Compact tractor/Zero turm mower or both?

[tractor1971]

I am planning on buying a 30 hp tractor with MMM, but I am considering dropping the MMM and to get a ZTR. The only two problems is money and the wife. I have a very busy schedule with little spare time, and is living on a 3 acre lot of which is mosly lawn. Landscaping still need to be done, which will include plenty FEL work. I enjoy mowing, but need to cut the plessure short at times due to time restraints. What is your take on this- small ZTR, or go for the less money tractor with MMM??

 

[wushaw]

I have both sort of, a L2800hst tractor for tractor work and once a year bushhog and a 61" + a 36" ZTR. It works, I am not worried about spending so much time on a mower anymore /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Nasty135]

tractor1971, Food for thought , What are you currently mowing with?

3 acres mostly grass 30hp tractor probably 5' deck or ZTR with 48-52" deck??

Well a 5' deck on a 30hp tractor with a hydro trans will probably do quite well time wise, But not knowing what your mowing with now kinda leaves any advice to just information ....

I will say that my neighbor has a TC29 with a 5' RFM and a hydro trans and he rolls along pretty quick, But my 5' ZTR rolls quicker .... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif but much more bumpy /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I know if I could do it over I would have gotten a hydro trans in my tractor and I probably would still be mowing with it rather than spending more for a ZTR ... Having two pieces of equipment to maintain instead of one that serves double duty might be great for "equipment junkies" but I'm re-thinking my needs....Oh and let me add you will get dirty mowing with a ZTR

Reason I say this : Once your landscaping etc. is done will you still have need of a tractor?? Or will you mainly just be mowing grass? Would it be better to rent your equipment to landscape with and buy your choice of mower? If you have both when your done landscaping will the tractor just sit... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'm thinking about making some changes now that I have seen my tractor does a lot of sitting... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

If I go to one piece of equipment it will be a tractor for sure..

 

[jgh]

20050923

One observation from my experience--

A ZT mower does better when the grass is fairly short and you can go quickly. I used a BX-2200 with MMM b4 and find in heavy grass the speeds are about the same, but my Exmark XP will fly in light grass.

But that is how you are supposed to cut, short and often, right?

Jim

 

[rswyan]

We bought a 30 hp CUT last year with a 72" MMM. We already had a commercial ZTR (but only a 44" deck, which is way too small for our property - we have about 4 or 5 acres to mow.)

The problem here is putting the mower on (and taking the FEL off) - since I have been doing alot of projects (new 600' driveway, new polebarn, landscaping, etc.) the FEL is usually on and sometimes the backhoe as well. It only takes about 10 minutes or so to put on the mower and take the FEL off - but I'm working on my projects so much (12+ hours a day, 7 days a week) that I find I just don't have the energy to screw around with swapping things out just to the mow the dang grass. In fact, I don't even have the steam to mow - either my wife, son, or the neighbor kid mows (every few weeks) .... otherwise it ain't gonna get done.

The idea of having piece of equipment (CUT) to accomplish all tasks was a nice one but in hindsight at this point I wish I had spent the money for the MMM on a good ZTR with a large deck.

It could be that once I get all the projects done around here that opinion might change .... but that seems awfully far down the road at this point - at least 3 or 4 years. FWIW.

 

[tractor1971]

Thanks for your replies, I was away for a while. My landscaping is likly a 5 year project, therfore my tractor will be here to stay. When I run out of projects, I will make new ones, I'm sure. I will give it some carefull consideration from a financial point of view before I decide what to do ....

 

[tawilson]

I have both, but my situation requires it. Perhaps for you, a 3-pt. mower would be better than a mmm, easier on and off. I had one on a 20 hp tractor, which I traded in when I did my deal for the ZTR and bh for my 40 hp tractor.

 

[JohnSinVA]

You don't say where you're located but I'll suggest you go upstairs to the Power-Trac forum and talk to a few of the folks there. The Power-Trac is probably the most versatile piece of equipment you can buy in the ZTR/Compact Tractor price range. It's more maneuverable than a tractor, has true hydro 4wd, and has many implements for mowing, landscaping, etc.

I was set to buy one until I took an unexpected hit. Worth looking into.