the safety of the operator not being compromised nearly as much as it could be otherwise.

 

[jenkinsph]

Yes there is a balance point between getting it done and enjoying the day. Today was a was a nice day with the sun shinning and with my dog walking alongside I just kicked back and enjoyed the day but the past few days it was cold damp and rainy so I was at full throttle and just trying to get as much done as possible. Having the ability to get it done when you need to or throttle back and enjoy the day is nice so having the bigger machine has its merits with that alone.
The other thing you must consider is that after years of running a tractor sometimes no matter the job at hand it just starts to feel like work and you just want it done sooner rather than later no matter the weather or what you have planned for later in the day again having the bigger machine to get it done faster becomes priceless.
Many jobs I still enjoy taking my time and enjoying the process but for lots of things no matter how long its been or how nice the day its still work and I just want it done as soon as possible. So much of this has to do with the job, the amount of spare time one has and what else their life consists of. I sure don't want to be spending an extra hour or two on the tractor when the weather is really nice as I still enjoy taking my motorcycle for a ride or getting in the boat and going for the day.
Also one must consider the job at hand and the toll it takes on your equipment. When you push a smaller machine to its limits you will inevitably make it wear out quicker just to get some jobs done in a reasonable timeframe yet with the bigger machine those tasks are getting doen just as quick without pushing the machine to its limits thus more longevity of the machine and this also bleeds over to the safety of the operator not being compromised nearly as much as it could be otherwise.

Good post ^^^^^

 

[brasco426]

Good post ^^^^^

I'm just glad to have one at the ready when I need it .

 

[AxleHub]

Yes there is a balance point between getting it done and enjoying the day. Today was a was a nice day with the sun shinning and with my dog walking alongside I just kicked back and enjoyed the day but the past few days it was cold damp and rainy so I was at full throttle and just trying to get as much done as possible. Having the ability to get it done when you need to or throttle back and enjoy the day is nice so having the bigger machine has its merits with that alone.
The other thing you must consider is that after years of running a tractor sometimes no matter the job at hand it just starts to feel like work and you just want it done sooner rather than later no matter the weather or what you have planned for later in the day again having the bigger machine to get it done faster becomes priceless.
Many jobs I still enjoy taking my time and enjoying the process but for lots of things no matter how long its been or how nice the day its still work and I just want it done as soon as possible. So much of this has to do with the job, the amount of spare time one has and what else their life consists of. I sure don't want to be spending an extra hour or two on the tractor when the weather is really nice as I still enjoy taking my motorcycle for a ride or getting in the boat and going for the day.
Also one must consider the job at hand and the toll it takes on your equipment. When you push a smaller machine to its limits you will inevitably make it wear out quicker just to get some jobs done in a reasonable timeframe yet with the bigger machine those tasks are getting doen just as quick without pushing the machine to its limits thus more longevity of the machine and this also bleeds over to the safety of the operator not being compromised nearly as much as it could be otherwise.

Not a bad post Paulfun, but it assumes 1 thing that I do not believe is always valid . . . that the operating experience and driving activity are equally enjoyable. If that were true . . everyone would own 2500 series trucks and no sports cars. Everyone would own Honda Interstates and Full Dresser Harleys. Everyone would own 50 foot houseboats or cabin cruisers instead of bass boats and 26 foot houseboats.

I think its alot more fun to have products that are more manueverable and pleasant. Bigger doesn't always mean more comfortable . . . but it often means heavier and taller and harder to transport.

Often we'll read comments like "a scut will do everything you want but it takes longer than a bigger tractor". That's "maybe" true if maneuverability isn't an issue (a 300 pound NFL lineman doesn't get used as a wide receiver just as a 185 pound cornetback get used as a pass blocker).

I didn't want a kubota bx1870 because its too small for my needs but I didnt want a Massey 1734 either because its too big and unwieldy for my needs.

In another point . . I've cut grass on a riding mower in one form or another for 55 years already . . and I still enjoy the ability to think and dream and plan as I'm doing it in nature . . no cab for me.

Life is hectic and hurried and stressful as it is . . A tractor or motorcycle is for fun with lots of reasons and justifications for also accomplishing things with them.

 

[jenkinsph]

I'm just glad to have one at the ready when I need it .

Yep, I find having my tractors makes it easy to get a lot done. For my situation the x749 and 110tlb cover the majority of my needs. Maybe a couple of times a year having a scut would be beneficial but for the rest of the time it would be too small. Everyone should buy the size that they see fit. I have only seen one Mahindra Max 28 and it looked like a handy machine that would work well for small jobs. Hope your Max 24 works well for you and enjoy it.